Questions to ask over the phone before going to view

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

My friend who has been looking for ages has found a couple of possibles that she really likes the look of. Now having been all over looking at some completely unsuitable horses she's come to the conclusion she may not be asking the right questions!
So I said I'd ask you guys for some help.
What would you ask over the phone before going to see a prospective horse?

 

[samp]

ANy vices, blenishes?
Good to box, shoe, clip, traffic?
Why for sale?
What have they done with it?
Any injuries or illnesses?
What is the conformation like?
Any papers?
How long have the owned for?
UTD vaccinations, worming etc

 

[JACQSZOO]

Age/breeding/height.
Any vices? Whats it like to shoe/lead/stable/clip?
Has it had any recent injuries? Ever had any serious injury/time off work? Any previous illnesses - ie. sweeitch etc
Any quirks? In traffic? Ride alone? Whats it done? etc etc

 

[ihatework]

in addition to other questions

who has been riding it and what standard are they (i.e. it may be easy and safe for an experienced rider but not necessarily a novice)

injury history, any insurance claims or exclusions

what stable routine is it currently in, does it turn out alone/in company.

how often is it ridden currently

 

[sikaran]

If it's local to you, ask who their farrier or instructor is and if it is possible to contact them. Also make a note of their answers to your questions on the phone and take this with you when you go to view.

 

[digger2]

Obviously depends on what you're looking for ..
What competitions would they be doing with it this year if it wasn't for sale
You could find out its registered name and check results with affiliated body. Any big gaps could relate to injury.

 

[0ldmare]

The trouble is I found a lot of sellers who genuinely dont seem to know the answer to some questions... here are some examples from my buying phone calls... (not all the same vendor by the way!)

Me: What is its conformation like?
Seller: Sorry, whats conformation?
Me: Does it move straight?
Seller: Yes its good at going in a straight line
Me: What sort of things have you done with it?
Seller: Well I sometimes ride it.
Me: What height is it?
Seller: About up to my chin if I am by its tummy

These are no word of a lie!

Thank goodness I am not looking any longer, you lose the will to live!