FlashHarry
Well-Known Member
As title really. I'm after something for son & I to share, that can box, hack & jump a small fence. Is it unreasonable to ask to see it load? What is your routine? I don't want to omit something important.
What do you ask to see do when viewing a horse to buy?
- Thread starter FlashHarry
- Start date
Divasmum
Well-Known Member
The passport. You can then check breeding and vaccinations.
NeedNewHorse
Well-Known Member
You can ask to see anything you want!!! If you are buying something to perform circus tricks than ask to see them, if you want to buy something that jumps 5ft than ask to see it do so.
If you want a nice unflappable type, then ask to see it being ridden, loaded, hacked out down the lane whatever.
Never feel stupid about asking questions... Make a list of everything you want to know and then ask them all and ask to see what you deem necessary.
xxx
If you want a nice unflappable type, then ask to see it being ridden, loaded, hacked out down the lane whatever.
Never feel stupid about asking questions... Make a list of everything you want to know and then ask them all and ask to see what you deem necessary.
xxx
vhf
Well-Known Member
Ask about anything that's important to you. You have to be sure you're getting the right horse. If they care, they have to be sure their horse is getting the right home, so they won't mind. Just be tactful. I've had the oddest questions/requests when selling and I don't mind at all so long as it doesn't sound like they're assuming I'm crooked and trying to catch me out! But don't DO anything to someone's horse without asking first, I had someone suddenly run a sharp object along my young horse's spine which quite upset him, and therefore me!
zoeshiloh
Well-Known Member
My routine;
Arrive 20 minutes early at least, so you can see if they are lunging the hell out of it, having to tack it up in advance etc.
Ask to tack up myself, so I can see whether he/she has any bad habits, and how good they are in the stable. Then get the owner to ride basics - walk, trot, canter and little jump. Then I do the same. If all is well I ask if I can take him/her down the road, just so that I can see what they are like in traffic etc, whether they are happy to go out on ther own, how spooky they are.
If all that is ok, I then untack, give the horse a brush over, see how he reacts to having tickly bits (tummy etc) brushed, pick up legs etc etc. Ask when he/she was last shod, and then look at shoes to see how much wear there is - has horse been ridden regularly or is he/she just standing around as a field ornament most of the time.
I also like to see them walked up and trotted up without tack, in a headcollar just so I can see how they move. I also like to watch them being turned back out so that I can see how they are being led to and from the field.
I have never asked to see a horse being loaded at a viewing, but if they have a trailer/box there then I can't see why not. I don't keep my trailer at the yard, but if someone phoned and asked before coming that they'd like to see the horse load, I would make sure my trailer was there so that I could demonstrate.
Never be over enthusiastic about anything, if anything be a bit negative, that way it makes haggling easier. If for example you say "he felt like he was a bit stiff on the right rein" it might worry an inexperienced seller into knocking a bit off the price.
Good luck anyway - hope you find what you are looking for.
Arrive 20 minutes early at least, so you can see if they are lunging the hell out of it, having to tack it up in advance etc.
Ask to tack up myself, so I can see whether he/she has any bad habits, and how good they are in the stable. Then get the owner to ride basics - walk, trot, canter and little jump. Then I do the same. If all is well I ask if I can take him/her down the road, just so that I can see what they are like in traffic etc, whether they are happy to go out on ther own, how spooky they are.
If all that is ok, I then untack, give the horse a brush over, see how he reacts to having tickly bits (tummy etc) brushed, pick up legs etc etc. Ask when he/she was last shod, and then look at shoes to see how much wear there is - has horse been ridden regularly or is he/she just standing around as a field ornament most of the time.
I also like to see them walked up and trotted up without tack, in a headcollar just so I can see how they move. I also like to watch them being turned back out so that I can see how they are being led to and from the field.
I have never asked to see a horse being loaded at a viewing, but if they have a trailer/box there then I can't see why not. I don't keep my trailer at the yard, but if someone phoned and asked before coming that they'd like to see the horse load, I would make sure my trailer was there so that I could demonstrate.
