Buying a horse - what questions to ask?

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anniedoherty

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I went to see a couple of horses for my OH today and liked one of them quite a lot so have arranged to see him again tomorrow. I have never bought a horse by myself before so I am not sure what questions I need to ask. Any suggestions?

We want the horse just for hacking, v small jumping and low level dressage. He is 16.1 hh, 8 years old and a hunter type. He's not especially attractive but that doesn't bother me or OH. The only thing that does worry me is that he is a bit cow hocked. How big a problem is this for a horse working at a very low level?
 
Ask about any hangs up he may have, what he's like in different environments, with the farrier etc as his temprement is just as important as his body. I don't think being cow hocked should affect him at a low level but i'm sure your vet could run through it with you
x
 
Thank you. He seems to have a good temperament which is one of the reasons we like him. I am hoping to ride him in the field tomorrow to see what he is like outside. It was too rainy today so we just took him in the indoor school.
 
I'd ask if there is anyone who could give hte horse a reference. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll take it up but if the owner happily mentions her trainer/vet/farrier etc then you know she has nothing to hide. Call me suspicious but I'd always google a private sellers phone numbers and name - it's often amazing how many other horse for sale ads come up from "private" vendors. Another good one is to ask if they have photos of them doing things with the horse - even if they legitimately haven't it's often possible to guage from their squirming if a vendor has something to hide. All this applies to private sellers - and to testing the truth of dealers to some extend.

All that said there are lots of genuine people selling genuine horses and I hope that you find the horse of your dreams.
 
May not all be applicable for what you want, but the list I had was:



Name:
Breed:
Age this year:

How long have current owners owned him?

What do they know of his history prior to owning him?





What bit is he ridden in for hacking, schooling and jumping?





What other tack is he ridden in? (martingale, noseband)




What age was he broken?

What competition experience has he?







What have they done with him other than competing?






Will he hack along and in company?

Is he sensible when asked to ride away from others out hacking or when left behind?

Is he 100% in traffic and hacking in open spaces without getting excitable?

Is he good to catch?

Is he good to box, both in a trailer and lorry?

Is he good to clip/groom? Ever at all headshy/stroppy about having face and mane brushed or pulled?


Is he good to shoe? Both hot and cold?

Has he any vices: crib biting / wind sucking / box walking / weaving?


Has he any allergies: dust / pollen / sweet itch / mud fever / other?


Is he ok turned out with mares and geldings? Including mares in season?

Does he get upset left out in the field/yard alone?



Is he used to and well behaved around dogs?


Is he sensible at competitions waiting or warming up around others?




Has he any blemishes/scars/conditions/history of lameness or illness?
Veterinary history:




Does he ever rear / buck / bite / nap / kick?



Does he have papers to prove his age and breeding? Is he registered with any societies?



What’s his attitude like to schooling / hacking / competing?





What is his character and personality like?





Why is he for sale?



How fit is he at the moment? What is his current regime?




Has he any special requirements in his stable regime:
Feed/bedding/supplements? Seasonal requirements?






Does he have good feet; Any history of foot trouble?


Does he have normal shoes (not remedial)?

Hot or cold shod?

How long between shoeings?



Has he any history of back problems?




Has he any history of dental problems?




Has he been seen regularly by a backman/dentist?


Is he good to lunge?

Has he any phobias/mega spooky pet hates/ok with hosepipe?



Is he good with other livestock: pigs/sheep/cattle


Is he fully vaccinated and wormed?



Is he easy to handle on the ground? Well mannered? Even with strangers?



What is he like to handle is he doesn’t get ridden every day?


How does he get on with others in the field? Form attachments? Bullies/bullied?



Has he ever jumped out the field?


Is he well behaved in the stable? Ever try to barge out?


Has he ever shown any aggression to people or other horses?


Has he been worked and competed inside and out? Will he work in a field?



Any further information about character/ history/ the kind of home he would suit?


smile.gif
 
Thank you measles. It's not actually a private seller, sorry, I should have said, it's a riding school selling on behalf of a livery client who has lost interest now she has had a baby. At least that is what we've been told. I am sceptical of anything that anyone tells me at the moment though, but the horse seems nice enough. We will make a decision tomorrow on whether we like it enough to get it vetted.
 
Thank you Puppy. I am going to take that list with me tomorrow (along with the one I've printed off the BHS website). It looks really comprehensive. I don't think the sellers will know the answers to some of the questions but I think I have to accept that with him coming from a riding school, unless they are willing to let me talk to his owner perhaps?
 
Always ask what the current owner deems to be their worst fault?

If its for sale on behalf of someone ask them too - quite often get a different answer which is always interesting!
 
You could ask general questions such "what would you say are his main strengths and weaknesses?"

I was always taught to ask, right at the end: "does he have any other quirks or faults that I should know about, apart from anything you've already mentioned?"

It's a useful catch-all question, and can catch out the slippery character who is hoping to get away with not telling you about something on the grounds that didn't specifically ask about that particular quirk or fault that the horse may have...
 
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