November
15
What do you guys look at when buying a horse and other questions?
I may be getting my own horse soon and I want to know what to look at when I am looking at a certain horse. Things like age and such. Do I want to look at its health record when choosing? Also should I try asking the seller if I can ride it first before I buy it? Also what questions would be key to ask the seller? Thanks!
Here’s what I look at when I’m looking at horses.
First, I watch the owner catch the horse, get her on the cross-ties, and tack her up. As she’s tacking up, I watch for any spooking type of behavior, or any behavior that indicates anxiety (this could mean she was abused). I pay special attention to the horse’s nonverbal communication as the girth is being tightened. I run my hands all over the horse’s body, looking for any sensitive spots (those are potential injuries). I have the owner mount and ride her first, putting her through all of her paces as I watch. IF THE OWNER REFUSES TO MOUNT/RIDE THE HORSE, RUN THE OTHER WAY! I look for any conformity flaws or fighting the bit at that time as well.
If all goes well there, I myself will mount the horse in a round pen, with a helmet, chaps, etc. I put the horse through her paces, noting if she responds to my cues well and if the ride is smooth.
If I’m happy with my first visit, I’ll come back again. At this visit I’ll try her out for the event/style of riding I hope to use her for (in my case, competitive trail). If I’m satisfied again, I’ll have a vet come down and take a look at her. If that goes well, I’ll ask for a month-long trial period (that way, any tranquilizers given by the owners wear off). Following the trial, if I’m completely satisfied, I will purchase the horse.
As for questions…
Ask the seller how long they’ve owned the horse, why they’re selling, where they got the horse from; if the horse has EVER bucked, bitten, or kicked anyone; how the horse acts around other horses; if there is an up to date Coggins on the horse; how the horse trailers; what happens when the horse spooks; whether the horse has EVER foundered or been lame; whether the horse has ever colicked.
As for age and breed – it depends on your level of experience. If you’re green, go for a mid-aged horse (10+) who’s been used for lessons and has a lot of miles. If you’re really experienced, go for whatever horse strikes your fancy (an unbroke horse is still not recommended).
LOOK AT MULTIPLE HORSES!! That way you can compare and contrast.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
1. ALWAYS try the horse out before you buy so YES ride it before you buy it lol.
2. and oh yeah you want to look at the health record. A lot of people try to hide things up when trying to sell a horse.
3. Ask the seller if you can bring the horse home with you for a week before you decide that you want to buy it
4. NEVER rush into buying a horse. If you are not 100% positive that your going to want to keep this horse for the rest of it’s life (you dont have to keep it for that long but you should think of it that way) then you shouldnt buy the horse.
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November 15th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Yes, definantly look at it’s medical records and definantly ride it before you buy it. Ask the owner to ride the horse too if possible, so that you can get an idea of what the horse will do for someone it is use to and trusts. Ride it yourself as well however, and see how it responds to you, a new rider. Don’t push it too much, but take it through the paces, walk, trot, canter, and even gallop if you feel this is a pace you would use. If you’re buying a jumper, and plan to jump, jump the horse over a small cross-rail or something of the sort. If it’s a barrel racer, take it throuhg a pattern. Make the horse stop, back up, turn, figure eights, etc. Test it, but take it easy. You want to know what this horse can do with you, and you with it.
Take note on what bit the owner rides the horse in most, if you’re considering the horse, you will not want to change bits on it; this could cause problems.
Have a vet check the horse before you buy it and give it a clean bill of health. A horse can look good sometimes, but have underlying problems that the owner may be trying to hide. If you are working with a horse that has a temporary problem, take that problem into consideration and think about the treatments, etc. and how this could hinder your experience with the animal, and for how long. For example, my horse had girth itch when I bought him, so I had to take that into consideration when riding him for the first time, and several times afterwards until it had gone away.
If you are buying a horse for trail riding, etc. see if you can take it out on the trail, test it in uncertain situations so you know how it acts. If the horse spooks with you; good…you’ll know whether it’s something you can handle or not, and if it was just a fluke, or a real problem.
