[BWBorder]

Can someone advise me on this price as in my eyes it seems a little steep - But I've not owned horses in a few years so maybe I'm just kidding myself! I really like the look of this horse, but it still seems overpriced IMO.  Can anyone advise?

15hh, 20 year old, X connemara. been in regular work. They are asking £1500.

Does this sound too much? Taking into consideration she is an old mare.

I have a link to the Ad for this horse, but not sure if I'm allowed to post it on here?

I'm not looking for anything too young, but I'd like at least a few years riding before retiring the horse completely.

Thanks 

[doganjo]

Well, I don't know a lot about horses, but in dogs you pay less for a cross and virtually nothing once they are over middle age - so I wouldn't pay more than £500 for this lady!

[pikilily]

Hi BW,

It depends on what you want to do. Is it just hacking (then maybe too pricey) is she to be a schoolmaster for dressage and showjumping and maybe some cross-country (then worth her weight in gold and worth every penny of £1500) Connemaras are 'good sorts' sturdy and usually very sound. depends on what she is crossed with....Also At 20 and assuming fit and healthy she could have a good few years to go. (I had a pony who was eventually put down at 391/2yrs. she did her last cross country with my son 6mths before...)

If she has any faults or health issues;  this is now when they will start to really take effect! More info on history will help you, take a trusted experienced friend to take a look, and to give impartial advice. Also why are they selling her.

You could also look at the possibility of offering a home to a rescue horse...with the current financial climate there are masses of perfectly good healthy horses who have been handed over to charities because their owners are struggling. you dont have to take one that is unfit to ride...like i said before depends on what you want to do.  Oh there are plenty put up for loan...check your local equine network. that way you are not perting with your hard earned cash and if it doent work out then you can return the horse.

If you do opt to buy one remember any honest vendor will allow you to have a two or three week trial....and GET THE HORSE VETTED.  now stepping quietly down of my shout box. I hope this helps a bit
All the best
Emma T (horses all my life, my children had ponies too)

[BWBorder]

Thank you

Crossed with a Highland. Only looking to do hacking with her 
Seen her, and shes a forward going but safe ride - just what i'm looking for. But would certainly only be using her for hacking, and possibly in the school sometimes (but this will be for my benifit, not hers lol) personally from seeing her, hacking and some very light school work is all shes suitable for now IMO. So the price seemed a little steep to me. 

With regards to the rescues, i did try and look into this!  But it seems impossible with my location  I can't for the life of me find a rescue nearby'ish ? 

[pegusus pig]

Sorry but she way to expensive, she has her age against her as well. As some one else said the charities are over run with horses and ponies at the moment, i my self have been given a fair few in the past few months because the owners cannot afford to keep them and the local charity has shut there doors.

Where are you not to be be able to find a local charity?  As said above what ever you decide get her vetted, yes it costs but will be worth it in the end, and ask for a couple of weeks trial, if all is well with this horse and the people selling it it should not be a problem. good luck what ever you decide.

[BWBorder]

I am in Fife.
If anyone has any links/contacts for horse rescues, i'd appreciate it.
I'd LOVE to rescue if possible.

[Rosemary]

Broadleys doesn't do equine work and Andy Miller is a consultant who works with Broadleys as well as other vet practices. He is not one of the partners at the practice.

Re rescue horses World Horse Welfare (formerly ILPH) has a rescue centre in Aberdeenshire. They may be able to help, particularly given the number of horse welfare cases recently.

[doganjo]

Bellwade Farm. Aboyne - should be in The Phone Book, Might be under World Horse welfare now

[Roxy]

I think sometimes older ponies are worth their weight in gold.  They have been there, done it - reliable enough for a novice to get on, thats why the price is sometimes high.

To be honest, the way things are financially, I would not be paying that sort of money.  There is the strong possibility that this pony will need a lot of care as it gets older, more food, maybe vet help, stiff joints etc.  You could get 10 years out of it trouble free, or there again, problems could arise sooner rather than later.

As an owner of 9 horses, and having had a few elderly ones, I am speaking from experience here.

I doubt very much a vet would vet it given its age, and you would not be able to get insurance, again due to age.

There is a lot to be said for having an older pony, and I am not wishing to put you off.  But on the other hand, I have seen no end of adverts for ponies for a long term loan, young and old.  Check ads in your local horse feed shop, saddlery shop etc.  I am sure you can pick one up through things like that.

If you really want this pony, I would put in a very low offer, or even ask if they would loan it.  You never know, if they cannot sell at that price, they may take your offer.

[pikilily]

I think here that generally we are all in agreement £1500 seems a bit steep....however when you include all tack and rugs etc in the £1500 it becomes more reasonable.

You have to step back and look at this with a sensible head. Do not let emotive issues take precedence over common sense.


Would you spend £1500 on a car if you knew that it was going to probably cost you several thousand pounds a year to keep on the road and even then may spend numerous weeks or months in the garage not being able to be used.....get the picture :-0

The World Horse Welfare will definitely cover fife....
Cheers Emma

[Clairie]

Erm-I think it's pretty steep but if it were the perfect horse then £1500 would be fine.  A horse is only worth what someone will pay for it.

20 is pretty old to be passed on, but it may be a really spritely old girl.  We have one like that!

I'd definitely get her vetted though.

I personally wouldn't pay that for a horse like that because I know where to get nice horses for next to nothing so am a bit disillusioned now.

Just weigh up in your head whether she's worth that to you.

[ballingall]

Here's a couple of links for scottish horse rescue centres.

Mossburn just outside Dumfries http://www.mossburn.org/index.asp Their website states they do try and rehome animals that come into them if they can do.

And also one in Forfar, http://www.mountainsanimalsanctuary.org.uk/index.html

I would think £1500 is a bit steep, I was offered a 7 year old cross shire about 5 years ago and they wanted £1500 for him too. And I was sooo tempted because he was lovely, but I just couldn''t afford that at that time. I regret it now mind you!


Beth

[Bodger]

Its an OAP and would possibly be too expensive even if it was free to good home.

[juliag]

hi there, just thought I would add my 30 yrs of horseowning buying and selling experience to this thread as am a bit disturbed by some of the replies.
A Hightland / connemara would be a great type of horse to have. Generally sensible and sane, a good doer and should be reasonably easy to keep as hardy.
I would not worry too much about her age if you are just looking to hack her, she should certainly give you a good few years pleasure. However a simple vet check should put your mind at ease. do not go for a 5 star vetting as in this case it would be an entire waste of money and I doubt she would pass flexion tests etc at her age.
Does she come with tack for the £1500, if you are happy with her and she does then snap her up and enjoy her!
Please please think twice before taking on a rescue pony, they generally need very careful handling, can be nervous and you dont generally get nice safe , sound family horses looking for rescue homes. I know I will be shouted down for that comment but rescue ponies and horses need very careful consideration before rehoming as a riding horse, obviously as a companion these can be ideal.
Hope this helps, horses are cheap to keep or buy and £1500 for a horse even if she is older (just think of the years of experience she brings with her) is not a huge amount to pay for something as nice as she sounds. I have 6 children all of whom regularly compete showjumping, one day events etc and certainly put a high value on my children's ponies even if they are getting on in age!   

[danndans]

A bit more info would help, but if it's the horse you feel is ideal for you then as long as shes on no long term medication, and she has a clear basic vetting, then theirs no real reason you shouldnt take her on  A freind of mine has a horse 34y/o witht he papersto prove his age, she also has approx 40 others,  when the others are out working,and hes left in the field he throws major tantrums, so much so they normal have to let him go with them on the trek