Going to view an unbacked horse, what to ask/look for?

[kitkat86]

I'm hopefully going to be viewing a 4yo mare soon but have not bought an unbacked horse before. I have experience with young horses as a groom but haven't done much of the training/riding myself. I've heard of this mare through word of mouth and she is ready to be backed but her owner has just had a baby and so doesn't have the time. I have been looking for a project horse to do low level dressage and eventing and had wanted to get one that had at least been backed and ridden on a bit. However my colleagues have been very encouraging and I would have a lot of help available to me. They have offered to come with me to view this youngster so I don't fall in love at first sight and bring back a completely unsuitable horse!

What general things should I be looking out for and asking? I'm hoping to see the mare in the field or stable if she's kept in, how she is to handle and then lunged with and without tack. She has apparently also been jumped on the lunge so it might be nice to see how she jumps as well. I know that a good conformation and 3 basic, straight paces are important, but can anyone offer any words of wisdom regarding buying youngsters?

Thanks,

Kitkat

 

[kirstyhen]

I'm not the best person to ask, as I went to see an unbacked 4 year old, fell in love and came away with her However she has proved to be a saint!
I saw her caught, led up in walk and trot, picked up all her feet, ran my hands all over her, patted her back and just took in her general demenour. She was supposed to be shown loose in the school, but all that snow and ice put paid to that.
This is the post I made asking what I should look for...
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=417277&highlight=kirstyhen

At the end of it though I went with my gut, she came across as a horse I could trust, she was quiet and willing and that is something that she has remined throughout the breaking in process!

 

[kitkat86]

Thanks, Kirstyhen! There's definitely some useful tips from that thread. I guess the main thing is that the basics should there and it has a nice, trainable personality. I've got my fingers crossed I find something I 'click' with

 

[kirstyhen]

I think the most important piece of info was from TarrSteps, to go with what you like and not something that makes you say WOW!

 

[Foxford]

One thing I did with my youngster was trot him up away from his friends to check for nappyness. Also is the horse interested in you i.e. does it like people?! Just go with your instinct, and you won't go far wrong!

 

[Kokopelli]

As soon as you get there ask them to trot her up.
If she trots up quite happy no sillyness or naughtyness she's brill.
If she refuses to go probably a napper.
If she explodes out of the stable and prances around she may be talented but will be a handful.

Also look for a good eye, something trainable with a good attitude to work.

 

[Kallibear]

Ditto checking the nappyness. I'd want to see her taken away from friends. Pretty much everything else can be trained but you'll never fix a clingy nappy horse.

 

[Catherine123]

For me the most important thing is attitude. Is it happy & willing to do whats asked of it or do you have to make it do what its told? Does it stands still when tied up (without a haynet) Come to greet you over the stable door? look interested in life without being wild!
If it knocks a pole does it make an effort not to do it again? Does it drop its shoulder? is it naturally sure footed? Has it been away from home before? Has it seen traffic?

Ditto the wow horse - the most talented tend to be the most tricky.

Go with your gut feeling, if theres something you don't like about it - leave it where it is!

 

[Festive_Felicitations]

Slightly odd but watch the handlers around the horse do they give the backend a wide berth? Or just wander round like you would a trusted school horse? Gives a very good indication of what they think of the horses attitude.

We've bought 2 unbroken horses the first his owner wandered up to him in the field and wrapped her arms round a back leg and gave him a hug (he was 16.2hh she was 5'4ish) then patted him on the neck and put a head collar on. He hadn't done anything (lunging wise etc) but was well handled.
The more recent chap was barely handled, and has a few (ie lots of) manners to learn, is inclined to say hello with his teeth and walk all over you but his owners were happy to walk round behind him.
However we looked at another where the owners gave the bum a wide berth, and by word of mouth found out that his mum had a reputation for being a grumpy biatch and he'd inherited it. Needless to say we didn't buy him. I can deal with most training/education issues but dont want a horse I never feel I can trust.


Both the youngster we have bought were pretty much chosen on first sight - walking down to the field or driving past their field. As on closer inspection they presented no major confirmation flaws, and trotted up sound etc the were bought there and then.

Good luck with the veiwing hope she is nice. If you're used to working with young horses actually breaking in is a small step really so don't worry about it! Just be prepared to have your patience tested!

 

[kitkat86]

These are all brilliant, thank you!

 

[ecrozier]

Tried to reply last night but phone ate my response! And everyone has pretty much said what I was going to say! We bought the first one we saw too... Main things I looked for were kind eye, friendly attitude, calm demeanor. Also v true what Felicity says about owners, the girl who bred our boy is super chilled and relaxed and he has just had to get on with life, when he needed a rug he had a rug, when he was vetted he had to be trotted up on the lane for first time ever, she just got on with it and he accpted it was the new norm!! Massively helpful as he now generally just accepts most new things!
He was loose jumped for first time ever when we bought him and first time round he tipped the pole. Second time round he had definately learn his lesson and cleared it by about a foot!