Buying a Yearling

[SCEventing]

Looking for advice on buying a yearling.
Have bread two foals in the past but this is my first time buying one.
What type of things should I look out for?
Also I would be potentially be buying one from Ireland and transporting it over to Scotland, has anyone had experience with similar and how did the horse cope?
Thanks

 

[Gloi]

Look closely at the parents and any siblings and pick from a line you like.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

When I purchased my yearling I already knew two half siblings and since I was buying him directly from the breeder I was able to look at and interact with other siblings that were there too. I was also able to meet the sire and dam. Being able to see so much "family" was cool.

When I did a PPE, I x-rayed very thoroughly, just out of habit, but also to see if everything was going alright from a developmental standpoint. My vet and I talked a bit about what's worth x-raying at such an age and what he might be looking for.

If you like what you see with the parents and siblings, that helps.

I went there to look at 2 yearlings and mine wasn't one of them he won me over though, and at times, I'm not sure why or how! While I've bought sight unseen before, it was neat going in person this time, and I ended up liking one that I hadn't considered!

He was flown from Germany to the US when he was 1.5 years old and handled it quite well. Part of that was due to his overall character though.

 

[SCEventing]

Also I would likely be buying unseen.
Would people get 2 or 5 stage vetting? X-rays?

 

[ihatework]

Also I would likely be buying unseen.
Would people get 2 or 5 stage vetting? X-rays?

You will struggle to 5 stage a yearling.
If unseen I’d def 2 stage.
X-rays a personal choice and might depend on price bracket and insurance requirements.

As far as I’m concerned (in addition to good confo and temperament) the dam is the #1 priority!! Make sure whoever you buy from hasn’t bred from shite just because she had a womb