Viewing a horse

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horseluver4eva

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On sunday im viewing a horse which will hopefully be the right one. Ive asked loads of questions but it was over the phone and my mind went blank! i know what to do when looking at the horse but i was just wondering what advice anybody has when im viewing her? as i want this one to be right for me. What questions would you ask, what would you look for, what would you test it with whilst riding etc? thanks everyone ill update sunday after ive viewed her!
 
I went to see my new one 3 times before I decided--- well I tell a lie, I'd decided on the first time I went to see her but my instructor wanted me to make sure :P

I would just go along very open minded and just treat the horse like you'd treat it at home so you can see if you'd get along :)

Good luck! :)
 
Hi,
When viewing a horse, ask questions like sensible with traffic, riding ability whether he/she hacks alone or in company (or both). Also any hesitation from the owner be very cautious some people can lie, if you feel something suspicious ask if she may ride the horse first. When riding the horse, check that they had the basic leg aids and whether they listen to walk and stand. It's hard viewing a horse because you like to know there background in life. Just go and view the horse and don't be scared to ask lots and lots of questions, because its best to ask and get as many answers as possible than buy a horse and find out something you didn't know. Ask is any spookiness with tractors or any sort of vehicles. Just questions that relate to the whereabouts you are keeping this horse. Any more things that need to be answered, don't hesitate to ask :).. Thankss
 
Personally, I'd write down a list of questions and take it with you so you don't forget anything on the day :) I would also take an experienced friend/instructor with me. I'd ask to see the horse caught, handled, feet picked out and tacked up. Then ridden on the flat and over a fence. I'd then try it myself and just get a feel for it in all 3 paces to see if i felt happy and comfortable. If i did i would also try it over a fence. Id also like to ride it in a field/hack out but may do that on a second viewing.

Questions i'd ask would be the same as I asked on the phone to see if I got the same answer. Eg Does it hack alone? Is it ever sick or sorry? Buck rear etc? Any vices? How is it to clip/load? Good with farrier? Any lameness? Has it seen dentist/back person, were there any issues? What is it like at a show? How is it when turned out along/with others?

I'm sure I have forgotten loads though :p which is why its best to write it all down :)
 
This is the list I have used in the past.....

Contact phone no.
Contact address.
Pony’s passported name. Other recorded names
Passport Issue Office No. of owners
Breed. Breeding
Height. Life height certificate
Registration with any societies
Age.
Colour. Eye colour.
Price (negotiable).
Freezemarked.
Temperament.
Quiet to do/handle.
Quirks.
Vices, Buck Bolt. Rear. Nap. Crib. Windsuck. Boxwalk Weave.
Box/Trailer. Will it stand alone if two travelled to show?
Catch.
Shoe.Hot/cold
Clip./sedation
Lunge.
Hack alone/company In traffic
Aquired marks/bumps.
Veterinary Dental history. Osteopathy requirements
Insurance/exclusions
Allergies.
Feed requirements.
Live in/bedding Live out
Tack available. Saddle fit. Bit. Rug size.
Action./Movement
Schooling level.
Competed/ Dressage.
Jumps/ SJ aff winnings Non aff.
WHP/which height category
XC
Shown. (Classes/level)
Hunted.
Pony Club.
References.
 
I would like to say go with some instinct (avoid the 100 point check list) and take the animal at face value - namely do you like it, does it feel right.....of course if it is hugely expensive, you might want to go the whole vetting, 100 point plan, and at least three references - inc X rays - but over the years I have bought many horses and ponies - say 100 - and of that had no more than 2-3 that were complete nightmares that I lost heaps of money on - and I have to say that the duff ones were privately bought off 'really nice people' rather than bought at sales.
 
Heres a video of the horse i went to see. she looks really quiet on here but shes normally more spirited as she had just been on a long hack bless her :') she was really good apart from the slight pigeon toe. please can you have a look at this video to watch her leg movement and see if you think it affects her. Also excuse my riding please rode with long reins and short reins to see what she was like with different amounts of contact (head came in with contact just needs more work). This video was towards the end...
 
i had, but she had also been on a long one the day before; so im wanting to go back to ride her when she hasnt been rode for a couple of days.
 
She looks nice. How was she on the hack? Did you feel happy/ safe?

With regard to the pigeon toe you can't tell as there is no video shot of you trotting in a straight line towards the camera. I would say though that a horse my daughter is currently riding is pigeon toed and she trots along etc perfectly well.
 
Shes really good on the roads she looked at a few things but thats nothing. needs work on the flat but has a fab jump. I really like her its just the pigeon toe thats worrying me slightly. Sorry the video isnt great ill try and get a better one next time. yeah she is pretty fit but needs to do the right type of work for her topline. nope i didnt i forgot all about pictures until i left :rolleyes: will next time though
 
horseluver4eva said:
Shes really good on the roads she looked at a few things but thats nothing. needs work on the flat but has a fab jump. I really like her its just the pigeon toe thats worrying me slightly. Sorry the video isnt great ill try and get a better one next time. yeah she is pretty fit but needs to do the right type of work for her topline. nope i didnt i forgot all about pictures until i left :rolleyes: will next time though
Click to expand...

