Latest from Horse & Hound in Horse-dealers

Police investigate horse dealer after clients raise concerns

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:33:26 +0000

Clients of a dealer have raised concerns about a trial system that requires full payment in advance, some customers reporting significant delays in receiving their refunds when horses proved unsuitable.

Lynn Robertson, of Broadhill Stables, is being investigated by Cambridgeshire Constabulary after numerous reports to the force regarding her dealings. Her solicitor said she “denies any fraudulent conduct” but that she cannot comment owing to the ongoing police investigation.

The dealer, whose website was unavailable as H&H went to press, offered clients horses on a trial basis. They were told they had to pay her the full price of the horse in advance, but would be refunded within 14 days if the horse was unsuitable. H&H first spoke to people who had taken up this offer and did get all their money back – after considerable delays.

One of these clients is Vicky Rieunier, who paid £12,500 for cob Cookie on 6 February 2025, did not in the end get him on trial and was fully refunded by Ms Robertson, by 18 March 2025.

Ms Rieunier is a very experienced rider who has coached, evented and worked for top eventers but had lost some confidence so was looking for a “straightforward and sensible” horse. After several failed vettings, she saw a cob Ms Robertson was selling, and rang up about him.

“She said she had lots of people interested so I couldn’t see him,” Ms Rieunier told H&H.

“She sent me the contract and it looked fine; she said someone else wanted to see him, so I sent the money. Then the cycle started.”

Lynn Robertson: delays

Ms Rieunier said Ms Robertson offered to organise transport but this was delayed for a week “because he needed to be shod”. But before he came, Ms Robertson said she had received a vet’s report saying Cookie had suspensory issues.

“She offered me other horses but I didn’t want them and alarm bells were ringing so I asked for my money back,” Ms Rieunier said. “Lynn said she had two weeks, in the contract, to refund me, then she kept giving excuses: ‘I’ve hit my daily allowance,’ or, ‘It’ll come tomorrow.’”

H&H also spoke to another client, who paid £13,950 for a horse called Guinness; she saw his advert, rang Ms Robertson and was told she had to pay in full that day, 31 October, to secure him on trial.

She was also told she had to wait for the horse to be shod. The client said Lynn also asked her not to post about the horse on social media until she had decided to keep him – but then told her he had “failed” a vetting.

“On 17 November she sent me pictures of another horse and I said he looked a bit quiet, probably not the one for me. She said she had more but I said could I have my money back while she was looking and I was looking,” the client said. “From 20 November, I started the, ‘Any chance of my refund,’ and I’d get all the, ‘I’ll sort it, I haven’t had space on my transfer limit.’

“I sent her a message on 30 November saying my options were asking others about her on social media or seeking legal advice.”

Facebook post

Soon after this, a friend of the client asked in a Facebook group if anyone had had similar experiences with Ms Robertson.

The client was refunded in full by 4 December, after which she said the dealer asked her to get the friend’s post taken down.

“I look back on the conversations and she said she didn’t want to sell a horse who’s not right, and you think, ‘Thanks for being honest,’” the client said.

“But when she phoned me, she said I’d got my money back. I said that wasn’t the point; what I wanted was a horse. Guinness could have been my perfect horse, and I’ll never know if what she’d told me was true, because I don’t know if there was really anything wrong with him.

“What’s really sad is that I got excited about a horse who could have been perfect, and it had turned into a disaster.”

Both clients, and others, told H&H they had researched Ms Robertson thoroughly before they paid her money but could only find positive reviews.

Facebook group

But in a Facebook group called “Broadhill Stables/Lynn Robertson Buyers Beware”, clients have been putting their stories together.

Two riders have told H&H they each paid £12,500 for Cookie in May, one on 7 May and one on 15 May. Both were later told about a vet’s report regarding his lameness, both cancelled the trial, and both were fully refunded by 6 June.

The timing of these transactions has raised questions among clients about how Ms Robertson’s trial system operated.

Multiple clients’ experiences of dealing with Ms Robertson have been collated in a spreadsheet by members of the Facebook group, seen by H&H. Hannah Brooke, who did keep Harvey whom she bought from Ms Robertson last summer, told H&H: “I am glad I bought Harvey as he’s very sweet but when all this kicked off, I sent [Ms Robertson] a screenshot of the woman who messaged me saying, ‘I bought him after you did,’ and said, ‘Have you got anything you’d like to say to me about this, Lynn?’

“And she read it, but she didn’t reply.”

H&H has not independently verified the other buyer’s claim about Harvey.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary has confirmed to H&H it is investigating.

Lynn Robertson’s solicitor told H&H Ms Robertson denies any fraudulent conduct and cannot comment further while the police investigation is ongoing.

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‘Extremely deviant’ horse dealer who told ‘lies after lies’ avoids jail for fraud

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 16:47:10 +0000

A dealer who “told lies after lies” and made repeated excuses as she defrauded buyers and sold “completely inappropriate horses to susceptible purchasers” has avoided jail.

Emma Bamber, 42, was sentenced on 10 April at Antrim Crown Court, for seven charges of fraud by false representation and one of engaging in misleading commercial practice. She had initially denied all charges against her, but admitted these eight last autumn, relating to eight victims over a number of months in 2018.

Judge Fiona Bagnall said Bamber, of Bridge Street, Garstang, “accepts she was economical with the truth” and apologised for distress caused. She noted that Bamber “feels aggrieved more senior individuals in the operation weren’t charged”, but said she knew she was misleading clients, on horses who were not as described and in some cases did not arrive with the buyers.

“If the defendant played a vital role in this business, as I believe she did, she would have been fully aware of what was going on, which illustrates her capacity for extremely deviant and manipulative behaviours,” she said.

Ms Bagnall went through the facts relating to the horses; she said numerous complaints were made against Bamber, of Glenedra Sport Horses in Co Londonderry, from people “across the British Isles”.

One was a horse described as an Irish Sport Horse with an “excellent and calm temperament”, sold in July 2018 to a man for his daughter, for £14,000. Bamber was “made well aware of the needs of his daughter”, but when they took it home, they found it was a thoroughbred and “not suitable for a novice rider”. It then went lame and scans showed a “substantial injury to its tendon, which was of some age and had not been disclosed”.

Another victim paid £5,500 for a “grand prix showjumping horse”, which arrived with a large splint and an incorrect passport, and a third, a novice rider, paid £1,525 for a horse who never arrived.

Excuses

Other victims also paid for horses who never arrived; Ms Bagnall detailed Bamber’s excuses for the non-arrivals including saying her baby was ill in hospital, and that her old horse had died from colic.

“She was interviewed on various occasions and during each interview, made no comment to all questions,” Ms Bagnall said.

Ms Bagnall considered the aggravating factors were the scale of the operation, in time, geographical spread and number of victims, but on the mitigating side was the length of time since they had occurred, during which no further offences had been reported. She said Bamber had been the victim of abuse in childhood, and that she was “coping with difficult family circumstances” at the time of the offences.

“I do note the submissions this morning, that she fully accepts her role in these offences and has provided a genuine apology,” Ms Bagnall said.

“When I consider the accounts of the transactions… I consider she has been trying to minimise her involvement and distance herself from the offences as best she can. But it is clear she told lies after lies to clients, to sell what were completely inappropriate horses to susceptible purchasers.”

Ms Bagnall considered Bamber’s culpability high, and although the horses were “of relatively low value”, the impact on the victims was more than financial; some were bought for novices and “clearly inappropriate” for this.

“It’s fortunate no one has been badly hurt through the actions of the defendant,” she said.

Ms Bagnall gave Bamber an 18-month prison sentence but suspended it for two years; she cited again the time since the offences and the delay in resolution of the case. She said Bamber had “had the matter hanging over her for six years”.

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Post-Brexit VAT change could leave dealers out of pocket

Lucy Elder — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 17:33:56 +0000

Buyers and sellers could be counting the cost after Brexit-related changes may result in traders paying more VAT.

British-based business advisers and chartered accountants Hazlewoods has warned that effectively the VAT second-hand margin scheme has been withdrawn for UK businesses, with the exception of Northern Ireland, buying horses from the EU.

This means dealers who previously used the second-hand margin scheme and who source horses from EU nations could face higher VAT rates.

Lucie Hammond, partner in Hazlewoods’ farms and estates team, who leads the firm’s equine specialism, said the company has “many clients operating similar businesses” who are facing this “dilemma”.

“The options are to either put up prices, or to absorb, at least in part, the extra VAT cost. Those who continue as before run the risk of an HMRC investigation, which could result in a VAT bill, interest, and potential penalties,” she said.

“We are not aware that any specific announcement was made to publicise these changes, and HMRC’s margin scheme guidance for buying and selling horses is silent on EU imports. Therefore, many international horse dealers in Britain will not be aware of the change in their VAT position and may have miscalculated their VAT liability since 1 January 2021.”

