Good advice for novice buyer

carthorse

carthorse

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With so many novice people buying unsuitable horses maybe we could offer general advice.
If a horse sounds too god to be true,it probably is. Good horses still sell for a good price. If you need a good horse you will have to pay a good price.
Get your horse vetted and blood taken by an equine vet that is recommended by someone unconnected to the horse.
Arrive early to see horse . Otherwise it may have been ridden and washed off.
Look at stable for signs of chewing
Dont be led by the seller about where to ride. Look round for places that may cause problems. Ride in field,road with others and by yourself. Ask to see the horse loaded and caught. Ask to tack it up yourself dont feel you might do something wrong so I dont want to be shown up just do it
 
Turn up early (to see that horse isn't being worked ahead/stabled without water etc)

Get owner to ride first and ask instructor/other experienced person with you if they think it's suitable for you to then hop on.

See horse caught, turned out and re-caught.

Do everything the seller has shown you (pick up feet/lead).

Get everything on paper and signed - vices, vet history etc.

Get a Receipt!!!

Expect teething problems, it's a living breathing animal who has had it's world turned upside down, don't throw everything at it the first day it arrives at new home. Get to know the horse first.
 
The attached is the list of suggestions I was kindly given on the thread I started last week. :)


Baubles said:
I've read through all these posts again tonight and compiled a list for future reference.

Pre viewing try to find out as much as you can about the horse and or it's seller.
Have a clear idea about what type of horse you are looking for and what you will be using it for.

1. Get there earlier than arranged. In case horse is being exercised to tire it out..is horse sweating.

2. Take a knowledgable friend along. Helps to have more than one set of ears and eyes.

3. Establish general facts about the horse.. Who rides it what it's done how it loads any peculiarities etc .

4. Check that passport details match the horse. Do they have it's medical history vaccinations microchipped details.

5. Conditions the horse is being kept in..access to water important and check for signs of dehydration ( think I might take bottle of water as a prop)

6. Overall impression of horse.. Eyes, ears, clear nose! Coat condition, skin condition, weight. Teeth.

7. Touch. Is horse ok with being handled. Ears,sides, legs. Is it reactive to sudden movements ie signs of fear.

8. Pick up feet..get owner to do this first.

9. Check legs are smooth and there are no lumps bumps or swelling. Feel for heat or any tenderness.

10. Condition and shape of hoof. ( this needs more detailed list )

11. Overall impression of conformation. Straight legs, 4 of, and one on each corner.. As square as possible. ( helps me here to check if it's square or rectangle. But definitely not a triangle lol)
Back..no sagging.

12. Horses movement. Walk away..walk towards. Is it placing it's feet correctly. Check for lameness.

13. See horse being tacked up and ridden by seller/ or whoever but not yourself!

14. Check all paces with rider on. Jump if required+ Ride on road if you want to check if it's used to traffic.

15. Should have a reasonable idea by now if you are interested. So ride if it's safe to do so.

16. Oops forgot. Can it be loaded and unloaded for example if possible. And how does it behave when it's let back into the field.
:) and then consult with your companion.

How's that folks. Have I done a fair representation of all your suggestions. Please feel free to add in or correct anything I've written.
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Take your own clippers with you and make sure you put them on the horse if they say it is good to clip. I have recently been caught out like this. Dealer said she didn't know where her clippers were when I asked to see the horse with the clippers on it. Turns out horse was scared stiff of clippers poor thing. This was just one of the things wrong with him!!
 
Take someone you completely trust and knows you inside out as well as being very experienced horse wise. They should stop you from buying an unsuitable horse no matter how much you fall in love with it.

Don't believe the old saying 'never buy the first horse you see' this is not always true :)

Be prepaired to compromise on some points. Silly things like colour don't really matter in most cases and for example don't write off all mares if you only know a couple who may be moody this is not always the case!

If it fails the vetting because it is not suitable for the purpose you want don't buy it anyway!!
 
Take someone with you who is experienced in buying and selling, respect their view.

Be there for the vetting and make sure that you get a vet who isn't the sellers vet. If you don't know a good equine vet in the area don't ask the seller for recommendations, ask on here!

Try to see the horse more than once, don't be rushed into a decision, don't be fooled by a seller saying they have someone else coming to see the horse it is probably a ruse. Don't worry about being labelled a timewaster - a reasonable seller knows that buying a horse is a big decision and shouldn't be done in a hurry, as long as you are serious you aren't time wasting.
 
Purchase from a reputable dealer, and keep horse on full/part livery (ie you dont have to look after it), until you know what you are doing with it!
 
Sadly it seems DO NOT believe anything that the seller tells you, only believe what you can see with your own eyes.
If you want a horse to do something / anything (be caught, be shod, jump, hack in traffic / on own etc etc etc) then get them to show you the horse can do it, then try yourself, then go back the next day/ week and try it again.
It's a massive purchase/ commitment so going to see it 2/3/4 times is only saving you time in the long run. A guenuine seller will be happy to spend the time to make sure you are as suitable for their horse as their horse is for you.

There are NO stupid questions, if you're not sure ask (why has it got this lump/ that tack/ no companions etc. etc. etc.)
 
This is great! There was so much I forgot to ask and check when I looked at my mare! I rode her a couple of times but didn't take her out for a hack (found out she is more spooky than they said although doing great now) and I didn't pick her feet up! I am still having days when she doesn't pick up nicely now after a few months! I was lucky enough to see her at her first show though! And yes there will def be teething problems! My horsey was so unsettled she broke out of her stable on the second day! After a week or two she was completely back to normal, now I am finally seeing her character come out and it's great! Oh and check they stand tied up! Another thing I didn't check and I would say from my girls reactions she hadn't been!!
 
Buddy The Elf said:
Be prepaired to compromise on some points. Silly things like colour don't really matter in most cases and for example don't write off all mares if you only know a couple who may be moody this is not always the case!
Click to expand...

+1

Get a check list of things you will not compromise on and things which are simply a bonus.

Write down any questions before hand and write the answers/check off as you go. I've been known to phone about a horse and not know any details even name by the end of the call.

I always email/call about questions which would write off the horse first. Don't go and see one who can't hack alone if this is not something to compromise on etc
 
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