What do you consider when buying a horse?

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jack9

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Im doing a diploma over summer while im off uni (yes mad i know)... I dont have to do what im asking you guys BUT i want to pass this with distinction so im researching/ringing horsey mates etc (not just for this topic)


So.... because im useless at polls and to be honest id prefer written answers if anyone would be so kind :) .....

The topic on this section "" is to discuss the different factors to take into consideration when buying a horse....""

Size
Temperament
Age
Weight carrying ability
Experience (yours and thehorses?)
Mare/gelding? etc
Potential (of the horse)
Colour/markings?
Breed?


What do you consider ? whats important....?

ANY pointers welcome - this is a survey im sticking in my assignment as im aiming for 100% as its an open study course and means a lot to me.

Thanks :)
 
Size- very important for me, as needed to be 16.1hh + as I have long legs
Temperament- also very important, had to be nice to be around and easy to work with.
Age- I wanted a youngster, so when using horse advert sites I put in the ages 3-5.
Weight carrying ability- wasn't important, I'm not exactly fat, so anything about 14hh + would easily carry me!!
Experience (yours and thehorses?) It had to be backed, but I wanted something green to work with. Didn't really want something that had already started competing.
Mare/gelding? I looked at both, but would have chosen a mare over a gelding.
Potential (of the horse) Important as I want it to be an eventer, so must have a decent amount of potential, doesn't have to be a world beater.
Colour/markings? Wasn't really important, though I would have prefered a coloured or grey over a chesnut... and wouldn't have ever had a cremello, they creep me out!!
Breed? I was after an ISH, but was considering warmbloods, part bred TBs, not cobs though :P Didn't want anything too chunky.

I also considered conformation of the horse, and ruled out a lot from advert photos. I wasn't very very picky, but wasn't going to come home with something that had really shocking confo. I didn't consider breeding, but some might, particularly if buying a youngster.

Hope that helps :) Btw, I did find a horse, and came home with a 16.3hh, rising 5yo, ISH, coloured mare... who was green but had the basics. So she ticked all the boxes :)
 
Its temperament for me EVERY time; I don't care what the horse looks like, it has to be something nice and steady for me as I have health issues and can't have something that pulls me around.

Geldings preferable; simply because mares never seem to go well for me (dunno why); and I'm a huge cob lover as they're so easy to do and TB's scare me to be honest.

Colour? (sorry trying to remember all the questions); I've a piebald at the mo, so love 'em.

Size - OK anything over 14.2. to 15.1 as I'm only 5'3"
Temperament - most important as above
Age - anything between say 7 - whatever
Weight carrying ability - am not heavy so not an issue
Experience (yours and thehorses?) - I've been riding since I was 7 but have health issues so not a confident rider anymore.
Mare/gelding? etc - as above
Potential (of the horse) - something to Happy Hack on, maybe Riding Club, Trec, Fun Rides etc., and perhaps pop a fence but not vital
Colour/markings? - adore palominos! But love coloured horses coz they're quirky and no two are ever alike
Breed? - a cob every time!
 
I think stable manners are very important, especially if being bought for a child.

Also to consider what you are going to do with the horse and make sure it's well suited for the intended job - we bought a chunky 14.1 NF for our tall 10 year old as we want it to last and not get outgrown / have to buy and sell too soon. He's an all rounder so can do a bit of jumping/XC/Dressage

So
Size Had to be small enough to do childrens classes but wide enough to hide long legs!
Temperament impeccable manners, he will stand and be groomed all day (so long as some hay about to nibble), is excellent with farrier, to load etc This was essential for us
Age We wanted something young enough we could sell if she outgrew/went to Uni
Weight carrying ability A bonus as I can ride him
Experience (yours and thehorses?)Young and low mileage but eminently willing and easily learns
Mare/gelding? etc not fussed but we got a gelding
Potential (of the horse) Just had to be or be capable of being a good allrounder
Colour/markings? not fussed but not tooo much white given last was grey!
Breed? I prefered a native = easier for showing = no plaiting!
 
It really depends on what you want to do, and who the horse is for.

For me, I wanted a mare, under 8, with competition experience/potential. I like ISH as usually very honest. Good breeding a plus. Reasonable confirmation - no obvious problems - same with health.. Good straight paces. Temprament quite important, but can often be sorted anyway with good riding and handling.

For my novice husband, again ISH, 5-8yrs, sensible, over 16.2h. Some ability, but not the be all and end all - enough to do local and hunt..

For his son aged 11, as a second pony, kindness, honesty, over 8. PC experience... As above for health and conformation.
 
