Found a lovely mare, couple of things I'm hoping for advice about

[oldernowiser]

We went to see a lovely mare on Sunday. Her name is Ellie, she's a 14 year old 15.3hh Belgian Draught. She's very placid and I didn't feel remotely nervous on her. DH rode her also and she's so smooth his bad back didn't play up at all. She's perfect for us to share, (good weight carrier for DH but not so big that she scares me) will happily live out all year, and hacks happily by herself.

We're going to see her again on Thursday and I really want her, but two things are slightly worrying me: we were with her for an hour and a half, in which time she did 4 wees. Does anyone have any idea whether I should be concerned about that? She also dishes at trot. The owners said it's normal for that type of carriage horse, and encouraged as a flashy pace. Anyone got any knowledge/experience of the breed/type?

Also, are mares any more difficult than geldings, the owners said she's not moody?

I'm thinking of asking to have her on a months trial to see how we get on working between two yards, and see how she gets on with GDs pony on hacks, (previous thread) as the owners were really keen for us to have her as they wanted a family home for her. Do you think it's a reasonable thing to ask?

I'm trying so hard not to get too excited!!!

[Pixel]

Ooh she sounds lovely. How lucky to find one you both like straight away!

The only thing I can think of in answer to your questions is that excessive urination can be a symptom of Cushings and she is at the age when they can start to develop it. I'm no expert though, it could be something else, it could be nothing. It could be a mare thing (maybe when in season?) as I'm more used to geldings!

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

How much is she costing? Enough to make a vetting worth while? Personally I would have one on any horse I was paying more than a grand for, or which had issues I was querying. If I was you, I would
a/ contact a breeder of Belgians and ask them for pointers re conformation and care, and
b/ if not a vetting speak to a vet re the weeing.
I would also have a trial of at least a month or six weeks. It could take some time for her to settle in and show her true colours, (and a while for any sedative etc that an unscrupulous dealer had given her to fully leave her system. )
I have three mares and they are all lovely. My old pony was a bit hormonal at times, but 'frisky mare' from global herbs was cheap and sorted her out nicely.
I hope I'm not sounding like too much of a party pooper, I'm just trying to help, but as someone who has ponies on a very small budget, even when I am excited I have to really think about what I am taking on.
She does sound lovely though. I hope she turns out to be as lovely as she sounds. x

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

P.s. She could just have been weeing a lot because she is in season, or like my old mare, because a wee stop means she gets to stand still! A bit of stationary napping!

[MitchyInge]

Oooh fingers crossed for you - she sounds lovely, hope you can arrange trial loan.

[oldernowiser]

Thanks all for the advice. She's for sale at £1,750, with a bit of room for negotiation. She was definitely weeing (full stream and stretching out). One other issue I forgot to mention is she had side bones diagnosed in Feb 2008, but the owners say no further problems, and they have a vet report basically passing her as sound.

I'm tempted to contact our insurers and see if I can get her on full cover (incl vets fees)and make a decision as to whether to progress to vetting based on that; I daren't have her if I can't get cover.

I really want her to be OK, she's so perfect for us! Or am I letting my heart rule my head?

[whatwasthatagain]

And who doesn't let their heart rule their head when buying horses! I would never buy a horse without a thorough vetting.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Oldernowiser, you must get a vetting on this horse. That is a lot of money, and there are 3 issues raised now. The owners may have a vets certificate, but you need this checking out by your own vet. An insurance company won't insure for an existing problem, you need to know where this ringbone will lead. I haven't bought many horses, and the ones I have are worth next to nothing, but the general guideline I work on is that people will tell you anything to get you to buy their horse. There are very unscrupulous people out there. Can you afford to end up with a £1750 horse who is unridable, unsellable and needs constant medical treatment?
I am not saying don't buy it, if you love it you love it, but the minimum you need to do is 1/ a vetting
2/ at least a months trial
3/speak to your insurance company.
Otherwise, you are taking the risk of ending up with a very expensive lawn ornament!
If you have a vetting, and points are raised, it doesn't mean you mustn't buy the horse, but you will be able to bargain over the price, and you will be going into this with your eyes open. We often take on horses with problems, but you need to know what they are.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

And don't think I'm hard hearted and awful, the last pony I bought cost me £150 has a chronic underbite and is a hand taller at the back than the front! And I only bought her because she was the first pony dd and ds ever sat on!

[seeker]

Get her vetted. Don't take the owner's vet report - they may have a best friend who's a vet! I think it cost about 200 quid to have dd's pony vetted, and she only cost £800, but it was money well spent. It doesn't guarantee no problems, but it provides some peace of mind!

[skihorse]

I wouldn't worry about the dishing at all.

Bone problems? Pff - any horse can end up being 3-legged at any point in time - mostly when you've got plans for a nice long hack with friends or you've invited a friend up to show off.

The weeing would raise eyebrows with me - but again - maybe seasonal? My mare pushes out buckets of the stuff when she's in season and she does the whole stretching out wee pose - but it's er... fanny juice nonetheless.

As for a "trial" - this is a tough one. I can understand why you'd want it - but, a few of us here have been dicked around by people wanting trials. Basically it comes down to you like the horse? You try it? You still like it? You vet it. You pay for it and you take it home.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Skihorse, I can see where you are coming from, I have also been messed about by tryers, but, I'd rather they change their minds and send a pony back if it's not right, than get fed up and send it to the nearest dealer or Market.

[Pixel]

Trials can be dangerous you know . Unless the horse tries to kill you is totally unsuitable it is quite easy to fall in love with it and start making excuses for its little 'quirks'. Then it is very difficult to send it back. Even worse if you are going to share it and one of you wants it and the other one doesn't!

[oldernowiser]

The vet has passed her as sound, and said that the sidebones shouldn't be an issue, and he wasn't concerned about the weeing (which hasn't been nearly as prolific the last 2 times we've seen her). He said she's a big horse with a big bladder.

So, we've paid a deposit, and are getting her second week of June when we are back from holiday, on a one month trial (though obviously Pixel is right and she will be staying unless she tries to kill us!) The main thing we want to try out is the hacking alone as it's crucial to the plan.

DH wants her to be his horse (as in he does all her care, I just get to ride her lots) so I've said yes!!

We are really excited!!!!

[elastamum]

Good for you! They obviuosly think she is ok if they have let you have her on trial.

i hope it works out for you.

[Pixel]

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Congratulations! I'm so pleased for you. you can now join the ranks of the happily destitute horse owners!