What should I keep in mind when I go to look at a horse for sale?
Hey i am going to look for my first horse, and i have contacted a few people to get ideas on what to look for and i was just wondering if anyone else had any other things i should look for thank you all SOOO much 
:D:D:D:D:D:D
You need to ask as much about it’s history as possible. This is what I tell any person looking for a horse and what I follow myself.
Ask about previous owners, what they did with them, why they sold him. How long the current owners have had him, what they have done with him, why they are selling him.
How old?, the height?, have they had them measured or are they guessing. Lots of people don’t know the height of their horse! Take an experienced person with you, always have a second opinion you trust, instructor or knowledgeable horse person.
Never take the owners word for it, regardless of how NICE they are. People do strange things when getting rid of horses and sometimes see first horse buyers as a big target. Ask about the horses conditioning, feed required, amount of riding needed, if they are good after a spell, do they handle cars, are they spooky, bossy…… the list is endless and I’m sure you will get lots of other great tips as well. Watch the horse being hosed down if possible or at least turn on a hose. I have a horse who is terrified of water and becomes dangerously spooky just at the sound of water.
Watch very closely the horses behaviour, how the owner handles them (do they seem tense or scared of the horse). Let them do everything in front of you. Make them catch the horse in front of you as well. Make them ride the horse first – ALWAYS. Make sure that the horse is controlled in walk, trot, canter both reins and HALT before you think about getting on. I know people who were injured because they did not do this!
After they ride the horse, I then put my own saddle on. Most people don’t have a saddle that fits correctly anyway and I also take a good back protector to put under it. It is better to ride in a saddle you are comfortable in than to miss the right horse. This then gives me an opportunity to handle the horse after I have watched them with it. I have had a new horse jump sideways onto me, not fun.
Regardless of your experience most people are a bit nervous about getting on a strange horse, so try not to hold on too tight and take deep breaths. Try to relax yourself as much as possible. Insist that you ride the horse in a small safe area first, when you feel confident insist that you go into a bigger area to ride.
If you can’t ride them at walk, trot and canter in their own home environment, then you should not buy them. I tried a horse for my sister in a small paddock and asked to go into a bigger one, they made LOTS of excuses why I could not. I insisted and they let me, I quickly discovered she bucked when out in an open area. I would never take a strange horse out on the road, I would however watch the owner do it.
Pick up all of their feet, stretch out their front legs, handle their mouth like your going to give them a wormer (some horses rear up). Look at their teeth, rub them all over including around the ears. Watch the horses body language carefully and how they respond to you.
The most important thing is preparation, make a list on paper of question to ask on the phone, make it as detailed as you can. Also take notes on each phone call so you remember later. You don’t want to waste your time looking at unsuitable horses. Always speak to them by phone, you will get a feeling after a few calls about how people answer. If they take ages to answer questions they should know, they are probably thinking of how to word it. Sometimes, maybe and kinda are words you should watch out for. Is the horse quiet? Hmmm yeah pretty much, is an example. It can also be a sign that they are a dealer and have not had the horse very long. Along with odd names that took no thought.
Again when you go to look at a horse take a note pad with you, have a list of things to check and ask. Some people are good at having another person with them and keeping you busy. This way you forget to check things. Try to keep focused on what your doing. I take a video camera and a still camera. I video the owner riding, then my husband video’s me riding and takes photos. It is great to go home and really watch it carefully. It might change your mind or may confirm your decision.
Ask about any soundness issue AT ALL, get a vet check once you have ridden the horse once (but preferably twice). Some horses have had a harder life than others and a younger horse may have more health issues than a older one. Older horse does not mean more quiet, but do avoid "green" and unbroken.
I also never give a trial period for my horses, I offer unrestricted access, multiple rides anything they want on the property. I have had a horse injured while on trial once and was left with a horse who cost me $2000 in vet bills and no buyer. If ads are placed in reputable magazines these cost a few hundred dollars, so I would also not like to miss potential buyers because a horse is out on trial. Cheques can be cancelled (happened to my sister) and you can never be sure of a persons horsemanship or ability. So it may not mean the person is unethical, just had bad experiences in the past.
The most important thing is that you feel safe on the horse, it will make all the difference between a happy union and tears.
Good luck, I hope you find a nice horse.
make sure to look at their shoes to make sure they were taken care of
References :
- horse that would fit your size
- good temperment. nothing above 5/10 for a first horse.
