About to buy a horse, who should I bring? Trainer or Vet?

Question

Ok so I'll be buying a horse soon, and I'm an advanced rider, have ridden for 7 years, know my stuff, but I will admit that I am no where near the best! That's why I'll feel more comfortable bringing someone else along, a professional with many years under their belt and can tell if it's a good, healthy horse.

So my questions is, trainer or vet?

I don't have a trainer, and my vet for our cats probably doesn't do equine, but I could definitely ask. So either one I won't know most likely so I'll have to pay. And I'm willing to seeing this is an animal I'll have for many many many years!

My whole thought on this was first vet. They can check the animal over, give it a check-up, and see if anything is wrong. But then again, most don't know a l**k about riding, so as I'm riding they can't see behavioral stuff. That's why I thought trainer, they know most medical stuff, and can judge the horse under saddle as I'm riding.

I'd just like to know which would be best, and maybe a rough estimate of the price. I know each place and each person will be different, but just something in the ballpark that would be a fair price. If you have anything to add, whether it be experiences with one or the other, or just about when you bought a horse and what to look for, it'll be much appreciated!

Thanks :]

Answer 1

Take a trainer with you to check out the horses. They can evaluate the horse, training and how the two of you work together. They can help you avoid bad situations and pick the best horse. Once you have decided on a horse then bring a vet in to do a pre-purchase exam. It could save you a lot in the long run.

I'm sort of worried about your lack of a horse vet. Vet, farrier and other horse necesities need to be worked out before a horse is bought.

Answer 2

Bring the trainer with you, or another very experienced rider/trainer.  After you have picked a horse that you want to buy, that is the time to have a horse vet come out and give it a throrough exam.  You probably wouldn't find many vets willing to follow you around looking at lots of horses, and it would be very expensive.   Just make sure you do have the vet check out the horse before buying it, but it should be one of the last steps in the buying process, not one of the first.

Answer 3

An more experienced horse person is even suitable.  Not to say you aren't experienced, but your obviously worried about this whole situation, and with good reason. Give the horse a test ride BEFORE you buy it, and maybe have someone along with you who can take pictures to see if you like its movement. Make sure you feel comfortable in every gait on the horse. And last but not least, good luck with your new horse!

Answer 4

Ideally I would take both. Certainly have a vet check out the horse. Even though you have 7 years experience riding, its a good idea to have a trainer check out the horse too. The trainer can evaluate the horse (and you...) and tell you if the horse is a good fit. And of course the trainer can determine what behavioral problems the horse might have and how you're going to have to deal with them. So I would bring a trainer along and have the trainer ride the horse, and also have the trainer watch you ride the horse.

David

http://gentlenaturalhorseman.blogspot.co...

Answer 5

Hey There,

**Alright people first note, she asked a question** Give her a break. Frankly its good to see people buying a horse and so concerned about the horse and how they will work out rather then so many other people giving horses away, can't afford them, don't care about them, and let them starve to death.

Now as for you.. A pre purchase exam does not cost that much and its worth it. A lot of horses will not pass a purchase exam but it tells you what problems the horse may have. Of course it depends on what type of exam you get. The whole 9 yards.. x-rays, etc. Then the basic one which is cheaper is probably what you would want.

You are an experienced rider so you should be alright in that stand point. Another thing you could do though is pin point a trainer and tell them you would like to learn from them, etc and you are thinking of buying a horse but you would like to know if the horse is a good match. Who knows they may even come with you for little or no cost.

Good luck with your new horse!!

Answer 6

Take the trainer, it will probably cost you less and if the trainer thinks the horse is ok and would be willing to take you on as a client then I would get a vet to have a look. You maybe able to look at a few horses in a day and the trainer may be able to fit you in but a vet would not. You can also narrow down your choices and then you are only paying the vet for the ones you like because you will have to pay the vet whether the horse is suitable or not and they will charge for each visit whereas a trainer will only charge by the hour.

Answer 7

Plan on making two trips...if possible...to 'evaluate' the horse.

1st time with a trainer to see how the horse moves and if suitable for your chosen discipline.

2nd time...vet...if you choose to buy.

A vet doesn't really come into play...unless the decision to BUY has been made after your initial evaluation of the horse.  After you've met and ridden the horse.

