Buying Advice needed

[Chico Mio]

I know I’m going to look a prat for posting this and I might be laying myself open to a lot of, ‘Gosh, if you don’t know , you shouldn’t be buying a horse’ type comments but I’m hoping that all you kind people out there will be understanding.

We are looking to buy another two horses as our current pair have their issues and are really with us because we have told them we will never get rid of them just because they aren’t perfect. Now, I have never bought a horse by replying to an advert before, my two have come from people I knew and I had known them both for at least two years before they became mine so I had plenty of time to get to know them and their ways.

Does anyone know if there is a sort of ‘checklist’ for prospective buyers of new horses? Or would anyone like to make some suggestions for a list of do’s, don’ts, tests that are considered acceptable (ie if seller says, ‘Good to load’ is it acceptable to ask to see it load? ).
It would be great to know what other people do when they go to look for a new ned!
Oh, I’d love to take a knowledgeable friend with me, but unfortunately she is 1000km away so we’re on our own.

 

[popsicle]

Well firstly whatever is important to you in a horse, you defo need to see the horse do it!! So if loading is important then YES you need to see it load. Any genuine seller will understand this. I'd write down a list of must haves and tick them off as you see the horse perform them. Secondly, don't buy there and then, If possible you really need to go back and try the horse a second time on a diffferent day and don't feel obliged to buy it if you are not 100% sure. You could consider putting in an advert yourself listing the qualities you want and DONT WANT in a horse and dont forget you need to have it vetted.

 

[Chico Mio]

Thanks Popsicle. I will indeed make a list, I am also taking OH as he is calm and cool and also quite a whizz a spotting conformation problems (even if he can't put them in horsey terms every time).