Questions to ask when buying.

[dixie]

As the title says really.

Due to the really sad loss of my horse who I owned for nearly 8 years I need to find another to replace him, which I will find almost impossible. I am dithering between buying something really cheap as a project for the next year to maybe sell on, whilst my other horse comes sound, or buying a more "made" horse that I can compete on now.

But I am very rusty on what type of questions I need to ask so any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[at work]

There is the 'obvious' list
Box/clip/shoe/ catch/any vices/good in traffic but to really know what questions to ask you need to decide what type of horse you want and what you want to do with it!

 

[StaceyTanglewood]

Get them to tell you about the horse ? then ask questions after

If you ask questions then they can just lie to give you the answers that you watn x

 

[dixie]

At the moment, I've got

Is it nappy, sharp, spooky?
Many lumps & bumps
Ever been lame
Any illnesses in past ie colic
Been to shows
hacks alone?
good in traffic?
travels in trailer?
Good to shoe/clip/catch

Anything obvious that I've missed?

Good point about needing to make my mind up about what I want - will do my best !

 

[Nats_uk]

Well depending on what you want to do you need to know if it has any points/money etc.

Is it good to hack alone and in company? Has it had any major injuries in the past? What's it like in the field with others?

 

[lexiedhb]

Good doer??
Wierd eating habits?
Allergies?
Back problems?

 

[Smash]

How long have they owned it?
Why are they selling?
Has it had any health problems at all?
Any history of lameness?
How are his feet?
Is there any reason he may fail a vetting?
Any stable vices?
Does the horse rear/buck/bite/bolt?
Is he happy to live in/out and does he need to be kept in company or alone?
Does he hack alone and is he ok in traffic? Also, what he is he like ridden in company? In open fields?
What bit is he ridden in?
What is he being used for currently or in the past?
Has he competed and what in? What is he like at shows - nervous? Jumpy?