Questions to ask when buying a horse

[jetty]

hi everyone, wondered if you could help me.

What questions do you ask when you are ringing up about a horse?

Any advice welcome
Thanks
Laura

 

[TigerLilly]

any lumps or bumps any previous injurys conformation any habits good or bad how often is it ridden if i think of any more will let you know hope this helps

 

[LCobby]

http://www.bhs.org.uk/DocFrame/DocView.asp?id=430&sec=-1
see viewing your potential horse section for some ideas

 

[jetty]

Thanks for replying.

Brilliant questions!
Thanks again
Laura

 

[ajn1610]

I say "can you tell me some more about him?" and then shut up and let them do the talking. You learn a lot more that way.

 

[dixie]

I've always asked "what's his/her worst point" and its amazing what people would say, especially when they've been saying how wonderful he/she is.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
I say "can you tell me some more about him?" and then shut up and let them do the talking. You learn a lot more that way.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yep always a good one.

One of the things that I asked was:

"How does the horse react if not ridden for a while, and then ridden??"

There are times when I have to turn a horse away because of work commitments, and I wanted to know that I wasn't going to have a horse have a hissy fit the first time re-mounted.

Also, ask how the horse interacts with others in the field, and if it is happy to be left in a stable on it's own.

And....... ask about vices. They are supposed to be declared, however, don't assume that they will be.

Ask about loading, clipping, farrier.

 

[Kenzo]

Are you in contact with any of the horses previous owners?....you learn a lot from them, specially if they no longer own the horse, there free to say what ever they like with no hang ups!

Also if you can trace previous owners....that can be a good thing, as they have not done a moon lit flit lol!

 

[PennyJ]

Why are they selling it? It might sound a silly question to ask, and don't always believe the answer, but it could give you a few clues as to the character of the horse.

 

[Imonone]

If its been in the Pony Club at all, ask for references, the DC will tell you if they have seen it out.

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

Think about what you want the horse for and how you will keep him and ask questions about that. Things like "is he happy being turned out with horses of the opposite gender" if your livery yard has a mixed herd turnout policy can be really useful to know.

My pony, when I sold her, had always been kept on a large yard, something I was upfront about with the new owners. They took her to a large yard initially but then moved her to a smaller one... they then had all sorts of problems with her jumping out and the like which I could never have predicted. I was glad I had been upfront about not knowing how she'd behave in a small herd!

Asking why people are selling, does the horse have any vices, will he/she load into a trailer AND a box, what they've done with him competition wise, does the horse have any dangerous behaviours under saddle (serious bucking/rearing/bolting as opposed to the odd excited fly buck or mini-bounce), has the horse been regularly wormed/vaccinated/back/teeth/saddle checked etc are all useful questions as well.

 

[jetty]

Thanks everyone, more great advice.

Thanks
Laura
x

 

[chillidragon]

What's its medical history? (sweet itch, periods of lameness, laminitis, etc.)
Is it open to a full vetting with my own vet?
What kind of bit do you ride it in usually and do you use other bits for other things, if so what?
(If advertised as bombproof/novice ride) Would you be happy to let a child hack alone on it?
Does it load and travel well?
Does it have any vices?
Would it prefer a quiet or a busy yard?
Can it be left in or out alone?
Does it bully or kick out at other horses either in the field or outside of it?
Does it have good ground manners?
What sort of rider do you think ideally suits it?
Does it have any unusual quirks or phobias? (Needles, clipping, plastic bags, etc.)
How much, and what kind of work is it doing at the moment?

Erm... that's all I can think of for now...

 

[CBAnglo]

What's it like to catch? And try to see it being caught (you dont want to turn it out and find it takes you 2 days to catch it again) and out hacking what is it like in traffic/open fields with and without company.

Oh, and ask why they are selling it a couple of times - its funny how the stories can change from the telephone conversation to the end of the viewing.

Oh, and the most helpful thing I have found is to google the seller's number and/or horses name. Often reveals private sellers actually as dealers, and also whether the horse has been advertised numerous times with different descriptions/prices etc.