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Help with buying horse!
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16-05-2012 8:50am#1
Comments
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3k should get you a decent horses these days no problem.
The best thing to do is to take someone with you if you're looking at a horse that knows about buying horses.
Things to look out for are:
Confirmation: Is there any serious confirmational defects such as a hollow back or anything else quite obvious that may be hindering or even hurting the horse? How is its weight? Since you are going for showing, is the horse straight and square? Does it carry itself well?
Injury: Are there any serious injuries or lameness in the horse?
Behaviour: Is the horse calm and relaxed but at the same time alert? i.e. Relaxed but still listening, eyes are bright not dull, not showing much resistance to work as in neither aggressive nor dead. Something to look out for is if the horse is lazy and dull, is that its personality or has the horse been drugged? You can usually tell by how bright and alert the eyes are and how floppy the ear are.
Honesty: Does the horse match the ad you were shown? Ask the owners about the horse, even the details that were in the ad so if the ad says its done cross-country, SJ and dressage, still ask what the horse has done, its breeding, the book etc.
Your gut instinct: If you arrive somewhere and you don't like the place or have a bad feeling about a horse, leave. Your instinct are usually right.
Take the horse on trial: Don't buy a horse without taking it on trial for a week or two. You then have time to suss out the horse, its temperament and whether or not you actually suit the horse and like it or not. If at the end of the trial, you still have doubts, don't take the horse.
After that, it's just personal preference. I would emphasise taking someone who knows a thing or two about buying horses
(Woo, 1000 posts!
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Take the horse on trial: Don't buy a horse without taking it on trial for a week or two. You then have time to suss out the horse, its temperament and whether or not you actually suit the horse and like it or not. If at the end of the trial, you still have doubts, don't take the horse.
Just a little to add on this. Not all owners will give a horse or pony on trial. It doesn't always mean there's something to hide. For example, we gave a pony on trial before, and we would never, ever do it again. We knew the people who were interested in her - they would be considered quite an experienced family who knew what they were doing and would care for the pony for the few days. However, when we got the pony back the sides of her mouth were cut and sore, and her mouth inside was bruised, despite the fact we have given them her bit (straight rubber snaffle) as she had a very kind mouth and she was terrified of the bit for ages after she returned. Moreover, she was absolutely filthy and had lost condition in the 4 or 5 days they had her. It was an awful experience and one I never want to put another of our horses/ponies through - it really opened my eyes.
The people who eventually bought her weren't allowed to take her away on trial, but, having explained our reasons for it, they were willing to come over as many times as they liked to try her at our place before they made up their minds. I think they came over 3 or 4 times, and always had a different experienced person with them so they could get a good independent opinion on the pony. They bought her and were absolutely delighted with her as she was exactly what they were looking for.
Just because a horse won't be given on trial doesn't mean there's anything to hide, but if you feel the owner is trying to hide something or you get that 'not quite right' feeling, then go with your gut.0 -
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Agree with the others it is definitely way cheaper sticking with lessons than buying. Plus to me (this may not apply to others) but the horse is like having a frickin' child! Always, always in the back of your head. Planning what to do with her, making sure shes fit enough, is she ill?, does she need more feed because she was a bit dull today?
Other costs to consider:
1.A horse needs exercise minimum of 5 days a week as far as I'm concenred so thats 5 days driving out to equestrian centre. But probably more. Could even end up out there 2x a day or more
2.farrier bills- between 30-50 quid every 6 weeks (I'm paying 50 but am in the back of nowhere so have no other option)
3. Clipping? Unless you can clip yourself
4. Vet as mentioned also teeth once a year needs doing!
5. DIY Livery or All inclusive?- DIY could mean more petrol burnt up!
6. Tack- Cleaning, repair, etc.. Also if the horse doesn't come with tack or the tack they do come with is unsuitable there goes more money down the toilet
7. General care equipment- Shampoo, hoof oil, etc..
8. That constant being in a horse store and buying new stuff problem such as lovely new polo wraps you don't need but still would look lovely against her coat colour...
9. Feed and supplements and carrots and mints (they all can add up)
10. Time- When you go to a lesson you are given a horse you generally don't need to worry about its grooming and cleaning. Owning a horse means you need to allocate this time to ensure they are in good health. Plus its your horse you gotta spend time with them aside riding it. How else will you bond? Other than being that person who comes and sits on their back 5 times a week?
11. Lessons! You can't just ride the horse. You still are gonna need the odd lesson every now and again to guide your training. Even top show jumpers still get lessons!
