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For more detailled information and advice please use the following Links:
Buying A Horse
Type Of Horse
Budget
Sorting The Wheat From The Chaff
Full Written Report
Horse History Check
For Sellers
Please contact us for more information and prices on the following:
Buying a horse [top]
Standard of rider
Be honest about your abilities. Below is a guideline for rider grading. Also think of your goals and ambitions for the future
Beginner
Attending riding school for lessons/looking to purchase your 1st or 2nd pony
Novice
Happy hacker, Attend PC/Riding club rallies. Compete in Prelim Dressage/ Unaffiliated SJ/HT or Fun rides
Intermediate
Compete at Elem/Med dressage, Affiliated SJ grade C, Riding club teams, National Showing, Affiliated Nov/Int. Eventing or Advanced endurance
Advanced
Advanced/Grand Prix + dressage, SJ grade B + , Advanced Eventing +
The Type of rider/person is also of great importance. Are you:
o Laid back, easy going
o Love speed, adrenaline fuelled
o Using riding as a stress release/hobby
o Competitive
o Image conscious
The physical body has a large influence:
o Slight, medium or heavy build
o Weight
o Length of leg
o Medical problems
o Strength/weaknesses
The Psychology of the rider
o Nervous
o Bold
o Easily worried
o High self preservation
o Tentative
o Feisty
CALM equestrian can assesses horse and rider in depth to help achieve a harmonious partnership.
Give us a call and see how we can help you
Type of horse [top]
Build is a good start:
o Heavy Cob/Draught
o Middle weight
o Light weight
Our image is often of a heavy cob being calm and ploddy. I have seen many cobs gallop into the distance using their strength and weight against a helpless rider.
Many thoroughbreds are deemed mad and nutty. They can be highly schooled, sensitive, responsive and calm.
Size, temperament and experience are much better indicators as well as considering the following:
o Type/standard/psychology/size of rider
o Rider goals and ambitions
o Age of horse and rider
o Exercise levels
o Environmental issues ( stabled, at grass)
o Experiences
o Budget
o Personal preferences
All breeds have characteristics, strengths, weaknesses and traits. If a horse is required for a specific discipline then certain breeds would be good to look at. Although I know Shire crosses and Arabs that have been Grand Prix dressage horses and many warm bloods not getting past Novice. So it is wise not to be too restrictive in your search.
A GOOD HORSE HAS NO COLOUR OR BREED
A GOOD HORSE IS SIMPLY A GOOD HORSE
Give us a call and see how we can help you
Budget [top]
In a recent BETA survey if was discovered that in 2006 we spent £417 million pounds on buying horses in the UK
Below is a guideline of approximate values of differing disciplines and types
| All-rounder |
£1,000 to £6,000 |
| Ponies |
£500 to £5,000 |
| Schoolmasters |
£1,500 to £25,000 + |
| Dressage |
£5,000 to £50,000 + |
| Show Jumpers |
£4,000 to £50,000 + |
| Endurance |
£2,500 to £10,000 + |
| Driving |
£1,500 to £15,000 + |
Breeding/training/age/colour and size are all factors in a horses value.
