So you're off to view a (ridden) horse...

[piebaldproblems]

…what’s your planned routine?

I’m thinking about starting to look for a horse of my own again, but the viewing process has always caused for my social anxiety to spike so I’m hoping that hearing other people’s experience/preferences will make the experience a little less stressful - or if anyone sells horses, your experience in what you expect from a buyer would be super helpful too.

Reading this back, I’m not sure it makes much sense so some questions that I’d really appreciate any answers to:

• is there anything you make sure to do with the horse on the ground before riding?
• are there any questions you prefer to ask before/after riding in particular?
• how long do you tend to ride for
• do you have any set routine/exercises you make sure to carry out when riding the horse (I appreciate that this will vary depending on what you plan to do with the horse, but any advice for someone who’d be looking for a happy hacker to go up to BE80 with? My mind tends to go blank when watched ride)
• if you take pictures/videos, outside of riding, what else do you like to take pictures of?

All and any advice very much appreciated! TIA

 

[Miss_Millie]

I'm looking at a horse presently and have viewed a few, I'm not hugely experienced but these are the things I'm looking out for:

On the ground - how is the horse to groom, tack up, lead, generally be around? Are they relaxed or anxious and fidgety?
-When giving a brush, check for any lumps and bumps or anything that doesn't seem right. Have a better look at general condition of the horse.

-Ridden - get someone to film if possible so you can watch back and see how they move, to look out for any subtle lameness. Sometimes it is easier to see than feel. Do you feel safe and comfortable with this horse? Are they responsive to your aids? I will mainly be hacking so going on a hack is a must to see how they are in traffic etc.

-This might not be essential, but it is important for me to feel a spark or a little something *more*, that makes me want to see that horse again/bring it home. It is a big commitment of time and money, so it has to feel right.

Good luck with your search!

 

[Melody Grey]

Would it help to find a really good dealer close to you that has a good rep and you can feel confident and relaxed with- that way you could view several horses with the same person? Just wondered if that might be a less anxious experience for you? Good luck, exciting times!

 

[shortstuff99]

I ask to see the horse led in from the field.

Then I like to pick feet out, groom and tack up myself and will see the horse trotted up in hand. Give the horse a good feel over to look for any issues.

I then get the seller to ride the horse, all paces (and over jumps if I want a jumping horse).

I then ride myself and get a feel for the horse. I ask it to do a few things I want to do, bit of leg yield, transitions etc. I then pop a jump. If I like the horse I then ask to ride it in the open.

Hope that helps.

 

[JGC]

I am looking at the moment. I have a list of questions for sellers before I go to view.

When I am on the ground I feel their legs, pick up their feet, touch their head, behind their ears, run my hand on either side of their back squeezing gently to see if there's any tightness/sensitivity. Then I have them walk and trot in a straight line (and ask if I can video as can be useful to go back to) and if possible a quick lunge on a soft surface.

That has eliminated over half of the horses I've been to see so far, despite me asking for recent videos each time

Then I ask them to do a short walk, trot, canter (I always ask over the phone beforehand whether there'll be someone to ride, as I won't get on otherwise) and only then would I ride. If I'm my own I ask the seller to do a few short videos of me riding.

I get anxious, but I always find it easier to do a first viewing alone, but that might not suit everyone.

 

[stangs]

All of the above - I also do viewings alone.

Before getting on, I make sure to stroke all around their stomach and leave hand on the girth area for a few seconds. Wouldn't want to buy a horse who's uncomfortable with being touched there, hints at ulcers to me. Also like running my fingers down the muscles on the side of the spine looking for any hints of soreness (repeated blinking). Just lots of touching. I wouldn't want to buy a horse for whom any of this would be a problem.

 

[SO1]

This is exactly what I do.

I also let the seller know in advance what I would like to do so they can accommodate and allow enough time. Especially if the field is a distance from the yard.

If hacking is important I would want to try that too.