The second-hand scheme provides VAT relief to businesses buying second-hand goods, including horses, from non-registered members of the public. In broad terms, it works by entitling users to pay VAT on just their profit margin, rather than the full sale value of an animal. This still applies in other circumstances, such as non-international business.

But since Brexit, all second-hand goods from the EU have become imports on which VAT is levied on arrival in the UK, and UK dealers of horses sourced from EU nations have lost their right to charge their buyers the lower sums of VAT.

Tim Warren, owner of Warren Eventing, has been importing horses from Europe for more than 30 years and is now questioning whether it is “even possible to continue”.

“As an example, if a UK dealer bought a horse in Europe pre-Brexit for £15,000 and then sold it in the UK for £20,000, there would be VAT to account for on the margin equalling £833, leaving the dealer with a profit of £4,167 before other costs,” he said.

“Post-Brexit, dealers have to account for VAT on the full sale price of £20,000, increasing the VAT to £3,333.33, Leaving the dealer with a profit of only £1,667 before other costs. After adding transport and insurance costs, along with the import and export agents’ fees, and other necessary expenses, there is little left to make it worthwhile.”

He added: “For decades, I have done this work for the satisfaction of selecting young horses which go on to become top competition horses. Facing thousands of pounds in extra VAT, I will have to question whether it is even possible to continue. Government should consider the situation and take action.”

Hazlewoods advise those affected to make sure they are correctly accounting for VAT on the full sales price of horses imported since 1 January 2021, and to consider lobbying their MP for a change to post-Brexit legislation to allow continued use of the scheme on equines imported to the UK. It also suggests those affected consider making a protective claim to HMRC in respect of the difference between the VAT payable on the full selling price, and the VAT payable under the margin scheme.

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Horse dealer who ‘exploited’ buyers jailed for six months

Caroline Bankes — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 07:02:57 +0000

A Kent horse dealer who conned clients into buying horses that had health or behavioural issues was jailed at Maidstone Court earlier this week (15 March).

Karen Ruston had pleaded guilty to 11 offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and two offences under the Horse Passport Regulations 2009 in a case bought by Kent County Council Trading Standards.

She was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to forfeit her £6,000 savings as compensation.

Ms Ruston of Maplehurst Close, Dartford had advertised various horses for sale nationally between November 2013 and October 2014.

The horses were described in the advertisements as being of “wonderful character” having “absolutely no health issues” or as having been a “family friend for five years.”

Ms Ruston used alias names, various contact details and purported to be a private seller, when she was not.

Prospective buyers were asked to meet her at a pub in Ash Road, Sevenoaks and then follow her to the stables. Horse transporters were directed to the same pub where the horses were brought to them or a Dartford address.

Buyers coming forward to give evidence at the case said the horses they bought soon developed health issues, which needed costly veterinary treatment.

One was told she could return a horse within a month if it was not suitable, but when she tried to contact the seller, now known to be Ms Rushton, she couldn’t get any reply.

Another bought a horse for Mrs Ruston for £4,950 that had been purchased just days before for £650. The buyer subsequently found out the previous seller had disclosed that the horse had the onset of navicular.

Judge Charles Macdonald described Ruston’s offences as “repellent” and an exploitation of people who love horses.

Continued below…

Looking to buy a horse? Read this first

KCC Trading Standards operation manager Clive Phillips thanked the victims in the case for coming forward and providing valuable evidence.

He said: “Ruston purposefully listed her misleading advertisments in a manner that her victims not only believed the falsehoods, but also in a way that any regular consumer would think she was not acting for purposes relating to her business.

“Not only should consumers know who they are dealing with, but they should rightly be able to rely upon claims made to them.

“We advise anyone wanting to purchase a horse to not only research the seller, but also seek to obtain an independent experienced opinion on the health of the horse,” he warned.

Buying or selling a horse: do you know where you stand? H&H VIP

Lucy Elder — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:55:35 +0000

Buyers and sellers of horses have fresh rules to contend with since the new Consumer Rights Act came into force on 1 October 2015. The act covers all goods from gig tickets to televisions, as well as horses. But with an animal, can the lines ever be clear and fair to both buyer and seller?

Under the ruling, buyers have the right to a 30-day refund for faulty, not as described, or not fit for purpose goods bought from a business — such as dealers.

In the past, the time limit was described as a “reasonable period”. However, the Citizens Advice Bureau has told H&H that this does not extend to private sales.

This means that if you buy privately rather than from a horse-selling business, the updated rights do not apply.

The law also toughens up consumers’ rights with regards to services.

All services — such as livery, riding lessons and horsebox repairs — are covered by the UK act.

Under the new ruling, those who do not apply “reasonable care” as agreed with the consumer, will have to put things right, such as redo the job or give some money back.

‘Simplification’

“Clear rights are good for shoppers and businesses,” said a Citizens Advice Bureau spokesman.

“The new laws should make it easier for people to understand and use their rights, regardless of what goods or services they buy.

“When you are buying something like a horse or riding lessons from a business, you will have these new rights.

“If it’s a private sale, for example you buy a horse or have lessons from someone who doesn’t run a business, you won’t be covered.”

Hanna Campbell, of equestrian legal firm HorseSolicitor, said the new law “provides much needed simplification” and “gives more rights” to owners and riders.

“Hopefully publicity around the changes will raise the profile of statutory rights, which people often don’t even know that they have,”she added.

“Even after 30 days have passed the buyer can still be entitled to a refund — full if under six months, or partial if over six months — but must allow the trader to repair or replace the item first.”

What about sellers?

Patsy Day has been buying and selling horses since 1979 and told H&H that the new guidelines are what she has run her business on “for years”.

She said that difficult situations can still arise for genuine traders as they know their reputation is on the line and fighting cases is costly.

She added that these can often occur when some more novice buyers realise what is involved with riding and managing their own horse.

“With horses, how do you prove that the ‘goods’ themselves are faulty?” she said.

“How you define ‘fit for purpose’ besides being 100% honest is very difficult.

“If you have something mechanical, like a washing machine, it ticks all the boxes — as long as it is not misused, it should function. Horses are not, as we all know, goods. They are unpredictable flight animals.”

Miss Day added that the way a horse is treated, fed, ridden and shod can all have an impact on its behaviour and way of going within a very short space of time.

For information visit: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Ref: H&H 31 December, 2015

Devon horse dealers found guilty of fraud

Flora Watkins — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 10:00:08 +0000

2 horse dealers have been found guilty of fraud by misleading their clients, after a trial at Plymouth Crown Court last week (23 September).

The jury heard how Patsy Cheney, 47, and Brian William Rendle, 72, had lied about the age and temperament of horses sold at the sales and their yard, Quarrystone Stud in Loddiswell, near Kingsbridge, Devon.

In one case, a horse that was sold as an 11-year-old was later found, on examination of its teeth, to have been older than 20.

In 2007, Devon Trading Standards — which brought the prosecution along with their Somerset counterparts — had ordered the pair to abide by the Trade Descriptions Act. But they continued to receive a large number of complaints.

Officers visited Quarrystone Stud under a warrant, where they found a large quantity of horse passports and application forms.

They found that the description of a pony on one application form, “Delightful Dottie”, bore a “striking resemblance” to another pony on a different passport, “Darcy Starlet”.

Darcy, who had only been used for breeding, was sold by her owner of 17 years after developing a breathing problem.

She was renamed and sold on by Quarrystone with a new passport for £670. Cheney and Rendle described her as “quiet to ride” and “warranted sound”.

But the mare proved unsuitable for the young children she was bought for, would not accept the bit and continued to suffer from the breathing problem.

A third horse, sold for £2,000, was supplied with a passport that did not match it. Cheney and Rendle were acquitted on charges relating to a fourth horse.

“Misleading the public about the age and history of horses to make a quick buck is bad enough,” said Councillor Roger Croad of Devon County Council.

“Misleading them with regards to the temperament and riding history of an animal is downright dangerous.”

The pair will be sentenced at a later date.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (3 October 2013)

Police warning over reports of fraudulent horse dealers

Flora Watkins — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:31:37 +0000

Kent Police are warning people who are looking to buy a horse to be vigilant — following reports that fraudulent dealers are operating in the county.

Allegations have been made to the police that horses are being sold which are not as described. Some are lame or injured.

PC Erin Thornton said: “Allegations have been made that horses are being sold by horse dealers as suitable for novice riders or children.

“The victims say they have then discovered problems with their new horse, which on some occasions have led to injuries [to the rider] as well as unexpected financial burders.”

Officers investigating the activities of horse dealers arrested four people on suspicion of fraud in April and May last year.

Two women, both aged 25 and from Maidstone and Marden plus a 63-year-old man from Deal and a 37-year-old man from Meopham, remain on police bail.

Police are advising potential buyers to use a vet of their own choosing, and to always ask to see the horse’s passport.

They also advise the buyer to be present at a vetting.

“If in any doubt, Trading Standards can be contacted for guidance,” said a spokesman.

If you have information, contact Kent Police tel. 101 giving reference CY/016483/10 or call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Dealer transported ponies with strangles

Amy Mathieson — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:03:42 +0000

A horse dealer from Bishop Auckland has been fined £950 after transporting two ponies that were unfit to travel.

