The overwhelming majority of pony sellers are honest, caring people. But because ponies sell for thousands of pounds, scammers do operate — and nervous first-time buyers are their favourite target. Ten minutes with this guide makes you a very hard target indeed.
The one rule that defeats almost every scam
Never send money — any money — before you have visited the pony in person. Not a deposit. Not a "transport fee". Not a "holding payment to be refunded at viewing". Nothing.
Virtually every pony scam depends on payment before viewing. Refuse, and the scam collapses.
How the common scams work
- The bargain that doesn't exist. A lovely pony at half market price, "priced to sell this week". The photos are stolen from a real advert elsewhere. Try a reverse image search — scammers rarely have more photos than they stole.
- The remote seller. "I've moved to Scotland / Ireland / France for work — pay the transporter and he'll deliver." There is no pony and no transporter.
- The pressure play. "Two other families are viewing tomorrow — a £200 deposit secures him." Genuine sellers rarely operate like this; scammers always do.
- The overpayment. A "buyer" for your pony sends too much by cheque and asks you to refund the difference. The cheque later bounces.
Verifying a genuine seller
- Speak on the phone — scammers prefer messages. Ask detailed questions; real owners answer easily and often at length.
- Ask for a live video call from the yard with the pony. Thirty seconds on camera defeats most fakes.
- Check the passport at the viewing: the description and markings must match the pony in front of you, and ask to see the seller named as the registered owner (or an explanation).
- Pay by bank transfer to an account matching the seller's name, and get a signed receipt. Avoid cash for large sums, and never pay by gift cards, cryptocurrency or money-transfer services.
Protecting the purchase itself
- Get a pre-purchase vetting. A two-stage vetting (£75–£150) checks eyes, heart, soundness in hand and basic health. A five-stage vetting (£250+) adds ridden exercise and recovery — sensible for higher-value ponies. Use a vet you choose, not one suggested by the seller.
- Use a written sale agreement. One page is enough: names and addresses, pony's identity and passport number, price, date, and any declarations the seller has made ("no history of laminitis", "safe in traffic"). Both sign, keep a copy each.
- Arrange insurance from day one. Your pony can be insured from the moment you pay — accidents don't wait for paperwork to settle.
Trials and loans
A trial period sounds ideal but carries risk for both sides — sellers worry about their pony, buyers about liability. If you agree one, put everything in writing: duration, insurance, who pays the farrier and vet, and what ends the trial. "Loan with a view to buy" arrangements need the same care.
If something goes wrong
- Report suspicious adverts on this site using the "Report it" link on every listing — we review every report.
- If you've sent money to a scammer, call your bank immediately — fast action sometimes recovers funds — then report to Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk, 0300 123 2040).
- Disputes with a genuine seller over a pony's described condition may be resolvable under the Consumer Rights Act (if the seller is a business) or misrepresentation law — Citizens Advice can point you in the right direction.
Sensible precautions cost a little time and no money. Take them, relax, and enjoy the search — the right pony from the right seller is out there.