Advice on first time buying

[crazyhorses1]

hey any advice anyone can give me buying my first horse? i know dont use the same vet as the seller, i dont have anyone horsey to come with me, comments please

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Obviously no one else can make the decision for you but why dont u take a vid/pics of horses u try and post them on here? Most people will happily give u their honest opinion on here....just a thought. Good luck!

 

[crazyhorses1]

thanks yeah, like how everything works really! like if we decide to go ahead how do i get the horse as mine, like paperwork etc, im a novice on that side!

 

[blackislegirl]

Things I learned made from mistakes made many years ago, and from picking the brains of the more experienced
- buy the best, nicest horse you can possibly afford, scraping every last penny. The bills for tack, livery, feed, shoeing, vet etc will be no different from the bills for some little b***r, and you will not resent them.
- find a horse that is right for you and your standard of riding and what you want to do - not what your best friend wants, or what you aspire to in years to come.
- don't buy a warmblood if you really want to do gentle hacking round the countryside!
- if you can find something by word of mouth (from trusted mouths, I mean) you may find something much nicer and better value than through ads
- do not buy anything with a problem. Problems will occur anyway, so why lumber yourself with them.
- if you get it wrong first time, cut your losses, sell and look again. Don't keep blaming yourself as a bad rider if actually the gee is unsuitable, or simply a little b***r.

 

[Honey08]

Is there definately nobody that can go with you? No instructor locally or yard owner from where you are going to keep the horse? My friend is a very experienced instructor and has a large livery yard. She has often gone with future liveries to see potential horses, and doesn't charge them..

If there really isn't, take your time with viewings - see the horse in many situations. In the stable, being caught, groomed, tacked up... See the horse ridden in the school - doing everything you'd like to do, and see the horse jump reasonable heights for what it is meant to be able to do. See the horse hack out - on the roads in traffic and open fields if possible.

When you ride the horse, get a good feel - does it feel responsive, can you stop easily, do you feel safe and comfortable.. If/when you jump, it doesn't matter if you only jump small things - see how it feels... Is it taking you to a fence, or backing off/rushing. Again do you feel happy.

Definately get the horse vetted if you're fairly novice - even if its only a two stage. Go with your head. If there is anything that worries you look further into it, don't think, oh but hes lovely!

Hope it all goes well!

 

[Arizahn]

Aside from the vet bit, and the horsey friend bit, always have a witness to the viewings and sale, and get a receipt! This should have a description of the horse, price paid, what was included, date sold, and be signed legibly by you, your witness and the seller.

Also, make sure you get the horse's passport when you buy the horse - do not accept promises of "I'll post it to you", as you will probably never see the document!
You will need to complete a change of ownership form and the seller will need to sign this too, in most cases. Check beforehand with whatever agency issued your new horse its passport. Some expect the seller to fill out the form, others allow the buyer to do so.

 

[becca1305]

don't buy something to "grow with", your first horse should be something experienced, generous and forgiving . its easy to opt for a "potential horse" but its not a good idea first time round.

secondly, there are some pros to using the sellers vet - if the seller will let you have all past vet information.

Finally tbh Id find yourself an experienced riding instructor in your local area preferably on recommendation of several people and pay them to go with you to any second viewings on horses you like and be brutally honest about the horse to you and its suitability for you. . I teach a couple of novice ladies and I honestly wish they had got in touch prior to buying, as I wouldn't have recommended the horses they bought for them, and it is only after buying and having issues resulting in a confidence knock that they have got an instructor (me ) in to help. One is now coming on leaps and bounds and had a more robust confidence, but it has been an uphill struggle. But the other is still very nervous and whilst we have got their dressage on track she is nervous out hacking and can't do everything she wants to do with her horse (who is lovely but just too green for her).