William Railton pleaded guilty to transport offences at Carlisle Magistrates Court on 31 January.

He was prosecuted for taking two Shetland ponies that were unfit for travel to Kirby Stephens horse market on 8 June 2012. Magistrates noted he had a recent conviction relating to animal welfare.

Railton took nine Shetlands and three cobs to market. Two of the ponies had strangles and the other seven had long feet. All nine have since been taken in by charities. No action was taken over the three cobs, which were sold.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (14 February 2013)

Horse dealer on passport charges

Charlotte White — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:42:39 +0000

A gypsy cob dealer from Wales has appeared in court to answer horse passport charges.

Tom Price, of Glamorgan Horse Traders Ltd, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on 10 December, where he pleaded not guilty to 17 counts of failing to return equine identification documents.

A trial is due to take place at the same court on 29 April.

Yorkshire dealer pleads guilty to two charges of fraud

Charlotte White — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:23:47 +0000

A Yorkshire dealer who took horses on loan – then sold them on – has received a nine-month suspended prison sentence.

Brooke Lee, aged 24, of Roebuck Lane, Otley, pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud and a third of trading without professional diligence at York Magistrates Court on 15 December 2011.

Lee, who also goes by the names Katherine Dobbs and Becky, was sentenced at Harrogate Crown Court on 20 January.

She received 220 hours community service and was ordered to pay £750 costs.

The case was brought by the City of York Council’s animal health service.

The council’s trading standards manager Matt Boxall said: “She told a pack of lies when she took on the horses and another pack of lies when she sold them on.

“She led owners to believe they were doing the right thing for their animals, that they would be loved. Instead, they were sold on to unsuspecting customers.”

The Missing Horses On Loan website – which publicises missing horses – helped bring Lee to court.

It provided York City Council with information that revealed a pattern – Lee would take horses on loan but then sell them on.

A bay 15.3hh part-bred Irish draught gelding called The Apprentice, or “Thumper” (pictured), who had arthritis, was given to Lee as a companion for a filly. But just five days later, he was sold at York sales for £1,837.

The buyer found the horse was lame and was able to obtain a refund through the auction house.

He was then sold on and put to sleep about a month later.

Thumper’s former owner Sharon Lowin said: “No punishment would have been too harsh for us.

“Hopefully it will prevent the same thing happening to other people’s cherished horses.”

Another horse, Joe, was sold for £480 at Melton Mowbray and slaughtered just a few days after being given to Lee.

The council said Lee duped at least five owners in the same way, finding the horses through the Preloved website – where second-hand goods are sold.

“All of the complainants have described their devastation upon finding out their horses had been treated this way,” added Mr Boxall.

Ali Cann of Missing Horses On Loan said owners must do more to safeguard their horses.

“It’s not enough to hand over your horse to the nice lady who promises to care for it,” she said.

“You must check where your horse is going, you must get a contract and you must keep an eye on your horse.”

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (2 February 2012)

Farewell to sport horse dealer Andrew Graham

Horse & Hound — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:28:03 +0000

Andrew Graham, co-founder of DHI Performance Horses, died suddenly on 1 July of a heart attack. He was 54.

Mr Graham set up his own livery and dealing yard when he was in his 20s, before establishing DHI Performance Horses with business partner Ian Woodhead in 1994.

Initially specialising in dressage, the company quickly became known for supplying top-quality sport horses across all disciplines. These include DHI Topper, winner of last week’s Olympic test event.

Mr Graham’s funeral was held on 13 July. He leaves wife Jo and children Katie and Kris.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (14 July, 2011)

Rogue horse trader hit with fines and court costs

Horse & Hound — Fri, 20 May 2011 11:17:17 +0000

A horse trader has been hit with fines and court costs of almost £4,500 at Durham Crown Court after admitting selling horses illegally.

Philip McAteer of West View Farm, Cockfield, Co Durham, sold one horse with a broken pelvis, another with behavioural problems that made it unrideable to a riding school and falsified the ages of two other animals. He failed to provide passports for any of them.

McAteer was investigated by Durham County Council’s trading standards department after complaints from people who had bought horses from the dealer.

Judge Christopher Prince did not award compensation, instead advising McAteer’s disgruntled customers to pursue the matter through the civil courts.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (19 May, 2011)

North Wales horse dealer faces fine over equine disease

Horse & Hound — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:08:25 +0000

A North Wales horse dealer is the first in the country to face prosecution for failing to take action to prevent horses getting disease.

Peter Jones, 59, a former police officer, from Bersham, Wrexham, faces a maximum fine of £5,000 and/or up to two years in prison.

He is charged with allegedly failing to keep a horse imported from the Irish Republic in isolation to prevent possible infection with strangles.

A date for the case at Wrexham Magistrates Court has not yet been fixed.

This signals tougher enforcement action by trading standards officers for breaches of animal welfare regulations in an effort to prevent a new disease outbreak.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (6 January, ’11)

Horse dealer Tom Smith dies of heart attack, aged 70

Horse & Hound — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:24:16 +0000

Bedfordshire horse dealer Tom Smith died of a heart attack on 23 March aged 70.

Born in Bedford into a large family of horse dealers based in Gwin Street, he moved to Flitwick in 1975 where he ran a business, buying and selling, schooling and breeding all types of horses.

He was well known for his skills and knowledge in the horse world and supplied many good horses.

His funeral takes place on Wednesday 14 April at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, in Flitwick.

Horse dealer beats credit crunch by selling equines on finance

Horse & Hound — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:41:21 +0000

A Cheshire yard has started selling horses in finance deals, in the same way that you can buy a car, in what could be a first for Britain.

Alan Barker, who runs White Gate Stables in Warrington with Joe Murphy, decided to set the system up because he believes he has a stock of “very good horses, but people don’t seem to have the money for them at the moment”.

“I was getting so many calls saying ‘I have x amount to spend’ — usually £3,000 — when most decent hunters are from £6,000,” said Mr Barker, whose horses typically start at £2,000 for a pony, rising to £25,000 for a decent eventer.

“This way they can put down a deposit and spread the rest over any term that suits them.”

Aspiring buyers apply online and White Gate only sets up a viewing appointment once their credit rating has been approved by a finance company.

The dealer takes no commission on the APR, which starts at around 8.9% for those with 100% credit rating.

Since the initiative started three months ago, Mr Barker has sold around 25 ponies and horses in finance deals.

“I think it’s the future,” said Alan, who believes White Gate is the first dealers yard to do this. “But you have to be financially secure [to buy a horse]. We’ve had 40 under-18s whose applications have been refused.”

The welfare implications of horses being acquired cheaply in the short term parallel those affecting horses on loan and welfare organisations are urging buyers to think hard before they buy.

Tony Tyler, deputy chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: “Anyone who takes out finance from any source to purchase a horse must ensure they can afford the upkeep and associated costs of caring for it.

“These costs can often amount to much more than the value of the horse.”

And although the RSPCA would not comment on how a horse is purchased, a spokesman echoed Tony Tyler’s concerns.

“Deciding to keep a horse is a big commitment,” he said. “Horses and ponies require expert care on a daily basis and we would ask members of the public to consider their own circumstances before buying one.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (25 February, ’10)

Buyer wins court case over bolting pony and receives £8,000

Horse & Hound — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:35:21 +0000

A Leicestershire horse producer has been left £8,000 out of pocket after losing a court case brought by a dissatisfied customer.

In November 2008, a judge at Northampton County Court ordered Jennifer Hyde of Ullesthorpe to repay £7,500 plus costs of £2,500 to Penny Cabourne of Surrey, who bought 12.2hh show jumper Mr McFlurry for her daughter.

The amount was reduced to £8,000 by agreement between the parties.

Mrs Cabourne bought the pony in November 2007 but in February last year she alleged her nine-year-old daughter could not ride him as he reared and bolted when being mounted.

She declined to speak to H&H, but in a statement her barrister Jane Bennett said: “Mrs Cabourne and three witnesses called on her behalf gave evidence that the pony could be extremely tense and fidgety while being mounted, and at worst would rear and then bolt blindly until his young jockey was caused to fall off.

“Under the Sale of Goods Act, the burden of proof was on Mrs Hyde to satisfy the court that the pony did not have the vice in question at point of sale. She could not do so.”

But Mrs Hyde told H&H she had only been alerted to a problem with Mr McFlurry four months after she sold him.

Mrs Hyde said her 10-year-old daughter had ridden the pony with no problems during the eight months she had him before selling to the Cabournes.

“When Mrs Cabourne contacted me in February, I offered to buy the pony back for £6,000, to swap him for another pony, or I’d sell him for her. But she decided to take me to court.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (15 January, ’09)

Horse dealer Dagmar Blick convicted of false advertising

Charlotte White — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:23:25 +0000

The British Hanoverian Horse Society (BHHS) has been instrumental in securing a conviction against a West Yorkshire horse dealer.

