Help please - going to look at a horse in a few hours

jesterfaerie

jesterfaerie

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I am going to go look at a horse this afternoon and I am very nervous.
I am quite worried I will just be stood there and won't know what to say haha.
Any tips?
Or any qestions I should answer (I have asked some already and have some to ask but you guys may come up with some I won't think of).
Any help is appriciated.
Thanks
 
Well there's the obvious thing eg. how old, breeding etc.
Ask them about his/her veterinary and farriery history.
Competition results, both with them and any previous owners.
Attitude to work, stable and other horses.
Hacking behaviour - will he/she hack alone happily? Roads?
Any vices, tendencies to windsuck/kick/bite/weave etc?
Loading/travelling/clipping?

That should be ok for starters! Good luck; what do you already know about said horsie?
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I have been told he is good to do in all ways, advertised as good to hack alone and in company, apparently never had the vet to him, never been lame, no vices, ridden by a 14 but selling as she has lost interest.
Needs riding at least twice a week, so may be another reason for sale as he can get fresh and buzzy.
I have been given the name of his farrier, if I like him I will have him on loan and have my farrier come out and see him as he is local and may know the current farrier.
 
Ask them if they are saving any "Ooh, little things I forgot to mention", for after the money has changed hands to go right ahead and tell you them all now!
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Main things - Health/Injury history
- Temperament
- What its like to ride
- Competition record
- Vices/behavioural problems/quirks, even if they're supposedly cured and in the past.

There's probably loads more. Good luck!
 
Write all your questions down and don't be embarassed to produce your list when discussing the horse. I always do this because you're bound to forget something if you don't. I would also insist on the person riding it before you do. It gives you a chance to see the horse move and also if you actually want to get on board!
Good luck!
 
I am going to see him ridden next week if I like him this weekend. As I said he will be on a loan period before I buy (so might have time to find out if there have been any little lies about him) and he will be vetted.
I will make a list up, was worried they might have thought I didn't know what I was wanting to know or what I was on about if I did that.
I will go look for that leaflet now, thanks.
 
I think that if you are able to have him on loan, then 1), they wouldn`t hide anything as they know you`d find out the truth, so if there was anything wrong, they wouldn`t let you have him on loan, and 2) having the opportunity to have him on loan, you will get to find out if there is anything major wrong, or if you dont get on. You cant lose really. Go to see him and see what you think. Good Luck. x
 
Regano, my thoughts exactly.

Haniki, thanks for that question I have added it to my list,

Thank you all, wish me luck I am going now, I have butterflies in my tummy
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Before you do anything else, work him in hand a bit... nothing fancy, just ask him to walk with you, back up, see if he can turn on the forehand, stepping deeply under behind.

If he can't do any of those things loosely and freely, probably not worth mounting up...

the horse will tell you a lot more than the owners if you give him a chance.

good luck

E
 
It is great you can have him on loan, just remember if you decide to trial him you may not get to see the real horse for a couple of weeks as he will be disorientated and vulnerable. Let him settle peacefully and just get to know him and let him get to know you - to give you both the best chance and finding out if you will enjoy each others company apart from anything else.

Not sure it will be totally relevant for you but I have an article on my site that throws some information in the mix. "Buying a Horse - Without Being Taken for a Ride" at http://www.voicesforhorses.co.uk/adviceandinfo/articles_1.html

Enjoy your afternoon!

All the best
Emma
www.voicesforhorses.co.uk
 
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