Dealers

fits

I was just reading a topic on another (UK ) forum there, started by a girl who is looking for a horse. She saw this ad on horsemart... and rang up about it only to be told that the horse wasnt suitable, but there was another mare who might be better.

Seemingly this is an old trick by certain dealers... They post an ad of a 'perfect' horse at a bargain price, in order to lure people in to look at others.

Now, with my membership of this forum, I'd have a fair idea of what goes on in the UK, but does it happen here? Are there 'dealers' in Ireland who sell locally? What are the 'tricks'?

Any horses we've been sold have been through Goresbridge, but I really wouldnt be familiar with the market at all, and I'd like to be as I will buy a horse at some stage.

doctor evil

I wonder do they use the same trick in selling cars etc.

togster

doctor evil wrote:

I wonder do they use the same trick in selling cars etc.

What winding back the clock'!!

There are so many tricks its unbelievable. I know of someone who forged a passport (with breedin) and made the horse 8 instaed of 4.!! The horse was sold to the continent!! The passport thing is a disgrace. It is up to the vet what age to put on a blue book. If you have young stock and know the vet then bobs your uncle.

Also people buying are very naive in that they often do not use their own vet to vet the horses prior to vetting!! Thankfully i have never worked somewhere where this occurs but friends of mine have worked with serious cowboys!!.

Another one is administrating sedative or painkiller. ALWAYS get your horse blood tested on the day the vet checks him.!!

tbh i think these practices are detrimental to the irish horse in general. I would like to see electronic passports compulsory. Or something more stringent than the current money-spinning racket. From the dealer to the vet to the horse board.!

fits

togster wrote:

There are so many tricks its unbelievable. I know of someone who forged a passport (with breedin) and made the horse 8 instaed of 4.!! The horse was sold to the continent!! The passport thing is a disgrace. It is up to the vet what age to put on a blue book. If you have young stock and know the vet then bobs your uncle.

Also people buying are very naive in that they often do not use their own vet to vet the horses prior to vetting!! Thankfully i have never worked somewhere where this occurs but friends of mine have worked with serious cowboys!!.

Another one is administrating sedative or painkiller. ALWAYS get your horse blood tested on the day the vet checks him.!!

tbh i think these practices are detrimental to the irish horse in general. I would like to see electronic passports compulsory. Or something more stringent than the current money-spinning racket. From the dealer to the vet to the horse board.!

Do you reckon this stuff really goes on wholesale? How about the vets affiliated to Cavan and Goresbridge? Would they be talked around?

Like I said before, we've sold a few horses through Goresbridge and have been completely straight with the buyer (no need to be any other way) but I've often wondered what happened the horses afterwards.

If this does go on so much, you're right, its not good for the Irish horse.

There were ads in buyandsell recently looking for old passports :eek:

Microchipping/electronic passports would be a good move indeed.

togster

My last post went walk about somewhere!!

Its a pure sham what goes on and its widespread. The passport in my opinion should be a legitimate source of identification and its not. Having seen the abuse of it i can honestly say that if iwere buying a horse with bredding i'd get a dna test done. Some dealers claim grants for mares they don't have by "borrowing" passports from others. CRAZY or what.

If you are buying a horse turn up 2-3 hours before you said you would that way anh *ahem* "practices" to alter the horses inherent behaviour will be avoided.
Also there are many tricks to get a horse to pass a vetting. Holding the rope tight on a trot up reduces the head bobbing in a slightly lame horse. Exercising in a noisy area so problems with horses wind can be less audible. The list goes on and on!!

I know many decent dealers who understand that by giving a customer what he/she wants pays off in the medium to long-term. However its hard for them to operate in a market where "cowboys" flog dangerous/unsuitable horse

fits

Can you recommend any dealers?
What is the best way to go about buying a horse in Ireland for someone like me?

I'd be looking for an eventing/riding club schoolmaster. Wouldnt have to be very advanced but good flat work and jumping would be essential... so it could teach me

togster

It depends how much you want to spend!! A schoolmaster like that could cost a few bob!! What age?

I know some good dealers. I can PM you if you want.

Let me know ehat your really looking for. ie description heigth male/female age bone etc. I would recommend going to a dealer outside of dublin. Somewhere down the countrty. PM me!!

fits

togster wrote:

It depends how much you want to spend!! A schoolmaster like that could cost a few bob!! What age?

I know some good dealers. I can PM you if you want.

Let me know ehat your really looking for. ie description heigth male/female age bone etc. I would recommend going to a dealer outside of dublin. Somewhere down the countrty. PM me!!

I dont intend buying for a while really. But I'll definitely get in touch when I'm in a position to buy again. I've never really had a chance to learn how to ride 'properly'. I intend spending money on the right horse, cos you only live once and if I dont while I'm young, who knows if I ever will.

I'm confident and have a sticky bum, no probs hunting etc... but when I do get another horse, I'd like to be able to ride a decent dressage test and jump a course of showjumps competently. Havent had any sort of training since PC Camp at the age of 15... which is 12 years ago now :eek: Would be more comfortable doing a cross country course than showjumping due to my experience... A lot of people think I'm mad when I say that.

Intend going back to lessons before I buy (and practising on Duchess)

togster

fits wrote:

Would be more comfortable doing a cross country course than showjumping due to my experience... A lot of people think I'm mad when I say that.

Intend going back to lessons before I buy (and practising on Duchess)

Know where your coming from there. I'd be in that same boat. Well get in touch when the time is right because the horses you are looking for are out there if your willing to be patient.!! By the way id stay away from cavan or goresbridge for that type of horse. 1 they are either overpriced or dodgy!

Enjoy the lesson. Could do with some myself:(