Check list for hacker viewing please?

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indie999

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Hi
I am looking at a couple of hacking horses soon, have done the ground stuff, ie picking feet etc

Traffic is a must ,

Going past home gate to see if Naps?

Hack alone? Hack company?


What else do you do for testing a potential hacking horse out? Thank you ..........!
 
Is it good to catch? lead? groom? tack up? mount? dismount? (I need to dismount onto a block). I want to actually see it do all these things, - it's amazing how many people take their horses round a corner out of sight to mount their 'good in all ways' horses.
I also see it ridden in the school and then ride it in there myself. Then I go home, discuss it with sister who accompanied me, return for 2nd viewing and go on a hack, having seen it ridden in traffic first. And if I'm riding it on the road, I take my own hi-viz boots in case none are available.
 
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Test the brakes!!!

In wide open spaces, trappy countryside (like woods) and at all paces. And standing still at junctions. The number of horses who won't stand still is surprising!
 
TBH, I never believe a word the vendor says over the phone. I just let them talk, so that I can get a feel of how knowledgeable/experienced they are themselves, so that I know whether the horse is likely to be well-mannered or not. I also listen carefully for contradictions. I take the vendor's word for nothing but always test these things out for myself. I find that taking an experienced person with me is also good in that they can talk to whoever is with the vendor and see if they are told the same story.
 
Thanks very much the reason I have asked is my sister cannot come with me and she is the one with the experience etc BUT if i did proceed I would not buy without her help. I met the horse yesterday & my first impression was Yeah, I liked what I saw but long way from home and was not dressed at all for riding. Am going back and just want to make sure I try to tick as many boxes beforehand to either rule it out completely or to go back with someone experienced. But yes i will see it caught, ridden and find a busy road. the ground is so hard for cantering though. I dont think there is a school etc to use either.


I have been to see approx 8 horses & only 2 were as described, if someone says 100% traffic and its not been on the road etc why say that then!!!! agree ignore ad!! I do ring email etc and ask the same questions but I think some just want you to go and view.

I dont want to get it home and find out its a fruit and nutter. But thank you again!
 
I may be a bit suspicious, but I would like to know why the horse is not used for anything else, it may be a very plausable reason but I would be interested to know why. Sometimes asking odd questions may throw up something to think about. When looking at a 7 y/o horse I was told it had done dressage and jumped ect. but when I asked if it travelled in a trailer I was told it had never been out of the field it was born in ! all the riding was done in it's turnout field.
 
Is the horse good with?...

* Motorbikes
* Lorries with hissing airbrakes.
* Cyclists rushing past very close
* Skip lorries with jangley chains
* Dog walkers and loose dogs
* Sheep/cows/alpacas/deer
* Mowers
* Hedge cutters
* Farm traffic
* Steam engines
* Litter
* Flappy plastic
* Road works
* Birdwatchers
* Fruit pickers hiding in the hedges
* Riding past fields with loose horses
* Crow scarers
* Bridges (over and under, canal and motorway)
* Streams


Also can you?...

* Hack alone or in company
* Pull up in open spaces
* Pull up if another horse tanks off
* Jump small logs
* Remount easily if you need to dismount during the hack (will the horse stand still?)


Has the horse ever?...

* Napped (whipped around, backed up, planted)
* Bucked
* Reared


Plus all the normal checks re catching, soundness, farrier etc...

:D My mare thinks she's Mistress of the Queen's highway. ;) :p I wish that she'd get over her hate of Alpacas. :D

I think that a good hack is a 'real' job in itself, not a lesser skill and 'only a hack'. If you are going out on difficult terrain (maybe with some heavy traffic to reach the bridleways) for two or three hours you really need a tough, sound horse that is good at it's job.
 
Make sure you see the passport when you get to the yard. Ask if they are prepared to write you a receipt that states that it is safe and well mannered out hacking, that it does not nap/rear/spook unecessarily. Get all this in writing before you hand over your money, because even as a private seller, if you have it in writing, you can take them to court for misrepresentation if they have lied.

As others have said, test it will do the things you want. if you want to hack in traffic, make sure you try it in traffic, or open spaces, or whatever. Do not believe the people are telling you the truth, because they probably won't be.
 
Thank you all very much. I will do my best. Went to see one this afternoon and guess what not as described...hot day why bother waste of time! Again.

One more viewing to go...the only one I can truely say I have liked at first sighting. I will be gutted if its rubbish when we do all our little bits! But as soon as I spot anything I am not happy about I will end the viewing.

But some more ideas, hadnt thought about getting on/off whilst out. Such a long time since buying a horse but doing all these viewings it brings it all back to me..time consuming!! I will let you know what happens good or bad!
 
Also if tack is included is it what you actually want? you could reduce the price if you decide not to take the tack. No point in ending up with loads of saddles in the garage - been there done that!!!

Also if rugs included check they fit. Most of the ones I got with my horse were in my opinion too small and have replaced them.
 
Most things have been covered already it seems. I would also want to know whether the horse would go both first and last in company if required (or which if he or she had a preference). Also, does the horse stand still when waiting at a turning, roundabout, parked car etc?
 
Thanks Holly woozle good idea.

Off first thing tomorrow morning. Have a bit of a drive! If all goes well am going to ask to hose it down too!
 
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