Going to look at a pony-what questions to ask...

[vallin]

So my friend has found a pony she likes and wants to buy, and I am going with her to look at it in a little bit and was just wondering if there are any specific things I should look out for/specific questions I should ask.
I have a fairly good general knowledge, however I have never brought a horse in a conventional manner so any ideas appreciated!
The horse is a 6yr old 13.2 appy, been broken but been out of work for 18 months as they wanted to put her in foal, but she didn't take.
Thanks!

 

[quirky]

Sounds odd that she's been out of work 18 months.
Assuming they tried to get her in foal last year, they surely wouldn't have kept trying over winter???

So why not bring into work before trying her again?

I would be questioning that, as well as her behaviour when she was broken. Has she had kids on her, or small adults? If not kids, why? I'd expect if a pony was being sold as a child's pony, it should have had a child on it.

Good Luck!

 

[vallin]

Ok cool, thanks! Will do

 

[girlmoose]

Just generally the reason for her sale. The more you can find out the better, so anything that pops into your head ask it!
Good luck

 

[asmp]

Make sure it is safe in traffic - there is nothing more frightening than seeing your child on a pony that is freaking out because of the bus or lorry that has come up behind it. Also ask if it suffers from laminitus - it's hard work keeping such a pony if your yard doesn't have the facilities for bare grazing

 

[TGM]

Who does she want the pony for? Herself or a child?

As others have said, I would really delve into the reason it is currently not in work - could be that the pony has actually been unsound or had behavioural problems. Are they going to show you the pony under saddle? Unless your friend is very experienced (which I presume she is not if she is taking you along with her), then I wouldn't recommend buying/trying a pony which the vendors won't or can't ride for you.

I would ask:

Has the pony had any lameness problems at all?
Has the pony had any illnesses?
Has the pony suffered from laminitis, sweet itch, allergies etc?
Has the pony ever bucked, reared, napped or bolted?
What is the pony like in traffic - how does it behave with lorries, buses, tractors?
Does the pony happily hack alone? (Ask to see the pony go for a short hack on its own in traffic, rather than taking vendor's word for it!)
Have they travelled the pony, and if so, does it load easily and travel well in a lorry as well as a trailer?

To be honest, from what you have told us, I am not sure this pony sounds the best choice for a child or an inexperienced adult!