Buying a Horse
|
How exciting… horse shopping! And on the other hand, what a nightmare! How will you know that you’re buying the right horse? I’ve put together some questions to help you in your venture.
I strongly recommend having a vet check done on any horse you are serious about purchasing. I also recommend taking another person with you (or ten!), ideally an experienced horse person, when you go out to look at the horse(s).
|
Questions you might ask during the initial phone call to the seller:
How long have you owned the horse and why are you selling him?
How old is the horse?
Has he been trail ridden much?
Has he ever bucked anyone off? Has he ever ran away with a rider?
What level rider should this horse be good for (beginner, intermediate, experienced)?
Has the horse ever had any injuries/lameness or health issues?
Has he ever coliced, foundered or tied up?
Is he up to date on shots/deworming?
When were his teeth floated?
Do you have a western saddle I can try him in while I’m there? If so, what size seat does it have? |
| Questions you might ask the seller when you go to look at the horse (you might even want to hand a piece of paper to the seller with these questions… and any others you can think of… and have the seller “rate” the horse 1 to 5, 1 being “horrible”, 2 “poor”, 3 “fair”, 4 “good”, 5 “excellent”): |
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Does the horse bathe and clip? |
| |
|
|
|
|
Does he get along with other horses? |
| |
|
|
|
|
Is it okay to turn him out with other horses? |
| |
|
|
|
|
Is he good with other horses out on the trail? |
| |
|
|
|
|
Has he been trail ridden much? |
| |
|
|
|
|
Does he stand well for the farrier? |
| |
|
|
|
|
Does he get in and out of the trailer well? |
Other questions you might ask the seller when you go to look at the horse:
Has he ever bucked anyone off?
Has he ever ran away with a rider?
What kind of bit do you ride the horse in? Do you use the same bit for roundpen and arena work that you use out on the trail?
Has the horse done any eventing? If so, how well/poorly did he do?
Have you had any trouble fitting a saddle to the horse? Do you use a full quarter tree or semi-quarter for that horse?
Does the horse have any special needs? (feed, care)
Is the horse an easy keeper?
Does he have any vices/bad habits? (cribbing, weaving, biting, kicking)
Do you have him shod? Does he need shoes?
Has he had any injuries/lameness or health issues?
Has he ever coliced, foundered or tied up?
Is he up to date on shots/deworming?
When were his teeth floated?
Will the horse pass a vet check?
Do you have a regular vet for this horse? If so, do you mind me contacting him/her?
Are you willing to offer a trial period (at least enough to span two weekends)? |
Things you might want to have the seller demonstrate (and the things to keep in mind during the demonstration):
Grooming the horse
Does the horse have any issues with spray bottles, with his feet, etc?
Groundwork
How much does the horse know?
Saddling and bridling
Does the horse get cinchy? Does the horse have any trouble with the bit or
pulling the bridle over his ears?
Have the seller ride the horse and show you everything the horse knows
Does the horse stand still when mounted?
Does the horse ride on a loose rein, stop, back up, sidepass?
Does he turn on his forehand and on his haunches?
Does the horse have a nice headset at all gaits, turning, etc? |
