Would you get on a horse without seeing it ridden?

Nope. Did it once many moons ago - with a horse I was looking to loan. Got broncked off and knocked unconscious. No damage done other than to my confidence. Will never be the same. Lesson learned!
 
I almost replied, no, not any more as I'm now considered disabled due to getting decked and fracturing my spine, but then I remembered that I got on the new horse without seeing anyone ride him first and never even thought about it! I'd spent a lot of time talking to his owner and they both seemed very genuine, so I just hopped on and went hacking out down the road. On reflection, not clever! I am no longer capable of sitting out ninja moves, or in fact anything more than a scuttle :P But I felt so comfortable with the situation it never crossed my mind until now, oops! :P
 
I'm quite happy to do it - it's part of my job!

Started in current job 3 weeks ago - 1st day, brought 4 x 5 yr olds from the field where they've been for 3 months, tacked them up, lunged them briefly, then got on and w/t/c round the arena. 2nd day, got straight on them and hacked them all down the road. No worries.

Had a horse arrive off the boat from Ireland yesterday, unseen with only the previous owner's word for his good behaviour. Lunged him 2 circuits each way, just to see how he moved and that he was sound after the journey, got on, 15 mins ridden in the school, then hacked him down into the village.

I've been doing this for nearly 40 years and have never had a near-miss. I use common sense and experience to judge what's appropriate, but I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of horses I've chosen not to on. Sometimes I'll lunge first, but it's often just to get a feel of the horse, rather than to get rid of excess energy.
 
No never again!

Went to try a Horse for share and it panic bolted, fell over and my leg went through a concrete pipe which came off the wall and snapped (left with a scar now) it totally ruined riding for me and I lost all my confidence.

That was 6 years ago, im much more confident now, but I still can't get that out of my head.

Turns out the Horse had been on 6 months box rest and hadn't been sat on or been out stable! He since did it with 2 others (breaking ones back) so he was shot.
 
Well when we were at the auction that day (1992) and I was stood there staring at Seren, my lovely late mare, I at 11 years old was shoved on her back, no hat, no fear back then I might add by the seller, he had pulled her tail moments before to show me how quiet she was! She was only 2-3 years old at the time, she was my horse of a lifetime, she did not sell in the ring and my parents bought her outside the ring and they delivered her home to us.

Nell was unbroken so a different story, when I was looking I did preferably want something that had already been backed as I am not as brave i was when I was younger, like many of us! If I were to view a broken horse I would want to see it ridden first without a doubt, as others say, age makes you more cautious!
 
I went to see a FTGH arab that had issues being saddled. It hadn't been ridden for 6mths, but I wanted to see if I could do anything with it, so rode it bareback. I did fall off when he shyed, but it wasn't the horse's fault ! :)
 
Before reading this thread it had never occurred to me that I should see a horse ridden first. In my defence though, I have always bought or ridden horses through people I know rather than strangers so more trust there (hopefully!).

I will definitely think twice now before doing it though.
 
I did go and see a 4 yo entire sec D once, knowing that there was no one to show him ridden first. I saw lots of photos of him being ridden on a busy road, and was repeatedly told how quiet he was.

I lunged him, and he seemed steady enough.

When I brought him to the mounting block, he got a bit antsy and his head kept coming up. "Oh, its nothing, you'll be fine!" the owner said. I led him round and kept representing him to the mounting block and getting my foot in the stirrup, but he was not happy.

I left it at that, and was called all sorts of names by the owner for declining to ride.

I wonder what would have happened if I'd braved it and got on?
 
I went to a dealers yard early last year having seen the many adverts for seemingly suitable horses for me. I arrived and they said I could hack out on which ever one I fancied most and my sister could take the other one I liked along with their groom. It didn't occur to me to ask someone to hop on first nor to ask how long the one they were pushing me toward had been with them. Any who I'm quickly on a section d heading out the yard on the road when I get a buck followed by a spin, ummm this supposed to be novice/anyone's ride?? O says groom, she's. Got back from loan today she never acted like that 2 years ago, I ask is this the first time she's been out today? Yes, she says, you are the first person on her since she came back! I got off, I went back to the yard, I never went down the dealer route again. How they can take such risks not knowing if I could ride, not knowing if the horse was sound or safe.

