What are the specific things you look for in a horse that you go to see? What are things you ask the owner about their horse?
How can you, as a buyer, be able to tell how healthy a horse is before having a vet do a pre-purchase exam?
As a first horse, what qualities would you really look for?
If you are a first time buyer, I would recommend bringing along an experienced friend or someone you know that knows more about horses. If you don’t know alot about horses I would definately recommend asking for a pre-purchase exam. Here is what I look for in a potential horse (broke):
1) Conformation-especially in the legs. I don’t want a horse that is going to keep going lame on me. Overall conformation is especially important if you are looking for a potential show/work horse as opposed to simply an occassional trail riding companion.
2) How easy is the horse to catch? I prefer showing up and the horse being out in a pasture or large pen. That way I can see how easily the horse can be walked up to and haltered.
3) How does the horse take being groomed/tacked up? Some horses are cinchy and may try to bite when being tacked. Also, does the horse allow his feet messed with?
4) Is the horse up to date on vaccinations? Farrier work? How does he stand for a farrier?
5) What is the reason for selling the horse?
I’m sure there are plenty more questions, but these are immediate ones that come to mind. As for a healthy horse, its eyes should be clear, coat in good condition, no limp, etc. But I would definately recommend the pre-purchase exam if you are unsure what to look for.
March 31st, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I look for movement. I always do flexion tests and I ALWAYS ask to ride the horse before I buy it! I ask all basic questions. Age, breed, temperment, backround info…..
I look for a soft eye. Pretty color, price comes last
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March 31st, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Get a local trainer to help you. Check out this site for more info: http://horses.about.com/od/buyingyourfirsthorse/a/horsebuyingfaqs.htm
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March 31st, 2010 at 2:59 pm
make sure it has 4legs
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March 31st, 2010 at 3:33 pm
Here’s a great link to an article I wrote on "How To Buy A Horse". http://liverystable.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66
It has steps to take, questions to ask the seller, how to avoid getting a problem horse, etc. You can also join this forum and add any tips or ideas you can think of in addition.
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Liverystable.net Horse Website
http://www.liverystable.net
March 31st, 2010 at 4:20 pm
If you are a first time buyer, I would recommend bringing along an experienced friend or someone you know that knows more about horses. If you don’t know alot about horses I would definately recommend asking for a pre-purchase exam. Here is what I look for in a potential horse (broke):
1) Conformation-especially in the legs. I don’t want a horse that is going to keep going lame on me. Overall conformation is especially important if you are looking for a potential show/work horse as opposed to simply an occassional trail riding companion.
2) How easy is the horse to catch? I prefer showing up and the horse being out in a pasture or large pen. That way I can see how easily the horse can be walked up to and haltered.
3) How does the horse take being groomed/tacked up? Some horses are cinchy and may try to bite when being tacked. Also, does the horse allow his feet messed with?
4) Is the horse up to date on vaccinations? Farrier work? How does he stand for a farrier?
5) What is the reason for selling the horse?
I’m sure there are plenty more questions, but these are immediate ones that come to mind. As for a healthy horse, its eyes should be clear, coat in good condition, no limp, etc. But I would definately recommend the pre-purchase exam if you are unsure what to look for.
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I am a manager at a trail riding stable with 50+ horses.
March 31st, 2010 at 4:35 pm
As a first horse, I would look for an adult horse between seven and thirteen years of age. I also recomend having a licensed veterinarian (who specializes in large animals or horses) do a physical and medical check-up on any horse you plan on buying.
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March 31st, 2010 at 4:46 pm
For your 1st horse think about what you know now and what it will teach you. You want something old enough to have learnt some stuff – like jumping and hacking out and also to be sensible when encountering new things. Unless you never want your heart in your mouth you don’t want an old plod with no character. Imagine yourself on your own when riding – if things went wrong would you and the horse be working together. Take a knowledgable friend. Ideally they should know you and your riding ability. My horse was very green when I bought him but he was a 2nd horse and had a really nice willing nature, plus I had back up with the schooling. Oh yeah – YOU have to like it not just your mum or your friend.
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March 31st, 2010 at 5:02 pm
After I narrow down the horses I want to look at by price, age, gender and discipline (and sometimes the biggest no-no—-color), the first thing I look for is TRUSTABILITY.
Although I am an experienced rider, with 15 years in the saddle, and have done every discipline, and competed and won in many different events, from cross country work to sahow ring hunters, dressage, and western, I still have confidence issues and do NOT want to buy (or even test-ride) a horse that I get a bad impression from on the ground. If I can see the whites of their eyes, or they are acting like a half-crazed horse, I don’t care how good it performs its job- it turns me off. I don’t mind green, I don’t mind issues, but I want a horse I can trust not to buck, bolt, rear, or do royally stupid things. Mistakes or lack of training is fine, but the horse MUST have a quiet willingness and good work ethic.
After that, I prefer a horse that is sound, but as an equine veterinary technician myself, I can tolerate certain, maintainable "issues", and I am capable of performing and evaluating a precursory pre-purchase exam on-site. This is useful, because I can use this to determine if there’s something that needs to be xrayed, or something that is just worth walking away from.
