how many horses did you view before buying

starpixie72

Hi All,
just a quick question, how many horses did you go view/try out before you found the ONE for you? A friend up at the livery yard I use is going to view a horse at the weekend and already seems dead set on getting this one but hasnt that much info on it just really what the advert said and judging by the photos. she has been sharing a horse at the yard for 1 year so is still learning, any advice on how to sway her to look at a few horses before making up her mind?

Thanks guys:)

fits

Up until my two most recent purchases, the answer is not enough!

Valentina

I probably viewed 30-40 horses including private sellers and major sales then trialed 3 horses before I settled on my current mare.

Even at that I couldn't find the "perfect" horse but my current one came closest to what I wanted - kind temperament, intelligent, straight and correct with a great jump and young enough to bring on how I want.

I would say, view as many as possible and get trials wherever possible. Spread the word with horsey people in your yard, often great horses change hands within schools/clubs without ever being advertised.

starpixie72

I was lucky that i had mine on share at a livery yard then after 2 years the owner decided to sell him on. Just worried that my friend at the yard will buy this horse she is going to see at the weekend and then see a horse that would have suited her better, think she is just rushing in.

marley123

Wow, thats alot Vanentina:)

I tried 2 before buying my horse - went with my gut and thankfully that has paid off!

Valentina wrote: »

I probably viewed 30-40 horses including private sellers and major sales then trialed 3 horses before I settled on my current mare.

Even at that I couldn't find the "perfect" horse but my current one came closest to what I wanted - kind temperament, intelligent, straight and correct with a great jump and young enough to bring on how I want.

I would say, view as many as possible and get trials wherever possible. Spread the word with horsey people in your yard, often great horses change hands within schools/clubs without ever being advertised.

Valentina

marley123 wrote: »

Wow, thats alot Vanentina:)

I tried 2 before buying my horse - went with my gut and thankfully that has paid off!

Yep it sure is a lot I had actually decided on buying one horse early on in my search, everything was arranged and then the owner sold him to someone else who offered above the asking price!

My figure of 30-40 includes going to Goresbridge, Cavan etc and viewing maybe half a dozen horses at a time there. I also had my Yard Owner looking out for me but I just didn't click with anything I tried. My friend bought a horse at the sales and ended up selling him on within 6 months when he turned out to be completely unsuitable for her. I envy anyone who can find the right horse straight away, my heart was broken traipsing around trying to find The One!

aonb

Looked at about 10 horses before buying what we have now.
Trialled a couple.
Would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that your friend has this horse for a trial.
Would also recommend that your friend take this horse to an event - whatever sport she is in to - before she buys - with the owner accompanying her or whatever is necessary.
Its too hard to see what an animal is really like with just a couple of rides on it, before committing to buying it.

convert

Not everyone is willing to let a horse on trial, though, aonb. Having let 2 ponies on trial before, and seeing the condition in which they came back (cut mouth, saddle sores, loss of condition, etc.) there's no way I'd ever let a horse go on trial again. The person can come to my yard as many times as they want to try the horse (it gives me a chance to put them on trial, too), but they are not taking the horse out of my yard unless they've actually purchased the horse.

silverfox88

Agree with convert, i personally wouldnt let one of my own horses go on trial outside the yard; sold my beloved mare a few weeks ago and there was no way she was going anywhere until she was sold. anyone wanting to try her was able to come and ride her as many times as they wished but its just too risky letting them out of the yard!

That said, i was very lucky with my other horse, i had him on loan with view to buy for nearly two months before i bought him; but i would have taken him on the spot when i went to view him if i could have afforded it there and then! Someone mentioned something about "gut" feeling earlier and i do honestly think there is something to be said for it - he was the first horse i went to see when i was buying and he had been pulled in from the field having been turned away for a few months after breaking - i just had a feeling he was the right one!! same thing with my previous mare - i went to see her after getting rid of one of my more disastrous horses - determined that i wouldnt take the first horse i saw; again, i just knew she was perfect for me and took her the next day! i had her for over four amazing years and only let her go on from me because i had bought a youngster.

Obviously if the horse misbehaves at shows etc its a different thing; maybe see if the owner will allow you see the horse at a show local to them if its feasible? but there is a lot to be said for going with your gut - if you ride them and you love it, that's certainly something to go on.

granturismo

We're in the process of buying our first pony and wont buy unless we have it on trial. Looked at 3 so far and no one has any objection to giving their pony on trial. Looking at some at the weekend and one guy is prepared to drive the pony 1.5 hours to our livery yard if we want it on trial - presumably so he can check out the yard which impresses me.

marley123

The first 2 I tried I was a bit MEHH about - just didnt feel like the right combination.
When I saw my Mare - whom the person I bought her from thought really wouldnt suit but I pushed her to let me try & we just clicked!! actually deep down the minute I saw her I fell head over heels - BUT went away & thought about it & then went back for a second try & the rest is history...
She had such a kind eye & its hard to describe but there was just something about her.

starpixie72

silverfox88 wrote: »

That said, i was very lucky with my other horse, i had him on loan with view to buy for nearly two months before i bought him; but i would have taken him on the spot when i went to view him if i could have afforded it there and then! QUOTE]


thats a fantastic offer, 2mths loan, I cant imagine that happens very often. Did you get him vet checked before or after the loan?

fits

I had my fellow on loan for two months before I bought him as well. I knew he was for sale...but I wasn't looking to buy at the time. Got him vetted before I paid for him.

silverfox88

I know, fortunately the lady i bought him from has sold numerous horses to our yard and is very flexible with her purchase arrangements, so the trial periods are on a loan/first refusal basis!

I am loathe to admit this but i actually never had him vetted... *absolute slap on the wrist for me* that said, he was only 3 at the time and had only been broken and turned away so unlikely that there were "wear and tear" injuries as there might be with an older horse!

fits

Last young horse I bought, I didn't get her vetted either. Not really much point to it if they're unbroken and you know your way around horses and what to look out for.

starpixie72

well she didnt buy the horse at the weekend, turns out the seller had someone viewing it just before my friend, my friend turned up when the other person was trying out the horse. Other person put a deposit on the horse so my friend didnt even get to try it out, journey down to Wexford for nothing.

Erica Byrne

just for the laugh, how many burgers can ya make from one horse?

convert

Let's remember not to feed the trolls, and Erica Byrne will be taking a long break from the forum.