Dagmar Blick, 24, of Wakefield, sold a Hanoverian mare as a seven-year-old when the horse’s brand proved its true age was 16.

Blick pleaded guilty to falsely describing a horse in an advert at Buxton Magistrates Court on 16 October. She was ordered to pay £4,000 compensation and costs.

The case was brought by Derbyshire County Council’s trading standards department with help from the BHHS.

The mare, Magic, was bought by Briony Middleton in December 2006 for £3,000 from an advert but was put down in June 2007 after she became unrideable.

Ms Middleton told H&H: “We never got to the bottom of what was wrong with Magic, but despite six months of veterinary care and physiotherapy, her behaviour was so extreme she had to be put to sleep.”

Magic had not been vetted for Ms Middleton, but was sold with a vetting certificate from a Yorkshire practice.

The BHHS’s John Shenfield was key to proving the case against Blick.

He told H&H: “As the mare was a branded German Hanoverian, there was a three-digit number under the brand that showed she was rising 16.

“I contacted the German breed society to prove this and sent a hair sample to Germany to be DNA profiled.”

The DNA test proved the mare was foaled in 1991 and registered with the name Evita.

“Some people have welfare concerns about hot branding, but this is proof of how useful it

can be. A brand is an obvious, very efficient and cheap method of identification,” Mr Shenfield added.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (30 October, ’08)

Irish dealers and breeders to get new code of conduct

Horse & Hound — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:05:03 +0000

IRISH breeders and dealers have welcomed a new approval scheme designed to improve consumer confidence, though some believe elements of it may be hard to police.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) announced on Wednesday, 6 August that they will draw up a list of approved breeders — bound by a code of practice — for potential buyers’ use.

Joe Walsh, chairman of HSI, said: “As an industry, we need to set higher standards.

“While most horse sellers and dealers do a very good and fair job, we want to ensure new entrants to the industry are confident standards are high.”

There are 110,000 sport horses living in the country, 27,500 of whom are breeding mares, says HSI.

“The industry makes a huge contribution to rural Ireland,” added Mr Walsh.

But dealers like Oliver Walsh of Galway, who runs international dealing business Flowerhill (H&H, 17 April), is behind HSI’s move to get dealers to comply.

“I think it’s great that they are going to regulate the industry — there has been far too much indiscriminate breeding for years and it’s affecting the quality of the Irish horse,” said Mr Walsh.

“But although I will sign up to this code of conduct, the majority of breeders in Ireland are working lads who just have a mare and put it in-foal to whatever stallion is around. I’d like to see them regulated.”

The code of conduct will be drawn up in September and the approved list will be published in 2009.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (14 August, ’08)

Rogue Cotswold Horseboxes dealer receives suspended sentence

Horse & Hound — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 10:51:21 +0000

A horsebox dealer who stole 10s of 1000s of pounds from Horse & Hound readers has been given a suspended prison sentence at Gloucester Crown Court.

In February, Nick Hopson of Cotswold Horseboxes in Moreton Valence pleaded guilty at Stroud Magistrates Court to six counts of theft of money and one charge of obtaining money transfer by deception. In total, he admitted dishonestly taking £106,000 from clients.

On Tuesday, 29 July, Hopson was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years on the condition he do 250 hours’ unpaid community work over the next year.

“I’m seething — I’m so, so angry,” fumed Louise Hacker, Paralympic show jumper and reader of H&H, who assisted Gloucestershire police with the year-long investigation.

Louise paid Hopson a £25,000 deposit in 2005 for a box he never delivered. She plans to make an official complaint to the court.

“He’s getting away with it and I want my money back,” she said.

Wendy Brown paid Hopson £19,000 for a horsebox to take her and her teenage son’s horses to competitions. She, too, has been left with nothing.

“I’m absolutely fuming — I don’t know who to turn to, or where to go now with this. We’ve got nothing,” she told H&H. “I’ve been advised that I can take civil action, but he has no assets, so it will be a waste of money.

“He has to be stopped. It seems like anyone can set up a business, take money from you and claim to have no assets.”

DC Matt Phillips of Cirencester CID worked on the case. While police were pleased Hopson had been sentenced, he said: “In an ideal world every victim would have received back every penny they paid Mr Hopson but it would appear the courts did not feel it appropriate to make a compensation order”.

Jo Gates from Oxford suffered losses that forced her to give up her yard and take a full-time job. She parted with £13,000 and received nothing.

“I sold the ‘wonder horse’ I’d bred to William Fox-Pitt and decided to treat myself to a nice box,” she told H&H. “I took a friend, who is a sergeant with Thames Valley Police, with me, and I got receipts for my money — but all I got was excuses.

“I can’t believe the law says you can take someone’s money and not produce the goods,” she said. “He’s taken innocent people’s money and it’s not the first time he’s done it.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (7 August, ’08)

Ask H&H: how can I prove a seller is a horse dealer?

Horse & Hound — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:44:16 +0000

Q: I purchased a £2,500 horse without a pre-purchase vetting. It has turned out to have severe rotation of the pedal bone. I wish to take out a small claim against the vendor, who says she is a private seller and not a dealer. I have downloaded more than 10 of her adverts for horses over the course of the past year, but what is the definition of a horse dealer? My court case hinges on proving that she is a horse dealer, as obviously I have more rights.

JJ, Kent

The first thing to point out is the importance of having a pre-purchase vetting when buying horses, as this situation could have been prevented.

There is no statutory definition of a horse dealer, according to Trading Standards. But Richard Brooks, partner at law firm Withy King, says defining someone as one is not necessary.

“The only definition that is important is the seller ‘selling in the course of business’,” he explains.

“Critically, this does not mean that the seller must be in the business of selling horses.

“A private individual cannot sell a horse who they state is suitable for hacking, for example, and then be permitted to escape liability for an untruth if the horse cannot be ridden, on the grounds they are not selling in the course of a business. If the horse was sold as suitable for hacking and does not match up to this term, this can form the basis of a claim whether it was a business sale or not.

“Alternatively, the Sale of Goods Act 1979 can be relied upon where there are no explicit terms,” Richard continues.

“The main provisions of the act are that goods should be of ‘satisfactory quality’ and ‘fit for their purpose’, which is where the requirement of a business sale comes in.”

Rebecca Hewitt from Darbys Solicitors says the firm often sees sellers seeking to avoid being deemed a dealer, believing this means they will escape liability for breach of contract.

“If someone is acting in the course of a business with a view to making a profit, or a history of ‘a course of dealings’ can be shown, then section 14 of the act, which relates to ‘implied terms about quality or fitness’, will apply to the sale,” she says.

“This seller’s multiple adverts are good evidence of ‘a course of dealings’. In addition, you might be able to track the horse’s former owner from its passport, which could help to establish a brief period of ownership by the horse dealer, supporting the intention to sell for profit.

“You may still be able to rely on the law of misrepresentation, and if the horse does not match its description in the advert, you may still have grounds for a claim for damages for breach of contract.”

Information

Darbys Solicitors LLP Tel: 01865 811700 www.darbys.co.uk

Withy King Tel: 01225 425731 www.withyking.co.uk

This Q&A was first published in Horse & Hound (10 April, ’08)

“Bombproof” horse dealers loose court case over Samson

Horse & Hound — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:18:05 +0000

An elderly and ailing horse named Samson is to end his days at a loving home after Lincolnshire owner Karen Sanger won a court case against his dealers.

Mrs Sanger, who had not ridden for 15 years, bought 17.2hh Samson from horse dealers Bombproof of Newton by Toft, Lincolnshire, as a quiet confidence-giving ride for her and her learner-rider husband.

But a vetting revealed that the horse, whose age was given as 16 on his passport, was closer to 20 and suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“They said he had been regularly used for cross-country. But my vet told me he should not even be trotted and suggested putting him to sleep,” said Mrs Sanger.

“I tried to return him and was told I could exchange him, but the only other horse they had was a 13.2hh Haflinger — a children’s pony.”

Mrs Sanger decided to take Bombproof to court to get her money back and rang H&H for some advice.

We put her in touch with two more dissatisfied Bombproof customers who had bought Samson previously.

Diane Lewis of Ayr bought the horse unseen in November 2006 for £4,500, but immediately had to quarantine the horse as he had severe nasal discharge and she feared he had strangles.

Ms Lewis says Bombproof charged her £1,000 to come and collect Samson, but eventually gave her back the remainder of her money.

Stephen Booth of Bolton, Lancashire bought Samson from Bombproof on 23 February the following year, but returned him on 9 March — the day before Mrs Sanger viewed him.

Mr Booth won a small claims action at Bury County Court on 13 February this year (news, 28 February). He said Samson was suffering from severe nasal discharge when he was delivered to him.

Now Mrs Sanger has won her small claims case against Louise Thomas and Marie Whitaker of Bombproof at Boston County Court on 11 April this year.

But she will not be returning the horse to the company.