I ask to see the horse led in from the field.

Then I like to pick feet out, groom and tack up myself and will see the horse trotted up in hand. Give the horse a good feel over to look for any issues.

I then get the seller to ride the horse, all paces (and over jumps if I want a jumping horse).

I then ride myself and get a feel for the horse. I ask it to do a few things I want to do, bit of leg yield, transitions etc. I then pop a jump. If I like the horse I then ask to ride it in the open.

Hope that helps.

 

[humblepie]

Just to say that when I viewed one of mine he was at a professional yard to be sold and he was already tacked up in a tacking up box ready for them to get on and then for me to ride. I did go back a second time to hack him. There wasn't anything untoward in him being tacked up and ready - time is money and so they had him ready and waiting. Hope you have lots of fun and don't be worried about taking a list with you of questions to ask so that you don't get home and wish you had asked x or y.

 

[onemoretime]

I always take a pair of battery trimmers and my measuring stick. That way I can make sure they are good with the clippers and that they are the height which they have been advertised at.

 

[JGC]

I always take a pair of battery trimmers and my measuring stick. That way I can make sure they are good with the clippers and that they are the height which they have been advertised at.

This is a good example of thinking about what's really important to you and making sure you can trial it when you're at the viewing - I pretty much rough mine off over winter, so they're not clipped, so I wouldn't mind about this, but when I bought my happy hacker (now turned wonderpony, incidentally), I made sure there was somewhere to hack out and they would allow this.

 

[Sealine]

Lots of good advice above. I would add that if you feel anxious about the process is there a trusted, calm friend or OH who can go along with you? They don't necessarily have to be horsey but if they can be responsible for taking photos and video of everything you can concentrate on the horse itself. You can then review the photos and video at home. I've taken my husband along as official cameraman and his horse knowledge is very limited.

If you are going alone, always let someone know where you are going and have some sort of emergency exit plan. You can't be too careful if turning up at a yard/field in the middle of nowhere to meet someone you don't know from Adam who've you contacted via a mobile phone.

 

[rextherobber]

Plenty of great advice, I would just add, don't feel you have to ride the horse, or prolong the viewing if you arrive and realise there's no way on earth you're going to buy the horse, for whatever reason. Just politely say it's lovely, but not quite what you're looking for. I find most horses I've viewed are smaller than the ad claims, for example.

 

[AmyMay]

Plenty of great advice, I would just add, don't feel you have to ride the horse, or prolong the viewing if you arrive and realise there's no way on earth you're going to buy the horse, for whatever reason. Just politely say it's lovely, but not quite what you're looking for. I find most horses I've viewed are smaller than the ad claims, for example.

Absolutely this.

I’ve said thanks, but no thanks within 10 mins of arriving.

 

[piebaldproblems]

Brilliant, thanks everyone! Super helpful and I'm feeling more confident already

-This might not be essential, but it is important for me to feel a spark or a little something *more*, that makes me want to see that horse again/bring it home. It is a big commitment of time and money, so it has to feel right.

Do you find that sellers understand if you say you don't feel a spark with a certain horse, or does it come off as a bit of a time waster-ish response? Just worried about not wanting to make the seller upset with me if the horse doesn't work out.

Would it help to find a really good dealer close to you that has a good rep and you can feel confident and relaxed with- that way you could view several horses with the same person? Just wondered if that might be a less anxious experience for you? Good luck, exciting times!

It's a good idea and definitely will have a look for some local trustworthy dealers but I'm a little worried about a) dealers thinking I'm not serious about the horses if I ask to see multiple horses or b) dealers pressuring me to buy or to keep looking at horses only through their stock. I'm not very good at saying no, unfortunately, so get myself in awkward situations even when the other person has nothing but good intentions.

I would add that if you feel anxious about the process is there a trusted, calm friend or OH who can go along with you? They don't necessarily have to be horsey but if they can be responsible for taking photos and video of everything you can concentrate on the horse itself.