Owning a horse really is a wonderful experience but I just want to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Otherwise goodluck 0 -
Fully aware what is involved, my daughter has a pony so understand the expense/time involved.Nolimits12 wrote: »Agree with the others it is definitely way cheaper sticking with lessons than buying. Plus to me (this may not apply to others) but the horse is like having a frickin' child! Always, always in the back of your head. Planning what to do with her, making sure shes fit enough, is she ill?, does she need more feed because she was a bit dull today?
Other costs to consider:
1.A horse needs exercise minimum of 5 days a week as far as I'm concenred so thats 5 days driving out to equestrian centre. But probably more. Could even end up out there 2x a day or more
2.farrier bills- between 30-50 quid every 6 weeks (I'm paying 50 but am in the back of nowhere so have no other option)
3. Clipping? Unless you can clip yourself
4. Vet as mentioned also teeth once a year needs doing!
5. DIY Livery or All inclusive?- DIY could mean more petrol burnt up!
6. Tack- Cleaning, repair, etc.. Also if the horse doesn't come with tack or the tack they do come with is unsuitable there goes more money down the toilet
7. General care equipment- Shampoo, hoof oil, etc..
8. That constant being in a horse store and buying new stuff problem such as lovely new polo wraps you don't need but still would look lovely against her coat colour...
9. Feed and supplements and carrots and mints (they all can add up)
10. Time- When you go to a lesson you are given a horse you generally don't need to worry about its grooming and cleaning. Owning a horse means you need to allocate this time to ensure they are in good health. Plus its your horse you gotta spend time with them aside riding it. How else will you bond? Other than being that person who comes and sits on their back 5 times a week?
11. Lessons! You can't just ride the horse. You still are gonna need the odd lesson every now and again to guide your training. Even top show jumpers still get lessons!
Owning a horse really is a wonderful experience but I just want to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. Otherwise goodluck0 -
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adrenalinjunkie wrote: »I think anyone would let someone take a horse on trial if it's to be kept at a reputable yard that both parties agree on for the trial period where the owner can still have access whenever they feel like it. If you find a horse you are interested in make this suggestion to the seller. I'd be very wary of someone who wouldn't oblige in this scenario tbh.
It depends on the person, to be honest. I have absolutely nothing to hide, but having had such a bad experience in the past, there's no way I'd subject a horse or pony to such a risk again.
On the other hand, I'd advise caution where somebody is willing to give the horse/pony on trial, yet will tell the owner they need to get the horse shod before they ride it, or that they need a particular bit, piece of tack, etc., yet don't provide it. I've seen some people get stung by this, and ended up buying the horse/pony without getting to try it properly because it took so long to get a farrier or the bit/piece of tack, only to find out that the animal was completely unsuitable and/or nasty.
There really are 2 sides to it, just like everything, and you're just going to have to go with your gut instinct on this, marley.
Let us know how you get on, and best of luck with the upcoming trial in Tipp! 0 -
doctor evil wrote: »Cheaper to stick with lessons than buying!
Sometimes it is not worth claiming from insurance as you may incur exclusions on your policy.
yes but not the same at all?? cant really compare, lessons are massively limiting, ive had my own horses for the last 6 years or so and while it costs the earth there's absolutely no comparison whatsoever to lessons, i'd rather eat my own foot than go back to that again!!
if you really want to ride then there's absolutely no comparison and if you are prepared to make the sacrifices then you gain so much more by owning; riding in a lesson and progressing with your own horse are absolutely worlds apart.
Holy moly Nolimits12, you make owning a horse sound like a prison sentence
Agree with most of the above, there really is a lot to be said for gut feeling as well. i bought a three year old gelding recently enough, very green, but i just felt there was something about him i loved! aside from riding-wise as well though, i would definitely advise you not to forget about ground manners etc - nothing worse than a horse that is lovely to ride but tries to put you through the stable wall when you're tacking up. make sure to find out if the horse is good to catch, i have a real thing about this - i refuse to trek around the field for hours on end!! same goes for loading, make sure you get to see the horse load before you make any commitments. bad loaders are among the most problematic thing for any horse owner, there is nothing quite so irritating as having to be in the yard 5 hours before a show just to make sure you have time to get the horse into the box, if at all - it is a NIGHTMARE. same goes for clipping and shoeing, easy to overlook but so annoying if the horse has issues with them.
Best of luck Marley, main thing is not to rush into anything - there are a lot of horses out there, find one that you want to have forever 0 -
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