Megan2507
New User
Hi, What are the best things to look for when buying a horse, I'm viewing one tomorrow and have a rough idea but what does everyone else look for?
Buying My first Horse
- Thread starter Megan2507
- Start date
puli
Well-Known Member
Look for temperament
When going to look for a horse always make sure you get the owner to ride the horse first if the horse is safe then they should not have a issue with doing that.
Take someone with you who is very experienced as they can give you a second opinion on the horse
Some people will drug horses so they are calm all ways check the horse has got water some buyers will also take water away from a horse to make it calmer
Arrive early as some owners will lunge the horse before the buying turns up to make the horse more easy to ride
If the horse is on a livery yard ask others at the yard what the horse is like
Ask what the horse is like to clip, box, shoe, catch ask if the horse is good with the dentist. Do they hack alone or in company
Do they nap, bolt, rear have they ever kicked or bitten. Are they good with traffic
If they are a mare ask if they are mareish and what are they like when is season
Good luck always think very carefully about your decision always go away and think about it before saying yes and try not to fall in love and buy the first horse you see without thinking if the horse is right for you
When going to look for a horse always make sure you get the owner to ride the horse first if the horse is safe then they should not have a issue with doing that.
Take someone with you who is very experienced as they can give you a second opinion on the horse
Some people will drug horses so they are calm all ways check the horse has got water some buyers will also take water away from a horse to make it calmer
Arrive early as some owners will lunge the horse before the buying turns up to make the horse more easy to ride
If the horse is on a livery yard ask others at the yard what the horse is like
Ask what the horse is like to clip, box, shoe, catch ask if the horse is good with the dentist. Do they hack alone or in company
Do they nap, bolt, rear have they ever kicked or bitten. Are they good with traffic
If they are a mare ask if they are mareish and what are they like when is season
Good luck always think very carefully about your decision always go away and think about it before saying yes and try not to fall in love and buy the first horse you see without thinking if the horse is right for you
splashgirl45
Lurcher lover
depends on what you are looking for but I think temperament is extremely important, polite to handle on the ground, happy to be tacked up, groomed etc...ask if it has any vices..take someone with you, see it ridden by the seller before you get on. make sure you feel confident on it as when they change homes they can quite often be a lot livelier, which is fine if you are experienced and confident, but as it is your first horse I am assuming you are not as you haven't really given any info (apologies if you are)... good luck tomorrow
googol
Well-Known Member
What puli said^ - all great advice
I would also see if you can tack the horse up urself, even on the 2nd viewing
Definitely get a second, trusted opinion and try and see it more than once ( says me who bought my horse after seeing him once then used the sellers vet for the vetting!, my friend seen him on my behalf first though so that counts haha)
I would also try and spend some time working around it / grooming etc
Someone once told me to test its honesty by doing a few tight turns into jumps and all, mind u if I was selling and someone rode my horse "tight" into jumps as a test I'd pull them off lol
See more than 1 horse, even if you absolutely love the first one
Don't let the seller rush you into making a decision. That has happened twice to me ( I'm not painting a good picture on this post!) both times I was exceptionally lucky and have basically got 2 horses of a lifetime out of it, one for my childhood/teenage lifetime and one for my adult lifetime lol
It's a silly thing to do though. The first one we were so put under pressure we didn't even get him vetted and the second one I basically bought because my friend liked him so much
Good luck, exciting times
I would also see if you can tack the horse up urself, even on the 2nd viewing
Definitely get a second, trusted opinion and try and see it more than once ( says me who bought my horse after seeing him once then used the sellers vet for the vetting!, my friend seen him on my behalf first though so that counts haha)
I would also try and spend some time working around it / grooming etc
Someone once told me to test its honesty by doing a few tight turns into jumps and all, mind u if I was selling and someone rode my horse "tight" into jumps as a test I'd pull them off lol
See more than 1 horse, even if you absolutely love the first one
Don't let the seller rush you into making a decision. That has happened twice to me ( I'm not painting a good picture on this post!) both times I was exceptionally lucky and have basically got 2 horses of a lifetime out of it, one for my childhood/teenage lifetime and one for my adult lifetime lol
It's a silly thing to do though. The first one we were so put under pressure we didn't even get him vetted and the second one I basically bought because my friend liked him so much
Good luck, exciting times
oldie48
Well-Known Member
Temperament! It's one of the things you can't change. Don't make a decision on one viewing, go back and try a second time and make sure you see it do everything you want eg schoolwork and hacking on it's own and in company. always take a second person with you who is experienced even if you have to pay them.