Good luck, and enjoy its better to take more time and find the right one for you

 

[crazyhorses1]

thanks very much honey, well i mean friends etc, yeah i could speak to someone at the yard, they dont know me though but then any advice is still advice! thanks yeah, well ive been riding for about 17years and would love to compete locally

 

[Arizahn]

And never get on any horse that the seller or their representative won't! I made this mistake and ended up being carted off up the road!

 

[juliette]

Funnily enough my friend and I were only discussing this the other day.

Things I'd want to do on first visit.
See horse caught from field, groomed, tacked up, ridden. Only ride yourself if you are happy with their behaviour.

If interested in horse I'd also want to see them loaded if going to travel them much and their reaction to being hosed.

Need to understand exact age, any problems they have had both health and behavioural.

Find out what the horse enjoys the most, hacking, dressage, show jumping etc

What's included, tack, rugs, etc.

Whether they would consider short trial with view to buy.

Personally I would always visit more than once. Try and pick days when weather is different. For example wind can wind some up a lot!!!

 

[Arizahn]

thanks very much honey, well i mean friends etc, yeah i could speak to someone at the yard, they dont know me though but then any advice is still advice! thanks yeah, well ive been riding for about 17years and would love to compete locally

You never know; asking people at your yard for input might be also be the start of a new friendship. My YO was very helpful when I was buying

 

[pansy]

I know you say you can't get anyone horsey to go with you - how much experience have you got - perhaps you could go & see the horse & then take someone horsey with you ?
If you are going to be moving horse & taking to a new yard how about asking the yard owner if they know someone that could go with you - having a horse can be a fantastic experience but (sorry going to be negative) but it can also be a costly, dangerous & upsetting experience if you but the wrong one

Ask lots & lots of questions temperment/ injuries/ hacks on own/ /go doer/ lives in /out etc..
see him ridden (in a school out on a road etc..) ride him yourself maybe take a video if him & show to others or post on here to get some opionons , you will always fall in love with the 1st one you see but he has to be suitable for your rding abilities & for what you want to do

All horses should have a passport this will have present & previous owners names in you could aloways try & contact previous owners to check history - passport will also have all vaccinations recorded.

If you like the horse - go & see it again see it ridden again ride it again spend some time with it & then make your decision - & arrange a vetting if required.

& then enjoy your new horse

 

[Arizahn]

Always good to discuss things with your YO - especially if you will be stabling the horse on their premises. They will be interested to know what to expect. Also, they may have rules: no cribbers, for example.

 

[Boxers]

Before you go to see a horse, think of all the questions you want to ask and write them down otherwise you will get there and find you've forgotton them!

Ask for the passport to be available for you to see at the viewing, check the description of the horse matches what you see in front of you.

Never get on a horse that you have not seen ridden. if you don't like what you see then don't ride it for the sake of it. Better to say it's not for you and leave.

if you like the horse, then arrange to see it again another day. Last pony I bought, we actually viewed 5 times before handing over the money. An honest, caring seller will not mind.

Good luck.

 

[crazyhorses1]

yeah, i dont know anyone horsey, apart from myself, so could only be the YO that could come with me, been riding for around 17yrs, good points about the weather!

 

[Arizahn]

Don't be afraid to ask what the horse is bad at/dislikes, etc. Better to know and a decent seller will have no qualms telling you.

 

[muffinmunsh]

Oh dear! It seems I have done everything wrong when buying my nags!
;-p

 

[crazyhorses1]

haha may be a learning experience for all of us then lol

 

[Bikerchickone]

Agree with all the above advice but also would like to say trust your instincts. If you have a sneaky suspicion that something isn't right then listen to it, if you still like the horse get it vetted and mention your concern to the vet, and the owner too. It may be something that won't be a problem but it could be something important.

I wouldn't say you have to instantly fall in love with a horse the first time around, although many of us do, but I think it's really important to be comfortable around/riding the horse.

This from someone who bought a yearling WB chestnut filly with absolutely no clue what I was gonna do with her because she was cute, and nearly 4 years on still have her and still don't know lol!!!

