going to view a new horse - What should I ask?

S

Shiraz

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 June 2004
Messages
393
Location
Scotland
Visit site
Hi,

I'm (hopefully) going to see a new horse at the weekend. She looks lovely, I've seen photos of her standing square, walk, trot and canter, a video at canter and trot and I'm waiting on a video of her trotting up and down on the flat.

Her owner let me know about her a while ago (March) but due to a change in circumstances I had to put off looking for horse no.3. Things have changed again and she is, thankfully, still for sale
smile.gif
I contacted the owner on Monday so all the wheels are in motion.

She will be in H&H this week and her owner has kindly said that she will put people off till Sunday so I can see her (she is a 7hr drive away) so I have to make a pretty instant decision on Saturday.

As no doubt my head will be fried/blank after that drive what are the important things to ask? The owner/seller is very honest but I just want to be sure that I have asked all the relevent questions so that I can make the right decision for me and for the mare.

V. worried about riding in front of someone. I've barely ridden since last Oct as my mare was off and is just being brought back into work so I'm still rusty. I hope she doesn't think I'm not good enough for her horse - not that I would blame her
blush.gif


Also, does anyone know of a good vet practice in/covering Hereford as if all goes well will need to arrange a vetting?

Very excited
laugh.gif
Thanks for your help
 
OK - I would ask these questions if you haven't already;

- Confirm age.
- History - Where did they buy her from, what has she done in the past?
-Any past or present veterinary issues/lameness/back problems....
-Any vices - Weaving, box walking, cribing, biting, aggressive behaviour etc
- Good to handle in hand - no rearing pulling etc
- Good to box in trailer or lorry
- Good to catch?
- OK with vet? HAs she been examined by dentist? Ever had physio/massage?
- Ridden work - OK to hack in company and alone? Any napping/disobedience.....Good to jump etc.


I would ask to see her walked and trotted up on a hard surface....just to check for any gait abnormalities


Vetting - Go for a 5 stage....

Don't worry about your riding - I think we all feel apprehensive when trying a horse. Just be yourself. Hope it goes well!!!
 
Hi Shiraz, looking forward to seeing you on Saturday! :-)

Ill answer Mickeys questions for you(spme I already have):
- 6yo, 1st April 2001 (never noticed that b4, explains why she doesnt like fools).
- I bred her. She raced twice NHF as a 4yo, has been in and out of work since - always gets turfed out when I geta paying customer that needs the box.
- Has never so much as had a shot of penicillin, but does need physio when being brought into work due to being a bit 'cold backed'. 2nd/3rd opinions have been sought on this, general consensus is that it is down to character.
- She is sold as 'weaves miniamlly at feedtimes'. I havent seen her weave for a couple of weeks now, but as I know she can do it she is sold as such.
- Very well mannered, but can be nervous of new people.
- Has only been on box for 2 return journeys, but loads and travels well.
- Is good to catch when by herself or with a few. More than that and she is impossible, but open the gate and she will walk into the stable.
- She has had her teeth done by the vet 3 times. The first time she had wolf teeth out, the second time a routine rasp a year later, 3rd time a routine rasp about last August. She tends to have a physio check before coming into work, and again 2 weeks into work.
- Good to hack alone and with company. Good in farm traffic. Has never napped/reared/bucked/shied. Her only issue is she puts her back up when you get on the first couple of weeks of work, and you always need to either vault or get a leg up. She will stand at a mouting block.
Please dont worry about your riding - if the mare thinks you are good enough for her then I will go with that!
 
Ha ha, small world vicijp!!
laugh.gif


Yip you've answered all the questions I could think of just wondering if there was something else that I should ask! I reckon everything was covered in your advert and when we spoke on the phone.

I'm trying to stay calm... see you Saturday
wink.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top