Viewing my first horse

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Fallenrose

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Hello, hope you horsey people can give me some advice! Going to see my first horse today, who on paper looks perfect. I've had horses on loan before and been riding for many years but this is my first buying experience.

Think I've got everything covered but if anybody could add anything that would be great...

Going for first viewing today and taking an experienced horsey friend, got a LONG list of questions about his health, personality etc

Going to see owner ride him first in menage and on road and then I will ride in menage. Also see him trotted up and check him over for lumps/bumps.

If all goes well then I'm going to see him at a competition on Sat

Then will arrange a second viewing with more riding (jumping)

If all is still going well then will arrange a vetting

Will ask about possibility of a trial and warrenty.

Plus I wondered when he gets vetted will that include his teeth and back being checked?
And can we draw up a warrenty between us or does it needs a solicitor, and if it does how do you go about that/how much would it cost?

I know the possibility of the first horse I try being 'the one' are slim but he does sound great and owner seems honest about his good and bad points.

Thank you!
 
Hope all goes well, how exciting. Seems you have everything covered. If it is a private sale i would very surprised if they offer any warranty, tends to be 'buyer beware', ask lots of questions eg
NOT, does he have any vices
BUT does it crib, windsuck etc, be specific.
You can ask for a trial, i personally wouldn't allow one of mine to go out on trial, don't be offended if they say no (to trial or warranty).
The vet will check his teeth mainly to age him and will probably run a finger down his back but that is often as far as it goes (ime).
Good luck.
 
How exciting! I hope all goes well and it does sound like you've thought of most things and I cant offer much advice, warranty wise - are you going to a dealer or is this a private sale? if its private I've never heard of warranty being offered, although stand to be corrected...

If its a dealer, go with your eyes wide open (I'm not saying all dealers are bad!), and use your gut instinct if you feel like something isnt right.


Best of luck and have fun.
 
The 5 stage vetting will include the vet looking in the horses mouth. he will also examine the horses back.

As for a warranty being drawn up between you - that's a new one on me - not that I don't think it's a good idea, I am not sure how enforceable it would be.

From my own bad experience, I would definately ask the vendor to give you a written receipt that states clearly the horse is good in ALL the areas that you require it to be. Item by item, not just a sweeping statement.

I now own a horse with a number of unexpected problems and I don't have a leg to stand on and I thought I had been careful.
 
How exciting for you! good luck and make sure you ask all your questions! however if you don't like the Horse when you view, don't be afraid to be honest with the seller. There are so many Horses on the market at the moment. I went through 7 before I found Ruby.

I had her 5* vetted and vet checked her back and teeth. Good luck with your search
 
How exciting!
It does sound as though you have got just about everything covered, the only other thing I would ask to do is a short hack, so that you can feel how he goes on different terrain and in traffic for yourself.
Sorry I can't advise about a warranty, I've never asked for one myself and TBH I'm not sure many sellers will want to give one.
IME, if you have chosen the horse to view carefully, and the seller is honest about it, the first horse you see could well be 'the one'.
Good luck! Remember to keep us updated (with pics of course)
 
Thanks for advice ! :) Good point about asking about each specific vice - rather than just making a sweeping statement, and about going on a hack.

It's a private buy so I suppose I meant a written receipt stating he is vice free and has been sound etc rather than a warrenty.

And am prepared for her to say no to a trial, but I will ask on the off chance!

Am very excited but trying to stay calm!
 
Main thing is Don't EVER EVER be talked into riding a horse that you are not 100% comfortable getting on, no matter what they say!! Also as you say make sure someone else rides it first

The first time I went looking I was a novice, 2nd time I was only 3 months after seriously fracturing my ankle and am not very strong as I have RA. so I always took a fall jockey too, as often horses react differently with a different rider so I wanted it to be someone more likely to stay on :D even though technically I ride better than my jockey ie can ride a horse more correctly, she is far better at staying on when it goes wrong, so the combination of the two of us worked really well

There were 2 horses that I didn't ride, one she said there was no point in me trying as he was too strong for me, the other well no way was I getting on, I thought she was mad doing so :D

Remember so many many sellers lie !!!!!!!!!!! so ask same question differently :p make it clear you are having a 5 stage vet even if your not

Despite being very thorough on the phone I still travelled 1500 miles seeing over 20 horses BUT it was so worth the wait

I now would not even bother seeing a horse if it had been advertised longer than 2 weeks. this is because I wanted what everyone wants ie 15.3 -16.3hh good sane allrounder or suitable to train as all rounder for less than £3500
Both of my last 2 were only advertised hours before and I was first to view
 
Best advice I can offer is google their contact details. Often smaller dealers pretend to be private sellers, googling their telephone number and email address will bring up any past adverts. :)
 
Bubley898 said:
Best advice I can offer is google their contact details. Often smaller dealers pretend to be private sellers, googling their telephone number and email address will bring up any past adverts. :)
Click to expand...

oh yeah forgot this, it saved me a few times too I still bought both horses from dealers but at least they weren't pretending not too be :D
 
I am to looking for a new horse at the moment, this is for my daughter, we saw our 5th horse yesterday (this is after failed vettings and horses not being as advertised when we got there), I hope im not tempting fate but the horse we saw yesterday is hopefully the one, he is being vetted tomorrow and fingers crossed he passes and comes home with us. Owners seem very nice and was honest on phone when I asked re marks/bumps etc as we want for showing.
Keep your chin up and the right horse is out there waiting for you. Good luck :)
 
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