Viewing - how would you?

[crazyhorses1]

hey guys had afew posts on here now for advice, basically when i view a horse i havnt got anyone to go with me, so would you go first on ur own, 2nd time with instructor and 3rd with vet/and or instructor? or how would you go about it? cheers!

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Hiya
If you have no one to view with you at all first time round, then you could go alone, but as you suggest take along say your instructor the second time if you like the horse enough.
I would view one on my own first time round, but I would want a second opinion in case I missed any important points.
Good luck with your viewings. I am currently window shopping and hoping to view some in January as I just cant take any more months without a lovely horsey in it of my own

 

[Theocat]

That's how I'd do it, although not sure I'd be there for the vetting.

Definitely first time alone, and instructor the second time if I liked it enough to go back.

 

[hula]

I would take my horsey OH or a horsey friend. I find I get to excited by what I'm seeing that I tend to overlook silly things and don't ask the right questions. If someone is with me they give me a gentle reminder and are honest in what they think of the horse. If your instructor is willing to go on a first viewing with you, take them, they may have some helpful tips. If not take a horsey friend that knows what they are looking at

 

[crazyhorses1]

lol like i said i dont have anyone i can take with me! only instructor (which i dont even have one yet!) and the vet

 

[Clodagh]

If you ask around - assuming you have a yard you are planning on keeping the horse on - I'm sure you will be able to find someone 'professional' to go and look with you. You may have to pay them but well worth it IMO.

 

[MrsHutt]

If you can, video the owner riding the horse and if you ride him, get them to video you too. That way you can have a look at home in the cold light of day and get other people to offer their opinion.

(I did that when we looked at H - and then totally ignored the advice of others

I'm SOOO glad I did )

 

[AmyMay]

Yes, go have a little look on your own. If you like the horse, then arrange for your instructor to go with you a second time.

And always be there for the vetting.

 

[rockysmum]

If you have no one horsey to go with you on your first visit, take another family member, you never know what you are walking into these days.

I personally take my mother, she is not interested in horses at all but will talk to anyone

Its amazing what information she finds out chatting to other people on yards.

For example we were looking for a pony for my daughter, saw quite a nice one, I had some worries, couldn't put my finger on what. My mother comes over, says dont let daughter get on it, make excuses and leave. We did, when we got in the car she told me a couple of older liveries on the yard had expressed concerns for my daughter safety. Apparently they had never seen the horse this quiet and thought it had been drugged. Seller was playing at being a dealer and had only had the horse a fortnight, horse was normally completely crazy.

Had a few similar experiences over the years.

 

[Tickles]

If you are going to buy a horse you must have somewhere horse-friendly (that should have equine company) to keep it. Whoever is renting you a stable/grass livery/whatever would probably like a say in the animal that you are going to keep there so take them. All the YMs I know take an interest in the animals on their yards. if you are going somewhere DIY then you could ask another DIY-er as a nice get-to-know-you thing.

If for some reason this doesn't apply then
- be sure you're really ready to buy
- take a non-horsey person with you with a list of all the things you need to know written down to remind you... and make sure the current owners ride before you do!

 

[mik]

I used to take anyone with me, often dad, who knew nothing, or a friend, even if they are non horsey; it is great to have someone else to ask inane questions and to LISTEN. I would do the looking and the other person would just ask seemingly innocent questions, like what does he eat, where do you ride him etc. Often things are let slip, (tendency to coilics, wont load, etc) and even someone non horsey who has been primed beforehand and listens can be very very useful.

 

[crazyhorses1]

really appreicate all of ur help

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I agree that you need to take some-one else (any-one else) with you for your own safety. It is always good to get someone else's opinion about what has been said, even if your friend is non-horsey. It can be quite interesting, comparing notes afterwards!

Definitely see the horse ridden before you get on it.

 

[crazyhorses1]

that could be a problem with taking someone, i dont want anyone knowing!

 

[WombatStew]

Just curious as why wouldn't you want anyone to know?

 

[maree t]

Wouldnt want to go completely on my own to a strange yard.
Where abouts are you perhaps someone on here might have a bit of time after all we all know that you are looking now dont we

 

[crazyhorses1]

yeah defo, could poss take someone from work, i dont want anyone knowing cos i wanna see their faces! poss found one but miles away, well 2 but one isnt in work at the moment (hasnt been for about a year) in essex/herts borders