- rides what you ride most of the time. ex. english or western
- a trail horse if you want to go on the trails
- no health issues
- no lameness
- a well trained horse
- a horse inbetween 6-17 years old
- if you want a certain breed try looking for that breed
- look at the hooves for anything ab-normal
- ask LOTS of questions when looking for a horse
- no shoes if you don’t want to pay for them
make sure when you buy a horse you have your instructor go with you. happy riding and good luck with your first horse. another way to find a horse is ask if the barn you ride at has any horses for sale.
References :
riding for years
1. Have they foundered/been lame before?
2. Are they up to date on their vaccines?
3. Have they had any particular health issues in the past? (I.E Colic.)
4. How are their feet? Are they cleanly cut, and rounded, yet not too short?
5. Can you ride the horse comfortably?
6. Do they vet sound?
7. Do they have a personality suitable for you?
ETc…
References :
Experience
That you do not just go for a colour or a pretty face.
That the horse is big enough and not too big for your size and strength.
That the horse is well schooled. And that you still continue with lessons on your new horse.
That it is suitable for the things you want to be doing.
That it is sound, ie no potential for lameness or other illness. Get a vet out to vet him before you hand over money.
That it is okay to catch, groom, clip, tack up, shoe, travel etc.
That it is safe on the roads.
That it has no stable vices, ie weaving, box walking, cribbing or windsucking and that it is sociable in the stable, turning his head to you rather than his back end!
Get someone knowledgeable to go with you to give his or her assessment.
If you do buy, make sure you get a hold of the horse’s passport and do not delay in transfering ownership details.
Make sure you worm it and keep him isolated for a fortnight, taking his temperature twice every day at the same time to work out an average for him.
References :
Riding instructor
This is really IMPORTANT! You should look for temperment. You don’t want a horse that is going to buck or bite at you. The age is also important, you should look for age you want an old enough horse to ride but not to old. If its your first horse then you want a more older horse like 15 or 12-13 and that should be good. Now horse wise, I would sudggest either an Arabian, Appaloosa, Quarter horse, or a Morgan. I really hope this helps! ♥
References :
Before you go keep in mind what exactly you are looking for in a horse. And once you get their make sure you pay attention to more than their looks! I know its hard! Check everything out. Their hooves, teeth, they way they act, conformation and everything. Ask as many questions as you can. Make sure the horse is up to date on everything. Has it been in a trailer? How does he act in a stall? With other horses? Bad habits? Don’t compliment on the horse a lot. It makes sellers want to up their price because they get a big head about their horse lol. If the horse really seems to be the one for you, don’t just buy it all of a sudden. Make sure you come back more than once. Because that horse may have been having a good day that day, and next time you come back and he is his normal and turn out to be crazy! Try and work with him at least once or twice to make sure you can handle him. Buying a horse is a big deal and commitment. Its not like buying a pair of shoes, you can’t return them just like that.
References :
Been there done that lol
Is the horse content?
Bombproof?
your height?
good around people, other animals?
good conformation?
thats all i can think of but good luck!
References :
Don’t fall in love until you have had the horse vetted. Everyone tries to hide something. Pay for a full veterinary exam. See the horse more than once.
If the owners or sellers won’t let you come by without an
appointment – BIG RED FLAG!!!
Drop by unannounced to look at the horse. Many horses have been sold that were drugged into submission, and when the new owner tried to handle it, it was a dangerous horse. Look at the third eyelid. If it is more pronounced than it should be, the horse is probably drugged. If it’s a gelding and his penis is out of its sheath, and he doesn’t withdraw it when moving around, the horse is drugged to near catatonia.
Watch the horse move before you get on. Does it stumble or shuffle its feet? Another sign of drugging. When you ride the horse, is it responsive to your cues? Does it move immediately when you ask for a change of gait, or when you turn? If not, it may be drugged.
References :
Former Saddlebred groom
I would like add to the good info in the other answers.
If the horse is already saddled when you get there, I would certainly ask for another appointment. That is one of the oldest tricks, if it’s already saddled, someone is trying to hide a problem, whether it is in catching, tying, saddling, or general bad attitude. I can’t tell you how many folks ignored that and paid dearly later.
Don’t fall for that old one, oh he’s just sore because of a lost shoe. Get back in the truck and keep going. That should be taken care of before the horse is shown, or at least a boot should be in place.
Don’t be the first one on the horse, either. If they won’t ride him first or have someone there, do not be the first one on him. You need to watch to see how he responds to cues and how he moves. If he is going to do something bad, it should not be to you. Remember, sellers can say anything, but it might not be true in your eyes.
There are many other things, too, but like everyone else said, looks are not much at all when shopping for a first horse.