So I think the answer to the question is no, not any more!
 
If I dont know the owner well and 100% trust them, no.
I've had a few bad experiences of it and never again! However I recently started riding a friends horse but trusted when she said it was safe, it definitely would be
 
Yes, but I like to see the horse lunged first in full tack to get a general idea of what I'm letting myself in for. I also tell owners that although I don't mind horses that buck/rear/spin or whatever, I would rather they tell me if they are likely to do so before I get on.
 
No, I can think of no circumstance when an able-bodied, healthy non-pregnant owner can't at least mount the horse and sit on it for a few steps at walk in an enclosed space, no matter how much confidence they have lost, or find a friend who can show the horse for them.
I once went to view a gorgeous Appaloosa mare, who very much looked like one we had owned for 25 yrs. I had explained to the owner that I was recovering from a broken ankle and needed a very mannerly horse which would stand at a mounting block for mounting and dismounting. She seemed very surprised when I insisted that she get on before either sister or I did. We followed her round the buildings, passing a very suitable stone block, to a field, where as she hopped around for several minutes, the owner said to her daughter 'Close the gate or she'll be off'(!). She did eventually manage to get on but then the mare wouldn't go to the other end of the paddock from the daughter's pony. Needless to say, although under other circumstances we would have loved to buy the mare and teach her some manners, we thanked the owner for her time and left while she was still sitting on the horse.
 
Bav said:
I am slightly glad to see I'm possibly not the only muppet that would get on haha!
I know its daft but I do sometimes think the owner who is loaning needs to be more honest then a seller as the loaner is capable of sending the horsey back!

I have asked for him to be lunged so that I can see him move and she seems more then happy to do this! I'm normally a good judge of character with horses and will know in my gut whether to get on or not. But I do wait for the day when I'm wrong!
Click to expand...

you would think so but I once did exactly this, horse was for loan for OH nervous novice, I got on and mare reared vertical 2 or 3 times. another one took off full pelt around the arena, I baled just before it crashed through the fence

As you say you would expect someone loaning would be more honest, however sometimes they just want someone to school a horse they cannot sell
 
It would depend on the circumstances. If animal had been sold from field /not in regular work I wouldn't expect to see it ridden - but then I also wouldn't be paying much for it either and it would be a gamble i'd be willing to take... If the owner was present and refused to ride it unless seriously ill/disabled/broken limbs i'd be wondering why but I would want to be informed of it prior to viewing. I only like to see it to make sure it's safe and sane-ish and a horse will never go as well for a complete stranger as it will it's regular rider, unless it's a well set up and experienced show horse (of which I would never be able to afford anyway) :)
 
I was about to say no, but then remembered that I have with three when buying! One was the first horse we bought when I was a teenager, he was the safest horse in the world and we knew no better then :) The second was a ride and drive mare, who I had seen driven before I hopped on, that was about 20 years ago. The most recent was 3years ago, went to look at a pony for a friends children, again advertised as ride and drive but not ridden for a couple of years as had been used as a brood mare. We took her for a walk round the local roads, then I was legged up with her only in a headcollar, she was brilliant and has been ever since :) BUT in theory no :D
 
I have done but the last time I did put a stop too that for life!
A trial horse arranged as a surprise by a friend! Totally not what I wanted but I was assured I'd love him. Then it was mentioned he'd not been ridden in about 18 months but would be fine. I was careful but still got fired across the yard quicker than I could have got back off willingly! Stupidly gave him the benefit of doubt and tried again a few months later when my injury had recovered and ended up in hospital.... With friends like that!
So no I wouldn't, in fact I may not get on anything else again other than my own other horse.
 
Personally, no I haven't and I wouldn't. But when I was looking for a sharer for one of my ponies, even though I offered to ride first, they chose to get on first.
 
How much reliance, as a buyer, would you put on seeing a video of the horse being ridden? (That's an open question not aimed at anyone in particular).

I don't ride (too old!) and getting a rider in the Highlands at short notice can be a problem. To turn the question on it's head, I am not sure I would want to sell to someone who couldn't demonstrate that they could at least catch, tack up, and ride any pony of mine that was sold as broken! It is easy enough to spoil a green horse and people have been known to over estimate their capabilities.
 
