Lots of you contact me to ask such Q's so this may save you a bit of time if we can answer them here

• WHAT WARRANTY DO WE OFFER WHEN WE SELL A HORSE?

We pride ourselves in giving an honest and accurate description of all our horses.  To warrant the future performance or behaviour of a very powerful UNPREDICTABLE flight animal that can and does react very differently when put into different situations and handled by different people is impossible.  We will tell you everything we can about each individual, WARTS AND ALL as we would much rather a horse not leave us if he is not going to be suitable to your needs than for you to return him to us a few weeks later.  This is unsettling for the horse and breaks the continuity of their schooling etc resulting in more time just to re-establish how they were going when they first left us. 

However, even with the best will in the world, things can and do go wrong.  Should this happen we will either exchange the horse for another, re-sell the horse for you commission free for cost alone or an offer, dependent on the horse's condition, will be made for re-purchase.  These options are offered for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase.

Our 'Conditions of Sale' are offered in writing at the time of sale and do not affect your statutory rights.  A copy of these 'Conditions of Sale' are printed at the end of this section.

• DO WE OFFER PART EXCHANGE?

Yes we do but this depends on each individual situation.  Obviously we have to buy right to sell right and so we are ultra fussy on what we have unless you value them at a sale ring price and although they won't be sold there, it is unlikely they will be sold to you our clients either.  So they have to be safe, sound, sane, sensible and accurately and genuinely described.  Many of you have super talented horses that can do wonderful things but are not everyone's cup of tea!  I'm afraid there are very few of you who want talent with a quirk and thus I value them far less than the kind, uncomplicated, quiet and sensible friend who will only tootle over a 2' course.  They may not have 'red rosette' potential but they won't give you a white knuckle ride either--and yes that's right--they are the ones that everyone wants.`

We are also unable to exchange like for like value.  This is a business with huge overheads, staff etc and thus a sale has to pay some wages even if it is a part-exchange. 

The other issue is whereabouts you are.  I have to see and try all part-exchange horses and as I never seem to have enough hours in a day , I am unable to travel a great distance to see one horse for a possible 'p-ex'.  Local fine, but otherwise you need to bring your horse to us for a trial.

• DO WE OFFER A TRIAL PERIOD?

Unfortunately no.  We just can't for various reasons.  (You wouldn’t expect a car dealer to let you borrow a car for a trial other than a test drive):-

1. If you have a horse on trial we are unable to offer him to view for anyone else who maybe interested and thus we may loose a potential sale should you decide to return him/her to us.

2. Despite insurance, should a horse meet with injury that results in a permanent blemish his value is reduced; in addition to which he/she may need time in which to mend and insurance will never cover these costs.

3.  Fitness and condition may alter which may not be to the benefit of the horse--we are a very fussy lot here!

You are very welcome to come and try your potential purchase as many times as you wish and bring with you professional advice or friends to help you make the right decision.  We have full trial facilities (see 'facilities' section) and very heavy traffic right on our doorstep--we insist you hack out our horses (accompanied) if you propose to hack them should you decide to buy them.

• DO WE LOAN HORSES?

No, we can't for very much the same reasons as the previous question and also a small business is unable to have capital tied up in stock that is not able to earn.

• CAN WE PROVIDE TRANSPORT?

We don't transport horses ourselves (we just don't have the time and nor do I hold an operator’s licence) but do have  good local licensed horse transporter who are based a couple of miles from us and offer competitive prices.   Distance no object.  Dan Hudson Horse Transport--tel no: 07721 534984 or Horse Taxi (www.horseTaxi.net) - tel:  01246 436131 or 07768 027619

• DO THE PRICES INCLUDE TACK?

Unfortunately no, I only wish they could although we do have some second hand saddles for sale as well as good quality new English bridles and All Purpose/Turnout rugs at competitive prices.  We are always happy to fit the tack for you.

• WHAT ABOUT VACCINATIONS, WORMING, SHOEING, TEETH, PASSPORTS ETC.

All our horses are up to date with their worming, shoeing and have been treated by a qualified advanced equine dentist.  Thus all teeth have been floated and unless he has recommended otherwise, wolf teeth if found will have been removed.  We do not vaccinate any of the horses unless they come with an existing program (which from Ireland is rare!).  This is because some of you do not approve of 'flu inoculations.  All horses are inoculated with anti-tetanus if they suffer a wound.

We write out a list of their current feed and dates of their last shoeing, worming etc--for further details of this please go to 'When You Get Your New Horse Home' section.

