Viewing a potential new horse

Kat

Kat

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Ok so I've seen a horse I am interested in. It will be my first ever horse, although I've been riding all my life so I'm not a complete novice.

I will be taking my riding instructor with me to view so will have back up, but I was hoping to get some advice on things to ask on the phone when I call up and some tips for viewing the horse.

It is being sold through a dealer.

Thanks
 
ask as many questions as you can think of on the phone so you are prepared. I would start with
age, height, colour, breeding, temperament, any quirks, vices, whats it like to hack alone, shoe, clip, box, catch etc etc, competition record, talents, weaknesses, tell them what you are looking for and what you are like as a rider and ask if they think the horse is suitable for your requirements and ability. just ask as much as you can think of!!exciting!!!x
 
With the advert in front of you - ask all the questions that seem to be answered in the advert.

Ask about what it's done and what it's doing and where the seller purchcased it from.

Tell the seller exactly what you're after and be totally honest about your own abilities - even underselling yourself.

Ensure that it's open to the vet - if not, don't view it.

Ask if it's good for vet, farrier, clip, load, travel. Ask how it gets on with other horses.

Ask if it has any vices.

Ensure there a good trial facillities.
 
Ask what its like in the stable...
.....is it ok when in on its own (mine isnt...its the single most annoying/stressful thing ever)

C'mon.....details pls....
grin.gif
 
At a dealers they might not know, but always worth asking- do they know of any previous injuries/ailments that the horse has suffered from/with? Of course they might lie through their teeth and it might get picked up on a vetting, but might save you a trip if it has had an injury or something like laminitis that puts you off etc.
 
I always write down the questions I want to ask so I don't forget
e.g
Any Vices?
What are they like In traffic?
Are they good with other horses?
What they like to box, farrier etc?

I also ask the owner to get on and ride them 1st before you get on, and always go back for a 2nd visit before you buy!

GOOD LUCK!!
laugh.gif
 
Write all the questions down before you ring so you dont forget any.
To add to the other questions before, why are they selling?
Good idea to take your instructor.
Good luck, hope its what you are looking for!
 
make sure you ask/check that there will be someone to ride him before you when you go to view

um, ask about what's important to you. for example, i'd ask:
what are they like to handle? in the stable? shoe? box? clip? hack out alone? do they prefer being first or last? have they been to shows? how do they behave at shows? what are their worst habits? ever kicked? why are they being sold?

however, my friend asks questions like 'how old were they when they were gelded?' and stuff.

good luck! x
 
Ok I think I have most of that info, my instructor put me in touch with the dealer and she knows a bit more about the horse so got some info from her too.

It isn't actually owned by the dealer they doing some schooling etc with it and selling it for the private seller.

I'll put the details down if you are all interested.

8 year old ID gelding, grey 16.1 or 2. Owned by current owner since 3 or 4, but she is over horsed, had hoped he would only make 15.2hh. Has done very little for his age as the rider is nervous, but she has hacked schooled and had lessons without problems (I know her instructor so plan to try and get some more info from her too).

Has had a month with this dealer doing some schooling and hunting, he is hunting fine. No competition record to speak of due to nervous rider. Owner is apparently gutted to be selling but needs something smaller. Is jumping nicely and would be a nice MW hunter or working hunter with the looks for showing.

No known vices, nice to do, forgot to specifically ask about clipping/shoeing/boxing, although can't be too bad to box as it sounds as though he's been doing a fair bit of travelling at the moment, they are going to box him up to the dealer from home so we can try him in their indoor arena.

If we go after the dealer's staff have left then our instructor will ride him first. She has ridden him before I think.

Apparently not a beginners horse but a good allrounder type. Told them that we were looking for something to do a bit of everything, mainly riding club stuff but possibly a bit more in future.


How does that sound???
 
Well we've not got a trailer yet so will have to spend some time just schooling and doing things within hacking distance or when we can cadge a lift so not too bothered about spending a year or so bringing him on.

He's very pretty.
 
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