“They would just resell him again and this will go on and on,” said Mrs Sanger. “We took a loan out to buy him so I have not been able to buy another horse, but he will stay with us now for the rest of his life — he is spoilt rotten.”

A judge ordered Ms Thomas and Ms Whitaker to pay Mrs Sanger £4,600 — Samson’s cost, minus £500 (his true value according to the court) and expenses.

Bombproof is no longer in business, but neither Ms Thomas nor Ms Whitaker returned our calls.

Louise Thomas was working for another company registered to the same yard — Lazyplods — when she was contacted by H&H in February.

Lazyplods appears also to have gone out of business, and at least one pony previously advertised by Lazyplods is now registered to a company called Crack On.

Stephen Booth has still not received his money from Louise Thomas and Bombproof, two months after the judgement against them.

He told H&H he may take further legal action.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (1 May, ’08)

Tom Bonner successfully appeals against fines

Horse & Hound — Fri, 02 May 2008 18:06:33 +0000

Kent horse dealer Tom Bonner, whose business was the subject of a BBC South East investigation leading to seven convictions under the Trades Descriptions Act

(news, 17 January), has successfully appealed against two of his fines.

At Gravesend County Court on 11 January Mr Bonner, of Dartford, was found guilty of charges relating to three horses. The court heard that they were falsely described to potential buyers as being younger and in better health than they were, and that he sold a horse without a passport. A further eight charges were dropped.

The dealer was fined £16,000 with £6,750 costs.

But at Maidstone County Court on 15 April, Mr Bonner won a partial appeal against the sentence, with two £2,000 fines — for selling a horse without a passport and for mis-describing a horse on a passport — dropped. Bonner was still deemed to have been guilty of the charges.

Graham Frid of Kent Trading Standards, who brought the case against Mr Bonner using evidence from the BBC and other customers of the dealer, said the drop in fine was “a disappointment”.

“But if you take away the emotive issue of it being horses involved in this case, he was fined very heavily,” said Mr Frid.

Speaking to H&H after the appeal, Mr Bonner said: “I didn’t cheat anybody. A horse’s age is a matter of opinion and that was the only thing they said I’d done wrong.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (1 May, ’08)

Bombproof horse dealers ordered to pay £5,000 by court

Horse & Hound — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:50:06 +0000

A horse dealer has been ordered to pay £5,000 to a Lancashire man after refusing to give him a refund.

Stephen Booth of Bolton bought Samson unseen for £3,900 from Lincolnshire dealers Bombproof on 23 February 2007. He dealt with employee Louise Thomas.

Mr Booth has multiple sclerosis (MS) and wanted to ride as physiotherapy.

But Samson was suffering a respiratory infection and was closer to 21 rather than the 15 years old advertised.

Bombproof replaced Samson with Preston, who turned out to have a severely overshot or “parrot” mouth.

Ms Thomas did not return Mr Booth’s calls requesting a refund and for Preston to be taken back so he took out a small claims action that was heard at Bury County Court on Wednesday, 13 February.

In her absence, Ms Thomas was ordered to pay Mr Booth £5,000 to cover the price of the horse and other costs.

Bombproof was also taken to court by Pauline Ferguson of Ayrshire (news, 1 November), and is no longer in business.

Ms Thomas now works for another company based on the same yard as Bombproof, called Lazyplods. It is no longer connected with Bombproof.

Ms Thomas said Mr Booth should have had Preston vetted before purchase.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (28 February, ’08)

‘Dodgy horse dealer’ exposed on TV by the BBC

Horse & Hound — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:06:44 +0000

A Kent horse trader who describes himself as the “Robin Hood of the horse game” has been found guilty of seven charges under the Trade Descriptions Act and one horse passport offence.

The charges came about after an undercover operation by BBC investigative reporters in 2005 into the business dealings of Tom Bonner.

Sue Edmonds of Kent Trading Standards (KTS) said: “This is a trader who seems to have serially broken the law. We are very grateful to have brought this one home. The BBC’s evidence was very important.”

Journalists from BBC South East Today posed as a couple wanting to buy a horse suitable for a novice. They bought a horse, whom they named Oscar, for £1,095 from Bonner’s yard in Darenth Hill, Darenth, which Bonner described as being an Irish hunter, aged nine or 10, and in good general condition. But vets who examined the horse after the purchase said he was nearer 21 years old and not fit to ride, as he had a large wound in his mouth.

The BBC investigation, along with the experiences of three other customers of Bonner, formed the KTS case against him that concluded at Gravesend County Court on Friday (11 January).

The trade descriptions act charges against Bonner were that he falsely described a horse called Rosie as being between six and eight years old when she was closer to 12; described another horse — Baby — as being nine years old when she was at least 15; stated Oscar was nine or 10 when he was at least 18, and told another buyer that the horse she had bought was seven or eight when it was closer to 12. He was also found guilty of selling a horse without a horse passport.

Graham Frid of KTS explained why Bonner’s action contravened the Trade Descriptions Act.

“It’s like a car dealer who is ‘clocking’ the cars,” he said. “People buy the horses thinking they are going to get X number of years believing the horse to be 10, but if it is 20 they don’t get the same value.”

The BBC challenged Bonner at London’s Southall market in 2005 after he declined to be interviewed. He told them that he was the “Robin Hood of the horse game” and “the best there is”.

Oscar was given to the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) but has since been put down. Between them, the RSPCA and the ILPH told the BBC they had received more than 100 complaints about Bonner.

Ted Barnes of the ILPH said: “The conviction of Mr Bonner is an exceptionally good outcome.

“I hope it serves as a wake-up call to people who buy horses from these unscrupulous dealers. It has always been a case of buyer beware, but buyers need to be more choosy about where they take their business.”

The case at Gravesend was adjourned and Bonner will be sentenced on 28 February.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (17 January, ’08)

Ireland tightens up controls on horse passport laws

Horse & Hound — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:00:07 +0000

The Irish government has boosted the number of horse passport inspectors and given them new powers to spot-check dealers and auction rings in an effort to increase compliance.

Michael Walsh, spokesman for the Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAF), denied that the move was a reaction to recent disease issues in the country or to a low level take-up of passports since the legislation was introduced in 2005. But he said the government wanted to let people know it would “come down heavy” on those not complying with the law.

“We’re putting the onus on those selling animals to ensure horses going through their yards and sales have the relevant paperwork,” said Mr Walsh. “We want people to be compliant and we’re giving them an extra opportunity to do so.”

As an incentive to owners to register their animals, DAF has negotiated with vets and two of the six passport issuing organisations (PIOs) in Ireland — the Irish Horse Board and the Irish Piebald and Skewbald Association — to offer reduced fees for their services during January and February.

Veterinary Ireland (VI), a voluntary organisation to which approximately half the vets there belong, is encouraging them to reduce their fees by 20% for completing passports.

VI’s Peter Bishton said: “We can’t impose anything on our members, but we are trying to assist with the passport scheme.”

Laura Whelan of the Irish Horse Board said: “DAF asked us late last year to reduce the cost of obtaining a passport for a non-pedigree [non pure-bred] animal to ensure full compliance. No one has an excuse not to register their horse or pony.”

Under EU legislation, since 2005 all horses, ponies, donkeys, zebras and mules must have a passport. Ireland has no figure on the number of passports issued.

“We are collating this information centrally at the moment,” said Mr Walsh.

Stuart Clarke of Cavan horse sales told H&H: “More horses are coming through with

passports but we won’t be able to accept any entries without one now. It’s a little bit of extra work but a good thing in the long term.”

A Defra spokesman confirmed there has been no change to enforcement procedures in the UK.

For more information on the discounts, visit www.irishsporthorse.com or www.theispa.com

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (10 January, ’08)

H&H exclusive: lady horse dealers

Horse & Hound — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 15:18:39 +0000

‘If this job was easy, a man would do it,” reads the sign on dealer Patsy Day’s desk.

Dealing horses is a male-dominated profession, but Patsy and others have battled to prove that despite the job’s shady image, women can cut a fair deal and make a living out of it.

Journalist Carolyn Henderson finds out how they got into the business, how lucrative it is and how to deal with the male chauvinists they encounter in their work.

“I get a huge buzz from selling, the but the money doesn’t excite me. It’s finding horses and ponies, matching them to the right riders and seeing the partnerships go on,” says Nicolette Gidley-Wright.

To read Carolyn Henderson’s full feature don’t miss Horse & Hound on sale Thursday 10 January.

Illegal horse dealer put out of business by Harrow Council

Horse & Hound — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:30:58 +0000

An illegal horse dealing business has been banned from trading on 200 acres of private land in the Old Redding area of Harrow, Middlesex.

Harrow Council last week obtained a two-year injunction against husband and wife team Nathan and Tina Jordan of Oxhey Lane, Herts, who had been trading horses illegally on land that did not belong to them. At times there were as many as 75 horses grazing on the land.

Involved in the operation to obtain the injunction was Thames Valley Horsewatch. Its spokesman told H&H: “The horses had been there for about 18 months. Sometimes there were 20, at other times up to 80. When we approached various people, they said the horses were nothing to do with them. There were mares, foals, Thoroughbreds — you name it.”

