help with stuff like vettings

[notpoodle]

i am looking at a pony on saturday! i haven't bought a pony for myself before, let alone in britain. stumpt for horsey friends to take along, i'll have to go with my gut feeling (ie. if there is *anything* i don't like or that concerns me i'll walk away), and leave the health issues to the vetting (i can see nasal discharge and if a horse is lame but that's about it ...). which brings us neatly round to my next point. how do vettings work?! if the horse isn't where you are, how do you locate a good vet in the area thats *not* the vet the seller uses, too?! and do you just ring up the veyt of your choice and send him round there?? sorry, this probably sounds really thick ... but i really don't know how that stuff works in britain.

if you like the horse, do you pay a deposit straight away? how much are deposits in relation to the asking price of the horse?! what questions do i need to ask apart from the obvious (why are they selling? how long have they had it for?)? and how can you tell whether someone's fibbing?

julia

(*panic* .... )
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[Mehitabel]

the seller's vet ought to be able to recommend another local practice to you. i am also not too fussed about using the seller's vets as long as you are reasonably confident of their integrity - it can help if they know the pony's past, to see if it's likely to be suitable for your needs. for instance, they'll know if it has any chronic conditions like COPD or sweet itch, has had laminitis in the past etc. things like that aren't always apparent to a 'strange' vet if it's the wrong time of year.
they have no incentive to 'pass' a dodgy animal, as if the pony has an existing condition and they conceal it you can sue them - vets are very aware of liability these days, so i think the risk of backhanders from the vendor to the vet is much less of an issue.

but anyway. presuming you have somewhere lined up to keep this prospective pony, can someone like your new yard owner go with you? or your instructor? you'd have to pay for their time, but i really think it's worth it to have a second pair of eyes.

i have often gone with people to see ponies, and what normally happens is that unless you're definitley sure the pony isn't for you, you say you'd liek to talk it over and will call tem that evening - then you can discuss ny niggles, chaat about the price and tactics and then call the vendors with either an offer or a no thanks.

[notpoodle]

thanks for your reply!! yes, i have somewhere lined up to keep the pony, but i am not very familiar with the yard or its people yet, as it was a word-of-mouth recommendation from a livery there. i had a chat with the manager on the phone earlier and she gave some useful pointers.

so you think using the seller's vet *would* (providing the pony turns out to be as described. i'm a wee bit worried because it almost sounds too good to be true and matches pretty much exactly what i am after in age/height/temperament/etc.). the seller seemed very nice over the phone (but i guess they always do!!) and asked me lots of questions, along with letting me know right away that the pony has mild (just how mild exactly i will hopefully find out tomorrow) sweet itch and has only come back into work recently after a 6month break. i have some experience with sweet itch due to my 'icelandic past' so that's not something to put me off a horse right away.

wish me luck .....

julia
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[Drummers mum]

Yipeeeee!

At last, how exciting, let me know how it goes!

When I bought Drummer, I made a list of questions, there was an artical a couple months ago about buying a horse in Your Horse that could help.

This is probably far to late and you are on your way.

[notpoodle]

nope, not on my way yet. i'll be leaving at around 3!! i have already memorised the article you refer to i've also spent hours looking up stuff on looking at horses and pitfalls --> by now i am convinced that every seller is crooked and out to get me the fact i'm a natural-born cynic and pessimist probably doesn't help ...

julia

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