how quickly can a horse's temperament be assessed?

[dorito]

Just wondering how, for example, dealers manage to acquire a horse and sell it on fairly quickly, with a reasonably accurate assessment of its temperament, whether it has any vices, etc? Assuming the reputable sort of dealer

 

[Sparkles]

I'd always say 2 weeks for a whole general overview. For a sole view on one particular aspect, then a couple of days will give you a general idea of the horses temperament [if you have a good gutt instinct/knowledge]...but then it's the following weeks after that which prove you right or not!


[My yard could class as a 'dealers' as such....however, most we do have been with us since youngsters, all work done has been by ourselves, or are just youngsters, so not quite the same as know them inside out!]

 

[wildflower]

Its a strange one ...Ive found their temperaments can change completely depending on who handles them /rides them etc.Over time our mare has changed and grown and developed her personality and is completely different to how she was yrs ago.A quick idea and hunch can be made but very often they respond and perform depending how someone handles them and how this is done........

 

[Littlelegs]

Combination of experience & instinct/ gut feeling. You can't make a comprehensive judgement with a quick viewing, or even in a week or two. But you can certainly get a rough idea.