Advice please!!

Dizzyblonde99

Dizzyblonde99

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Okay, I'm looking to but my first horse yay!! I'd consider myself an experienced 15 year old I've been riding for 8 years and have had a pony (14.1) on loan for the past four years in that time we have gone from bucking everyone off (instructor included) to happily popping 3"9 spreads!

Anyway so I have rung about a few adds, first 3 had sold, one answer machine and then spoke to someone. But I expected them to talk about their horse for a while I could ask a few questions and if it still sounded good I'd arrange to veiw it. But the person didn't seem to know much about their horse at all and really didn't seem instrested in talking to me. So any adivice in calling about horses much appreciated I suppose!!

Also any overall adive to a first time buyer mucho appreciated :D Just thought I would mention as my parents aren't partically horsey I will ask my instructor to come with me to veiw any possibilitys :)

Thanks anne
 
Hmmm. I haven't bought or sold a horse for many years but I wouldn't have thought the process has changed that much!!

Make sure you have a list of questions (not tooooo long but long enough to form a decision about whether the horse is worth seeing - the "dealbreakers") before you call the seller in case you get nervous. Write down the answers they give you!!

I used to have a notebook with a little picture and any notes of every pony I'd viewed so that I didn't forget anything.

Definitely take someone else with you - instructor would be ideal. I'd even suggest NOT taking the 'rents if they are not horsey as they may stress you out :D

Trust your gut. If something doesn't quite feel right, it probably isn't.

Ask lots of questions and don't be embarrassed/worried about asking to go back for a second/third viewing - you want to be sure. Also, don't get pressured into taking a decision too early by comments like "we've had another family interested, they're going to phone us tonight & send a deposit" - make the decision in your own time.

And finally, don't forget to come on here and post lots of photos when you've bought the one!!

Good luck :)
 
Same with the list of questions, the other thing I noticed was the sellers didn't take me seriously because of my age so what would happen is my mum would ring and ask basic questions then I'd rspeak to them and ask all the mor ein depth questions.

This way the seller knows your serious as you have a parent and not just ringing for the sake of it. Bear in mind I was 17 when making calls and still not taken seriously even though I pretty much pay for him! :p

And definatly bring teh instructor, he/ she will know your ability and will know if the horse is good or bad. After millions of horses I still take my instructor along as we can't afford to make a mistake.

Good luck and have fun hunting, its a buyers market atm your very lucky :D
 
2 questions....
either.

can you tell me more about your horse

or

im looking for can you tell me if your horse would be suitable ... then explain what your looking for and what you will do with said horse..

i find option 2 stops a lot of timewasting, no point insomebody spending an hour telling you about their wonderful horse to only drop in at the end that it doesnt jump/hack/stable/walk on four legs etc!
 
You have just had so much good advice ,I wouldnt know what to add ,except it must feel right to you ,regardless of what the "EXPERTS" think.If you dont feel right about a horse ,dont buy!
 
If you do go to try a horse, don't get on it before you see them ride it. If they make up some excuse as to why they can't ride, walk away.

There have been a few rider on the form who have been injured by a dangerous horse, not as described, that the owners didn't ride first for what ever reason!

If you do find the right horse, make sure you get it vetted.The number of people I know that have had horses that ran up big vets bills as they didn't get a vet out. One ended up having one put down.
 
The legal age at which you are permitted to purchase an animal on your own is, I'm afraid, 16. I'm sure you are not in fact buying this horse on your own but sellers may think that you are. When you advertise a horse suitable for a young rider - and I'm thinking teenagers here not kids - you do tend to get calls from people who I'm sure really think they want a horse but don't have the backing etc from parents.

What ever the rights and wrongs of age and people's attitude to it the sad fact is that you will probably get further if you ask an adult to help you. If your parents are not horsey ask your instructor or your pony club DC for help. Come to that pony club is a great place to source suitable horses as the good ones tend to get sold on word of mouth rather than advertised!

And be patient. It is far better to wait a while and get the right horse than to rush into something and get an unsuitable one!
 
maybe if you get a few ads which you like the look of and ask your instructor to call for you. im sure they will be less nervous as you would be, and they will know what to say, what to ask, and whether they sound good enough to view.

take your instructor with you, they might be able to guide you through it all and help you make decisions on whats good about the horse and what to walk away from :) Good Luck :D
 
This has already been said, but I'll echo it :).

Get your Mum or Dad to call, you be stood by their side :). If your parent introduces themself and then says that their daughter (you lol) would like to ask some questions about the horse, the owner will know that it's not a child's pipedream and there is potentially a sale at the end of the line :)

I remember when I was younger (yes, I have an exceptionally good memory lol), ringing about potential horses :). Plus, when we had a pony to go on loan, I had a couple of children/teenagers ringing and whilst I was happy to answer their questions about the pony, I wanted to speak to a parent/adult as well :). A couple of times the 'child' said they'd get the parent to ring back, but no call, so I'm guessing that they weren't serious about loaning the pony.
 
Echo everything that others have said re asking questions, seeing owner ride, trusting gut instinct :)

Also put the word out among friends and acquaintances that you're looking for a new horse ... if you can find a horse through recommendation (ie that someone you know knows the horse and has seen it out competing or whatever), then you're maybe less likely to end up buying one that has a few nasty surprises along the way ;)

If you can try the horse on several occasions, doing pretty much everything that you intend to do with him/her (from grooming to xc jumping if that's your thing) then again, you'll be buying from a position of full knowledge.

Remember too, that horses in new environments can be a bit 'stressy' so don't be surprised if your new mount is a bit unsettled when you get him/her to your own yard.

It's enormous fun looking for a new equine friend! Good luck!
 
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