Off to see a horse tomorrow

[monica987]

I am going to see a horse tomorrow - looks very nice although dressage isn't quite there yet (and his BE marks reflect that, but so does price). He is 5. N ow I know lots said to get the horse that I will do well on now, but finances won't allow that. Instructor tells me I am good enough, and coming from her I think I may believe her.

Now she isn't coming with me tomorrow as she has her kids, so I am going on my own with mum (who knows nothing). What questions do I ask? I know the normal ones, but he is young and to hopefully be a decent horse (if I like him). So, what other questions would you ask, that are relevant to a 5 year old that has and will event.

Thanks

 

[only_me]

I got my horse when he was 5 - and he is starting to look like a lucky find/hidden gem or so my instructor says

has horse hunted? - if so ask what he was like and did they jump.

can he be left on own or does he have to have company?

check manners etc.

strong or lazy? thinker + careful or bold and brave?

ask to see him jump and take note of his attitude to approach, his bascule and on landing does he keep going.

when i think of more i will post

hope this one is good

 

[Bossanova]

Ask questions when the person is riding.
Ask what his weaknesses are, what she thinks he'll need most work on. Take a copy of his record and ask questions about scores, problems etc. See him on the flat, over fences, dont be afraid to change the umps or ask her to jump skinnies etc.
When you ride spend lots of time in walk trying out little lateral steps, finding all the buttons etc. Give hm a thorough jump- no need to go high if you've seen him do decent height with his owner but dont help him too much and really ask some questions. It's worth angling a fence and jumping a skinny if poss to judge how straight he is to his fences.

Ask to see pics/vids of him competing if you like him after you've ridden. Test sheets too, theyre very telling.

Good luck!!

 

[monica987]

Thankies

He looks to have a great jump! I have lots of pics sent to me

 

[monica987]

Thankyou Boss! I will take a camera and get some pictures/vids. He is from a well known eventer so hopefully will tell me all I need to know

 

[lucym]

good luck!!!
im no expert, but i wouldnt have wanted a 5 yo that had been over worked, i would ask lots about how much it has done etc, and how it copes in different situations, as being a baby he'll still be experiences new things, and how he copes with these will (imo) determind just what he'll turn out to be
when i saw my then 4yo, now 5yo, i just knew he was the one, i had no doubts in my mind, no niggling worries which i had with other potential horses, i think you will know

my parents arent horsey, and i never took anyone to see my boy when we bought him, but i trusted myself, and i think thats all you can do at the end of the day. i think it is a good idea to take someone with you, but dont worry about not, if hes right then youre instructor can see him next time
sorry for rambling, probs been no help, but good luck

 

[monica987]

Thankies

That has been helpful

 

[SillyMare]

His personality won't change much as he gets older - if he is basically a nice chap now then he will stay that way (although hopefully with improved education). You need to rely on your instinct in that regard.

At 5 and having done BE, he isn't an absolute baby - he should be happy popping over fences, hacking out, basic education established on the flat.

Don't worry too much about perfect technique - look for the right attitude - is he careful / trainable?

How is he bred? If TB then he is likley to be more or less at his final size. If he is non-TB he may still fill out quite a lot (if he seems gangly and leggy then he may still have growing to do).

Other thing to be wary of is if he has done too much - could they have over-worked him to maximise his price now? The ground this summer has been fairly good but how many runs has he had?

 

[monica987]

He has had 3 runs - not run since may due to working on his flatwork. He is a trakhener which I was a bit unsure about, but has eventing bloodlines..

Thankyou all

 

[Bossanova]

Clear your PMs girl!!

 

[monica987]

Clearing

 

[TableDancer]

How exciting! Quick thought: except with real babies who are only trotting a cross I always put up a little bounce for them to jump (not with me, with regular jockey). Doesn't need to be big at all, doesn't matter if they've never seen one and it can be quite tiny if they are green. I like to see (1) What is their attitude - personally I don't mind if they are a bit spooky, throw in a stop first time, but will they come round again and jump or does it provoke a major tantrum? (2) Watch their technique carefully - really gives you a chance to see how neat they are in front (I differ from SillyMare I really want them naturally good in front with the way things are eventing nowadays). Again, I don't mind if they make a mistake and knock it first time but then it's really interesting to see how they react: do they stop second time, or do they make the same mistake again (bad sign) or do they jump it extra specially carefully (very good sign

)

JUst a thought anyway. I also ask what XC fence they would be most concerned about when walking a course. BTW, I love trakehners, bit sharp but athletic and fun! Good luck ,let us know how you get on

 

[monica987]

Thankyou - lots of tips to take in here

 

[SillyMare]

[ QUOTE ]
I differ from SillyMare I really want them naturally good in front with the way things are eventing nowadays). Again, I don't mind if they make a mistake and knock it first time but then it's really interesting to see how they react: do they stop second time, or do they make the same mistake again (bad sign) or do they jump it extra specially carefully (very good sign

)

[/ QUOTE ]

No different to me actually - what I ment by 'technique' was that I don't mind if they get their legs in a knot first time as long as they sort it out next time around.

I wasn't being very clear.