Talk to the owner, the horse’s current vet if they have one, your vet, your trainer, the horse’s trainer, it’s farrier, your farrier, etc. You want to make sure that the horse you’re considering is something you want, and that you can take car of and handle.
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November 15th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Here’s what I look at when I’m looking at horses.
First, I watch the owner catch the horse, get her on the cross-ties, and tack her up. As she’s tacking up, I watch for any spooking type of behavior, or any behavior that indicates anxiety (this could mean she was abused). I pay special attention to the horse’s nonverbal communication as the girth is being tightened. I run my hands all over the horse’s body, looking for any sensitive spots (those are potential injuries). I have the owner mount and ride her first, putting her through all of her paces as I watch. IF THE OWNER REFUSES TO MOUNT/RIDE THE HORSE, RUN THE OTHER WAY! I look for any conformity flaws or fighting the bit at that time as well.
If all goes well there, I myself will mount the horse in a round pen, with a helmet, chaps, etc. I put the horse through her paces, noting if she responds to my cues well and if the ride is smooth.
If I’m happy with my first visit, I’ll come back again. At this visit I’ll try her out for the event/style of riding I hope to use her for (in my case, competitive trail). If I’m satisfied again, I’ll have a vet come down and take a look at her. If that goes well, I’ll ask for a month-long trial period (that way, any tranquilizers given by the owners wear off). Following the trial, if I’m completely satisfied, I will purchase the horse.
As for questions…
Ask the seller how long they’ve owned the horse, why they’re selling, where they got the horse from; if the horse has EVER bucked, bitten, or kicked anyone; how the horse acts around other horses; if there is an up to date Coggins on the horse; how the horse trailers; what happens when the horse spooks; whether the horse has EVER foundered or been lame; whether the horse has ever colicked.
As for age and breed – it depends on your level of experience. If you’re green, go for a mid-aged horse (10+) who’s been used for lessons and has a lot of miles. If you’re really experienced, go for whatever horse strikes your fancy (an unbroke horse is still not recommended).
LOOK AT MULTIPLE HORSES!! That way you can compare and contrast.
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personal experience
November 15th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
Don’t even bother with a "health record"….it isn’t worth the paper it is written on. You will need your own independent vet. It may cost money up front that you had not counted on, but it will save you both money and heartache in the long run. You don’t want to get attached to a horse that is either chronically lame or ill. You can’t save them all. The only valid part of an existing record is the immunization chart. The first horse my parents bought for me was vetted by a man who later lost his licence to practice, partly because he had falsified so many reports, so know who you are dealing with.
You need to ride it, both at the stable where it lives, and at your own. I would never buy a horse that the owners did not let me have at least 3-5 days, so whatever they gave it to calm it down before I rode it had a chance to clear the system. Also, to see how it reacts to new surroundings. Take your own saddle, if you have one. Look at the bridle they use….the least bit is a good sign.
If you have a trainer, or a friend who is knowledgable, take them with you, so you can evaluate the level of training the horse has had, and to see if your height and weight is suitable. I knew someone who spent $50k on a super pony jumper, that his daughter outgrew six months later in a sudden growth spurt. She had to pick up her feet over fences. If you are an adult, you probably won’t grow any more, but you still need to know if the phrase in the horse shows applies…."suitability of horse to rider".
Age is important, especially if it is very young or very old, and if you are inexperienced. You might want to consider finding one over 5 but under 12, so it is no longer a baby, but not ready for Happy Acres either….gives you time to grow with him.
This sounds like a first horse…… You should know that mares CAN (not always) but CAN be just a tad cranky. Geldings generally have fewer hormonal problems. It goes without saying that a stallion is not your best bet.
You might want to ask the owner why the horse is for sale….sometimes you’ll get an honest answer. The best answer is that the kid is going away to college.
Good luck!