Trying to coordinate a friend to come along but everyone's schedules are so difficult at the moment. In half a mind to hire someone to come along with me! (Actually, now I think about it... Is that a thing? For those of us without instructors willing to come along, someone to hire who'll keep the rose tinted glasses firmly out of reach?)

 

[Shilasdair]

I ask to see the horse led in from the field.

Then I like to pick feet out, groom and tack up myself and will see the horse trotted up in hand. Give the horse a good feel over to look for any issues.

I then get the seller to ride the horse, all paces (and over jumps if I want a jumping horse).

I then ride myself and get a feel for the horse. I ask it to do a few things I want to do, bit of leg yield, transitions etc. I then pop a jump. If I like the horse I then ask to ride it in the open.

Hope that helps.

This is good advice - I'd also maybe ask if the horse has any 'vices' (cribbing, windsucking, weaving' as they are legally obliged to declare them (although it's hard to prove later even if they lie).

 

[Shilasdair]

Another point - have you asked on here for recommended dealers in your area? HHO-ers can give you suggestions (or indeed advise against dealers with the wrong type of horse for you).
Might help if you tell us the sort of horse you are looking for, and the rough area?

 

[piebaldproblems]

Another point - have you asked on here for recommended dealers in your area? HHO-ers can give you suggestions (or indeed advise against dealers with the wrong type of horse for you).
Might help if you tell us the sort of horse you are looking for, and the rough area?

Making a thread on it now, thank you!

 

[Shilasdair]

Making a thread on it now, thank you!

Also - there are HHOers who adore horse-finding for people - brace yourself!

 

[blitznbobs]

Trotted up on hard standing… often after this i can simply turn round and walk away.

 

[HashRouge]

Do you find that sellers understand if you say you don't feel a spark with a certain horse, or does it come off as a bit of a time waster-ish response? Just worried about not wanting to make the seller upset with me if the horse doesn't work out.

Just say really sorry, he/she is lovely but not quite what I'm looking for. I wouldn't start going on about not feeling a spark (even though I get what you mean and agree it's important!)

If I'm ever in the position to buy again (I've got two retirees who cost me an arm and a leg) one thing I would 100% want to do is be able to try catching any prospective horse in the field. I own one that is a holy terror to catch and, love him though I do, I'd avoid anything as tricky as him with a 10 foot pole.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I asked the owner to borrow a horse and take us out hacking!
it was important to me how a horse behaved on the roads and I felt more at ease and less scrutinised as we rode and chattered about the horse and other stuff rather than it being a formal intense viewing!

 

[Regandal]

Whatever you do, do NOT get on the horse without seeing it ridden by someone else first. I speak from bitter experience ?

 

[LadySam]

Just say really sorry, he/she is lovely but not quite what I'm looking for. I wouldn't start going on about not feeling a spark (even though I get what you mean and agree it's important!)

Agree. You’re under no obligation to explain your deepest thoughts on anything so don’t feel like you have to.

Whatever you do, do NOT get on the horse without seeing it ridden by someone else first. I speak from bitter experience ?

This. Multiple others have said this already and this is the main thing I came to say.

 

[Annagain]

Some great advice above. I'd work out your questions in advance and make sure you ask open questions so that you don't just get a yes /no answer or give away the answer you're looking for e.g. "What's he like to hack?" rather than "Is he good to hack?"

Don't feel like you have to ride. There were a few I never rode, some as they were smaller than advertised, one that was very sharp and one particular one I remember that, at 12, couldn't canter on the correct leg and his (teenage boy) owner said it was because he didn't need to as he still jumped clear. When I said thanks but no thanks he replied "Well you've brought your body protector and people who wear those are planning on falling off so it's probably just as well." Nice kid!

 

[rara007]

Clipping and stick height don’t bother me, I have been known to ask to see them load (after riding, pre purchase) though!

