Viewing a horse... Questions to ask

Silence is golden. The less you say the more they will to fill the silence.

My questions are:

Does the horse rear?
How sound has it been?
Does it crib or weave?
What's its general temperament?
Can it be turned out alone?
How is it in company?
 
Well, you'll never think of all the questions in the world and even if you do then it will take a very patient seller to answer them all! So I would start from the other side, I.e. what is important to you in a horse? What do you need it to do and how will you be keeping it? E.g. For me, important things are that it lives happily in a herd and that its general temperament is willing - I don't mind bad ground manners or whatever. Though one of my horses gets awful separation anxiety and I'd prefer not to have one like that again. So these are things I would ask. However if ground manners are important to you, or forward ness is the most important thing, or whatever, then focus on that,

I would however always always ask them what the worst thing they've ever seen the horse do is, and why it did it. And I would always try and get the owners permission to try a few things like walking it past a coat flapping on a fence, that sort of thing - not because I'd mind if it did anything, but just because I'd want to know how it reacts to new things.
 
Morgan123 that's a very good way to think of questions... What would I prefer. I want something that is happy alone and with company, field, yard/stable and ridden wise. Also, asking to see it ride past a flapping coat or similar is a good way to see how it reacts... Stop and look, or completely freak out!
 
My favourite question is "what's the worst thing this horse does?" As it tends to knock the seller off guard a little and you can tell a lot from their answer.

Then the important ones for me are:

How is it to hack alone?
Can it live out year round?
Has it required any vet treatment and if yes, what for?
Any vices?
Any special management requirements?
 
I would try to ask the important questions on the phone first so you dont waste a journey. I then like to prompt them to talk whilst they're riding and check important points to see if the story between phone and viewing changes (amazing how often it does!) ask open ended questions to get them to open up more and leave patches of silencewhich they hopefully then try to fill!
 
What are his quirks- people seem to be more forthcoming with the word quirk rather than vice... If they say he/she doesn't have any I tend to think they are lying... But I am looking for a 3 or 4 y o...
 
blitznbobs said:
What are his quirks- people seem to be more forthcoming with the word quirk rather than vice... If they say he/she doesn't have any I tend to think they are lying... But I am looking for a 3 or 4 y o...
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Well, I am looking at getting a backed 3/4 yo, so I am prepared for a few little baby habits, that are easily dealt with (like walking off in their own direction etc).

I will write a list of "first" questions to ask, and then some more, for when I actually view.
 
Does it hack alone.
What like in traffic.
Load and travel well

Has it hunted / XC
Done dressage
Behaviour at shows / in public
What bit XC / hunting

Any lumps/bumps/splints/curbs
Any vices / headshaking
Good for vet / blacksmith / clipping
 
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