Once I decide a horse is trustable, the next thing I do is listen to their heart before I go any furhter – my first horse had to be put down because of a severe heart problem she developed after I bought her, so I walk away from any horse with any heart murmur or arrythmia.
After that, I ride it. Then, I flex it. If all goes well, I take it on trial.
I usually ask basic questions, like horse’s training, trail or show experience, clipping/bathing/loading behaviour, however, my trust of any horse seller is very very limited, so I tend to let the horse do the speaking, and try to do as much of these things as possible that I want to know. I prefer to see the horse in pasture, or in stall, so I can see its manners —- I WILL WALK AWAY FROM ANY HORSE THAT PINS IT EARS AS YOU COME UP TO HIS STALL/PADDOCK GATE.
For a first horse, I would look for one that is totally compatible for my needs. I maybe possibly wouldn’t mind a manageable lameness issue – as older horses make great first horses, and many of them come with age-related issues.
If anything seems suspicious, walk away – there’s always another one.
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March 31st, 2010 at 5:42 pm
generally it depends on what you plan on doing i.e. shows, local or rated, just for pleasure, lessons, etc.
make sure you get multiple people’s opinions on the horse, other than the owner because owners may hide certain things in order to get more money for the horse, i.e. bucking. ask around, like the boarders, past owners if possible, anybody who has ridden it, etc.
i always lease the horse for at least a month to be sure it is the right match for you.
in a first horse, you should look for an easy-keeper, because if you get a high-maintnance[sp?] horse you might not have enough experience to know how to take care of it. also reliability and trustfulness. a first horse should help you learn more and experience more, and help you along the way.
also be sure to look for a horse you can have fun with! a nasty horse who pins its ears and bites isnt really the best for a first horse.
GL!
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March 31st, 2010 at 5:51 pm
confirmation (if you want to show) behavior, size, and
This is what I would do (to see if these horses are suited for you):
1. Go out in a pasture with them and spend some time with them.
2. Groom them
3. Ride them a little
4. Wash them
5. Walk them around
6. Do whatever else you think you should do with them.
Do these things to see if you adn the horse are compatible. See if she is quick tempered or not. And i know you say you don’t have a prob. to train them, but its always much easier to just buy an already trained, calm-mannered, intelligent horse.
it says there temper and stuff.. but go see for urself.
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March 31st, 2010 at 6:12 pm
1. look and see how high the withers r if they r high its good the saddle will stay on
2. walk him and look and see if the back hoof steeps over the front hoof print that means hes a good runner
3. look and watch how he walks if he walks weird
4. ask the owner lots of questions and try the horse out before u buy it
5. take a friend that rides horses out with u when your looking at horses he or she can help u
6. if u need a good horse just call me i have plenty of good horse just email me and i will help u find one
ttyl
cortneypavelka@yahoo.com
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March 31st, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Depends on what kind of horse you want and what you want to do with it. First, you want to look for the breed of horse you want that can REALISTICALLY do what you want to do and what the horse was bred to do too. Say for instance you want a dressage horse. You will probably want to look at Warmbloods and TBs. You can usually get a much better price on TBs than on Warmbloods and TBs are just as nice a mover as a Warmblood, sometimes even better. You’ll want a horse with size, correct movement and correct confirmation. You’ll want to watch the horse move at the walk, trot and canter to see if you can pick up any lamness issues. Make sure you ask the owner if the horse has ever been lame, if he wears shoes, if he has ever been sick and if he has ever needed any medications for chronic problems. If your heart is set on him you need to RIDE him, don’t buy a horse without riding him first and if he is still the one for you…call the vet out for a vet check BEFORE you buy. You can check on DREAMHORSE.COM…they have a ton of horses there to look at and research. Happy hunting!
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March 31st, 2010 at 6:58 pm
If you are inexperienced then the first thing to look for is an experienced person or maybe your Vet to go with you. They will know what is right or wrong and be able to advise you. Also don’t only go on looks. In over 30 years of breeding horses I have had a few ‘pretty pretty’ horses have definately problem temperaments and some ‘plain’ ones be exceptional for all rider levels. Our current all rounder is an ugly 16hh thoroughbred (bred for dressage not racing) and even my 8 yo novice granddaughter can ride him safely.
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March 31st, 2010 at 7:06 pm
You should always have a vet check first. You should ask the owner if he/she is UTD (up to date) on all shots and wormings. You should make sure that his joints in the front aren’t bowed in. Looking for a horse can take a long time, so always keep your options open. When you look for a horse you need to make sure that he/she can do what you want in a horse. If you want to barrel race (like me) then you need a western horse. If you want to jump then you need an English horse. I really hope you find what you need.
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Took me forever to find my baby
March 31st, 2010 at 7:39 pm
temprament is always no 1,put the bridle&saddle on yourself,get the owner to brush&cover the horse,lift the legs,brush tail,get owner to ride horse for you first &put through its paces,horse should stand still¬<> fidget> when owner mounts it &dismounts,watch how horse respo nds to commands,A healtyh horse in appearance should be alert,responsive,coat should be nice(shine)but to be absolutely sure get a vet in for a thourough check
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