Just my opinion and what I would do...

I don't pay for a vet check...unless I WANT to buy the horse.  And honestly...if a horse 'fails' a vet check, I have already written out, witnessed, and notarized some kind of statement or contract that states that the CURRENT OWNER of the horse...WILL pay for a failed vet check.  If the current owner won't do that...look elsewhere...they are liable to be hiding something.  

[If the horse 'passes'...I pay the vet check...I pay the owner...and take my new horse home!!]

Or did I not fully understand the question??

Answer 8

I would definately recommend veterinarian.  But don't get just a normal animal vet, make sure you get in contact with an equine vet because you will have to make appointments with one anyway so you might as well start with them helping you find a good horse.  That way they know everything about the horse before you bring it home.  My equine vet asked me to ride the horse I wanted to get in front of her during the vet check to see how her joints and hips looked during w/t/c exercises.  To make sure she didn't seem sore or stiff anywhere.  Trainers know how to train horses and while most of them know alot about horse anatomy etc.. your vet probably knows more about horse behavior than you think.  You'll have to pay either of them to go to see this horse, you might as well make it worth your while.

Good Luck and Happy Horse Shopping!!!

Answer 9

The complicated answer is both, but not at the same time.

You should bring a trainer you know and respect with you on the first visit. If you ride with the trainer, they can do the additional job of locating horses in your price range that would suit your abilities. Remember that many trainers don't list their sales horses online for anyone to see. There are many horses available that they only share with other trainers, to ensure the horse goes to the right home and continues on with its training. It'll be hard for a trainer to set you up with sales horses if they don't know your experience or riding level, though, so I recommend taking a few lessons with the trainer before going out to look at horses. This will also inform you as to whether or not you like the trainer's style and respect their knowledge on horsemanship. You can also evaluate the horses in that trainer's barn. If they're all athletic, sound, and safe, then you should pretty confident that your trainer can choose a good horse for you.

So, you bring a trainer with you on the initial visit. Sometimes the trainer might get on the horse first, particularly if it's a green or "project" horse. Even if they don't ride, they'll be there to watch the horse move and jump. They can evaluate its style better than a layman and give you realistic advice on how far the horse might go in a competitive environment. They'll also help narrow down the disciplines that the horse could excel in. They'd also be the first to point out any conformation or behavioral defects.

If both you and the trainer like the horse, you may take it on trial or come back for a second ride. If the opinion of the horse is still favorable, now is the time to call and EQUINE vet. Small animal vets won't be able to help you. They're not trained to evaluate the specific and complicated systems of a horse. Call any friends who are horse owners and ask them for recommendations on vets. Then contact the vet office and ask for a pre purchase exam. The vet will come out and evaluate the horse for soundness issues alone. They might take radiographs of the joints and run blood work to make sure the horse isn't doped. If the horse fails the vet check, it might mean a significant drop in price or that you keep looking for a new partner.

So, your trainer can evaluate behavioral issues, training, and suitability. They may also have an idea of an area they want the vet to investigate. For instance, if we go out to look at a horse that has very straight hind legs, I might ask the vet to radiograph his hocks and ask what he think this conformation defect would do to the horse's competitive chances. The vet is there to make sure the horse is sound and healthy.  

Answer 10

Bring with you a veteranarian. A trainer is supposed to be able to train most horses. Right now the horse's health is more important and if you get a good enough trainer then you shouldn't have any problems. The trainer should be able to correct behavorial problems that the horse may have. That's his job. If you want to be extra safe, take both.  

Answer 11

Trainers are not vets, and they don't know anywhere near most medical stuff.  Always have a vet examine the horse and do whatever testing (including x rays and blood work) necessary to rule out serious physical and medical problems.  Before scheduling the vet pre-purchase, have a trainer or knowledgable horseman/woman accompany you to ride the horse and determine it's suitability.  It isn't an either-or situation.  Both evaluations are important when you purchase a horse.

Answer 12

Personally, if I was in your position I would bring a trainer with me to check the horse out and watch me ride etc. Then if they were happy and I wanted to purchase the horse I would have an equine vet check it's wind and make sure it was sound as the bare minimum and x-rays etc if I was spending a substantial amount for the horse.

Good Luck!