An undercover operation involving the police, trading standards, the RSPCA and the International League for the Protection of Horses resulted in a number of passports being seized from an address in the area.

“We matched about 10 passports to horses on the land, and were able to prove ownership,” said the Horsewatch spokesman. “We did check for stolen horses but found none.”

A third of the 200 acres is owned by Harrow Council and leased to agricultural contractors. The remainder is in private ownership.

According to the council, the horses regularly strayed into gardens around the site.

“This was an unusual injunction for us to seek,” said Harrow councillor Susan Hall. “We worked closely with the police in seeking to put an end to an illegal trade that was causing misery to landowners and householders.”

Land agent William Shearer, who acts on behalf of the Blackwell Trust, owner of 140 acres of the land, said: “We have never come across anything as bad as this.

“All of a sudden these horses appeared last year, and despite a number of investigations, letters and requests to the perceived owners, they failed to remove them.”

The injunction granted against the Jordans prohibits the couple from going on the land or encouraging others to do so. Should they breach the injunction, the council can take court action that could lead to imprisonment.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (15 November, ’07)

Horse dealer is taken to court

Horse & Hound — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 16:58:25 +0000

A dissatisfied customer has taken a business that specialises in “bomb proof” horses to court after she was sold an inexperienced youngster instead of the seven-year-old confidence-giver she was promised.

In November 2006 Pauline Ferguson of Mauchline, Ayrshire, bought Belgian Draught Bertie from horse dealers Bombproof, based in Lincolnshire, to be ridden by herself and her nine-year-old son, who was learning to ride. “I had been extremely ill, and had not ridden for nearly 20 years, but I wanted to start again,” said Mrs Ferguson. After a period of lessons, she decided to buy a horse and found Bombproof on the internet.

“I spoke to them many times explaining my circumstances and they suggested Bertie, saying he would do the job,” said Mrs Ferguson. He was advertised as 15.2hh, six, rising seven, and priced at £4,500. “I didn’t view him because I was in Ayrshire, but it all seemed very plausible,” she said. “They said they dealt with people who had no confidence and needed something bomb proof, and said there was no risk as they operated a 14-day returns policy.”

But when Mrs Ferguson’s vet inspected Bertie, it turned out he was around four years old and 14.3hh. He was also “full of worms” and infested with mites, she said. “He had no manners and was very bargy. I don’t think he had ever been in a stable before,” she said. Mrs Ferguson says she rang Bombproof to say that she wanted to return Bertie on day seven and says she was told it was too late.

Bombproof claims that Mrs Ferguson did not contact them until after the 14 days had elapsed, adding that she then instructed them to sell Bertie for her and they were able to find a buyer. Bombproof took a 10% dealer’s cut from the sale.

With the help of East Ayrshire trading standards, Mrs Ferguson sued Bombproof through the small claims court for £511, to cover livery, louse treatment and the 10% dealer’s cut.

When called by H&H, Louise Thomas of Bombproof said: “Mrs Ferguson asked us to sell the horse, and we can prove that, but we didn’t want to go all the way to Scotland [for the case]. It wasn’t worth our while.” She would not answer any questions about Bertie’s size or age.

Lawyer Jacqui Fulton, speaking for Bombproof, said the company was trying to recover £1,700 costs from the Fergusons. Mrs Ferguson is donating the money reclaimed from Bombproof to Animal Care in Egypt, which cares for carriage- and workhorses and donkeys in Luxor.

Horse dealer in Fife under investigation

Horse & Hound — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:37:11 +0000

Horse dealer Paul Anderson of Braeside Equestrian in Fife is being investigated by Trading Standards following a string of complaints from unhappy customers.

Mr Anderson of Braeside Farm, Collessie, in Fife, sold a 15.2hh Dutch Warmblood to Paul Murray from Edinburgh, stating the mare was “suitable for a 12-year-old”.

Mr Murray was given the eight-year-old mare, known as Samosa, for his 12-year-old daughter Rebecca in exchange for a warmblood, Warwick, whom Mr Anderson had initially sold to the Murrays.

Mr Murray paid £4,500, and had neither horse vetted.

“The second time Rebecca rode Warwick, it bucked her off violently and she broke her leg,” he said. “A week after we had Samosa, she started to display similar behavioural problems to Warwick, so I called the vet.”

Samosa was assessed by vet Sarah Gasper from the Royal (Dick) Vet School in Edinburgh. During the examination the mare reared twice, narrowly missing the vet’s head, and lunged at a Shetland pony being led past.

“I was concerned for Mr Murray’s daughter’s safety,” said Ms Gasper, who found Samosa is chronically lame and “temperamentally unsuited” to a 12-year-old girl.

“There’s no doubt about how foolish I’ve been — but that’s the pressure you feel when your teenager wants ‘that’ horse,” said Mr Murray, who has complained to Trading Standards.

He has also instructed a solicitor, and intends to take legal action against Anderson’s partner, Rose Craigie, in whose name Braeside Equestrian is registered.

But Paul Anderson said he has also taken advice on the matter, claiming that Samosa was ridden happily by his own 11-year-old son.

He told H&H he advised Mr Murray his daughter would be better suited to a “cobby type”, but was assured Rebecca would be given expert supervision.

“The mare is a lovely horse with a lovely temperament,” said Mr Anderson, who claims the mare became “fizzy” after being confined to her stable and overfed.

A number of other clients and witnesses have spoken to H&H to complain about Braeside Equestrian, and some have asked not to be named.

Braeside Farm is now for sale, and Mr Anderson said he is “scaling down for the winter”.

Fife Trading Standards team leader Geoff Bates confirmed that they are investigating complaints. Read trading standards’ advice when buying a horse.

Read this news story in full in the current issue of Horsee & Hound (11 October, ’07), on sale now

Horse dealers: how to tell the good from the bad

Horse & Hound — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 11:09:56 +0000

Rather than being perceived as professionals to be valued alongside a vet, or a farrier, dealers are often as mistrusted as a used car salesman.

It’s not surprising they have a bad name when some dealers pose as private sellers on the internet and dupe horse owners into believing they are buying a family-owned horse. In reality, they probably bought the horse the week before at a local auction.

This type of dealer blights the horseworld and there seems to be little in law to stop them.

Journalist Shirley Lewis speaks to both bona fide dealers and clients, explores how to make sure you pick the right dealer. Word of mouth and a good local reputation are key.

Good dealers

Will often let you take a horse/pony on trial
Will have a vested interest in helping you buy the right horse
Will have a reputation to protect

Bad dealers

May pose as private sellers on the internet
May be uncontactable after a sale
May misrepresent a horse’s history

Read the full feature in the current issue of Horse & Hound (11 October, ’07) on sale now

Dealer evades fine for injecting lame horse

Karen Spinner — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:48:29 +0000

A competitor and dealer who sold an H&H reader a chronically lame horse has so far evaded paying compensation, despite being found liable for costs in court.

Sheree Graves said she had been left around £12,000 out of pocket after buying five-year-old Dumond from Luis Principe of Heathfield Park, Bletchingdon, Oxfordshire, in 2005.

Despite Dumond appearing sound at the time of purchase, Mrs Graves later discovered that Mr Principe had, on veterinary advice, agreed to inject cortisone into three of the gelding’s legs prior to the sale.

Two weeks ago, Dumond was put down after his condition worsened.

Mrs Graves was awarded £5,150 at Aylesbury County Court on 21 February, with Mr Principe having until 20 March to pay costs.

“I’ve accepted the money has gone,” said Mrs Graves. “But at least I took on his barrister — and won.”

Mrs Graves estimated that she spent around £6,000 on veterinary and farriery care for the horse.

“When I first saw Dumond, Mr Principe said he shortened his stride on concrete, but that he’d been checked out by [respected vet and orthopaedic expert] Sue Dyson.”

Mrs Graves agreed to pay £6,500 for the gelding, but did not have him vetted on the condition that she saw Dr Dyson’s report before purchase. It failed to materialise, but she paid up anyway, taking delivery of the horse in October 2005.

Dumond competed successfully at local dressage, but was lame in three legs by December 2005.

Mrs Graves obtained a copy of Dr Dyson’s report in March. Seen by H&H, it reveals that the gelding had lameness in three limbs, but does not identify the cause.

“Mr Principe refused to give me a refund,” said Mrs Graves.

But the dealer denied any wrongdoing when contacted by H&H.

He said: “The report did not make it clear what caused the lameness and I said I’d swap the horse for another as I did not have the money for a refund.”

This news report was first published in Horse & Hound (24 May, ’07)

Horse dealer faces negligence claims

Horse & Hound — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 10:41:11 +0000

A Durham horse dealer has been hit with two private negligence claims. The claims for damages relate to injuries sustained by two women — both based in Wales — who allege they were thrown from horses sold by Philip McAteer, of West View Farm Stables Ltd.

This company has already been successfully prosecuted three times by Trading Standards over trade description offences.