Never be over enthusiastic about anything, if anything be a bit negative, that way it makes haggling easier. If for example you say "he felt like he was a bit stiff on the right rein" it might worry an inexperienced seller into knocking a bit off the price.
Good luck anyway - hope you find what you are looking for.
quirky
Well-Known Member
I probably wouldn't ask to see it load but when I went to pick it up and it didn't load, I wouldn't take it .... if it was an absolute must that it loads well.
If I did want to see it load, I'd ask them in advance as not all people may have their 4x4 or trailer keys with them.
If I did want to see it load, I'd ask them in advance as not all people may have their 4x4 or trailer keys with them.
Kenzo
Well-Known Member
Photos are always good to have a look at, most ponies/horses that are worth there weight in gold and been sold privately, have been round the PC/RC circuit, most owners will have stacks of photos of them being shown/jumped/dressage etc etc gives an idea of exactly what the pony has been up in the last couple of years.
Also with most genuine ponies, you can trace back previous owners, the owner is willing to give you names/numbers so you can find out the ponies history, that is usually a good sign too.
Also with most genuine ponies, you can trace back previous owners, the owner is willing to give you names/numbers so you can find out the ponies history, that is usually a good sign too.
CBFan
Well-Known Member
Ask to see anything you like!
There is no reason why an honest seller would not want to demonstrate that their horse loads if they have advertised it as being good to do so... I have asked for this before and so has a friend of mine. neither of us were frowned at.
There is no reason why an honest seller would not want to demonstrate that their horse loads if they have advertised it as being good to do so... I have asked for this before and so has a friend of mine. neither of us were frowned at.
DW Team
Well-Known Member
Ask anything you want to. Having been caught out I always make a point of asking about how they are with the farrier. Did not ask with one and it turned out to be a nightmare kicking out at the pore farrier.
Equestrian92
Well-Known Member
Ask to see passport, vacs etc, loading, hacking alone and in company, putting in field and catching in field, obviously ridden and jumped, tacked up.
night_mare
Well-Known Member
there is a page at http://www.equine-world.co.uk/buying_horses/enquiring_horse_for_sale.htm that lists some questions to ask when ringing up about a horse and http://www.equine-world.co.uk/buying_horses/viewing_horse_for_sale.htm that gives advice on viewing a horse.
doonrocket
Well-Known Member
My advice would be to write down all the questions you intend to ask with space to record the reply.
This helps with owners that go off on a tangent leaving you forgetting to ask a question , the answer to which you find out after taking the time and petrol to go and see the horse.
The more questions you ask on the phone the more time you will save yourself.
examples:
How long have you had the horse?
What bit do you ride him in?
Any vices?
Any lameness?
How much work is he in?
Whats he like in traffic?
Does he buck or rear?
what's he like with the farrier?
How easy is he to catch?
"Clip?
The list could be endless, as an owner I would rather be asked on the phone than give up time to see a buyer who is not suitable.
This helps with owners that go off on a tangent leaving you forgetting to ask a question , the answer to which you find out after taking the time and petrol to go and see the horse.
The more questions you ask on the phone the more time you will save yourself.
examples:
How long have you had the horse?
What bit do you ride him in?
Any vices?
Any lameness?
How much work is he in?
Whats he like in traffic?
Does he buck or rear?
what's he like with the farrier?
How easy is he to catch?
"Clip?
The list could be endless, as an owner I would rather be asked on the phone than give up time to see a buyer who is not suitable.
jhoward
Demon exorcist...
tell me the worst / bad things about the horse.. it gets people every time! lets face it nobody tends to sell a horse on its bad bits and really who asks? when selling a horse i find people are oh hes wonderful mood... well thats great. but before i travel 200 miles i want to know the worst habits the horse does LOL the good bits are a bonus.
i do find that it throws people off track and you get a much more honest conversation.
aLSO rather than listening for an hour to what the horse does etc i just tell the seller what im after and will the horse fit the bill.. and go from there.
basically i trust no one!
i do find that it throws people off track and you get a much more honest conversation.
aLSO rather than listening for an hour to what the horse does etc i just tell the seller what im after and will the horse fit the bill.. and go from there.
basically i trust no one!