I don't know what to do now :( I know they say patience is a virtue but I've been looking and trying, even before last went, to no avail.

It is hard to trust people these days. I've been very honest in my own capabilities, pointing out that I don't mind quirks, although no full on rearers, I don't want to affiliate just do local PC/RC comps and certainly won't be going to HOYS anytime soon, I am used to spooky and strong horses and dont mind those that might put in the odd excitable buck when feeling fresh. But they must have impeccable manners on the ground etc.

Unless anybody has a spare £3000 laying around in their back pockets they wish to give me ;)
 
Just thought I'd do a quick update.

Last weekend I did the dirty, I watched him being caught, helped groom and tack up and watched him being lunged. Saw him spook "or his idea of spooking" and decided that I'd be silly and get on.

Aaannnnnd...best decision I've ever made! Rode like a saint and his spooking is nothing compared to what I'm used to (although he's a big boy at 17.1hh and to his much shorter and older owner I can understand why it would be unsettling) and popped him over a jump! Was an angel!! And so very pretty.
So owner got in touch with some references and then I went back today and hacked out with her on foot and had a walk trot and canter in a large open field full of running sheep, we saw some cows and fishermen and he didn't bat an eyelid! Even jumped some small XC fences! Wish my loyal groom (ex horsey father) had gotten some snaps :(

So safe to say I'm smitten. And thankyou everybody for your stories, it really was appreciated! I went with my gut and got lucky. I know that it could have been a totally different story, but in this instance I'm glad I put my big girl pants on!

Will get more snaps next week for you guys to see the pretty grey giant!
 
Yes, did it with current horse (I had seen quite a lot of videos of him though). I had intended to watch someone on first but owner was having trouble getting hold of intended rider (owner had a condition that meant they could no longer ride hence part of reason for selling) and I'd come a long way so thought what the hell. Horsey behaved himself and obviously bought him (not my brightest moment given all the trouble he's caused me since!)
 
I get on loads of horses without seeing them being ridden. We train horses for a living, we retrain many of them too! I have no qualms about getting on a horse without seeing it being ridden however I'm not an idiot and I'm old enough and had horses for long enough to know that you go through the motions and make sure that the thing is safe (ish) at least beforehand. Follow certain steps and you'll have your answer as to how safe it might be.
 
I usually do when a new ones come in unseen and untried. I tend to lunge/long line first depending on their age and lean over them from each side before I get on with hat and body protector. If theyre able to be lunged I stay on the lunge 5 minutes each side to ger a feel for them before we go solo and see what they know!
 
Bav said:
Just thought I'd do a quick update.

Last weekend I did the dirty, I watched him being caught, helped groom and tack up and watched him being lunged. Saw him spook "or his idea of spooking" and decided that I'd be silly and get on.

Aaannnnnd...best decision I've ever made! Rode like a saint and his spooking is nothing compared to what I'm used to (although he's a big boy at 17.1hh and to his much shorter and older owner I can understand why it would be unsettling) and popped him over a jump! Was an angel!! And so very pretty.
So owner got in touch with some references and then I went back today and hacked out with her on foot and had a walk trot and canter in a large open field full of running sheep, we saw some cows and fishermen and he didn't bat an eyelid! Even jumped some small XC fences! Wish my loyal groom (ex horsey father) had gotten some snaps :(

So safe to say I'm smitten. And thankyou everybody for your stories, it really was appreciated! I went with my gut and got lucky. I know that it could have been a totally different story, but in this instance I'm glad I put my big girl pants on!

Will get more snaps next week for you guys to see the pretty grey giant!
Click to expand...

Brilliant news, looking forward to seeing some photos!
 
Bav, great update!

I think you've got the nail in the head there, he simply wasn't suitable for his current/old owner's confidence levels, not that he is a "bad horse".

Fwiw, the one I've just bought that I tried because the owner flat out refused - is teaching me that he's a pussy-cat. Each and every thing I ask for he delivers and I'm taking him to working hunters in a month and expect him to do well. I went back and watched the videos of others riding him previously and without wanting to toot my own horn, he's already going better!

Lucky for us we stumbled across gems! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top