Questions to ask when viewing a horse.

[Halfpass]

Going to look at a horse on Sunday and just wondered what sort of questions I need to ask?

He is a 16hh 3 year old ISH type, sire is Blue Rajah RID and Dam is ISH. He has had tack on and has had someone just sit on him but has not been lunged or long reined. He travels well in lorry or trailer and is happy out with others or on his own.

What else do I need to know and what should I ask his current owner to do with him. I have only ever bought backed horses so obviously would see them ridden and as he does not lunge I'm not sure how to ask to see his movement etc.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

 

[dieseldog]

My favorite is.... do you know of any reason why he wouldn't pass a 5 stage vetting. Found out about a horse having a hobday which hadn't been mentioned up until that point the other day - saved a long journey.

 

[vicijp]

I would ask them to lunge him(3 turns each way), if nothing else it will show his aptitude for the job. It will also show if they have lunged him before, and why they may be hiding this.
I would also ask when he was gelded, and if from the breeder, to see his siblings/dam.
Also obvious stuff like how he is to shoe/trim, whether he has started vaccinations. Would also ask if has had his teeth done, and if everything is normal there.

 

[spaniel]

Went through this a little while ago (also a son of Blue Rajah!). Ask how often he has been trimmed or shod, how he behaved, whether he ties, how is is to be caught and if he is normally turned out with other. How long has he been gelded, has he covered mares.

See him lunged or loose schooled if not ridden in all three paces and handle him in the stable.

If its any help my Blue Rajah boy has good manners until he finds something more interesting and then he tends to forget Im there!

Am very pleased with my boy.

 

[goeslikestink]

take a profesional with you -- see him lunge and trots ups-- have the tack put on him and the rider that sits on him -- ask them to walk off in hand -- if the horse has been backed and not schooled as such -- then it should be able to walk on lunge with rider and also trot--- ask them to shove it out in a field and then catch it again--- and load it onto a trailer or box --- as you want to use him you dont want a horse that wont load ---