Questions to ask when viewing a horse?

B

Bright_Spark

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 October 2006
Messages
3,111
Location
Hampshire
Visit site
As title really, what questions do you ask when enquiring about/ viewing a horse?

Said horse is 3yr old and unbacked. Plan to back myself and use as an allrounder if that helps.

Thank you :)
 
How long owned?
Where did they get it from if they didn't breed it?
Have they done any ground work, is it well handled?
How is it to have feet done?
Has it had dentist, wolf teeth done?
Why selling?
Any known health problems?
 
at the risk of sounding cynical - my learning has been to assume that unless i see the horse actually do something - i take anything said with a pinch [mountain] of salt
i would want to see any horse DO everything it alledgedly does & if thats not piossible would want to speak to farrier/dentist/clipper person/etc etc to get feedback on its behaviour for shoes/dentist etc
for a youngster would want to see it
being caught
led in
basic ground manners including around food
would want to put on & remove a rug
lift up all feet
let it see a pair of clipers
pos use hose on feet
groom all over
see it load & unload
good luck:)
 
I am a bit worried that you are going to buy a pig in a poke, that is to say, if you don't have enough experience to know what questions to ask about it, kinda tells me you may not have enough experience to break a horse, so even if you find a good type, no one can guarantee that it will be easy to back or a suitable ride for you, a few ponies are so kind and willing that they forgive their handler, some will object to everything, and you need to be confident that it is them and not you, otherwise you will end up ruining a good horse.
The vendor may be keen to get your money, so will make it easy for you. Once upon a time, I asked so many questions that I was not allowed to come and see the pony, I think they were looking for a mug!
 
rubysmum said:
at the risk of sounding cynical - my learning has been to assume that unless i see the horse actually do something - i take anything said with a pinch [mountain] of salt
i would want to see any horse DO everything it alledgedly does & if thats not piossible would want to speak to farrier/dentist/clipper person/etc etc to get feedback on its behaviour for shoes/dentist etc
for a youngster would want to see it
being caught
led in
basic ground manners including around food
would want to put on & remove a rug
lift up all feet
let it see a pair of clipers
pos use hose on feet
groom all over
see it load & unload
good luck:)
Click to expand...
Ooh err my horse is seven and hates being hosed, never thought this is relevant to a sale.
If it had never had a rug on, I would understand that it might object.
It could be three and un-handled, that would not faze me, why should it?
I would not expect it to have been clipped!
It might never have been asked to load, is this part of its education?
Buying a youngster is a risk in many respects, if it has been trained to lift legs, fine, and I would expect it to be reasonably handled, but it might not have been. Yes if the owner makes claims then he has to prove them.
Far better to buy off a breeder who knows what they are doing, and has several to show you.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top