Going to view 2 horses tomorrow...

S

Spookywood

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Hi Guys

I'm off to view 2 horses tomorrow, 1st horse of my own since I was 17 (I'm 31 now!) ( have had many share horses and lessons since my last pony) Very excited!! I have my checklist and I have googled horse and owner extensively. So I guess I'm looking for any last words of wisdom, any advice on what sort of exercises I should be putting them through when I get on?

I plan to arrive early, see what they are like in the field and to be caught. Groom and tack up. See the owner ride and ask them to put them through all of their paces and pop a jump. Then my turn to get on and have a shot and do the same. Anything I should be looking out for? Or anything else I should be getting them to do?

I'm looking for a quiet all rounder to have lots of fun and hopefully so some local shows, jumping, dressage, XC etc. Bit of everything.

All advice/thoughts/help very welcome and much appreciated!

SW :D

P.s did I mention that I'm super excited!!!
 
You seem to have it covered.

write down any questions that you want to ask, as you are bound to forget them when you get there. And write down the answers!

good luck and enjoy your day. hope one of them is 'the one'.
 
Are you going on your own? Best to take someone for a second opinion and to take pics/videos so you can review them in the cold light of day at home later. I hope it all goes well and you find 'the one' :D
 
good luck with your search, i always think it is best to take someone with you for moral support, they dont have to be horsey(it would help if they were) and take a camera for them to take pics of you on the horse and a little video (as long as the seller is happy)so that you can look when you get home. it would be good to be able to take them on a reasonably busy road so you can get a feel of what they are like with traffic. i would also ask if what horse is like if it is not ridden every day. also find out what their management is at the moment, i.e do they live out all of the time, stabled night time etc so you can carry on the same. sometimes horses are kept out 24/7 and are very quiet to ride but if they are kept in overnight they are a little livelier and as you have said you want something quiet, this is something you need to consider. my mare is VERY lively when she is in at night and i am looking forward to be allowed to leave her out 24/7. my friends gelding is very laid back and it makes virtually no difference to him. our first ride after the snow was quite exciting for me but my friends horse just walked at looked at my mare like she was mad using all that energy so temperament is VERY important in my eyes.....sorry for the long essay but hope it helps a bit... have fun and i hope you find your forever horse....:D
 
I always think it helps to see the horse hack out or out at grounds other than its home. You could ride out with the owner on a hack, or trailer to a local hacking area. That will give you an idea how it behaves away from home. I bought a pony that was very nappy (rearer) away from home, although she eventually got over it. Also some horses will shy or just be silly outside of home.
 
Thank you for your quick replies! I will definitely ask to see the horse out on a hack and if possible on the road. Will also check to make sure the horse hasn't been exercised earlier although may be more difficult with the 2nd one as not going to see her until 4.30pm. But first viewing is 9.30am.

My partner is coming with me and I have the camera on charge and him primed to take videos of both the owner and me riding. Also my instructor is going to come out and see the one I like the most next week and see what she thinks. Unfortunately she was busy this weekend but suggested I go and see so I don't miss out something that could potentially be 'the one'

Still can't believe I'm actually (hopefully) going to be finally getting my own pony again! Can't wait! I have been looking for a while and been very selective as I want a forever horse. Obviously trying not to get my hopes up about these 2 though :rolleyes:
 
Watch the owners carefully, for instance, are they happy to walk right behind the horse, or are they wary in some situations. And so far as you feel safe to do so, get your hands on the horses legs, check for any heat/problems. You don't say what type of horse you're seeing, or age, but as all I ever seem to hear about these days is spavins, I'd be paranoid about hot spots in the hocks! Good luck, enjoy, and go with what your head tells you, not your heart, and we'll see you back here tomorrow night!
 
^^^ this, closely watch how the current owners behave with the horse.

Having said that, my pony is 100 per cent with peole being behind him, but I had it drummed into me to never walk behind a horse, so I always give a wide berth , so some times that may not be the case :)
 
Good point, will check the legs. Planning on getting a 5 stage vetting done if I'm thinking of taking the plunge.

Both horses are 12 years old, been there done it types, ISH's, one is 15.2hh and one is 16hh, although my RI reckons the owner has added on an inch or 2to the 2nd one from the pictures. One is more dressage orientated and one more jumping! Fingers crossed they are as good as described on the phone!!
 
If possible try to see how they behave with you in the stable, but only if you feel safe enough, I used to go into the stable, walk around the horse, 'accidentally' bump into it and watch for the reaction. With our old section D this was a total no no at feed time, because of previous problems with someone taking her food from her, after a while she understood that we weren't going to and was fine. With our 17.1hh dumblood I dropped my phone and went under her stomach to get it - yes I know totally dangerous thing to do - but this horse had just been led around by an 18 month old child!! Needless to say the horse was totally unfazed and we bought her, everyone always comments on how laid back she is
 
No extra tips or advice from me but just wanted to say good luck & happy horse hunting - look forward to hearing how it goes tomorrow! :)

edit to say i've thought of one - ask how the horse behaves when you take it to a new environment such as a show or fun ride, I didn't realise how important this question was until I got a loan horse who went completely mad whenever you took her to pony-parties with other horses, she just could not handle the excitement and it was a complete nightmare trying to hold her back when you got somewhere new, let alone tack her up and actually get on. Maybe ask if they're on any medication / supplements as well, whether they need calming for the dentist/farrier/clipping etc.
 
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