3 Viewings tomorrow!! Wish me luck and any last minute advice?

[_April_]

Update on my horsehunt!

I have taken tomorrow off of work and I have 3 viewings lined up

Any last minute tips would be gratefully appreciated?

I do have someone coming with me

They are all of similar competing backgrounds and price - aged from 7-10. Have asked all my millions of questions already via phone and email so am hoping they are all as described.

Last question is - what sort of deposit should I give to secure subject to a vetting?

I want to say a huge thanks to everyone who has helped me both on the posts and by PM - you guys are all stars and have probably saved me a fortune in petrol by helping me investigate the backgrounds

I also have about another 3/4 I can go see this weekend if the worse happens and none of the 3 tomorrow are suitable

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

I don't know how much deposit you would usually put down but maybe 10%??

 

[hellspells]

Good luck and I've got my fingers crossed for you. One thing I was told (some time ago) once you've tried the beast and had it working in and outline etc - ride it on the buckle for a little bit. It will show you if its a relaxed o tense beastie.

Good luck

 

[_April_]

thanks Rach - that does sound about right!

Great tip hellspells - will def. remember that one

 

[0]

always ride in the arena with the gate open to see if it will nap given the chance,always ask for fillers when jumping [if they say they dont own any dangle a coat or jumper over the jump pole to see how it will react]

If you can arrive earlier see if you can catch them out lunging it before your due to go,i have always done this and on 3 occasions have caught them working the horse to calm it down.

 

[I_A_P]

As above really....get their early, don't rush (if the horse is not for you- politely say so- they should appreicate it rather than wasting both yours and their time), see it brought in from the field and tacked up etc. See it trot up if you like it don;t be afriad to go for a hack + anything else within reason you would want to do with it.

 

[xspiralx]

My general advice would be just don't do too much! Try to ride quietly and see if the horse is naturally quite obedient, and well balanced, forward etc without you doing much. Even when jumping, try just sitting quietly and keeping the leg on to see how the horse copes without interference, if its honest, sorts itself out well etc.

You want to see the owner do the things with it that you'll want to do - so if you can see it jump a solid course with fillers, related distances etc, so much the better.

Don't forget to try and see it on the roads if you can, or take it for a short hack

 

[0ldmare]

Good luck, fingers crossed one of them is your dream horse!

I normally offer a 10% deposit - non refundable if horse passes vet and I still back out. Refundable if it fails (I get it in writing!)

 

[0ldmare]

Oh and make sure they ride it first!! (If the owner declines due to a bad back, sprained ankle etc etc be very very aware)

 

[_April_]

That is a very good tip james08 - I went to see a horse last month that was available for loan and someone else on the yard let it slip that it had been ridden that morning! And it was quite loopy as it was.

I will want to catch it myself as horse I have been riding has been terrible to catch in the past so I would never underestimate the importance of that - thanks fran!

Yes S - hacking alone is very important to me as I have had a wimp in the past and I much prefer a bolder hacker.
Being honest it's what I do most of the time except for weekend shows so it's a complete dealbreaker!
I love going for a hack on my own, it's a great way to unwind after work

 

[Flibble]

Make sure you see it untacked and watch its reaction when tacked up. You dont want to get a horse home and then find out it takes 3 people to put a bridle on.

The rest all makes good sense.

 

[_April_]

Fab thanks oldmare

I haven't bought a horse in 10 years as have been loaning since uni so wasn't really sure of deposit ettiquette etc.

Will absolutely make sure they ride it first!! I even ask that for the loan and shares I have been to see lol.

 

[Flibble]

I offered a deposit when I bought Drifter but was told it wasnt necessary!!

 

[mintaka04]

All the above is sensible advice.
I always take a video with me as well as a friend, who can video me on the animal (with owners permission, of course)

I find that some faults become more apparent when you look at the video later. It helps you to make your mind up too, if you are looking at a few.

 

[Loubiepoo]

I def second taking a video camera or even just a camera, then if your having trouble deciding or want to think about any of them at home you can view the video to help you. Even when I went to look at horses on my own I got the seller to video me, it really helped.

Have fun - and Good Luck!

 

[_April_]

Thank you everyone for all the tips

My phone takes videos so I'll use that!

 

[Apalacia01]

You are buying a beast!? I have only been gone a month and its all going on! Good luck with the search - do you know where you are going to keep it yet, and what happened to the loaner ones?

 

[SpottedCat]

If there isn't ad lib water in the stable, offer it a bucket of water....dehydration is a wonderful way to make a nuts horse sane.....

 

[Coffee_Bean]

Always see someone else ride it first.

 

[Zoobie]

Oh how exciting, I am quite sure you have covered all bases. However my current horse was always out of the stable when I went to see him ( he used to be stress head in stable ) and when I went back ( again and again ) I asked if I could bring him in.. Like you I took someone with me and put the big grey pet through lots of little tests ( they did all the jumping and schooling ). We went out for a hack in company asked them to trot off to see if my boy became upset, put in front and behind when cantering and then on the way back I turned him away and hacked him away from his friend and home.

Good luck x