Viewing alone - bad idea?

[GreatDove]

Hi all

after years of part and full loaning I’m fortunate enough to finally be in a position to buy my own!

I found one mare that sounds like could potentially be a really good match with me (decent rider with ambition to continue doing low level stuff only, and realistically mostly hacking, fun rides etc).

I’ve seen loads of pics and videos, chatted to the owner and the sales livery person and all sounds like could be a great match. She is also gorgeous, so all in all I’m very keen.

Now unfortunately the mare is located quite far from me which means I’ll have to go view solo.

Am I insane going alone? What would you do? Any advice? What could go wrong?

(Obviously I will arrange a full vetting if the first viewing isn’t a total failure.)

thank you

 

[Antw23uk]

I think its always best to rope in your most experienced horsey friend at the very least, for a road trip personally.

 

[IrishMilo]

I would say if you're asking this question, you should take someone with you

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I would say if you're asking this question, you should take someone with you

This, definitely take someone with you. I always prefer a second pair of eyes. You could always pay a instructor (maybe mutual friend?)

Where abouts are you? I’m sure someone would come along.

 

[Marigold4]

I usually take non-horsey OH with me. Just in case horse isn't as advertised and I need someone to drive me home after a fall! He also videos and it's very useful to watch these later. I often spot things on the videos that I didn't see at the time.

 

[Tarragon]

I viewed alone, but an experienced friend had already seen the pony before I made the journey. It was about 4 hours driving for me, each way, so I wasn't going to go unless I was pretty sure. So, friend made sure the pony was as described, and then I went down to make sure personality suited me!
It worked a treat.

 

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

Setting aside the need for another pair of eyes, think about your personal safety. If you absolutely do need to view alone, make sure that someone knows where you are going and when you will be back, set location tracking into your phone, and don't go anywhere else if you are asked to follow the vendor to the 'place where the horse is kept'.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I would say if you're asking this question, you should take someone with you

Totally agree.

You need a second pair of eyes to watch and see what you might (and probably will!) miss.

Essential IMO.

Yes I have been to view horses on my own but wouldn't even consider it now I'm older and wiser.

(Edited) ohh and ditto above advice re. considering your own safety. I've been to some ripe places to view horses and met some very quirky people - and frankly was very rash & stupid as a lot of the places where I've viewed was in a remote location up some lane in the backside of nowhere. I never considered my own safety at the time, but would do so now.

I would go so far as to say that if you cannot find anyone to view this horse with you, then don't go.

 

[AandK]

If it is far away, then you should definitely have someone with you, even if non-horsey, from a safety point of view. My most recent horse purchase (2.5yrs ago) was only from 10min away. I took my non-horsey OH with me.

 

[snowangel5]

I always remember being told if you were going to view your new horse take your instructor with you so you both get a good chance to both try out the horse but remember to try the new horse hacking jumping and riding

 

[Antw23uk]

Setting aside the need for another pair of eyes, think about your personal safety. If you absolutely do need to view alone, make sure that someone knows where you are going and when you will be back, set location tracking into your phone, and don't go anywhere else if you are asked to follow the vendor to the 'place where the horse is kept'.

I love your avatar pic

 

[humblepie]

I think it is good to have someone even if not horsey as quite often things are said away from the "sales pitch" as it were. I can remember many many years ago my mother having a chat with someone who wasn't the seller (can't remember if it was a relative or someone else on the yard) and found out some interesting bits. If you do go on your own, plan as others have said and have a list of questions and listen really carefully to the answers (obvious but not always easy).

 

[YorkshireLady]

think it is ok,....if you are careful dont get on if you worried at all. However I think it is much better to go with someone else...or have them meet you there~?

 

[GreatDove]

Thank you all for your replies. Pretty much what I expected - best to take someone with me!

 

[Red-1]

I would rather go alone than miss a good one. Yes, it is nice to have someone with you, for all the reasons mentioned, but it is also better than nothing, if the market hasn't cooled off yet.

I would make sure you see the horse ridden and be happy to get on, video the horse with the normal rider and then ask them to video you. Talk with them, ride out hacking etc. I would also have a vetting.