Give us a call and see how we can help you
Sorting the wheat from the chaff [top]
It is always nice to find a local horse whose full history is known. This is not always possible, especially if a specific type of horse is required
Need help researching a horses history? Click Here
Places to look
Local tack and country stores
Magazines
Websites
PC/Riding clubs
Breed societies
Riding schools/Equestrian centres
Reading between the lines
Forward Going
o Nicely forward from the leg
o Bolts the moment you touch its sides
Not Novice Ride
o Make great competition horse as has that sparkle that gives it presence
o You need 30 years experience to stay on
Can Be Marish
o When in season can squeal and be a little grumpy
o For 20 days of the cycle you cannot get near her let alone ride
Bombproof
o A bomb could go off and the horse would stand still! Very unlikely. Bombproof means in the normal situations a horse would encounter it would be well mannered and not behave in an unsafe way. Horses are animals with their own mind, it is always best to remember they can be unpredictable
We can :
1 Trawl the ads
2 Gather further details
3 Narrow down to horses matching your criteria
4 Make an initial visit
5 Too far for you to travel? We can video, send pictures and a thorough report
6 If purchasing we can attend veterinary checks
7 Supply purchase agreement to safeguard your transaction
For a complete purchasing package or individual services
Give us a call and see how we can help you
Full written report [top]
When viewing for or with you a full written report will be completed. This is copied to you after viewing even if you do not decide to purchase. We keep a copy in a secure file in case of future legal or reference needs. Should a dispute arise this report is valuable in a court of law as a written reference of the horses abilities, vices, temperament and history
We ask all those questions usually forgotten:
o We do not just ask if the horse has been stabled. We would ask type of bedding, stable vices, routine, behaviour if left alone, door kicker, box walker, noisy, reaction at feed time
We support our reports with video or pictures
Our experienced riders complete their opinions on the horses suitability for the prospective purchasers requirements
Riders range from Olympic to Riding club
A veterinary examination if always recommended for medical suitability
Give us a call and see how we can help you
Horse History Check [top]
CALM Equestrian can do a through history check on your prospective purchase for you
We check competition results, past veterinary history, previous owners, registrations, plus a host of other places!
You view a horse and are impressed to hear it has competed on the winning riding club team and won a 3ft show jumping against 40 other competitors
Is It True?
Did it get eliminated and the team won on the other members scores?
Was the 3ft actually 1ft and there were only two others on lead reins?
We do not assume a falsehood but seek to confirm the truth
Ultimately this is beneficial for the horse to ensure it is not over taxed with a false perception of competence in a new home and safer for horse and rider
For Sellers [top]
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| The time of year |
This may be relevant to the competition year. The spring is when most people think about getting out on their horse. The winter is great if you have just had good show results and you have qualifications for the coming year to pass on. Major shows and televised equine events boost peoples desire to get out there and be doing it themselves. Horses often look at their best in the summer. |
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| Facilities |
Do you have good trial facilities, would it be better to wait and move your horse to a yard for a few weeks so you can school and show your horse better? Professional yards can also prepare your horse for you. |
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| Marketing |
Do you know which places get the best results? Set a marketing budget. There are places that a Welsh pony might sell but you could not get any response to an ad for a Driving pony. Where are your buyers who are looking for your type of horse? Do you know how to write that eye-catching ad that makes your horse stand out? |
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| Dealing with enquiries |
You could have lots of calls and you will need to filter through and be sure you have people visit who are going to be a good match. Do not be ashamed to say that you do not think your horse is suitable for them if you feel that way. Have a plan if you do not get the response you want. BE HONEST, tell all the problems as well as the talents, you will get a better response on the phone as opposed to when they have travelled 100 miles to be told the horse has sweetitch. |
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| Security |
Be sure that when you give details of where you keep your horse that you take details of the people visiting. Have someone with you or close by. Do not allow people to see where you keep your key, or know your combination. Make a note of the car registration. |
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| Showing your horse |
Ensure you warm up properly, buyers will be impressed that you are taking care of your horse. Make sure the horse is clean, tack cleaned. If where you keep your horse looks well maintained then buyers are likely to think you take the same care of your horse. Show off your horses assets. If your horse is good at gates, show them as you go into the arena. Do not attempt to do anything that your horse is not competent at. Always ride the horse for the buyer before offering the ride to them. No one should expect a buyer to ride a horse they have not seen ridden. |
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| Documents |
Have all passports, registrations documents, photos, rosettes, dressage sheets available for the buyer to view. The more accurate you’re recording of your horses achievements the more impressed buyers will be. Ask lots of questions of the buyer, how they keep their horses, what their ambitions are, their views, opinions. This will all help you to assess if they will be a suitable match for your horse. |
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| The Transaction |
Whenever selling a horse the transaction should be recorded. Preferably with a sales agreement. This will state all the horses details and any known problems or vices should a disagreement arise post sale. You would not make a payment for thousands of pounds for anything else without a receipt or documentation so ensure you get everything in writing. Selling your horse should be a smooth process if everything is approached in an honest and professional way. Finding that perfect new home is as much the sellers responsibility as the buyers. Ultimately it benefits THE HORSE. |
Give us a call and see how we can help you
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