Horse Buying Help

[toccetTB6]

Ello all,

First off, my parents are finally buckling down and seriously looking for a horse for me! Yay! So I'm considerably happy right now.

In order to probe them in the right direction, however, I am going to answer a few ads that I've circled in order to weed out horses that aren't going to work. I'm hoping this will help my mom, and make it easier for hr to help me get my first horse.

The question I have for everyone here is what are good questions to ask a potential seller? How can I eliminate horses and sellers that just aren't worth the time and gas?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[Slewgal]

Hey, looks like a question I just read over at TBC.com;)

I can't really give you any answers but when I decide I'm ready for my own horse I'd make sure I take a trainer or riding instructor along with me so I don't get talked into buying an unfit horse.

[Ryoko]

the past and present health of the horse is a good question to ask...u dont want to suddenly find your horse has medical problems...uhm....how much has he been ridden? how experienced? how does he go in traffic, horseboxes? does he get on with other horses? any bad habits?...lol just think really hard about what u expect in your future horse and what u r willing to allow. as for eliminating sellers who are a waste of time... i dont know ...the best way to learn is by experience i say :rolleyes: also ask if the horse is ok being touched...some horses bite and kick out which can be very dangerous...but be careful with a new horse anyway...u never know. and check the horse over when u first meet it (carefully dont get bit!!) and make sure it doesnt have any old scars from injurys that may come back to haunt u both and cause lameness etc. ...hmmm... i think thats enough...i cant think of much more... hope i've been of some help to u and good luck finding the horse of your dreams :D

[ChristianRider]

Yes, your instructor would be a big help! I am going through the same thing myself, except my parents said I have to wait until after we get a building for our church (we are already working through the negotiations:D :) )

good questions are:

height, breed, age
tempermant, health
go for a test ride!
is he headshy?
good on roads?
any stable vices?
how long's he been ridden? (how experienced)
what do you feed him, how much?
is he clipped in winter?
well behaved for vet, dentist, etc.?
ask yourself if you want to get into a discipline with him
does he need any supplements, know his likes and dislikes
has he been in any shows, if that's important to you?
is he good to catch?

and last but not least *drum-roll please* whether or not you really like the horse! sorry it's so long

[Showjumper]

Make a list of the qualities you want your horse to have, and when you phone up, find out whether the horse would be suitable for what you want to do, and more importantly, does he enjoy it?

Eg: If you want a happy hacker who will pop a few small jumps, do a passable local dressage test, and not completely humiliate you in shows, you'd be barking up the wrong tree if you phoned up about a high strung, stroppy horse that won't go out by itself and bucks constantly.

[Hels]

On another thread someone (was it Virtuallyhorses?) has posted a link to their web page on this very topic - it's really very good. It was only a few days ago, so you should be able to find it

[kedwards]

The question I have for everyone here is what are good questions to ask a potential seller? How can I eliminate horses and sellers that just aren't worth the time and gas?

When I looked at horses, I would generally ask a full range of questions (such as those suggested by Christianrider), before I went to see the horse. With regard to your second question, what factors would count as a "rule out" will really depend upon your personal needs and priorities. Before calling, get your thoughts on paper about what qualities you need in a horse, what qualities you'd like, and what things you absolutely will not accept. Some people don't mind a fiesty horse, but won't settle for any health problems. Some people don't mind a few maintenance issues, but want something with a great deal of training and experience.

[tiarri]

Have a look at this page http://www.horseproblems.com.au/buying_a_horse_page.htm
All about buying a horse and alot of things to keep an eye out for. Not everyone in the horse industry is trust worthy so it is good to know what tricks are out there. Good luck! ;)

[lisae]

My husband swears that if you are looking at a horse and the owner volunteers information on a specific topic, they feel guilty about it and it could actually be a problem! (He's a bit of a cynic and I'm sure things would be very different if he ruled the world!...) but ever since he said that, I've noticed there's a kernel of truth to it.

Ask if the horse has allergies, mine did and I was using the same vet as the prior owner had and he looked up the horse's record with the prior owner and sure enough, they had been treating the horse for it and never told me. This could have saved his mane for the first season I had him and may not have turned me off buying in the first place.

My biggest criteria are: does the horse show malice towards humans, especially biting and kicking, if so I walk away; and spookability level. I looked at a horse years ago that spooked twice in her own barn on the way to the arena (at the hose and the hay chute), now that's a sign that on a trail the horse will be one raw nerve.

[kedwards]

My husband swears that if you are looking at a horse and the owner volunteers information on a specific topic, they feel guilty about it and it could actually be a problem!

On something of the same note, I never assume people will offer up problems if not asked very directly about them. Some people will read your questions very narrowly, but will answer honestly if you ask the right question. So, the more specific questions, the better.

[jUmPingIsLifE]

before looking at ads i would make a list of everything you want your horse to be able to do and to be like temperment wise and stuff. then look at ads and circle everything that seems to fit your list, then go through them again and ring up the owners and ask them things like
age
breed
training (i know some of these would have been in the ad but i rang someone up about a 7yr old ... i asked them how old it was and they said 3, sometimes there are typos or the seller isn't being truthful)
past sickness/injuries
why they are selling

when you find a couple horses you really like then for and visit them, ride them, so you will know if you will get a long well. sometimes owners offer a 30 day lease trail where you can lease the horse for like 30 days with the option to buy, then you will really know what the horse is like.
remember to get a vet check before you make the final disision as you never know!

congrats and good luck.

[Turns]

Another word of advice, dont ride the horse until you have seen someone else ride it first. I have heard some horror stories of how the horse is just wonderful under saddle but when the buyer went out to ride it they were thrown off.