02/10/2025
Iâm not a huge one for sharing things, but this is occurring more and more!! Most horses donât want to be naughty they just donât always meet everyoneâs expectations instantly.
Dealer Horses vs. Private Horses đ´
When people ask about the benefits of buying a horse from a dealer, the two most common answers are:
1. Reviews â do your research, check feedback, and you can feel reassured that youâre buying from a trustworthy seller.
2. Consumer rights â buying from a dealer offers you more legal protection.
But what about the horseâs rights?
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Horses Arenât Products đŚ
There is no such thing as a âdealer horseâ or a âprivate horse.â Horses donât choose to be sold. Every single horse is a sentient being that deserves their ownerâs commitment to meeting their physical and psychological needs. They donât sign contracts, they donât agree to âconformâ â they are completely dependent on their owner, each with unique personalities and requirements.
So why are dealer horses often judged more harshly when they express emotion or struggle to settle? Is it because the law classes them as âgoodsâ? Itâs shocking that the sale of a horse, a living animal, falls under the same legislation as a washing machine.
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The Myth of âNot as Describedâ đ
Many buyers think that if a horse doesnât behave exactly as it did during a trial, itâs grounds for a full refund under ânot as described.â This attitude affects how they view their new horse: instead of seeing a nervous or unsettled animal, they see a âfaultyâ one.
But the reality is far from black and white.
Imagine this: you buy a horse described as safe, sensible, and green but unspoilt. At the dealerâs yard, the horse is calm. Once home, however, it faces a new environment, a new routine, and new people. Naturally, the horse is unsettled. You, the new owner, feel nervous, and the horse feels that tension through the reins. The horse becomes spookierl, more anxious, and perhaps nappy when separated from its new field companion.
Suddenly, within 30 days, that âcalm and easy-goingâ horse now appears spooky, bargy, or ânot fit for purpose.â The horse is labelled âbadâ and the dealer âdodgy.â But is that really fair?
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Why Dealer Horses Shine with Dealers â¨
Dealers often bring out the best in horses. They are usually confident, competent, and experienced in horse management. They adapt their work to suit different horses, which is why the horse you try at the dealerâs yard is usually at its best.
Itâs no surprise, then, that when the horse moves to an amateur ownerâs home, teething problems arise. This is not evidence of dishonesty on the dealerâs part â itâs simply the natural settling-in process.
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Commitment, Not Convenience đŞ
Owning a horse means facing challenges. It requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to learn. If you struggle with confidence or competence, seek help and support. Returning a horse like a faulty purchase is not fair to the animal.
If youâve done your research, tried the horse, and perhaps even had it vetted, chances are the horse is still the same âgood horseâ you met â it just needs time to adjust. Thirty days (or even three months) is rarely enough for a horse to settle, form a trusting bond, and show its true nature.
Instead of blaming the horse or the seller, ask yourself: what can I do differently? How can I be the owner this horse needs?
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Honest Resolutions đ¤
Of course, not every match works out. If, after giving it genuine time and effort, you decide the horse would be happier in a different home, approach the situation honestly. Admit where things didnât work â whether it was confidence, management style, or suitability. Sellers are usually much more willing to help when buyers are open and truthful, rather than claiming a âbad horseâ to strengthen a refund case.
Because when buyers focus only on their consumer rights, they often exaggerate problems to make their claim stronger. This harms not only the seller, but most of all the horse.
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The Bottom Line đ
Your horseâs rights should matter more than your consumer rights. Horses deserve patience, commitment, and understanding â not to be treated like faulty goods.
If you bought a good horse from a good seller, then be a good owner.