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Spell check, people…..SPELL CHECK
November 16th, 2009 at 12:15 am
yes to all your questions you should also ask if he/she likes to jump, how well ,and is he green at it ..
hope this helps (:
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November 16th, 2009 at 12:49 am
1. Are you looking for a ‘been there done that’ horse? If so,
look for a horse between ages 7 and 15, but if your an
experianced rider and looking for a horse you can work
with and have for a while, get one between 2 and 6 (I
wouldn’t get a horse over 17 because it doesn’t have that
many years left
2. You have to look at its health. Has it collicted? Has it had any surgeries? Is it lame? Has it been lame? Does it have bad hooves? Does it have a bad back? Also, have a vet check on the horse, you never know if the seller is lying, even if they’re your close friend or trainer, GET A VET CHECK!!!!
3. Groom the horse, lead it, have the owner ride it, and then you ride it. Always have the owner lead the horse and ride the horse before you do, so that you don’t get on and it bucks or something, let the owner get his/her back broken, not you! Whatch what the owner does with the horse so you know how to handle it. Whatch what the horse does when the owner catches it and leads it and such. Does it pin its ears back? Does it jump or kick? Does it pull or argue? These are not good signs, ther horse doesn’t like the owner, it may have been abused, or it could just be a bad horse. If the horse acts like this, don’t groom it, don’t lead it, don’t ride it, LEAVE! If the horse comes to the owner, walks quitely next to the owner, looks relaxed (ears forward, eyes half open, 1 leg propped, ect) then this is a good horse!
4. If you like the horse, schedual another viewing. Come back with your trainer or instructer, or other knowledgeable friend. Have them ride the horse and all. Then ask to see the pedigree and have your friend look at it, there are certain blood-lines you don’t want in a horse, your knowledgeable friend will know these bloodlines.
5. If you still like the horse, and your knowledgeable friend likes it, ask for a flyer that has the info on it. Take it with you and your friend and go out to lunch or something. Your friend will then tell you more of what they think about the horse that they wouldn’t say infront of the owner. Discuss the price, is it too high? Then decide what to offer first, alot of people price their horses higher than they expect to get for it. Then call and set up a time to meet with the owner.
6. Meet with the owner and make your offer. If they say no, ask what they would feel more comfurtable with. Is that a lot more than your offer? If so, say no and offer a price in between. Negotiate with the owner. If you love the horse and the owner won’t budge on the price, that probably means it’s a good horse and worth what they’re asking, but not always. Offer what you feel comfuratable.
7. If you negotiate and make a deal, get the brand inspector out. You don’t own a horse until the brand inspector is out. Even if you pay for it, it’s not yours without the paper you get from the brand inspector! Don’t pay until the brand inspector is done and you have the certificate. Then pay and take your horse home!
GOOD LUCK!!
P.S. feel free to email me and ask me more questions. I’d love to help you find the perfect horse for you! I know of a few websites that have good horses and have some good connections to the horse selling world. I’d love to reveiw some horses and give you some info on them! Make sure you get a vet check and brand inspection, and that you find the perfect horse for you, and don’t settle for less! Good Luck!
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November 16th, 2009 at 1:37 am
Definitely ride it! I think most sellers expect you to come and try out the horse. Look for signs that there are problems e.g one time I was looking at an arab but we saw, when we went to look at her stable that there were signs of her cribbing.A lot. If you can (I don’t, it’s too hard) get a vet to come out with you if you are serious about the horse. Also take note of what the seller does when you go to look, if the horse is already tacked up and waiting when you get there that could maybe mean they have problems catching, grooming, tacking up .etc. With the same arab I looked at she was all ready to go so when I went to look at her hooves they admitted that she wouldn’t let anyone touch her back legs as she had been abused by a previous owner!-so yeah GOOD LUCK
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November 16th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Here are 11 tips for your problems.
1. you defiantly need to look at it’s health record. when you are buying a horse chose it carefully. it took me 2 years before we found our horse but it doesn’t fit me very well but it does my sis, i guess back to the drawing board. anyway. take your time.
