Buy Tinker

Tinker for sale: Buying and selling Tinker

There’s something instantly disarming about a good Tinker: the kind eye, the thick mane and tail, and that trademark feather that makes you want to run a brush through it on the spot. Whether you call them Tinker, Irish Cob, or Gypsy Cob depending on your region, you’re looking at a compact, sturdy horse that’s built for real-life use rather than just the show ring. For many riders and families, a Tinker for sale sign is the starting point of years of hacking, low-key competitions, and a lot of grooming time.

A Tinker is typically a medium-sized, strong-boned horse with plenty of substance, lots of hair, and a calm, people-oriented temperament. They usually stand around 140–155 cm, though you’ll see some bigger and smaller, and they can be anything from solid colours to tri-coloured. Buyers and sellers should pay attention to terms like “traditional type” (heavier, more feather, more cob-like) versus “sport type” (lighter, more athletic). Most Tinkers are used for hacking, trekking, driving, riding school work, low-level dressage, and small jumping. They’re often marketed as family horses because of their generally steady nature, but that doesn’t mean every Tinker is automatically a beginner-safe saint.

You’ll see Tinker horses in many European markets, especially Germany, the Netherlands, and of course Ireland and the UK, and they’re increasingly popular elsewhere. When you’re buying or selling a Tinker, you’re not just trading on looks; you’re looking at soundness for regular riding, a reliable temperament, and how well the horse actually fits into everyday life. That’s where a bit of informed, realistic assessment matters more than the feather and the fancy photos.

Buying Tinker - what you need to know

When you’re looking at a Tinker for sale, start with temperament and soundness before anything else. Watch how the horse behaves being caught, tied, groomed, and tacked up. A good Tinker should be curious, tolerant, and not overly reactive, even if it’s a bit green. Under saddle, pay attention to rhythm in all three gaits, willingness to go forward, and how the horse reacts to new questions like a small cross-pole or leaving other horses. If you’re a novice or buying for a child, you want a horse that would rather slow down and think than rush and panic.

Arrange at least one proper viewing and ride, ideally in both an arena and out on a short hack or trail. Ask the seller to ride first so you can see how the Tinker goes for them, then get on yourself and check if you feel secure and in control. If you’re less experienced, bring your trainer or a knowledgeable friend. Ask specific questions: how is the horse with traffic, farrier, vet, loading, and being left alone? What does it eat, and how much turnout is it used to? For documentation, request the passport, registration papers if available, vaccination record, deworming record, and any previous veterinary reports or x‑rays.

For price, most Tinkers fall into the lower to mid-thousands range, depending on country and market. A young, unbacked or very green Tinker might be anywhere from €1,500 to €3,000. A well-schooled, safe allrounder with a proven record as a family or trekking horse can easily range from €4,000 to €8,000, and especially nice individuals with show results, driving training, or top conformation can go into the €8,000–€12,000 bracket or more. What drives the price is age (ideal is often 7–12), training level, temperament, health, and how well the horse fits the “safe, fun allrounder” brief. Always invest in a pre-purchase exam with a trusted vet, at least a basic clinical exam and, if your budget allows, x‑rays of the legs. Red flags include sellers who refuse a vetting, inconsistent history, obvious lameness or stiffness brushed off as “just a bit unfit,” and heavily sedated behaviour during viewings. Take your time; walking away from a doubtful horse is far cheaper than months of vet bills or a mismatch.

Everything about selling Tinker

On the selling side, Tinkers are often offered by small breeders, private owners, riding schools refreshing their string, and dealers who specialise in cobs and family horses. As a seller, your best asset is honesty paired with good preparation. Before advertising your Tinker for sale, make sure the horse is in regular work, fit enough to show walk, trot, and canter comfortably, and ideally has some recent experience hacking, meeting traffic, and dealing with everyday situations. Have vaccinations up to date, teeth checked, farrier visits current, and gather all paperwork: passport, registration, health records, and any vet reports.

Pricing your Tinker realistically is crucial. A rising 4‑year‑old, backed and going but still green, may sit comfortably in the €3,000–€5,000 range, depending on quality and location. A safe, been-there-done-that schoolmaster type used for hacking, lessons, and maybe a bit of driving or low-level shows can justify €5,000–€9,000 or more if it’s truly reliable and sound. Heavier “traditional” Tinkers with lots of hair often attract buyers on looks alone, but you’ll achieve better prices if you can also demonstrate good training and manners. Mares in foal or proven broodmares with pedigree may have added value, while very overweight or unfit horses tend to pull prices down because buyers see extra costs and risk.

For selling channels, online marketplaces and horse sale platforms are usually your best first step, supported by social media and word of mouth in local riding communities. Good photos and a straightforward video are worth the effort: show the Tinker being handled, groomed, tacked up, ridden in all three gaits, and, if possible, out on a hack and loading into a trailer. Most buyers looking to buy a Tinker are expecting a calm, family-friendly type, so highlight things like traffic experience, children handling, driving training, or steady behaviour at new locations. Be ready to answer detailed questions, allow vettings, and give potential buyers time to try the horse properly. A bit of extra schooling, a tidy mane and tail, clean feathers, and a clear, honest description can easily add both interest and value, helping you find a buyer who will appreciate your Tinker and keep it in work and good care for many years.