Viewing a horse

[rubydog]

Hello,

Just after some advice I am off to view a horse this weekend and I am slightly concerned as they dont have an arena or field that I can use to try him in. I offered to hire an arena but unfortunately there are none near by, so transport would be required which neither myself or the seller have. I am not sure I will be able to make decision based on just a hack.
Can anyone offer any advice?

 

[be positive]

I think it would be very difficult to decide unless you are only going to be hacking in the future and even then there is the safety aspect of hacking a strange horse on the roads while trying it.
They need to offer somewhere, do they not even have a field to ride in, it makes me very suspicious that there is nowhere within hacking distance, even if they took it some time before you get there you could ride in the arena then hack home.
If you do go and have to ride on the roads make sure they ride it first, it is too risky to just get on, whatever story they give you be careful.

 

[Princess Jess]

I would be a little nervous about buying a horse that I haven't tried properly before...
Make sure you see someone else ride it before you get on and that you're completely happy with its temperament etc.
Will you be expecting to jump the horse if you buy it? If so you would definately have to jump it before buying, and this is preferably done in an arena.
Personally I would suggest hiring transport and taking the horse to an arena to try it if at all possible...I know this might be quite expensive but its probably the safest option.
How does the owner seem, are they reluctant for you to try it in a proper arena? This might tell you something...

Good luck, I hope it works out...and please be careful, I know so many people that have been hurt trying out horses without proper facilities

 

[s4sugar]

You can get a first impression based on a hack and then box to an arena for a second look.

A waste of time & money to do this without first looking the horse over.

 

[be positive]

The other suggestion is that if you do like it and want to go further with the buying process, although just realised with no field it cannot be fully vetted either, that you then either hire transport/facilities or they let you have it on trial for a short time to enable a fair assessment and vetting to take place at your yard.

 

[rubydog]

Thanks for your responses, i am mainly planning on hacking, but would like to get in to unaffiliated show jumping and dressage in time but it maybe a few years as I don't have transport.
*The horse in question is only 5 so requires some bringing on in the school which obviously they are unable to do without facilities, so I am not expecting a finished article. *I think i will asses the situation when i get there and be really firm and see if i can persuade them to let me ride in the field.
They have assured me he is calm and safe and is very Well behaved for his age. According to the owner he is hacked regularly and hasn't put a foot wrong. I am definitely not going to be getting on first that's for sure. If like him I will have to arrange a second viewing if I am unable to ride in the field and then arrange*transport and to hire an arena. *I*do like the idea of a trial though that sounds like a good idea to me, I wonder how open she would be to that suggestion. Thanks*guys, really helpful as always x

 

[Honey08]

The other suggestion is that if you do like it and want to go further with the buying process, although just realised with no field it cannot be fully vetted either, that you then either hire transport/facilities or they let you have it on trial for a short time to enable a fair assessment and vetting to take place at your yard.

Why couldn't they do a full vetting? They just need somewhere level to trot up, and somewhere to get the horse's heartrate up - cantering up a bridleway would do that.. I had horses vetted long before anyone around me had an arena..

Sorry, edited to say that I think the trial idea is a good one.

 

[be positive]

Why couldn't they do a full vetting? They just need somewhere level to trot up, and somewhere to get the horse's heartrate up - cantering up a bridleway would do that.. I had horses vetted long before anyone around me had an arena..

Sorry, edited to say that I think the trial idea is a good one.

All the vets are now a bit more careful than they needed to be years ago, most like to see the horses work in all paces on a level surface then work the heart rate up they also need to listen to the respiration, an arena is not essential but I feel a field is. Lungeing on a hard surface is also routinely done now which again would not be easy on a road or bridleway.

 

[rubydog]

As a seller do you thing most people would agree to a trail for say a week? I think she needs a quick sale as she has lost her job and can't afford him, so not sure what her thoughts would be on a trial?

 

[be positive]

If they cannot let you try him properly at their home it would be a fair thing to do, not many people will risk trials as so much can go wrong but if you are really keen and they are struggling to sell it may be the best solution.
I sometimes allow a trial but only if I feel the people are really genuine, offering a very good home, pay a deposit and the horse is well insured. It will do no harm to ask.