When I go to see the horse iv fancied in a ad ( size sex etc already known) so I look stright at the feet and work up. The old saying no foot no horse is a good one and good hoofs and legs go a long way to the soundness off any horse. If I'm not happy with the feet and legs I won't buy. Conformation is a must again poor conformation = problems. Only when I'm happy with that will I go into it more and try horse etc. And a final though I always think about is re sell value, I know it sounds mad when your buying but chances are you will sell at some point so is it sellable again in a few years time, will age still be ok, any faults which could cause a prob selling, if so don't buy.
Sorry I'm mad I know
 
In order of importance for me.
1. Soundness. (Must be sound for the purpose I want it for, and not have had any previous tendon injuries. I will always pay for full vetting to include scans. It's worth its weight in gold. No horse is perfect and I don't mind having a horse with imperfections as long as I know what I'm in for, and know I can manage it, and it wont affect what I want to do in the long run.)
2. Size
3. Age. not too young nor too old. (between 6 and 10 is what I would look at)
4. Temperament. Very important! (A horse with a sensible head on, will always go much further and will always be a pleasure, compared to a horse who is difficult and complicated to do.)
5. Ability to do the job I want it for.
6. conformation. (I don't show, so not hugely important, but a horse with decent confo is more likely to last longer, and less likely to develop wear and tear problems at an early age.)
 
For me, first of all the price range as there is no point looking at something you cannot afford.

I have only ever bought a handful of horses but I have not been fussy as to mare/gelding/size/age within reason but as I compete they have had to have the ability/potential to do what I want to do.

The main thing I think is that the first impression when I saw the horse was that I liked him or her. That probably means conformation and temperment but at first sight, if you know what I mean and so those are probably the two top issues for me.

That said, last time I went horse shopping I wanted a grey ex racehorse which is exactly what I bought.
 
i seriously cant thank you guys enough for spending your time filling this in!!!!

:) :) :) :)

thank you :)


(better make sure i write it up good and pass now!!) no pressure :D
 
Depends what I'm looking for tbh. Never 'specifically' look really, but if it's of a useful stamp for whichever job we'd be looking at it for [be it a Riding horse, Hunter, Hack,Cob, M&M, Hairy, etc]...then as long as it's sound,no health issues and near enough spot on conformation, then that's all I really need to know. The level of training, quirks etc are all non-essential to an extent to me as it's 'reschooled' so to speak to go like how we like it to once we get it anyway. Younger the better ideally, but anything under 9 or 10 considered if it's done a bit already.
Very rarely actually went to ride etc most of the ones we have, but that's a personal choice. I like to see them stood up and moving freely. Not had a bad one yet really so must be doing something right.

Out of choice, ones I'll be browsing for straight away is anything over 17.2hh and the bigger the better. 18+hhers always catch my eye! Always on the lookout for a true heavyweight type too :)

Then the hairies obviously.....anything solid with masses of hair and feather....yes please!!!!
 
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I will buy a 2yr old to live in a field and for me to back and produce. I've done this for a while. I like to get them at 2 so you have a year or so to do ground work and generally get to know the horse. Also, 2 tr olds I've had before have come from stabled / pro / competition homes and I usually find they need a year to live in a field and relax for a bit! So:

Size: to make 16hh ish. Nothing over 16.2hh as my mum and auntie do alot of ground work and dont like them too big! That said, we did just have one that ended up 17.1hh - but we do have her sister who is only 15.2hh so either we've got a midget or a mutant!
Temperament: calm but talented!
Age:2!
Weight carrying ability: well, it will have to carry me but I'm not huge so not really applicable!
Experience (yours and thehorses?): mine - backed and broken horses. Did pony trial eventing as a kid but have only had babies recently as they are easier to fit in around studying.
Mare/gelding? I'm not fussed but auntie prefers mares!
Potential (of the horse): Usually like a bit of eventing breeding in there. View to produce a half decent young eventer.
Colour/markings? Not fissed but tend to be buying coloureds recently!
Breed? Anything as long as it has prospect
 
Monsters said:
Better make sure you get your 100% now or we will want to know why :p
Click to expand...

i know :D

i just posted task 1 today and am getting everything online hopefully as of next week :)

i get 2 qualifications altogether and some fancy letters after my name....:lol: (i swear im not just doing the course for the letters!! lol)



thanks for the replies :D :D
 
Great post for me as I'm looking for a horse right now ;D

Size 15.2 - 16.2hh. I want one big enough to not struggle with BSJA or BE and one that will last me until I'm an adult (only 15 atm)
Temperament I love cuddly horses :P but not really important. I'd not want a nippy, kicking horse that barges etc, we have one that barges out of his stable on the yard, terribly embarrassing for his owner!
Age 5-10 preferably. I've really enjoyed helping break in a few of the horses at the yard, but I wouldn't want to do it myself. I want something that has the basics, but I can bring on.
Weight carrying ability Not too important as I am quite light, though I must consider what my weight will be in 10 years :P
Experience (yours and the horses?) Not too fussed, just the basics established. Preferably started in jumping (obviously not too high if only 5 or 6)
Mare/gelding? I'd prefer a gelding, as this is what all my favourite horses & ponies have been and I really seem to not get on with many mares! I wouldn't mind a non-mareish horse though; I'm a moody teenager, having a moody horse would not be a good match!
Potential (of the horse) I'd want something that could take me up the levels in BSJA or BE, but s/he wouldn't have to have grand prix potential.
Colour/markings? I love chestnuts. I am just so drawn to them! But I am partial to a nice bay... I like socks, stars and blazes :D
Breed? Not a cob. I'd want something like a TB, ISH or similar. We have a lovely ex racehorse, and I'd want something like him.
 
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