02/10/2025
I’m not a huge one for sharing things, but this is occurring more and more!! Most horses don’t want to be naughty they just don’t always meet everyone’s expectations instantly.
Dealer Horses vs. Private Horses 🐴
When people ask about the benefits of buying a horse from a dealer, the two most common answers are:
1. Reviews — do your research, check feedback, and you can feel reassured that you’re buying from a trustworthy seller.
2. Consumer rights — buying from a dealer offers you more legal protection.
But what about the horse’s rights?
⸻
Horses Aren’t Products 📦
There is no such thing as a “dealer horse” or a “private horse.” Horses don’t choose to be sold. Every single horse is a sentient being that deserves their owner’s commitment to meeting their physical and psychological needs. They don’t sign contracts, they don’t agree to “conform” — 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 “goods”? It’s shocking that the sale of a horse, a living animal, falls under the same legislation as a washing machine.
⸻
The Myth of “Not as Described” 👎
Many buyers think that if a horse doesn’t behave exactly as it did during a trial, it’s grounds for a full refund under “not as described.” This attitude affects how they view their new horse: instead of seeing a nervous or unsettled animal, they see a “faulty” 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 dealer’s 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 “calm and easy-going” horse now appears spooky, bargy, or “not fit for purpose.” The horse is labelled “bad” and the dealer “dodgy.” But is that really fair?
⸻
Why Dealer Horses Shine with Dealers ✨
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 dealer’s yard is usually at its best.
It’s no surprise, then, that when the horse moves to an amateur owner’s home, teething problems arise. This is not evidence of dishonesty on the dealer’s part — it’s simply the natural settling-in process.
⸻
Commitment, Not Convenience 💪
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 you’ve done your research, tried the horse, and perhaps even had it vetted, chances are the horse is still the same “good horse” you met — 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?
⸻
Honest Resolutions 🤝
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 didn’t work — 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 “bad horse” 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.
⸻
The Bottom Line 👏
Your horse’s rights should matter more than your consumer rights. Horses deserve patience, commitment, and understanding — not to be treated like faulty goods.
If you bought a good horse from a good seller, then be a good owner.
