I want to buy a horse in the u.k but not just any horse ( read info)?

Just a couple of things before I answer. 1: "Amazing" racehorses do not go to slaughter. The racehorses that go to slaughter are either broken down or never showed any potential. In most cases they will develop severe problems and are going to slaughter because they are not fit for riding. 2: No slaughter worker will buy a horse in private sale like that. While people may find the slaughter industry distasteful they do what they do in order to make a profit, not in order to butcher animals. A private sale would never make a profit. Realistically if you buy a horse from a slaughterhouse then all you are doing is taking one out of a chain where another will replace it. The horse you buy will be saved but at the expense of a different horse who will end up in the slaughter line. If you still have your heart set on it then I imagine the phone book will have a list of abbatoirs.

Make sure that you have the ability and knowledge to take on a horse headed for a slaughter house. Horses like ex-racers need proffesional and knowledgable hands in order to retrain them to get them out of their racing habits and into the frame of mind and ability to become a nice riding horse. Remember that a lot of the horses headed for slaugthter are going there for a reason, whether they have a health problem and cannot be ridden, whether they're ex-racers and would require retraining, whether they're young and not broken and unhandled, or can't be broken for what ever reason. It's a nice thought taking on slaughter house rescues - but there is far more behind the fantasy of buying some run down horse from the sales and making them into something spectacular. Those sorts of stories are very few and far between. IF and only if you truly know that you are fully capable of taking on something like that, then head down to your local sales - there are always horses there that are going for meat money, and you can buy them dirt cheap and take them on from there.

To be honest, within the UK there are very few horses who go for slaughter. If you want to be involved with rescue then go a to a rescue organisation, they have a lot of horses who need homes and you will have a better idea of what you're getting. Try World Horse Welfare, http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/help-today/horse-loan-scheme-search, Redwings, http://www.redwings.org.uk/rehoming/, Thoroghbred rehab centre, http://www.thoroughbredrehabilitationcentre.co.uk/content.php?id=thetrcloanscheme etc - google horse rescue and contact some of the centres.

Instead of rescuing one from the knackers yard, why not purchase one from a charity that has done that? There are plenty of charities out there that have rescued horses- often ex-racers and have done the extremely difficult job of re-training them, while taking care of them and you will have expert help and advice when you need it. Have a look at Heros, supported by Jenny Pitman no less

While it's a very noble thing to do, you also need to take a few things into consideration. With some of the horses going for slaughter, they may have a number of issues and there are some that are just completely broken down and fit for no more than pasture or will breakdown sooner rather than later, so you could end up paying more than you bargain for. Ex race horses take alot of hard work, time and experience to retrain as riding horses. I've seen too many people take on ex race horses that they couldn't handle. You really need to make sure that you're taking on the right horse for yourself. I suggest that you take an experienced person along with you when you go to look at these horses and if possible have the horse vetted, but you must also keep in mind that you may not have the chance to try the horse or take it on trial and you may find that the horse even if sound and in full health, is not suitable for you at all.

https://www.bhs.org.uk/

It's a nobel idea but a little unrealistic as someone else said amazing horses don't often go to slaughter ,it's usually old horses and ponies that have served people all their lives who's owners didn't want too or have the money to look after a veteran . On top of that ex-racers are hard to deal with even for the most experienced riders it took a friend of mine five years to get hers to the stage where she can hunt and compete on him because he had so many problems ,heath wise and behavioral issues and it cost her a fortune granted she has a lovely horse now but it came at a price .so just make sure you have the time and means necessary to take on something like this . Why not take on a rescue horse from a shelter I have two they are unrideable because of numerous health problems but it makes me feel good inside knowing the can live out their days happily and comfortably with me . If you still have your heart set on saving a horse from slaughter the sales are the best place too go but you have to know who's buying horses for slaughter they usually but horses in lots ,especially older animals ,bad doers basically horses that nobody else wants but you really have to watch what's going on (which can be hard in the hectic environment) or bring someone who know more about it with you

you can just go to the yeards where the slaughter horses are kept and tell the men working there that you would like to talk to their boss. talk money, they dont care about the animals only the cash. Only mention the cash you are willing to give them for a certain horse.

check out Hollys Horse Haven (facebook) which rescues abandoned and starved horses. They have some lovely ones and do really good work. They are in Ireland but can arrange transport as others have gone to England. I am getting a mare from them at the end of the month ! Cant wait