When looking to buy a horse what questions do you ask?

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vennessa

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At the weekend i went with someone to view a horse. I was asked along from a temperemant point of view, doped? etc. I am the worst person that could be taken along, the right for what i was, but as for a horse to buy a big no, no. I just don't have a clue. Don't get me wrong i have bought horses from auction, two from private sellers in the past but personally i know what i want for me, if it turned out wrong i would live with it.
They asked me what questions to ask. I did not have a clue. I look at a horse, see it moveing. ride (well used to) it etc and make my mind up as people can tell you anything.
Anyway they still want help. When ringing what would you ask? If you viewed what would you ask? In general as i know there are people looking for different things.
The horse they viewed was a darling, but if it was going down the road on its hind legs i would still want to take it home
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One thing troubled me. It was a 12 year old ex-racehorse, has been reschooled and was quite and well behaved to ride. It had an injury as a two year old which ended its career as it took along time to heel. The scar was evident but no proble. The thing was it had very, very noisy joints. I mean very. Walking down the road it was loud above chatting etc The owner said oil sorts it. What do you think. The horse is available for 3 months loan and then purchase for just under £2000. If it were not for the cracking joint i would say it was a bargain. It did have its faults pointed out from a dressage/show point of view.
 
When I was looking last year my initial contact was by telephone.

I asked the seller to tell me about the horse - and then kept my mouth shut. You learn an awful lot like that.

I had three main things I wanted to know.

1. Did it move straight?
2. What was it like in traffic?
3. Could you pick it up and put it down without a problem?

I would then go on to say what I was looking for and did they think it would do the job?

I would expect a horse to be good to shoe and to clip - and asked about those as well.

If I liked what I heard I then went to see the horse.

And asked the same questions all over again. Plus anything else that sprang to mind.

In particular I wanted to know how the horse got on with it's field mates (Amy was a bagagge).
 
I always ask why people are selling. Of course they can (and do) completely bullshit sometimes, but then you can often tell that and give them enough rope, they'll hang themselves.

Oh, and I would ask if the horse had seen the vet while with them (for anything apart from teeth/innoculations). Any vices? What sort of ride? What it did best/less well? Trailer/box? etc, etc.
 
Obviously depends on the job they want the horse for and whether rider is novice or not.

Suggestions:

Is the horse happy to hack out alone?

Does the horse get excited in company?

Is the horse good in all traffic, including buses, tractors, lorries etc.

If it is wanted for jumping - ask for details of recent competition record, whether it normally jumps clear, what height it competes over, whether it has a problem with fillers, ditches or water.

Does the horse have any vices at all?

Is it easy to catch, clip, box and to shoe?

Has it ever been know to rear or buck?

What veterinary problems has it had whilst with present owner?

etc., etc.,
 
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Are they having it vetted? It might sound like a cheap horse (excuse the pun
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) but after you've spent another £2000 on vet bills it's not so cheap...
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I have advised them too if they go ahead with that one. Whilst viewing i too felt what a lovely horse but when after thinking about it for a couple days started to worry about the very noisy joints.
 
I didn't ask nearly enough questions when I bought my lad, and I pay the price daily!

I would want to see full vaccination history. I would want to know how it behaved for the vet (mine is a b*stard to give jabs to) for routine treatments.

I would definitely ask about vices.

I would ask about any previous injuries and illnesses.

I would ask how it behaves with other horses and whether it is happy to work alone and in company.

I would ask what its current routine is (can you do the same with your facilities?) and what it's fed and why. (does hard feed turn it into a raving loon).

How does it behave in traffic, at shows etc.

Does it do what the buyer wants from a horse ie jump, dressage, happy hack.

Does it load in a lorry and a trailer.

And why is it being sold. (although you'll probably never get the truth with that one!)
 
Thankyou everyone i have made notes.
Grumpy Herbert i just had a vision of you asking those questions like the Taz character
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I love that Taz and it did just make me giggle imaganing you lol
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Could you imagine a sellers face if i asked in Taz fashion?
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I have a strange sense of humour. I think i will try and pass on the suggestions as i don't want the backlash of an unsuitable buy from the people. I can't stop giggling now. I have the urge to leap around the room ranting - we have people here! lol
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That would get rid of them
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Totally agree with Jumpthemoon, unless your made of money, don't mind having an expensive pet then please spend that little extra on having the horse vetted, doesn't matter if there a £1000 or a £6000... treatment still costs the same at the end of the day and all horses are the same and will suffer from the same problems be it an expensive all rounder horse or a cheap and cheerful happy hacker, not to mention the heartache of having to re-sell, turn away for 12 months, PTS or only use for light hacking/retirement etc etc.

A few creaks here and there may not be anything to worry about, then again they could be future problems storing up.

Nothing wrong with buying an ex racer and I take my hat off to the knowledgable and experienced people that do give these lovely horses a new career but you have to remember that these horses have that little bit more extra mileage on the clock than your average as they have been through tuff training and lead a hard working life and sometimes a stressful one at an early age, so you might have to expect the odd problem at times...not in all cases but probably most.
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