Like the idea about trying them over a bounce - must remember that one!

 

[dieseldog]

Ask what injuries it has had, if there is any reason why it might fail a vetting. I find you can tell a lot about a horse from the way it canters a circle. It tends to show up attitude (tail swishing/ears back)

 

[TableDancer]

Sorry for the misunderstanding!

 

[wizoz]

Hi E, good luck with the viewing tomorrow.

Make sure you do as much with him as you would do at home, i'e groom him or touch him all over, tack him up yourself if you can or at least be there. This will give you an idea of behaviour in the stable and if he reacts to being touched etc.

Have you seen his record? Ask to see dressage sheets. Look at his passport and check that the markings agree, also check vaccination record.

The usual q's, box, shoe, traffic. Good with company or without. Has he hacked out alone, or even at all! What was he like at a comp? How many owners. Why are they selling. What bit did they event him in, may give you an idea if he gets strong or not.


There are so many q's. Write them down, keep a list in the car and if you forget anything you can have a quick check.

Anyway, very best of luck.xx

 

[monica987]

I always canter circles anyway

What size did you think?

 

[SillyMare]

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry for the misunderstanding!

[/ QUOTE ]

My fault I think

 

[Rosiefan]

No adviceto offer but good luck xx

 

[monica987]

Thanks L! Have seen his record and looks okay, apart from the dressage - as said abovve this is reflected in price and I have been told about it. He was placed 6th at MM where I got placed 8th and was in my section. I vaguely remember him as we were doing DBD! I have lots of pics and he is evented in a full cheek snaffle x

 

[wizoz]

Good good, that all sounds good then. Can we have pics once you've seen him please?

 

[monica987]

You can have some pics via PM if you really like

 

[holdontight]

I have to agree with sillymare, and (sorry I didnt see the name) whoever asked about lameness.
I find it very unlikely that a good eventer hasnt competed since may - just so they can work on dressage it wouldnt take a pro this long. Very odd to me even with a 5 yr old and I think the price will not be reflecting its dressage scores but the lack of competing its done for any other reason.
IME i wouldnt buy a cheap (or any) horse from a pro, they can get alot more out of them than the average rider can and alot of my friends have been stung by this.
Unless its Very cheap I would go in there with your eyes wide open, after all there is a reason they are selling it rather than keeping it as a prospect.
I hope im wrong and you fall in love with it!
The only piece of advice that is worth something that I can give you is dont buy unless it grabs you, there are always more to look at

 

[monica987]

When I say cheap, I mean 6.5k - cheap compared to everything else but still not great. They did not want to blemish his record any more - it really was not good. H ehten went up for sale and they didn't want to risk injury. Have been told he is hard on the flat. I willa lways go in with my eyes open - have been cheated before and it was not nice, for anyone

Thankyou for words of advice

 

[DollyDolls]

Trakheners can be tricky. I've got a part bred & a full.

You cant tell them what to do, you need to get them to agree with what you're asking.

They're very much a thinking horse, but I would never exchange my two. -What bloodlines?
PS Good luck

 

[monica987]

Arentino Santiago
Arktis II
Halleluja II Habicht
Heimatliebe

 

[HairyHatMan]

What I wished I'd asked of Shadow: How long they'd owned him? How many people had owned him before and why did they sell? Why is the pro selling?

And ask outright does he buck, rear, nap etc etc, and would they put in writing he doesn't (or has never shown signs of). How does he behave at comps?

If you like him and want him vetted, if they have nothing to hide you can get their own vet to do the vetting. They are obliged to disclose if they've treated the horse for anything. If their own vet won't do the vetting ask yourself why not?

Also from my experience you'd knock a grand off that price too, especially in this market.

And let's face it, he did a far better dressage than Shadow that day!!!!

His BE record isn't that bad, just short-lived. Also bear in mind (as was said earlier I think) that what a pro can wang a horse round is often a lot more than us amateurs. I've learnt that the hard way too.

 

[Hattikins]

oo how exciting!! Hope it goes well for you!

As for relevant questions my mum is the master of bombarding questions at sellers!! ill give you as many as i can remember! lol!....

Does he jump? (vital error we made with one perspective horse that failed to tell us the horse had developed a nasty stop! they let us travel 6hrs up to see it knowing we needed it to jump! grrr)
Show jumping - is he Careful? is he spooky at fillers/water trays?
XC - is he bold/brave - does he look at ditches/water etc.? Is he strong - what bits is he ridden in? and if he is "snaffle mouthed" is he really a true snaffle mouthed horse?
Dressage - does he have decent paces for what you want and a trainable attitude? Ask to look at his dressage sheets from events and pay particular attention to the judges comments at the bottom and his collective marks.
Is he nice to handle on the ground?
Does he have any vices or quirks at all?
Is he well behaved at shows/different places or does he get anxious, bargy etc.?
Does he load into a lorry or a trailer?
Will he stand quietly on the lorry/trailer on his own?
Does he hack out alone and in company?
Can he be turned out on his own and/or with others?
etc etc. all the usual stuff!

Good luck!

 

[monica987]

Thanks so much guys