Viewing a horse for first time - advice please?

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ellerslie83

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Hi, hopefully this weekend I'll be seeing my first horse with a view to buying - what is the protocol?

Turn up - look at it - talk to seller - watch seller/someone else tack it up and ride it - take a turn at riding it - try not to fall off or look like an idiot - thank seller and leave to think about it? I guess I need to fit in seeing it's passport somewhere?

The seller said there had been an issue with the passport and it had been reissued and they'd had to choose a new name for it. Could this be legit? Or should alarm bells be ringing?!!

If I want the horse - what then - a vetting obviously - but which vet do I use? As they don't live in my area.

Any tips on etiquette and things to ask are appreciated, as it all seems to be a minefield? Thanks :)
p.s. am also worried about how bad my riding will look, as I'm so rusty!!
 
Firstly... Don't panic...!

Have you got someone else to take with you? Preferably experienced. That always help. If you do, they can always video it so that you can look at it later.

Re: Passport. The re-issued bit I can understand - choosing a new name would ring alarm bells though. They should have just been able to get a replacement passport under the same name if the horse is who they say it is.

Re: Vetting. I would ask them for the number of a vet that is local to the seller, but not the seller's own vet.

Good luck!
 
What I tend to do is:

*confirm with seller time of viewing, ask for horse to be left in field.
*watch seller catch horse and lead into stable
*watch seller handle horse and groom
*finish grooming myself and tack up
*watch seller ride, pay attention to how strongly they ride, how much contact they take as well as horses way of going. When jumping look for evenness of rhythm and excitability.

*get on horse myself, walk round paying attention to how horse goes off my aids. Do flexions on both reins and do a few transitions to check reaction to aids
*move up to trot and again do flexions and transitions both within pace and back to walk
*try some lateral movements, checking for level of training and submission and obedience
*move up to canter and repeat above exercises
*try the horse over fences
*ask to hack horse out with a partner, whilst out see how horse reacts to being asked to fall behind/go in front of hacking buddy.
 
When I was getting a horse in ireland vetted I asked the seller who they used, then posted the location on here asking for recommendations. I then selected a recommedation that was not the vendor's vet!
 
Prepare a list of questions about things that would be important to you.

Think about where you are planning to keep your new horse - will this one fit in? does it live in/out, has it been stabled, shared with others or been on individual turnout.

Do not worry about the 'looking like a pratt bit' we have all done it...I keep having to repeatedly do it when asked by friends to help with horse viewings!

Make notes of things you are told so you can clarify later.

Too tired to think or other sensible things - there are quite a few threads on this subject if you run a search.

Good luck and I look forward to pics when you find the right one!
 
ellerslie83 said:
Hi, hopefully this weekend I'll be seeing my first horse with a view to buying - what is the protocol?

Turn up - look at it - talk to seller - watch seller/someone else tack it up and ride it - take a turn at riding it - try not to fall off or look like an idiot - thank seller and leave to think about it? I guess I need to fit in seeing it's passport somewhere?

The seller said there had been an issue with the passport and it had been reissued and they'd had to choose a new name for it. Could this be legit? Or should alarm bells be ringing?!!

If I want the horse - what then - a vetting obviously - but which vet do I use? As they don't live in my area.

Any tips on etiquette and things to ask are appreciated, as it all seems to be a minefield? Thanks :)
p.s. am also worried about how bad my riding will look, as I'm so rusty!!
Click to expand...

Fancy seeing you here! ;)
Have you got someone experienced you can take with you? I appreciate that may be difficult in a new area.
Make a list of questions to ask before you go. Things like, will the horse fit in with the way you wish to keep it, so does it need to come in at night, will it turn out with others. Does it hack alone or in company, has it seen the vet for anything.......
Is the horse with a dealer or is it a private sale?
You should choose a vet, you could ask for recommendations on here, do not let a dealer choose the vet for you.
As for your riding, relax, you'll be fine. Watch the seller ride first. As long as the horse is the kind of horse you are used to I'm certain your riding is plenty good enough. Clearly if you are off to ride some super duper dressage world champion then you might want some refresher lessons first!
Good luck and have fun :)
 
Look at the horse, if possible loose in a stable, let the owner put on a headcollar and tie it up or bring it out for you to check it over for lumps and bumps, if you dont like it you can leave at anytime.
Watch it being tacked up, ask any questions as you think of them, see someone ride in all paces and jump it, if it does, ask to see it do anything you want, maybe go in a field for a spin, once you get on take your time, you are judging the horse, they should not be judging you:)
Do whatever feels right, dont feel the need to rush into anything but equally make sure you have a good trial and do enough to form an opinion, again try it somewhere else, go down the road and in a field if you can, you need to see that it will go out alone and how it is in traffic.

Take someone with you to video and if possible offer advice, go home and have a think before committing to buy, if you do get it vetted.

Passport is a bit odd as they should get a replacement of the original, ask when and where the horse came from, how long they have owned it , make a list of questions to ask and note the answers down for looking at later.
 
As this is your first horse I think it is essential that you take an experienced person with you and get them to ride horse after you. When I do this for people I always ride the horse badly on purpose. Most people when trying a horse will tend to stick well within their comfort zone and dont push the horse to see what happens. When you get it home you will make huge errors in your riding at times (we all do) and you need to know that the horse will forgive these moments, not strongly object.

Arrive early, its amazing what you can find out if you catch the seller unawares. ;)

Always go back for a second visit and this time catch the horse yourself, tack up etc and ride first. You will get a much more rounded impression of the horse by doing this. Certainly wouldn't advise riding first on the initial visit.

If you are not happy that your questions have been answered fully then push for the information.

Assuming you do buy the horse and it is sold as vice free then make sure that this is stated on the reciept. If they wont do that alarm bells should start sounding very loudly.

Most important - use your brain!
 
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