What should I do when trying horses?

[AlessaPapa]

Hello guys!
I am new here and I have many questions but first of all,I am going to buy a horse,I found the horses I want and I am going to try them in 3 weeks but I want to know what should I do with them and what should I pay attention to?

Sorry for the spelling and all but english is my second language

 

[Equestriangirl123]

I've had a lot of experience in buying horses I've made many mistakes but now I have the most perfect horse

Want you want to do is make sure the owner rides it first ( also turn up half an hour early so you can see it being caught ) watch it in the school and out on a hack .

Then once you think it's safe get on it yourself and try it in EVERY situation possible , take it out on the road , check it's good in traffic , make sure it's not spooky or gives you any sense of fear .take it in the school and see how it responds to your aids . Also , check it's ok with cows ( I had a dreadful experience with a previous horse) .

Then once you have ridden it you need to touch all over it's body , see if it's sensitive at all or puts it's ears back at any point .

If you are happy with what you have seen that day ask to come back again to ride it and arrange a day . This time you need to tack it up yourself and ride it first !

Hopefully you will now get a sense of whether you connect with this horse or not . If not don't worry there is plenty more out there !

Finally if you are still happy with it then arrange a vetting , I usually do a 2 star .


REMEMBER: never take the owners word on what they try to tell you about the horse , half the time they just want it sold and will tell you any old rubbish . Make sure you put it in every airily ok possible before you agree to buy.,

 

[Equestriangirl123]

* situation

 

[Booboos]

Take someone experienced with you, idealy your instructor who knows your riding abilities - it is very easy to get taken in by a seller!

First see the horse in the stable, see how he reacts to someone walking in, putting a head collar on, feel his legs, take off his rugs and have a good look all around for any lumps and bumps. While doing this ask the owner a million questions, e.g. when did they get the horse, what was it doing before, what have they done with it, will it hack (alone, in company, in traffic, in open spaces), has it ever bucked/reared/pissed off, how many times have they had the vet out and what for, does it travel well, etc.

Then ask to see the horse walked and troted in a straight line on a hard surface (can you tell if a horse is lame? If not you must take someone more experienced with you).

Then ask to see the horse ridden by the owner in a safe environment like a school or small fenced in paddock. Do not get on the horse if the owner refuses!!!! Ask the owner to show the kinds of things you want to do with the horse, e.g. if you want to do dressage to a certain level ask for movements at that level, if you want to jump ask the owner to warm up the horse and pop over some fences.

If all goes well ask to ride the horse. If you feel safe and are enjoying the ride ask to go on a small hack. Don't let the owner walk next to the head of the horse, he is giving it a lead! Go out by yourself, even if it is to the bottom of the drive, but try coming back to the yard, turning around and going back out again to check the horse is not nappy. Ask to see a car driven by the horse and if they have a tractor as the same for the tractor (to be safe first ask the vehicle to pass in front of the horse, if he seems chilled then ask the vehicle to overtake by your side).

If all is well negotiate a price and get a vetting organised by a vet of your choosing. Be present at the vetting to see exactly what happens.

Good luck!

 

[AlessaPapa]

Thanks for your reply!I was thinking to ride it bareback too so I know how he is in that too(I really love bareback riding so I want a horse thats ok with it.).I don't have the luck to go and see it 2 times but only one so I will earlier than I had arranged so the owner will be a bit off guard and I will put the owner to do all the things with the horse first and then do them myself?Is that right?

 

[Equestriangirl123]

Yes do that then as you want this horse to be perfect for you .

It's always best to get the owner to do it all first incase the horse is unsafe in any situation .

Also , you can always ask whether you can have the horse on trial for a week or two , they may be reluctant but may also be willing ( depending how much they care about the animal )

do you have an advert for the horse you could show us ?

If you want any more advice feel free to message me

 

[AlessaPapa]

I have the 2 of the 3 adverts but they are in Greek so I will put the photos and translate.I also have talked with the owners on the phone so I will write what I remember.

 

[AlessaPapa]

1.6 year old mare
6 year old mare,1.70cm in height,very good character,ideal for hacking.
http://http://www.bambam.gr/ads/show/252353.aspx

2.4 year old gelding.
1.65cm height,is excellent in hacking,okay with grooming/bathing/tacking-up/mounting/riding/horse e.t.c,really friendly.
http://http://www.bambam.gr/ads/show/252185.aspx

3.6 year old gelding,

Loves water,1.65cm height,excellent in hacking,okay with horses and caring,stands still while mounting,friendly,okay with blankets and all,suitable for kids.

P.S Things are different here in Greece with the horses,so young horses are not spooky and they are okay for all the types of riders.

 

[Equestriangirl123]

Ahh can't open the links for some reason . I remember riding some horses In Rhodes they were lovely .

Good luck

 

[AlessaPapa]

Try again
I fixed them.