stangs
Well-Known Member
I think it's doable if (and big 'if'):
a) you've distanced yourself from the horse in advance (very easy for emotions to paint red flags green)
b) you know what you're looking for in terms of possible issues (e.g. how do the feet look, behavioural "quirks" that could be something more sinister, dealer red flags etc)
c) you film and photograph everything - pictures of feet, pictures of the horse, videos of owner riding (of course, ask permission beforehand), videos of you riding (I found that owners were usually happy to film for you)
d) you write down all your thoughts after trying, even the little things, so you can...
e) ... send all that and all the photographic evidence to an experienced friend and have a long phone call to talk through everything
But, yes, there is an issue of personal safety if you're going to an area far from your usual haunts. Is there no one that could go with you? Doesn't have to be someone experienced, any friend, horsey or otherwise, will do as a cameraman and a second pair of eyes.
a) you've distanced yourself from the horse in advance (very easy for emotions to paint red flags green)
b) you know what you're looking for in terms of possible issues (e.g. how do the feet look, behavioural "quirks" that could be something more sinister, dealer red flags etc)
c) you film and photograph everything - pictures of feet, pictures of the horse, videos of owner riding (of course, ask permission beforehand), videos of you riding (I found that owners were usually happy to film for you)
d) you write down all your thoughts after trying, even the little things, so you can...
e) ... send all that and all the photographic evidence to an experienced friend and have a long phone call to talk through everything
But, yes, there is an issue of personal safety if you're going to an area far from your usual haunts. Is there no one that could go with you? Doesn't have to be someone experienced, any friend, horsey or otherwise, will do as a cameraman and a second pair of eyes.