Simon Gibson, a partner and personal injury specialist at Kirwans Solicitors, representing the two private claimants, said one woman suffered a broken wrist and the other a broken leg.

Mr Gibson said both negligence claims had been sent to Mr McAteer, director of the company, since renamed West View Stables and based in Bishop Auckland, Co Durham. He said the claims were presented on the basis of allegations that the horses were sold as seven-year-olds only to be found to be much younger.

“The value of the claims in question have not yet been assessed but will include loss of earnings and substantial medical bills,” he said.

Mr Gibson said the claim on behalf of Lisa Nickson, 25, who suffered a broken wrist, was in the hands of Mr McAteer’s insurer, Oxygen Insurance. A decision was awaited from the insurer on whether they accepted liability.

The second claim, on behalf of Louise Hutchings, 36, who suffered a fractured left tibia, was only recently put to the insurer.

Mr Gibson said the claims would move to the courts if the insurer did not accept liability.

Mark Edmondson, the solicitor representing Mr McAteer, declined to comment in detail on “potentially live cases that are being investigated by insurers”.

Mr Edmondson added: “West View Stables Ltd and Mr McAteer deny any liability at this stage.”

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (12 October, ’06)

Horse passport legislation bites

Horse & Hound — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:36:49 +0000

The first horse passports prosecution launched in the UK has resulted in a conviction and fines totalling £8,000 against Doncaster dealer David John Thomas and his business partner Dagmar Blick.

The pair, trading as Horse Imports, faced 14 charges of passport irregularities involving 10 horses. They were found guilty of four counts (selling a horse without a passport and owning horses with incorrect passports) before Doncaster Magistrates Court on 11 September and were also ordered to pay £5,292.16 costs.

The prosecution is the result of a probe by Doncaster Trading Standards’ animal health team following a raid of the defendants’ Doncaster business premises on 31 August 2005. A total of 56 complaints were investigated, dating back to September 2004.

While it was the first passports prosecution launched, in July a separate case was settled in court resulting in a Durham-based business being fined £2,475 for a trade descriptions offence, including £475 for selling two horses without passports.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (21 September, ’06)

‘Click and buy’ deals wind up in court

Horse & Hound — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 11:18:53 +0000

A Durham-based business that specialises in Irish horse import and sales, largely via the internet, has fallen foul of trade and passports law in the wake of a second prosecution.

West View Farm Stables Ltd — already fined more than £8,000 by the courts — remains under scrutiny by its local council following a string of other complaints against the company.

“We’ve looked into complaints concerning misdescription and quality of horses and contractual terms relating to sales, and the matter is proceeding,” said a Durham County Council Trading Standards spokesman.

As reported in H&H, dealer Philip McAteer was first prosecuted under the Trade Descriptions Act by Flintshire County Council in a personal capacity and as director of West View Farm Stables Ltd, Bishop Auckland.

He was fined £750, while the company was fined £5,400, for having falsely advertised a horse as a seven-year-old, when in fact it was much younger.

In the latest 5 July court action, Northamptonshire County Council won its case, resulting in the same company being fined £2,475 and ordered to pay £1,335.80 legal costs.

Mr McAteer was not named in the charges — selling two horses without passports (fined £225 and £250), applying a false description to a horse (fined £1,000), and supplying a horse to which a false description was applied (fined £1,000).

However, he entered not guilty pleas to all bar one charge (passport offence related to the second horse) on behalf of the company before Towcester Magistrates Court.

The council’s Trading Standards team launched the prosecution on the back of a June 2005 complaint from a first-time horse buyer. Warmington-based Annette Stoker, who wanted a mature, quiet horse for her children, aged seven and 10.

Mrs Stoker purchased an eight-year-old Irish cob mare for £3,750 over the internet, only to find the horse lame on delivery. She was returned to the Durham stables.

The replacement, a gelding, billed as “four, rising five” and “quiet to ride” bucked Mrs Stoker off on the first ride.

Her vet said the horse was obviously immature — aged about 3½ — and “very unlikely to be of a suitable, quiet temperament for young children to ride”.

Mrs Stoker still owns the gelding, “Paddy”, has had him schooled and is now riding him.

“I never imagined that anyone would sell a novice family a very young horse because that is so dangerous,” she said.

Mrs Stoker said she hoped the successful prosecution would “prevent others being put at risk”, adding: “I will never make the same mistake. I won’t buy over the internet without seeing a horse with expert advice.”

H&H enquiries to Companies House reveal that Mr McAteer is currently the only director of West View Stables Ltd, located at the same address as the business listed in the two prosecution cases.

An application to the court for compensation to be awarded to Mrs Stoker was rejected. She claimed she made every effort to contact the company after delivery of the second horse, with no luck.

“Mr McAteer is disappointed the matter could not have been sorted out privately,” said his solicitor Mark Edmondson of Edmondson Hall in Newmarket. “If Mrs Stoker had contacted him formally with issues or complaints, he would have responded to her.”

Mr Edmondson said Mr McAteer was also disappointed with the court ruling against him.

A DEFRA spokesman said the case also marked one of the first successful passport prosecutions in England and Wales.

Another recent case involving 56 complaints against Doncaster dealer David John Thomas, of Misterton Carr Stables, resulted in a court order under the Enterprise Act 2002 — the first of its kind against a UK horse dealer.

A separate passports prosecution has been launched against Mr Thomas and his business partner, Dagmar Blick. They have pleaded not guilty to 14 charges of passport irregularities and will appear before Doncaster Magistrates Court on 12-13 September.

International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) spokesman Phil Spiby said H&H’s coverage, warning buyers to beware of internet deals that promote purchase of horses unseen or unvetted, had helped reduce the worrying trend.

Anyone with concerns about dealers can contact Consumer Direct (tel: 0845 4040506).
This report was first published in Horse & Hound (27 July, ’06)

Horse dealer fined for false description

Horse & Hound — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 14:15:57 +0000

A dealer has been prosecuted under the Trade Descriptions Act after a horse he described as a seven-year-old when sold to novice owners was found to be only four.

Flintshire County Council brought the prosecution against Co Durham dealer Philip McAteer, 35, both in a personal capacity and as director of West View Farm Stables, Bishop Auckland, after buyers Donald and Jennifer Nickson of Penymaes, Buckley, Flintshire, complained to Trading Standards.

Mrs Nickson bought the horse, McManus, as a horse suitable for a novice rider.

Flintshire Magistrates Court heard McManus was advertised on a website, Simply Horses. Don and Jennifer Nickson visited West View Farm Stables, and agreed to pay £1,850 for McManus, described in the advert as “seven years old and working well in the school”.

The advert stated: “He is good in traffic, has hunted and competed in hunter trials and show jumping.”

A contract signed by both parties also described McManus as seven years old.

McManus was delivered to the Nicksons’ home, and their daughter Lisa, an experienced rider, tried to ride him.

Damian Gaskell, prosecuting, told the court: “McManus reacted violently and threw Lisa, who broke her arm.”

Magistrates heard that the Nicksons’ vet subsequently found the horse to be “considerably” younger than they believed.

The couple reported the matter to Trading Standards the next day. The court heard the Nicksons had kept McManus, but had reached a civil settlement on a reduced price of £1,250.

Mr McAteer admitted in court to applying a false description of the horse. West View Stables also admitted two similar charges, including one relating to the website advert. Mr McAteer was fined £750, while the stables, a limited company, was fined £5,400.

Mr McAteer told H&H he plans to appeal the fines, adding that he offers a seven-day return and exchange guarantee. “I offered to take the horse back, but they declined,” he said.

Further complaints about Mr McAteer and West View Farm Stables have also been made to Durham Trading Standards, regarding misrepresentation and possible passport offences.

Read the story in full in today’s issue of Horse & Hound (15 June, ’06)

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‘Rogue dealer’ David Thomas is reined in

Horse & Hound — Thu, 09 Mar 2006 12:16:24 +0000

A horse dealer at the centre of an exhaustive Trading Standards investigation, which came in the wake of an H&H exposé of websites that dupe buyers into purchasing horses unseen, has felt the sting of the law in a ground-breaking case.

Labelled a “rogue dealer” by Trading Standards officers, David John Thomas, of Misterton Carr Stables, Doncaster, will be held in contempt of court and face possible imprisonment if he commits further breaches of consumer protection laws.

That is the result of an order under the Enterprise Act 2002 — the first of its kind against a horse dealer in the UK — granted by Lincoln County Court on 13 February, which also demands that Mr Thomas pay £689.37 in legal costs.

Trading Standards officers in Doncaster took action under the Act to prevent “further detriment to consumers and protect the welfare of horses”.

They investigated 56 complaints against Mr Thomas, dating back to September 2004, indicating breaches of a range of consumer protection legislation, including the Sale of Goods Act.

A spokesman for Doncaster’s Trading Standards Service said horses were advertised by Mr Thomas — trading as Horse Imports, Horsebids, Melwood Stables, Happy Hackers, Online-24-Seven and Misterton Carr Stables — complete with money-back guarantees and claims they were suitable for novice riders and had perfect temperaments for children.

