What should I look for?
Any advice?(:Going to look at a horse for sale..?
You didn't tell us much about the horse you're going to look at but look at the horse's legs to make sure there aren't any bows, ringbone, etc. Watch the horse travel at a walk, trot and canter. Remember not all stables have manure piles to land in if you get unseated, so hope the arena has a LOT of sand. San Dimas had a LOT of rocks. (Hi Lara!)
I hope you get to ride the animal as well. If you like the horse, then schedule an appointment with a vet and have him/her check the horse out and if you don't know the horse or it's sellers, then get the vet to do a blood work on the animal so you'll know that there's no drugs in the horse's system.Going to look at a horse for sale..?
Are you looking at the horse, as in you already know about it and are going to see it? In that case, catch the horse from the paddock, groom, pick his hooves and tack up YOURSELF...a lot of problems can be avoided that way. When you ride him, do circles, see if he knows lateral (sideways) work, and do a lot of what you are buying him for. For instance, if you want a jumper, do lots of jumps (duh.)
If you are looking for a horse, look for size, breed only if you are interested in breeding the horse later, and experience of the horse. Has he been ridden by your level of rider before? Does he know how to do what you want him to do? Has he shown before? Find out as much as you can about the horse before going to see him. Age is also important. Depending on your skill level, you may want an unbroken horse (0-about 3 or 4), a greenbroke horse(2-6), a ';finished'; or ';made'; horse (7-any age) or an older, more experienced horse. (13+) I wouldn't advise a horse under 6 for a beginner or novice rider. Good luck!
Watch its eyes, does it seem to blink a lot, could be sedated.
If its a gelding check its willy isn't hanging out, again sedated.
Watch if displays normal behaviour, it watches everything normally and doesn't suddenly start - again sedated.
Don't buy it without having it blood tested for bute at least.
Check for soundness - make sure you can ride or lunge it whatever is appropriate on a suitable surface, dont accept a rough area of ground as its difficult to tell then.
Check its confimation.
Check its action.
Check its feet, ridges, mean change of gras/feed, laminitus, change of home etc.
Feel for heat and swellings anywhere.
Ask whether its ever had, colic, laminitus whether its cold backed, bucks, rears, bolts etc.
Ask what its like in the stable, with other horses, without other horses.
Check its suitable for the purpose you want it for, i.e if thats hacking then it goes out with/without other horses. If thats competing then check its credentials with relevant society.
Does it load, farrier, catch, clip etc.
Does it stable well.
When was it last ridden and how often.
What is it fed and how does it do on food, could cost you a fortune or worry you if you turn it out on grass.
Any saddle marks, may cause problems psychologically and physically.
Check its tack make sure its ridden in suitable tack for the person whose going to ride it.
Ask that someone else rides it first!
If its a pony club pony then ask the local DC her opinion.
Why is it for sale and how long have they had it.
Look for splins, windgalls blemishes etc.
Above all take someone else with you preferably someone who is experienced (even if you are four eyes are better than two) and dont fall in love with it even if you are told a sob story. Go with a hard heart.
Good luck
Ask the current owner of the horse any questions you can about the horse and remember there is no such thing as a stupid question. Examine the horse yourself and ask questions like how does she do with the farrrier, the vet ect. Make sure you're almost positive that the owner is telling the truth. Good luck with your new horse and Congratulations! :)
Before you ride the horse have the owner ride the horse in all three gaits in front of you. Some people will come up with excuses like ';I have back problems so I can't'; when the real issue is that the horse will buck them off. If they say they can't, then tell them to find someone who can. If you do not know much about conformation, take a knowledgeable friend with you. Examine the horse's composure. Does he seem spooky? Timid towards new people? Is he headshy when you try to pet his face? Make you sure you get a vet check and that the horse is UTD on shots and his coggins. Ask about any injuries, illnesses. Hope that helps!
Your haven't supplied enough information to even attempt to begin to answer this question!
The answer to your questions will depend on your experience as a rider, what you plan to do with the horse (show, trail ride, trot around the back yard), your age and physical build (if you are 5'11'; and 200 lbs, don't buy a pony) and how much money you have.
I wanted to buy a horse the first week I started riding (as an adult). My instructor talked me out of it. She said that the horse I would ride as a beginner is a different horse than the one I would buy after riding a few years....and she was right! I rode as many different horses as I could and showed a few. I leased a few too, even working in exchange for my lease.
My next riding instructor wanted me to buy a 17 hand Irish Thoughbred for $10,000. He was a great horse, and at 5'10';, 150 lbs I did look good on him, but I didn't have $10,000 or the resourses to show him regularly. It would have been a shame not to show him.
What I finally wound up with is a quarter horse, 16'2' that I can trot around my riding ring and go on occasional trail rides. I paid $1500 for him and he's perfect.
What's the perfect horse for you? Listen to your instructor, but go with your gut. And for goodness sake, have him vetted before you buy him (or her)! A good vet can save you alot of headaches down the road.
Are you taking lessons? Have you thought about leasing a horse? Really need alot more information to answer this one!
look at his medical records
parents (for possible medical problems)
if he is sound vs lame
his potential
age
breed
temperment
First ask the horse';why the long face?';.I crack me up.
