Bit nervous. Off to see a horse tomorrow

Casey76

Casey76

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And I have to go by myself, which will be a first.

The horse in question is a 5yo mare, currently being schooled by a professional.

She does tick all of the boxes (apart from being female :rolleyes: ) and I've been getting a good vibe from her owner.

I'm going equipped with my video camera, and have permission from the owner to take video to look back on.

However I'm not sure what I should do if I really like her. Do I offer to pay a deposit, and if so, how much (10%, 20% etc). She has been advertised for a while, but i don't know if there have been any other viewings.

Is it OK to say "thank you very much, I like her a lot, can I get back to you with a decision in a couple of days" or would you normally say "YES! I LOVE her... can I take her now" (lol!)

*biting finger nails*
 
I'd be the type to say "I love her! Can I take her now?" :D but then I get so caught up in the moment that I don't really think things through much :o

I would take a video of her so you can go back home and watch it over and over and over and over and over... lol, that's what I'd be like anyway. Give yourself a chance to thoroughly think everything through OP and then go back in a few days if you're still interested. Maybe leave a 10% deposit if you're really keen on your first visit.
 
I would not advise any to say, I'll take her, without going home and thinking about it, no genuine seller will mind if you say I am really interested, but I would like to get back to you, and come and see her again.

It is not just the intial outlay, but it costs the same to keep a good horse as a one that is just not quite right, and you need to be absolutely sure this is the one before you go ahead.
 
It would be sensible to schedule a second viewing if you like her, although saying that I bought mine on first viewing as it was far away!

If you are planning to hack her out at all it would be good to get the seller to come out with you riding and them on foot. Some sellers are not that keen on this but it is a must for me, it gives you a better idea of the horses temperament even if you don't like hacking.

I think it would be best to say you like her and then go away for at least half an hour to think before you offer a deposit (you can always phone from the car and go back!) I just say this as you can sometimes get carried away thinking they're perfect and its best to give yourself a minute to be realistic! I have gone away from some horses thinking I'd organise a second viewing and then realised they would have been unsuitable in retrospect (I especially realise that now and they were too expensive as well!). Just keep the seller informed, they will be happy not to be left hanging!
 
I don't know how it works in Feance but when I bought B he was 3.5hrs away so I did everything in that first viewing. I was happy so I left a deposit (£500) which was subject to him passing the vetting. That was arranged for the Monday, he passed and I picked him up the following weekend where I gave the rest of the money.

If you do leave a deposit get it in writing with a clear statement that you agree to pay the amount of x subject to passing a 2/5 stage vetting. Should the horse fail then amount x is fully refundable. Both sign and I've also taken a photo with me and the vendor holding the receipt... Not that I'm paranoid ;)
 
I'd say "I really like her, can I have a few hours/til tomorrow to think it over?".

If they say they have someone coming to look at her the next morning, then I'd offer to put a deposit down, but if she's been for sale for a while then that's less of a risk. This happened with the horse I was going to buy (who failed the vetting and is still lame, so looking anew now). I said I really liked her but would like to think about it. She said that someone was coming to look at her first thing in the morning, so I said I'd have her and paid a 10% deposit the next morning. Now getting it back!
 
Personally, that is the worst kind of buyer. The "timewaster" types which grates on every seller.

If she has ticked the boxes, go with any other possible questions, ask them and make a decision. Yes or No. Even if you say NO... there may still be a chance to go back to the mare should you have a change of heart and she is still up for sale. But, this then gives the owner room to manoeuvre with her other options.

The vetting, deposit etc can all be used if you really like her and are willing to put down a 10% deposit or whatever is agreed. Get it in writing and signed. Have an email trail.

Nothing worse than hangers on which then never commit.

Sorry, just my honest opinion on the matter.

Oh, and hope it goes well!!! enjoy your day.. very exciting!!!! :):):):):):):)
 
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I went to see my boy alone...

Well.. I went to the dealers yard alone, saw my boy, tried him, loved him... paid a deposit :D

Went back few a few day later with my dad and a vet, he passed and we took him home :)

Although I can be very spur of the moment at times :o


I wouldn't offer to pay a deposit if they dont ask for one, but you will need to decided if you want to take some cash with you for one, with a "subject to vetting" note or something on the receipt.
 
I would not rush into it. I would go back to view a second time if you can. It will cause a lot of heartache if the mare is not right for you....better to be safe that sorry!
 
I don't think that does count as timewasting - a reasonable seller should be happy for you to have time to make a decision, one would hope that they want a good buyer for their horse rather than someone rushing into it and making a mistake, with all the extra hassle that could bring.

Just make sure that you call back when or before you say you will (not doing so is timewasting), and that you don't dither once you have made your decision. Good luck, hope she's what you're looking for!
 
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