Buying a horse .....question 1

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When going to view a prospective horse (Not that I am planning it just yet) the advice is to take someone knowledgable with you. What though, if your firends and family are totally non-norsey people, are the options if for example you wanted to look at a horse some distance from where you live so taking you riding instructor wasn't an option.

I can tell if the confirmation of a horse looks right and for me the important bit is the horses personality and I would arrange that I could do some if not all the things that I would be intending to do with the horse, E.g. spend time with them on the ground to see of they flinch,move or are uncomfortable with human contact, ride on them in a school, pop a small fence, take them out on a hack if possible.

I would be reliant upon the vetting to tell me if there was anything medically wrong or potentially could go wrong due to flexion tests etc. I presume this is what the 5 level test does these days.

Yes I am new back to horses hence reason why i'm not running straight out the door to get buy one but trying to do some homework so that I am ready and prepared.

Please tell me would I be completely mad to go it alone and/or where can you find knowledgeable people who don't mind either going on a trek half way across the country with you or are local the horse you are going to view.

Thanks
Jill
 
i didn't take anyone with me to see my first horse (still have her 4years on , in my sig
smile.gif
) I went to see her 3 times over a period of 3 months and got her 5stage vetted as i wasn't knowlegable enough to tell if there was anything drastically wrong i did think about taking an instuctor but they always seemed to be busy since then if i have ever gone to look at a horse i have gone it alone and go on my gut instinct, rightly or wrongly, but it has worked for me
 
well depends how confident you are in your ability to pick the bad bits out as well as the good, if you can;t get anyone to go then maybe look around at a good mix of horses then when you find one you think is right either pay an instructor or the like to go along to a second viewing or maybe try to get the horse on trial so you can get a good idea if it is right for you. don;t rush into anything or be pressured by the seller, take your time and view the horse a few times before commiting, if the seller is genuine they;ll be happy for you to take time and should be glad its someone who cares enough to do that.
 
What about asking around on here for anyone in the local area (and then perhaps get some refs off them). It is difficult as might cost a fortune to take your instructor. I went on my own (with dad-non horsey) to see one, BUT it was being sold by a pro event rider and already seen by a very senior eventer and 'spotted' for us.
3yrs on, he has crap confo (I didn't even think to look!) but is sound, healthy and been placed at Novice eventing ireland.
 
Perhaps go to look on your own first, and then pay to take an instructor with you?

You could always take a friend with you (either from your riding connections) or a non-horsey friend, just so you aren't alone. If you talk your pros and cons through with them out loud, it may help you to realise whether you do or don't want to proceed.

Perhaps if you can't take your instructor with you to see all your likely horses first time, you could take some pics/video, or get them sent through first?
 
top tip: never buy when on the yard. get off the yard and think about it. if you get doubts, don't get it, if you are still raving without owner present and after discussing it-go for it! Don't buy the first one you see
 
It's very easy to get it wrong because you get such a quick look at a horse and then have to decide. For a first horse it would be ideal to buy something through word of mouth, perhaps someone your instructor knows who has outgrown a first horse or something from the local ridding school?

If you look on the open market expect to waste a lot of time with horses that are totally unsuitable (expect different height, age and description from that advertised and very often completely unsuitable temperament, no matter how honest you are in your account of what you need). I think you need to go to a first viewing by yourself and try to do as many of the things as you would want to do with the horse (tack up, ride in school, small hack, etc.). When you find something you like you can then pay for an instructor to come with you - this does sound like a lot of money but it will save you money and heartache, from buying the wrong horse.

Good luck!
 
Its not always a disaster.... if you are comfy with the basics and are strong enough not to be sold a pup then see how you go.

I bought Merlin alone, as the distance from Surrey to Warwickshire was just too far for anyone I knew, and didnt have an instructor.

I was smitten and still am. Unfortunately, despite passing a 5* vetting, he does have an arthritic fetlock, which was evident as swelling but not lameness on the vetting. But I have always said I would rather have Merlin with his wonky leg than a perfect horse soundness wise, who tries to deck me everytime I get on it!!!!

Good luck....
 
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