2.DEFIANTLY! you need to ask to ride the horse. every horses personality defers.if you want a calm horse or a feisty horse it doesn’t matter ask to ride the horse or even borrow the horse for a week or two before deciding to buy it.
3. you probablly need to ask what spooks the horse ( scares them ) because if you don’t know you could find yourself in a sicky situation. for instance: if i am on the road or in a pasture riding my horse and a big truck goes by she gets scared and prances (and i’m guessing you don’t want that type of horse)
4. you also definatly need to ask the seller what the horses diet consits of. like what type of hay do you feed her, or what type of grain does she eat
5. also if it is an older horse ask if it is taking any medications. i know my horse is 15 and her joints aren’t working very well so i use bute (a type of med for sore joints). sometimes it helps her. also make sure if you give her medicine make sure it digests before you use her or ride her
6. ask the owner the age of your horse. if you are just starting to ride you probably want an loder horse to start off with, but also if you are a younger person you want the horse young enough so you will grow with it if you are keeping it
7. ask the owner if the horse has had any injuries. if it has you probably shouldn’t buy it, but if you like its personality then take it to a vet to make sure it is not going to interfear with what you want it for.
8. ask the owner to see the birth certificate if it is regestered so you know what the horses name is, age, height, etc.
9. if you don’t have any tack ecuipment like a saddle, bridle, girth, brushes, shampoo, etc. you need to look into that, so ask the seller what type of bit the horse likes, saddle, bridle, etc.
10. try to avoid untrained horses they sometimes can be hard to train because they haven’t been trained. also they might be to old to understand things better
11. FINALLY, HAVE FUN WITH YOUR HORSE!!!!! if you don’t have fun with you horse the horse won’t have fun with you. if your horse doesn’t listen try talking to a trainer to help.
P.S. If you have anymore questions i will try to answer them! you can email me at mck1horse@yahoo.com or im me. i would love to help you find a horse. GOOD LUCK finding that horse!
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November 16th, 2009 at 2:05 am
ALWAYS ride before buying, you are buying the horse to ride anyway. ALWAYS look at health record, it could have a problem with being lame all the time. Ask the seller if it is ok for vet , farrier, xties, trailer, and with other horses. Age is pretty important, if you wan a mellow horse for the flat get like a 15 y old. if you want to have your horse for a while, a 6 -7-or 8 y old would be good depending on ammt of training. You are lucky ur getting a horse.
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November 16th, 2009 at 2:27 am
I look at the following in pretty close to this order. Explaination follows each.
1. Temperament. The most important thing is a horse that will not blow up no matter what. I do not want a horse that explodes because it doesn’t get its way. I am looking for a partner (whether I am looking for myself or someone else). This means the horse has to be willing and easy going.
2. Trainability. This is a combination of intelligence, courage, and eagerness. It has to do with how fast the horse is going to learn thereby giving an indication of how much it can learn. I want a horse that can learn the basics fast so that I can get it out on the trail to get the experience it needs to be a great trail horse. One of those horses willing to cross a river if asked, and the courage to walk through a herd of cattle.
3. Heart. I want a horse that will give its all. Only a horse that does that makes a good partner.
4. Conformation. This comes after the others because I have seen many horses with less than perfect, even poor conformation perform excellently because they had the temperament, trainability and heart.
5. Color is placed here as not really important except that many people want a horse that has that flash. This means to sell a horse you really need the color to catch the eye.
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November 16th, 2009 at 2:43 am
First make sure the horse is healthy and has regular vet checks. They should have the receipts all right there for you to see.