PASSPORTS:- All of the breed registered horses have an Irish passport.  All the other horses have an English Passport (although they do have a passport law in Ireland, there seems few owners who take much notice as yet).  Some of the more recent recruits are still awaiting a permanent English passport to be issued, although we apply for them as soon as they arrive with us.  This means the ID has been registered and paid for but due to the delay in processing with the registration offices, the actual passport may yet to be forwarded to us.  We always keep a copy of the original application for your inspection which is issued with a tempo

• ARE OUR HORSES OPEN TO VET?

Yes, very much so--they all are.  We are happy to welcome any good horse vet onto the yard for any type of pre-purchase veterinary examination.  Most of the local vets know us well and many recommend us to their clients.  We are happy to suggest some of the  local recognised horse vets in the area and provide you with their contact numbers so you can speak to them personally.

• WHAT METHODS OF PAYMENT DO WE ACCEPT?

Should you decide to buy a horse from us we ask for a 10 % deposit to secure the purchase, fully refundable should the horse fail a veterinary examination if requested.  The balance of payment must be made either before or on collection.  Payment must be made by either cash or banker's draft.  Cheques are also accepted but they have to be cleared before your horse is collected and this normally takes 3 to 4 working days.  I'm sorry but we do not offer credit or debit card facilities.

• CAN WE RESERVE A HORSE FOR YOU UNTIL YOU ARRANGE TO  GET HERE OR HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT HIM / HER AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN TO TRY THEM?

Well this is a case of do as you would be done by!  I have made all sorts of promises to clients in the past--but unfortunately I have been let down by some very genuine sounding people and quite badly which has resulted in lost sales.  Any reasonable request will be honoured but please don't ask for the impossible and please don't let us down.  Our horses are on the open market and by contract law--the first person who agrees to pay the asking price has the right to purchase the goods and a deposit will secure the purchase until a satisfactory veterinary examination has taken place. 

• DO YOU NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT?

YES, very definitely please. Late each afternoon I plan the following day's schedule of work/clients. It's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle trying to fit everything in and if people turn up unannounced they may find the 'Mary Celeste' as we could all be out riding and only a livery to greet you. It really does help us to make sure all the horses get worked and make sure we have time to meet and greet you. So an appointment made at least a day before is much appreciated.

A copy of our terms and conditions:-

THESE ARE THE ONLY TERMS AND CONDITIONS UPON WHICH WE SELL HORSES.  They do not affect your statutory rights: -

We will not and cannot advise you of the suitability of the horse to your needs.  We do not know your expectations and capabilities, therefore we cannot advise whether or not the horse is fit for your purpose.  This is because your description of your requirements and capabilities maybe misinterpreted by us or be unintentionally misleading.  We will impart as much information about the animal as we are able and can inform you of the standard of rider who has ridden each animal and how they have performed with such a rider and/or handler. 

Please remember, a horse is not a domestic pet, it is a powerful and unpredictable flight animal who is at times dangerous.  Temperament can and may change depending on care, management and ability of rider/handler.  Please read the following conditions: -

• RIDER CAPABILITIES - Levels of horsemanship vary as do the requirements and expectations of each individual.  It is the purchasers' responsibility to ensure that the horse is suitable to their own requirements and to this end the purchaser is to rely on their own skill and judgement or those of their own expert.
• WARRANTY - Any reference by the vendor, whether written, orally or in any advertisement as to the future conduct or future performance of the horse is deemed an expression of opinion by the vendor and not constitute a warranty condition or other contractual term description or representation in any way whatsoever.
• OPEN TO VET - Shall mean that without obligation the purchaser is entitled to have the horse examined by a veterinary surgeon of their own choice, provided that the examination takes place on the vendor's premises, prior to purchase and at the purchaser's expense.
• REFERENCE - Reference, by the vendor whether written, orally or in any advertisement as to age, type or height unless accompanied by strict proof are approximations for identification purposes only.
• EXCHANGEABLE WARRANTY - Will apply should the horse prove unsuitable and is not due to their own mismanagement.  The animal must be returned in the same mental and physical condition that it left the vendor's premises.  Should an exchange not be required - the animal can be re-sold commission free for cost alone or an offer, dependent on the animal's condition, will be made for re-purchase.  These options are offered for a period of 30 days from the purchase date.
• PAYMENT - Payment shall be cash or banker's draft.  10% cash shall secure an option to purchase, refundable should the animal fail a veterinary examination if requested but non-refundable if full transaction does not occur.