“In reality, many of the horses were lame, unsafe to be ridden and in some cases had to be put down,” said the spokesman.

Trading Standards officers were aware of at least six horses that had to be euthanased after purchase, together with separate personal injury cases involving three children, one of whom suffered suspected neck injuries and another a broken arm.

Trading Standards also reported that many buyers who complained to Mr Thomas claimed that instead of refunds, they received abuse and insults, leaving them thousands of pounds out of pocket and faced with the prospect of huge vet’s bills.

When contacted by H&H, Mr Thomas, who has moved his business premises from North Lincolnshire to Doncaster and now Nottinghamshire, declined to comment.

However, prior to the court order, he put buyers’ allegations down to scaremongering by fellow dealers, adding that the “proper place” for such claims was in a court of law (news, 8 September).

A long list of unhappy buyers who contacted H&H alleged horses were delivered lame, malnourished, covered in bite and kick marks or showing other health problems (coughing, back problems and in one case, navicular disease diagnosed at a post-sale vet check).

International League for the Protection of Horses director of UK operations Tony Tyler said the organisation had also received numerous complaints about horses purchased from Mr Thomas.

“We would never recommend anybody buying a horse either unseen or unvetted via the Internet because there are always unscrupulous dealers who will take advantage of the unwary,” he said.

As H&H went to press, Mr Thomas’s Horse Imports website still included a specific “buy without viewing” option.

Anyone with concerns about dealers can contact Consumer Direct (tel: 0845 4040506).

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Trading standards spotlight falls on dealer

Horse & Hound — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 11:31:15 +0000

Trading Standards officials are investigating a horse dealer, who is at the centre of a string of complaints to animal welfare groups, local authorities and Horse & Hound.

The dealer, who trades using at least two different websites, has been under scrutiny since May. The individual cannot be named during Trading Standards’ ongoing investigations.

North Lincolnshire Council Trading Standards manager Malcolm Osborne told Horse & Hound that numerous complaints and enquiries had been received from “purchasers all round the country regarding problems with the horses sold to them”.

He said: “Allegations being investigated include the descriptions applied to the horses about their age and suitability, problems associated with their health and irregularities connected with passports.

“A decision will be taken on whether legal proceedings will be instituted once all the evidence has been gathered and interviews concluded.”

The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) first aired warnings of dealers buying horses cheaply abroad, dosing them up with bute if they were arthritic, and advertising them on websites — often without passports or with false documents — in H&H earlier this year

ILPH spokesman Phil Spiby said the trend had emerged over the past year, adding those “most likely to be duped by dodgy dealers” were first-time horse buyers — a demographic on the rise as people move from the city to the country.

“There are guarantees offered should a buyer not be happy with their purchase, but the reality of getting money back is proving very difficult in practice,” said Spiby, stressing that people should never buy a horse unseen or unvetted.

When contacted by H&H last Friday, the dealer said he had not been formally interviewed by Trading Standards officials, whom he said were checking passports and expected the matter to take three to four weeks.

He put buyers’ allegations down to scaremongering by fellow dealers, adding: “The proper place for claims of that nature is a court of law. None are being made in a court of law.”

The dealer also said he had never refused an exchange or refund without a valid reason.

Advice from the ILPH and Trading Standards

Never consider buying a horse unseen or unvetted
Always take your own vet for a pre-sale inspection
Ride a horse before buying
No matter how much equine knowledge you have, always seek a second opinion
Buy locally if possible
Check out the seller/dealer (company search, ask for contacts of previous buyers to seek recommendations)
Look into the full history of the horse you are interested in making an offer
Don’t let yourself be rushed into making a decision
Ensure the horse has a passport (it is illegal for any horse to be sold without one) and cross-reference details to ensure the passport is valid and matches the horse
Paying by credit card provides additional rights and safeguards
Ensure the receipt includes any descriptions of warranties
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is
If you are concerned contact Consumer Direct (tel: 0845 404 0506)

This news story was first published in full in Horse & Hound (8 September, ’05)

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Poor support for new dealers’ scheme

Horse & Hound — Tue, 05 Oct 2004 13:04:58 +0000

The British Equine Dealers’ Federation (BEDF), a registration scheme designed to boost the credibility of horse dealers, has attracted a lukewarm response from the industry since it was launched in July — with buyers apparently more enthusiastic than sellers.

In an attempt to root out those rogue traders who give the industry a bad name, the BEDF provides members with contracts of sale, terms and conditions to use in transactions, and access to a tribunals system to resolve any disputes.

With litigation on the increase, the creation of BEDF couldn’t be more timely, but a disappointing response has lead to the association dropping its subscription from an original £500 to £200 in a bid to attract more members.

Prof Barry Peachey, chairman of BEDA’s tribunal and of the Equine and Animal Lawyers Association, claims that the association will give buyers confidence and its members protection from being sued in the small claims court.

“They will use a standard form contract, which means that if there are disputes, they’ll go to a tribunal,” he says.

So why the apathy towards BEDF? Perhaps one reason is that because the civil (county) courts system is user-friendly and cheap, people are happy to turn to it to resolve disputes if they arise and hence don’t need to avail themselves of BEDF’s promised tribunal system.

Lynn Russell, who has been selling horses for 20 years, queries whether any organisation can protect both parties involved in a dispute.

“You can’t go to court and act for buyer and seller,” she says.

Russell is also concerned that members will not be vetted and asks what will prevent rogue traders from joining it to gain a cover of respectability?

Prof Peachey responds that although the BEDF cannot run checks on people, its provisions include a stiff disciplinary system where offenders can be thrown out.

This news feature is published in full, including advice on how buyers can protect themselves from dodgy dealers, in Horse & Hound (30 September 04)

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New scheme to root out “dodgy” dealers

Horse & Hound — Fri, 23 Jul 2004 14:33:53 +0000

Three experienced sport horse dealers and a top equine lawyer have launched Britain’s first dealers’ registration scheme in a bid to root out corruption, provide protection for buyers and improve the reputation of the horse dealing industry.

Show jumper Simon Davies, who is chairman of the new British Equine Dealers’ Association (BEDA), formed the idea about a year ago and has spent the past few months putting the finishing touches to the scheme. He enlisted the help of Canon Prof Barry Peachey, chairman of the Equine and Animal Lawyers’ Association (EALA).

“We are trying to cut out the rogues and clean this business up,” Davies explains. “We want to make people feel even safer buying from a dealer than privately.

“To compare with another industry, if you open Yellow Pages to get the boiler fixed, you look for a Corgi-registered plumber. Until now, there has been nothing like this with horses in this country. When the scheme gets established, the general public will recognise that they should avoid any dealer who is not registered.”

The Federation is loosely based on a similar system in Holland, which has been established for some years. Disputes between BEDA’s members and their customers will be resolved through a tribunals system administered by Prof Peachey, who works independently of the federation.

Disputes between BEDA’s members and their customers will be resolved through a tribunals system administered by Prof Peachey, who works independently of the federation.

“It’s a bit like the ABTA scheme [for travel agents], and will give the public confidence and the honest dealers protection – but it won’t protect the crooks,” says Prof. Peachey.

“I get about a dozen calls a week [at the EALA] from poor suckers who have been cheated by horse dealers and I’m sure that’s the tip of the iceberg. We want to put dealers on the spot and say: ‘You register or the public won’t touch you’.”

Dealers, who will pay a £500 annual subscription to be on the register, will use standard form contracts for every sale, with detailed terms and conditions in which the seller provides certain warranties and agrees to disclose, for example, any vices. The £500 subscription may be flexible for dealers handling only a few horses a year, depending on individual circumstances.

To receive more information or join, contact Simon Davies (tel: 01494 712838 or 07802 410262).

Read the full story in this week’s Horse & Hound (22 July)

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Post-Brexit VAT change could leave dealers out of pocket

This means dealers who previously used the second-hand margin scheme and who source horses from EU nations could face higher VAT rates.

Lucie Hammond, partner in Hazlewoods’ farms and estates team, who leads the firm’s equine specialism, said the company has “many clients operating similar businesses” who are facing this “dilemma”.

“The options are to either put up prices, or to absorb, at least in part, the extra VAT cost. Those who continue as before run the risk of an HMRC investigation, which could result in a VAT bill, interest, and potential penalties,” she said.

But since Brexit, all second-hand goods from the EU have become imports on which VAT is levied on arrival in the UK, and UK dealers of horses sourced from EU nations have lost their right to charge their buyers the lower sums of VAT.

Tim Warren, owner of Warren Eventing, has been importing horses from Europe for more than 30 years and is now questioning whether it is “even possible to continue”.

“As an example, if a UK dealer bought a horse in Europe pre-Brexit for £15,000 and then sold it in the UK for £20,000, there would be VAT to account for on the margin equalling £833, leaving the dealer with a profit of £4,167 before other costs,” he said.

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