Going to view a horse alone, have you, would you?

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Tamski

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I'm going to see a horse tomorrow and for the first time ever I'm having to go on my own. So would you do it?

It's not very local, about an hour away, but I really want to see him and if it's not tomorrow then I can't get there until Sunday. It's a private seller so not on a big yard. Have spoken to the lady at length on the phone and he sounds just the ticket.

I won't commit to anything tomorrow as would need to see him at least twice and have him vetted etc but just thought that if I can at least rule him in or out then I can either look at some others on Sunday or go back for a second viewing.

So is there anything I need to be more aware of?
 
I would go an view alone if I needed to, but go with another person should a second viewing be decided upon, I always watch a horse being ridden before getting on board myself so would treat the viewing the same as if i was going with someone else.
The only thing I would do differently would be to make sure people know exactly where i was going let them know when I arrive and when I leave how long I expect to be there approx and have a way of letting someone know if something was wrong.
 
I think you need someone to be objective and to be the voice of reason. also to be the eye on the ground when you sit on him. Also for your personal security, some of these horse people a a bit nuts! I suppose you will be ok if you are resolved to not making a decision on your own or handing over any money and don't get on until you have seen him ridden by the owner/rider. good luck x
 
Take a video camera and get some of the horse with the seller on and then if you can, ask the seller to video you for a while, it will be a useful aid to making a decision to go back or not, you can also show it to your instructor if there is anything you are unsure about.
 
I went o view one alone but i found i needed someone to talk the horse over with - so i ended up calling my mum to come up just so i had someone to muse with, even though my mum isnt very horsey.
Being able to talk through the horses pros and cons i was able to see she wasnt the horse for me.

That said the next one i went to view I went alone again as family were busy and that mare i did decide to buy, but only after coming home and showing family the photos and talking with them. They wouldnt have known if she was a good horse either way but again just being able to talk her over helped my decision :)
 
Yes, I learnt that when viewing horses for my daughter it was better to go and look first without her otherwise she fell madly in love with each one.

Last horse I bought we went together and she fell madly in love with that too! I wanted her along as test pilot and hadn't really considered that she would go head over heels with him.
 
Very sensible advice from all the above!

I prefer to go with company but have had some viewings on my own, where I feel comfortable and secure doing so. I can then say I need a second opinion for a return trip, as I would always see a horse at least twice before deciding to buy. Although saying that my lovely mates who come with me are just as horse mad as I am and liable to have their heads turned by a nice nag, so they can't always be relied on to be my voice of reason!!
 
i have usually viewed on my own the first time and then if i am happy, get my friend who is an instructor, to come for the second viewing. however when i bought my youngster i viewed on my own and then my friend couldnt come the second time so i decided to buy anyway. i had her for 23 years and had lots of fun with her so i was lucky....
 
I've viewed a couple of horses on my own. One was 8 hours away down in south wales. It was easy for me because I knew exactly what I was looking for and wanted. As you said, have a look first, if you like then go back with a friend or instructor.
 
when I was looking, I always went to the first viewing on my own as saw quite a lot of horses and didn't want to waste my mates time unless of course they wanted to come along for the ride saying that did go and try one horse - everything about him told me not to get on but I still did and ended up very badly bruised and sore two hours from home crying down the phone at my OH so please don't be a idiot like I was, sure you won't be, and if you really don't like the horse don't sit on it!
 
I would definately go on your own but don't make any rash decisions even if he is the one! It's easy to get excited and let your heart rule your head. Maybe video him so you can take it home and reflect on it. I also find it hard to take everything in the first time so going a second time and taking someone experienced with you would be a good idea. I would also make sure you see him being ridden before getting on him yourself looking aftr your safety has to be your number one priority. Good luck I hope it all goes well for you :)
 
I like to take someone with me from a personal safety point of view, as a lone female, as you could be meeting anyone! If it was on a busy yard I would probably go on my own though. I went to the follow up visit and vetting on my own for the last horse I bought as I felt comfortable with the seller, but not the initial visit.
 
Indeed, I have done when I went to see my last one. But he was a yearling so not riding or anything and I had actually already bought him - it was more of a social :D
 
I went to see Nitty with my unhorsey OH so he could navigate ( I get lost driving to work some days!) I don't think he even got out of the car! She wasn't quite two though and mostly unhandled so there wasn't an in depth viewing!
 
I usually take OH with me (he has a horse himself) but when I went to try Archi I went alone as OH was at work - he wasn't keen on the sound of him anyway due to his age and how much he'd raced :(

Went back for second viewing with OH who really didn't want me to buy him, but I did anyway, so don't really know what the point of taking him was! :rolleyes::D ( he has since come round and loves him!) - I trusted my gut instinct more than OH's opinion ;)
 
yes definitely, i haven't had anybody come with me this time around looking ... i seem to be resisting the urge to buy ones i'm not sure on pretty well though!

second thoughts maybe I should take somebody with me then they might be able to tell me to stop being so fussy and say yes to one :o

if you're happy to view alone i'd say no problem, if you're worried about doing it though then no i'd take somebody along even if they stayed in the car.
 
Thanks for all the good advice. I'll keep you posted!

Fingers crossed he's as good as he sounds cos horse shopping is not fun!
 
I viewed my lad on my own the first time and then took an experienced friend with me when we went for a second look. Then again, I wouldn't say I'm the perfect example; bought the first horse I looked at which was unbroken - and this was my first horse! It's turned out ok so far *touches wood frantically*.
 
Good luck and I hope the viewing goes well :)

Yes, in answer to your Q - current Fuzzy was brought when I went on my own. Kept in phone contact with OH who was at work to update after trying out in less than ideal circumstances. However, have had 1 or 2 Fuzzies in the past ;) so had a reasonable idea of what I was looking for & went with open mind and grubby jodhs.....
 
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