Good luck with your hunt, look forward to seeing pics/videos of potentials.

 

[Nannon]

Dont feel you have to buy the first horse you see!

 

[crazyhorses1]

nah i wont, knowing me i prob will tho lol how can you value/put a value on a horse?

 

[crazyhorses1]

possibly seen 2 on horsemart!

 

[cob and caspian]

Hi, a piece of advice from me would be that if you find a mare you like then ask the seller directly whether or not she (horse not seller!) is pregnant.Just to be sure the vet can do an examination for about £20 to £50. Also check the passport as already mentioned. I bought a mare this year, having lost my beautiful boy 3 years ago and having had him for nearly 20 years, so was a bit rusty on the horse purchase experience. The horse I found passed the vet fine and appeared to be everything I was looking for. However 6 weeks later a more experienced friend noticed she had large teats, so I had vet out and sure enough she was in foal.Buying a horse is one thing, but having a foal is something else and not for the inexperienced. The whole thing has been an emotional rollercoaster.The foal was gorgeous and we all fell in love with him and tried to work out logistics and finances so we could keep him, but so very sadly we had to have him pts at only 9weeks as he had a burst abscess in the growth plates of his hock which shattered the joint sack and bone. I know this sounds exteme, but it does happen so be aware and I hope you have happy horse hunting x

 

[be positive]

You need to decide on what you are going to spend, dont forget they will not always come with tack and rugs, then have a look on some of the sites and you will get an idea of what the price will get you. Most will be open to offers.

Make a list of the things you want, size, type, age, experience etc, then most importantly, questions to ask before you go and try, is it good in ALL traffic, good to catch etc.

Try and take some video of any that you see, it helps if you can look at it later, possibly with someone else to advise.

There will never be a perfect horse but if you have priorities stick with them and do not buy just because it may be suitable, always go back a second time and also if you can go to the vetting, you often see another side to a horse when undergoing the examination, it also allows you to discuss any findings with the vet at the time rather than trying to imagine what happened.

 

[crazyhorses1]

thanks for all the help any websites recommended or to avoid? horsemart and here are my main ones

 

[crazyhorses1]

also how soon in advance would people look?

 

[Daytona]

Don't over horse yourself.

 

[Baileybob]

Re value - its a difficult one - like anything, a horse is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it and all of us have different needs, wants and budgets. If you have £20k to spend and all you wanted was an ultra safe hack - you might be happy to pay £20k for a proven, rock solid hack with a head like a bucket (bless) whereas someone else may not give 50p for the same horse because it wouldn't get results in a show ring.

Decide what your maximum budget is and write YOUR list or priorities - DO NOT compromise on your main priorities, there are plenty of horses for sale and one will fit the bill - it is for you to decide how much your priorities are worth. Take your time and heed the advice of others on this log - its all good stuff!

Get someone to go with you with a video so you can look at it all again with a cool head at home.

Buy something with good conformation and good feet.

 

[dollymix]

I agree with ho ho honey re trying to find a local riding instructor to go with you, especially as this is your first horse.

I have had horses for over 18 yrs and I took two very experienced friends with me to see the horses I was interested in when I recently bought my new girl. One is an experienced event rider and instructor and the other s trained saddle fitter and physio! I realise I'm lucky with my friends... But I would definitely reccomend looking online or in all your local tack/feed shop notice boards for an instructor you'll go with you.... They might also know of horses locally for sale saving you lots of time and money driving around the country!

 

[Booboos]

Write down a list of attributes you want the horse to have and try not to compromise on them. Avoid relatively irrelevant stuff like colour or breed (unless you want to show a particular type) but try instead to list what you want to do with the horse, e.g. hack, alone and in company, snaffle mouth, good in traffic, go round an unaffiliated course of jumps, etc. or whatever else you want to do.

Where do you ride now? Is it not possible for your current instructor to come with you to view horses? Someone who knows your riding style and ability is the best person to take with you.

Get a 5* vetting.