Then make sure you like the horse. There are lots of horses out there and right now it’s a buyers market. The horse might not like you either! Get on and ride him/her. Has the horse been raised privately, or on a breeding farm or a riding stable? How much training has it had and how long has it been since it was worked with? Has it been gelded? If a mare, do you plan on breeding? Go over what the expense’s on the horse are, and how much you need to have set aside for unexpected things like VET BILLS. Those generally need to be paid on the spot. Does the horse come with any tack? There must be hundreds of things to check first before buying a horse. Not a whole lot different from buying a used car! But that horse might live 30 or 40 years. Will you still need me, will you still feed me, ……
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November 16th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Well I’m sure I’m going to get hated on for being truthful but I don’t want to sound tack either(I do own grades) but I would only buy a horse with bloodlines I knew, there are too many desieses now days not to know. Also a good solid horse that is trained are usually(about 80% the time) are horse aged around 8-12 they are usually mellow, trained , and fully developed. Always ask to ride a horse first, but be sure to check for lumps on the neck (shots of ace and other calmers). I always ride a horse 3 times at the owners then ask if I can try it out for a week at my house(vetchecks are uaually done at that time) so I know how the horse acts in a new envirnment. Always ask buyers why the horse is for sale. Ask how many times the horse has been sold. Another thing most people don’t do is ask for the vet and farriers number they use and call them and ask if the stuff they say about them is true. Also ask about how often they worm, what the feed, what type of bit they use, and anything else you think is neccisary. I Hope this helps and welcome to the horsey-world!!
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November 16th, 2009 at 3:40 am
There are a few really important things to look at:
-health: let a vet do an official vetting. If the seller does not want this, leave it and run
-temperament: will you be able to control it in every situation?
-what do you want to use it for? Will it be trained enough to suit your needs?
-do breed, size, gender and age suit your needs and plans?
-check, if the records (passport, ID, vaccinations, worming, etc.) are present and if you can check them
-always take somebody with you, who is an experienced horseman/-woman. 4 eyes will see more than 2.
Have also a look on this page below. There is a helpful article about how to buy a horse.
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http://www.discover-horse-carriage-driving.com/horse-for-sale.html
November 16th, 2009 at 4:29 am
take an experienced rider with you who rides in the classes/events you plan to do. If the horse pleases them…next have a vet check done. Your vet..not their vet..
Check for a current Coggins test, and other shot/worming records. If you are interested in pedigree ask to see the papers. Ride the horse somewhere other than THEIR pasture/arena. I bought one who passed all of the above criteria with flying colors, but went Nuts when taken away from home. Good luck and shop around. There are a lot of bad horses and a lot of good horses. Take your time.
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November 16th, 2009 at 5:07 am
Ditto on all of the above. AND, as at least one person already stated, make sure you watch the owner catch the horse. I bought one once where the owner already had the horse tied for me when I got there. I checked health, rode the horse, etc., but did not watch the owner catch the horse. When I got the horse home and went to catch her for the first time, as soon as I got within 20 fee of her, she pinned her ears back and turned her ass to me and would NOT let me near her. The only way to catch her was with a treat or food. That was a hard lesson learned…
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November 16th, 2009 at 5:55 am
I’m looking at horses right now and I always ask , do, and look for these things:
1.Are they up to date on their coggins test, shots, and worms
2. Are they pretty easy to catch? (the best horses are no good if you can’t catch them)
3.Have they ever had any serious injuries other then the normal bumps and scrapes
4. SADDLE AND BRIDLE THE HORSE YOURSELF
5. Ask about any bad vises and hope the owner is honest
6. Ride them! see if they can steer OK, walk, trot, and lope find, and back up
7. If the horses is a mare ask if she ever been bred and if so ask how many times, with what kind of stallion, how many foals she ended up have, what colors did they turn out, if any of them ever were miscarried.
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November 16th, 2009 at 6:04 am
vet checks vet checks vet checks. get an independent vet (not theirs) to vet the horse for you. and a farrier to have a look at the feet. that way you eliminate potential problems, and try the horse.
i like the idea of a trial for a few days. i have met horses that i liked on sight and even when i rode them once and grew to dislike them after a few days as the quirks showed up. and vica versa. met a horse that i thought was nothing special and had to work with him… i fell in LOVE. he was the best
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November 16th, 2009 at 6:41 am
look at its helth, make sure it is registered ride it befor buying it, bring a really good horse peson along
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