what questions to ask when buying a horse?

[Jonesab]

Hi

What other things should I ask?

- age
- breeding (incl, papers, etc)
- level of competing
- why the owner is selling
- what the horse is like to load, shoe, etc
- how long they have had it?

can you think of anything else?

thanks.

 

[AmyMay]

How is it to clip?
What has it been doing recently?
What's it like with other horses?
Can you see the passport?

 

[lizzie_liz]

has it ever been lame?
whats it like to handle in and out of the stable
has it hads it teeth etc checked regulsrly?

 

[Blizzard]

Does it have any vices?

Is it good to hack alone and in company?

Is it good in traffic?

 

[Rambo]

Why are you selling it ?

 

[ladylisa]

will it live in/out
good doer or not
hay/hayledge

 

[Clodagh]

Not a question, but make sure its not tied up in its stable, or already tacked up for you.

 

[dieseldog]

Any reason why it would fail a vetting?

 

[katie2022]

Vaccinations - when - are they up to date? Had back and teeth checked - if so when? Have they got any history of the horse?

 

[samp]

What is it like to shoe? Will it load in lorry and trailer? how does it behave at shows? How does it behave in company? Any known vices or quirks? What is the management at the momnet i.e. in 24/7, out in day in at night?

 

[Tempi]

- whats it like in a field with others
- how often is it turned out
- whats it like in arena with other horses
- does its temperment change when out competing
- does it travel in a lorry or a trailer
- what is it feed/how often
- hay or haylage

 

[galaxy]

If it's a mare, ask if it is at all mareish and what it's like when it's in season! (Learnt the hard way!)

 

[RLF]

make sure it has access to water and is not dehydrated, can make a horse appear calmer than it is.
make sure you see it in and out of the stable just in case theres any vices. I would also want to see it load

 

[Tempi]

has it ever napped? (although they are unlikely to tell you the truth even if it has!)

 

[cheeryplatypus]

ask about any 'quirks' and how often it is worked at present (if requires worked everyday may go a bit loopy in the winter when this may not always be possible)
see the horse on a few occasions and if at all unsure dont buy (learnt the hard way)

 

[OWLIE185]

Ask to see it's veterinary and worming history.

 

[gnubee]

Before you go to see it, ask if there are any conformation faults, as often arent visible in photos
(although sooo many people seem to think that pigeon toes etc. are not worth mentioning when you ask that question grrrrr.)