01 September 2008 14:13
I recently bought a horse to share with a friend, who is a slightly nervous rider so we were looking for something that would suit both of us. We noticed an ad in a local shop for a ‘15.2hh skewbald mare, 10 years old, safe for a teenager, sweet natured, well mannered, 100 per cent shoe, box clip, forward paces and has more potential than current owner has time to develop’.
Nothing could be further from the reality as we discovered after we bought the mare. She bites, kicks and has bolted twice throwing my friend off. It can take two of us to put the saddle on. We paid £2,500 for her – can we ask for our money back?
Answer
By Your Horse
Equine Law Expert Annette Wood replies:
From what you have written, the ad does not seem to have ccurately described the horse you bought. You are entitled to be sold a horse that matches the description in the ad.
However there are a number of other factors that would need to be clarified. For example, what you discussed with the vendor about your requirements and how they matched (or did not) the horse. How long had the vendor owned the horse?
Did you have the horse examined by a vet before buying, or ask about her medical background? Could the horse’s behaviour be symptomatic of something wrong medically? Does her saddle fit? Does she have a back problem?
In the first instance, go back and talk to the vendor and also, if you have not done so, get your local vet to check the horse. You may then need to get some legal advice.