Points to look for when viewing a horse to buy

m3gan

m3gan

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Hi there, I am new to the forum, so hello to everone! I have been riding since I was 9yrs old. Stopped when had my kids . Then started again 10 yrs. ago. Always ridden part loans or similar. I am now in a position to buy my own!! I have had a loan of a lovely arab mare for the last 6 mths so have decided to look for an arab. I am going to see one on Weds. who is 10yrs. old ,Crabbett , and sounds very good.
He hasnt done much not jumped or done endurance but from what i've been told is viceless. They are asking £2500 for him including tack & rugs. Is this too much for a horse who has done very little? I would also appreciate if there are any questions or things that i should look out for that i havent thought of. It is a very long way for me to travel, so i do not know if i shall be able to visit again.
I would really be grateful for any of your thoughts. <font color="yellow"> </font>
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Welcome to the forum m3gan! I like arabs. I would say that is not a bad price if he is sound, fit-ish and healthy.

HUGE answer!!

I would like it to be reasonably well schooled, so manages to bend when you want, pop a fence, not nap, not be too spooky etc. Go nicely in all three paces without objection.

You need to see for yourself if it is okay in traffic, loads, clips, pick up each foot and fiddle with them, (or is it shod nicely) hacks alone and in company. Some horses especially arabs don't like to be tied up, so it's up to you if that bothers you.

It's very useful to check by using references, such as a reasonable trainer (who you can google to make sure it is one) that it has lived in that yard for a few weeks or more, so when you try to hack it, it leaves the yard. You can also ask that trainer if it is sane, been sound for a good length of time, stops at a fence, and any other questions you may think of. That's if the person has used a trainer at all.

Certainly I would ask for a reference, and people are not surprised by this, such as the Yard Owner.

It sounds as though the horse may not like to jump, many arabs don't do this happily (too clever!) but if you don't want to jump that's fine.

I bought a horse in the spring and another about 5 weeks ago, I found out with the last one, what it is like to get that feeling, when you just "know" it's the one. I hadn't had that before, though I'd heard it can happen. And he is a sweetheart. That particular owner I felt I could believe and trust, but you often can't trust people selling to you. Many lie, and I reckong that's probably 3/4 of them, or more..... be very aware.

I would suggest, if you have the funds, to have a vetting done, incase there is anything you miss. Especially if you want this to be your horse for life. Then you'll perhaps be reassured he is healthy before you start. If he fails, depending on what; you could make a low offer, or walk away.

I know it sounds obvious, but what you see and experience with him on the day is what you'll get, if he tosses his head about, he'll always do it, if he leaps into trot, if he spooks at a leaf, it he pulls his leg away from you, if he leads badly, that is what he'll always do.

Take video, photos and think and mull it over afterwards before getting back to the owner.

If you ask the vendor for the horse's veterinary history, apparently, by law, they have to tell you all, that's worth asking straight out, and if they act shifty, you may spot it!

If it has an area of shorter hairs at the top of the tail compared with the rest of the tail, then it may get sweetitch in the summer, which is a pain, again, you should ask the owner outright "does he have any vices or sweetitch" and its the law that they tell you about them.

You have come-back if these statements are made on paper, such as in the ad. and if they're incorrect.

If you have it vetted, they take a blood sample, so if the horse goes lame or mad in two days after purchase, then you can get it tested for drugs.

Personally I found it much much better to travel up to around an hour and a half for my search, because I ended up taking the horse for xrays myself, watching the vetting and then doing the collection.

When I last sold a horse, they came about 6 hours! And then, I was mad enough to deliver! (13 hours later......)
 
H Armhole,
Thanks very much for your reply: it is a huge area to cover &amp; it is very kind of you to take the trouble to post your suggestions. I will certainly have him vetted, and i will bear in mind all that you have said. I cant get a trainer as it is in a private yard, but the lady who backed him will be there as well. It is always so tempting to think that undesirable behaviour may just be a one off but it is a good consideration to bear in mind that it may very well be a permanent condition!
Many thanks again and i will let you know what happens!!
 
That'd be lovely, it's always very exciting when some ELSE is buying, but a bit of a stress to do it oneself. I'd love to hear how it's going with your venture.

And, GOOD LUCK! PM me when you can.
 
Have just been posting about rubbish TB feet, so 'good feet' saves loads of hassle and money. I brushed over the fact one of my horses had rubbish feet when I bought him thought 'oh i can soon sort those out' mmm well i have but its been loads of hassle.
 
I was in a very similar position to you rode as a kid, had my own kids, then started again!

I don't have an Arab, complete opposite, but I went to see him 3 times once on my own, one with a friend and once with my YO who has had lots of experience buying and selling in the past. I made sure he was ridden in manage, I rode him, went back and hacked out tried him on roads and an open field etc and last time had a final ride in school to make sure he was what I wanted.
I think his owner thought I was a time waster but I said to her that she wanted him to go to a good home and I wanted to make sure he was right for me, it's a big purchase, a huge responsibility and a large outlay so I didn't want to take it lightly. she was OK once I had said that!
I paid a deposit by cheque on 3rd visit subject to vetting, she gave me a receipt for the deposit and wrote subject to vetting on it.
I made sure I was there for the vetting, had a 5 stage, although he was young and had had one 6 months earlier I didn't want any surprises and was prepared to walk away if anything I didn't like the sound of came up. Thankfully he passed with flying colours!
Must admit that I tried a few horses but just felt immediately at home the first time I sat on him. We have had our ups and downs the last 2.5 years but I have stuck with it!
Best of luck! don't be afraid to say no thanks if you don't think it's for you, don't be pressurised into getting something you don't think is suitable or you have doubts over. Try and take a knowlegable person with you! I am sure more people will have more advice for you on this forum, that's just my experience!
Also sorry for C*&amp;p spelling just had a lovely large glass of wine!
Also also make sure you have someone to look after the kids, having a horse and kids is hard work if you don't have any support like me!
 
Hi Jen1,
Thanks for your reply. I will certainly vett anything that i want to buy, What is a 5 stage vetting is it the most comprehensive one? What kind of cost is it likely to be?(hope you dont mind me asking you!
 
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