How would you like this horse if he was goofy looking? I’m a farrier and have many horses that aren’t great to the eye, but charming and willing to try new things. That’s a better combination.
Please take someone with you, too. It’s really important! I hope I haven’t put a damper on your search, I didn’t mean it that way.
Good luck on your search!
References :
15 years as a farrier and 35 in the horse business and many many horse sales.
You need to ask as much about it’s history as possible. This is what I tell any person looking for a horse and what I follow myself.
Ask about previous owners, what they did with them, why they sold him. How long the current owners have had him, what they have done with him, why they are selling him.
How old?, the height?, have they had them measured or are they guessing. Lots of people don’t know the height of their horse! Take an experienced person with you, always have a second opinion you trust, instructor or knowledgeable horse person.
Never take the owners word for it, regardless of how NICE they are. People do strange things when getting rid of horses and sometimes see first horse buyers as a big target. Ask about the horses conditioning, feed required, amount of riding needed, if they are good after a spell, do they handle cars, are they spooky, bossy…… the list is endless and I’m sure you will get lots of other great tips as well. Watch the horse being hosed down if possible or at least turn on a hose. I have a horse who is terrified of water and becomes dangerously spooky just at the sound of water.
Watch very closely the horses behaviour, how the owner handles them (do they seem tense or scared of the horse). Let them do everything in front of you. Make them catch the horse in front of you as well. Make them ride the horse first – ALWAYS. Make sure that the horse is controlled in walk, trot, canter both reins and HALT before you think about getting on. I know people who were injured because they did not do this!
After they ride the horse, I then put my own saddle on. Most people don’t have a saddle that fits correctly anyway and I also take a good back protector to put under it. It is better to ride in a saddle you are comfortable in than to miss the right horse. This then gives me an opportunity to handle the horse after I have watched them with it. I have had a new horse jump sideways onto me, not fun.
Regardless of your experience most people are a bit nervous about getting on a strange horse, so try not to hold on too tight and take deep breaths. Try to relax yourself as much as possible. Insist that you ride the horse in a small safe area first, when you feel confident insist that you go into a bigger area to ride.
If you can’t ride them at walk, trot and canter in their own home environment, then you should not buy them. I tried a horse for my sister in a small paddock and asked to go into a bigger one, they made LOTS of excuses why I could not. I insisted and they let me, I quickly discovered she bucked when out in an open area. I would never take a strange horse out on the road, I would however watch the owner do it.
Pick up all of their feet, stretch out their front legs, handle their mouth like your going to give them a wormer (some horses rear up). Look at their teeth, rub them all over including around the ears. Watch the horses body language carefully and how they respond to you.
The most important thing is preparation, make a list on paper of question to ask on the phone, make it as detailed as you can. Also take notes on each phone call so you remember later. You don’t want to waste your time looking at unsuitable horses. Always speak to them by phone, you will get a feeling after a few calls about how people answer. If they take ages to answer questions they should know, they are probably thinking of how to word it. Sometimes, maybe and kinda are words you should watch out for. Is the horse quiet? Hmmm yeah pretty much, is an example. It can also be a sign that they are a dealer and have not had the horse very long. Along with odd names that took no thought.
Again when you go to look at a horse take a note pad with you, have a list of things to check and ask. Some people are good at having another person with them and keeping you busy. This way you forget to check things. Try to keep focused on what your doing. I take a video camera and a still camera. I video the owner riding, then my husband video’s me riding and takes photos. It is great to go home and really watch it carefully. It might change your mind or may confirm your decision.
Ask about any soundness issue AT ALL, get a vet check once you have ridden the horse once (but preferably twice). Some horses have had a harder life than others and a younger horse may have more health issues than a older one. Older horse does not mean more quiet, but do avoid "green" and unbroken.
I also never give a trial period for my horses, I offer unrestricted access, multiple rides anything they want on the property. I have had a horse injured while on trial once and was left with a horse who cost me $2000 in vet bills and no buyer. If ads are placed in reputable magazines these cost a few hundred dollars, so I would also not like to miss potential buyers because a horse is out on trial. Cheques can be cancelled (happened to my sister) and you can never be sure of a persons horsemanship or ability. So it may not mean the person is unethical, just had bad experiences in the past.
The most important thing is that you feel safe on the horse, it will make all the difference between a happy union and tears.
Good luck, I hope you find a nice horse.
References :
33 years riding/owner
check the horse’s paws check the size and yours size now ya’ll know about the age not moor that 9 years old if posible a ponny so u can train it an helty
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