 

[mini_b]

slightly off topic but I’ve seen 2 recurring adverts lately…it bothers me seeing adverts stating “still for sale due to time wasters”

people are ok to get there, have a look and think hm ok it’s smaller than advertised or after riding it’s just not for me for reasons xyz.

to me, this is being allowed to choose something you like.

(not turning up and going oh I didn’t want a grey after you’ve seen 100 photos of it.)

surely the seller isn’t disclosing something in the advert hence folk are trying and lo and behold it’s still for sale.

 

[rara007]

Always worried about failed vettings with that too!

 

[YorkshireLady]

So I would def start on the ground - trot up in hand and look at the horse. I think that at this point its totally ok to say not for me and not make the owner tack up and ride.

Also perfectly fine after they ride to say not for me and walk away. I have done both these scenarios.

If I like a horse after riding it I will want to see it hacking...if I feel good on it then will hack it myself. preferably i would like it taken off the yard on its own....if they say it hacks alone.

 

[Snowfilly]

Try and arrive a bit early to check they’re not riding or lunging to calm it down before you arrive.

First thing is to check it’s roughly the same height and age as it says in the advert - I’ve seen some incredible shrinking horses over the years! If they’re much smaller, I normally walk away but I did drag one seller through an entire two hour viewing because she was a county BHS member, an experienced judge and the Connemara she was selling was an entire hand short of what she’d said on the phone and I was fuming after a 70 mile trip to see something that was useless to me.

Ideally see it caught up from field and led in. Check to make sure there’s no signs of sweat or tack from being ridden earlier in the day

Watch it be walked and trotted up on hard standing, and then walk and trot it up myself.

Pick up all four feet, feel all four legs, run hands across back, girth, loins and under belly looking for pain responses. Open mouth and check teeth, look at eyes. Look under tail and at sheath / udder for lumps. You can walk away from a lot of horses as this stage.

See it tacked up and taken to school or field. Ask to see walk, trot and canter on both reins, fences and lateral work as appropriate for age and schooling. You can walk away from even more here.

Then you get on and ride.

Swap and they take the horse out in traffic with you walking / driving to watch.

Check the horse again after untacking - legs and back for any heat. Watch it be put away.

I like to see the horse load and unload if possible. Check paperwork - passport and breed society documents to make sure it’s the same horse as you’re viewing.

Arrange vetting and deposit.

 

[Jellymoon]

My buying routine goes like this:
1.Chat on phone, ask questions, book viewing.
2.See horse in stable first (I wouldn’t expect it to be out in field as, if I were the seller, I’d want horse to be clean, smart and looking it’s best)
3.I would then see it trotted up.
4. Then I would see it ridden in walk/trot/canter on both reins and pop a few jumps. Maybe 20 mins? Or less perhaps, don’t need to see too much.
5. Then I would get on and do the above. I would spend a bit of time in walk just getting myself settled.
6. I would ask to hack it out, don’t mind if alone or if they want to come. Maybe 30/40 mins?
If I was buying a hunter or eventer, then I would ask if I can come back and take it xc, or hunting for a couple of hours. This is normal and a dealer would expect this. Private owner might be funny about it. You could establish this on the phone.

Then if I like it, I will make an offer immediately and be prepared to leave a deposit. If I don’t, I would say something like, this is a really lovely horse and thank you for your time, but I feel the horse is a bit quiet/sharp for me, and not what I’m looking for. People have said this to me when I’m selling, and I completely accept it. What I don’t like, is them running the horse down and then making a silly offer.
Also, think about maybe two things that are non-negotiable for you, could be for example, good to load and good to hack alone, mention this on phone beforehand and say you would like to see that he is good in both these areas. Gives people the chance to be honest!
And also to add, I would walk away during any of the points above.
And develop a thick skin as I’ve had some awful treatment from people when they are trying to flog their horse to you, and reality silly comments, and pressure.
And they always say, we’ve got people coming to look tmr!!