Ahhh next time then ;)
How bad is the pigeon toe? Is she shod well for it? A slight pigeon toe can be well supported by a good farrier but if it's bad, it can put strain on joints, ligaments further up if it's bad. Sorry if I'm teaching how to suck eggs OP :)
 
Its not too bad, her legs are straight and she stands square but when you look closely, rather than her hoof being 50/50 equal either side of the front of the shoe if that makes sense, the hoof extends round further than it should on the inside? dont know how to explain it:confused: my friend noticed it when i was trotting up the road as we didnt notice it when checking down her legs so dont think it is that obvious.
http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...e-of-week-zan-flat-footed-thin.html;1200;1600
Here is a URL which shows sort of what its like. it looks like the left foot to look at except on the opposite leg. the other is fine. ill take better pics next time. IMHO she wasnt shod that well but the farrier had said when she first came 4 years ago not to correct it and just leave it how it is. could that mean it isnt that bad? or that by correcting it it could cause other problems? thanks everyone for listening to my babble. Tea and biscuits on offer
 
horseluver4eva said:
Its not too bad, her legs are straight and she stands square but when you look closely, rather than her hoof being 50/50 equal either side of the front of the shoe if that makes sense, the hoof extends round further than it should on the inside? dont know how to explain it:confused: my friend noticed it when i was trotting up the road as we didnt notice it when checking down her legs so dont think it is that obvious.
http://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...e-of-week-zan-flat-footed-thin.html;1200;1600
Here is a URL which shows sort of what its like. it looks like the left foot to look at except on the opposite leg. the other is fine. ill take better pics next time. IMHO she wasnt shod that well but the farrier had said when she first came 4 years ago not to correct it and just leave it how it is. could that mean it isnt that bad? or that by correcting it it could cause other problems? thanks everyone for listening to my babble. Tea and biscuits on offer
Click to expand...

Hmm okay to me, that's not a big no point :) Especially if that's the only thing niggling you. The farrier could always create a better breakover point for her if necessary..Does it affect her movement?
 
Oh thats good, i dont *think* it does however when looking back theres the odd strides that she seems to dish a bit. Im going to get her trotted up and down on a flat surface to check. But she has jumped 1.20 happily and so is happy with jumping and also xc which im wanting to compete in. She does have a nice canter and a smooth trot, and the arenas surface was rubbish so wouldnt help movement. I didnt notice or see anything when either me or my friend rode its only tiny points im picking at on the video now i know of the pigeon toe, which i probably wouldnt of noticed if i hadnt known.
 
horseluver4eva said:
Oh thats good, i dont *think* it does however when looking back theres the odd strides that she seems to dish a bit. Im going to get her trotted up and down on a flat surface to check. But she has jumped 1.20 happily and so is happy with jumping and also xc which im wanting to compete in. She does have a nice canter and a smooth trot, and the arenas surface was rubbish so wouldnt help movement. I didnt notice or see anything when either me or my friend rode its only tiny points im picking at on the video now i know of the pigeon toe, which i probably wouldnt of noticed if i hadnt known.
Click to expand...

perhaps get her trotted up on a hard surface and video it (from front/side/behind) and see if you can see anything nit picking it back at home :) How old is she? Are you going to get her vetted?
 
Not sure if its been mentioned, but perhaps ask if you could get it in from the field, (or if stabled turn out) tack it up yourself, or watch them to see if the horse reacts in any way, ask if boots are used for protection or because he/she knocks him/herself, see how th horse reacts ie is it nervous or seems apprehensive, or is it really relaxed? When getting on, will it stand at the mountain block, or can you get on from ground? Is it good for both? Silly things like can you brush it, pick its feet out, if they have a tractor and you're feeling v confident, could they turn it on and you ride past it etc,
In the school (if the horse jumps) try and jump a variety of fillers so you know if the horse is spooky, and make sure you jump towards the entrance and away! Lots of horses can be diamonds in one direction, but away from home for example they aren't!
If possible, and the owner doesn't mind, you could video the horse for the first few mins of the owner riding it to look at any spots you don't pick up-spooking, looking away, flicking feet etc as you can notice it all at once :) and then a video of you riding it, so you can see (mostly to be sure for yourself) that the horse looks as relaxed as it feels!
And then the obvious does it have quirks, good in traffic, clip for farrier etc!
Good luck :)
 
AntxGeorgiax said:
Not sure if its been mentioned, but perhaps ask if you could get it in from the field, (or if stabled turn out) tack it up yourself, or watch them to see if the horse reacts in any way, ask if boots are used for protection or because he/she knocks him/herself, see how th horse reacts ie is it nervous or seems apprehensive, or is it really relaxed? When getting on, will it stand at the mountain block, or can you get on from ground? Is it good for both? Silly things like can you brush it, pick its feet out, if they have a tractor and you're feeling v confident, could they turn it on and you ride past it etc,
In the school (if the horse jumps) try and jump a variety of fillers so you know if the horse is spooky, and make sure you jump towards the entrance and away! Lots of horses can be diamonds in one direction, but away from home for example they aren't!
If possible, and the owner doesn't mind, you could video the horse for the first few mins of the owner riding it to look at any spots you don't pick up-spooking, looking away, flicking feet etc as you can notice it all at once :) and then a video of you riding it, so you can see (mostly to be sure for yourself) that the horse looks as relaxed as it feels!
And then the obvious does it have quirks, good in traffic, clip for farrier etc!
Good luck :)
Click to expand...

Thank you:) think i checked all of this, at least i hope so as ive bought her now eeekkk!
 
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