 

[MrsCentaur]

I did. I went alone in a dress more suited for the boardroom, tucked it into my knickers, borrowed a hat and tried the pony. Reader, I bought the pony.

I was glad that I had lots of videos of the pony being ridden and of me riding the pony - I shared those with my instructor and horsey friends before making a decision and everyone was unanimous in that he looked a good sort.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hi all

after years of part and full loaning I’m fortunate enough to finally be in a position to buy my own!

I found one mare that sounds like could potentially be a really good match with me (decent rider with ambition to continue doing low level stuff only, and realistically mostly hacking, fun rides etc).

I’ve seen loads of pics and videos, chatted to the owner and the sales livery person and all sounds like could be a great match. She is also gorgeous, so all in all I’m very keen.

Now unfortunately the mare is located quite far from me which means I’ll have to go view solo.

Am I insane going alone? What would you do? Any advice? What could go wrong?

(Obviously I will arrange a full vetting if the first viewing isn’t a total failure.)

thank you

I view alone as being A *professional know what I want and confident to make my own decision.*

If your not confident to inspect or confident or less experienced, then take someone with you. It's worth the money, or you could end up with a miss sold horse.

 

[bonny]

Don’t hang around or someone else will buy the pony whilst you are dithering.

 

[Birker2020]

Hi all

after years of part and full loaning I’m fortunate enough to finally be in a position to buy my own!

I found one mare that sounds like could potentially be a really good match with me (decent rider with ambition to continue doing low level stuff only, and realistically mostly hacking, fun rides etc).

I’ve seen loads of pics and videos, chatted to the owner and the sales livery person and all sounds like could be a great match. She is also gorgeous, so all in all I’m very keen.

Now unfortunately the mare is located quite far from me which means I’ll have to go view solo.

Am I insane going alone? What would you do? Any advice? What could go wrong?

(Obviously I will arrange a full vetting if the first viewing isn’t a total failure.)

thank you

I wanted to take my physio friend along to the four viewings I went to, unfortunately she works on a Saturday and by the time Sunday had come around any potential horse would have been long sold so it was just me and my partner.

How I now regret that decision.

 

[bonny]

I wanted to take my physio friend along to the four viewings I went to, unfortunately she works on a Saturday and by the time Sunday had come around any potential horse would have been long sold so it was just me and my partner.

How I now regret that decision.

Has your new horse gone wrong ?

 

[Birker2020]

Has your new horse gone wrong ?

Yes but can't go into details at present.

 

[bonny]

Yes but can't go into details at present.

Really sorry to hear that, we all saw how keen you were to get another horse and how happy you were with the one you got. I hope you get whatever outcome it is that you want.

 

[Birker2020]

Really sorry to hear that, we all saw how keen you were to get another horse and how happy you were with the one you got. I hope you get whatever outcome it is that you want.

Thank you that's really kind of you. I'm heartbroken at the moment.

 

[GreatDove]

Thank you that's really kind of you. I'm heartbroken at the moment.

I’m so sorry to hear that. Sending hugs

 

[ImmyS]

Thank you that's really kind of you. I'm heartbroken at the moment.

Such a shame. I enjoyed following your horse search. Horses can be such heartbreakers - I really hope things work out for you in the end.

 

[Squeak]

Thank you that's really kind of you. I'm heartbroken at the moment.

Another that's really sorry to hear that. I also hope that it works out in the end.

 

[Gloi]

Don’t hang around or someone else will buy the pony whilst you are dithering.

Or they might have been waiting for the chance to palm off a duffer on an inexperienced buyer.

 

[Xmasha]

Thank you that's really kind of you. I'm heartbroken at the moment.

I hope you get sorted, will keep everything crossed for you.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

OP, yes, try and take an adult with you who can drive home if necessary, doesn't need to be horsey but helpful if they are. Useful for filming and listening.....

 

[nagblagger]

Where is the pony you want to view....i'm sure someone on this forum would live locally and wouldn't mind helping - anything for a nosy and horse buying! I certainly would be up for it.