Buying First Horse-Questions to ask owner?

Question

I am looking at horses to buy for my first horse of my own after riding and helping at stables a lot for 6 years. I am looking for suggestions to ask the owners by e-mail before I go to see the horse so I can atleast have an idea about what the horse is like. What questions should I ask? I already have a few, but want others. Thanks

Answer 1

Has he raced? (racing can lead to arthritis)

What supplements is he on? (these can be expensive)

Does he have any vices? (kicking, bucking...)

Does he trailer well? (you need to know how to handle him)

How has he done in recent shows? Was he stressed?

Is he up to date with the vet and farrier?

How are his manners? (does he walk on a lead rope, will he let you groom him)

Does he spook at anything?

What is the price? Is it negotiable?

Has he been injured or sick recently? What injuries/sicknesses did he have?

Does he get along with other horses?

Is he safe with kids?

Is he allergic to anything? (latex, rubbers, etc.)

Have there been any problems about anything? (dislikes certain toys, won't eat certain food...)

Do they have registrations papers for him? Can you see them?

Does he need to be lunged before riding? (frequent lunging can wear their legs down)

Watch them bring him in from the paddock, groom him, and tack him up. If they won't, don't get him as they are hiding something. If he behaved badly during this, figure out why. (is he always grumpy, or is the heat bothering him). Good luck!

Answer 2

Ask them why they got the horse?

Why are the getting rid of the horse?

Ask questions about what they horse excels in.

Ask to bring the horse home for two weeks or more on a trial period. This will allow you to see the horse for what he truly is. During this period have as many well educated horse people come look at him and ride him as you can. You want to know what they think. Also have your vet do a vet check with out the owner.

If the owner is there for all of this they will make excuses up for why the horse is or isn't doing certain things. So get the horse away

don't steal it tho

Answer 3

Since this is your first time buying a horse, you may want someone more experienced in purchasing horses to go with you.  I would take someone who a) has purchased a horse and been happy with the purchase, b) knows your experience level and c) knows what kind of horse you are looking for.  A lot of times new horse buyers tend to buy with their heart and not thier mind, so you need someone who will tell you the horse is not a good fit for you even if you have those little hearts coming out of your eyes.  As for what to ask the owner, here are some things I always want to know about a horse before I even decide to go look.  What training has the horse had, if this is for a show prospect, has the horse ever been shown.  Get general descriptions about the horse's temperment.  What is the vet history on the horse, does the horse stand willingly for the farrier, are there any trailering issues?  Why are they selling the horse?  You can usually tell by the wording and the length of the response if they are being honest and if they really like the horse.  If at all possible, request a video or pics of the horse.  Never go look at a horse with the intention to buy that day.  Never take a trailer with you to look at the horse either, this just gives the seller the opinion you have already made up your mind and they will be less willing to negotiate the purchase price.  The main thing is to make sure you keep your goals in sight when looking for a horse and be careful to fall in love with the first horse you look at.  Good luck and happy horse hunting.

Also, have the owner ride the horse first, if they are unwilling or skeptical, don't walk away, run, they are definitely hiding something.  Also note if the horse has been worked before you arrive and if the horse is already tacked up, could indicate a problem, unless they are totally up front with you.

Answer 4

Height?

Age?

Breed?

Male/Female?

Stallion/Gleding?

Any Fears?

Ever Had Bad Injury?

Need Any Special Type Of Food?

How Long Have You Had Him?

How Many Homes Has He Had?

Is He A Good Jumper etcc..?

Colour?(Should not matter but anyway) ..lol

Long Broken?

Bad Habits?

Does He Buck/Rear? ettc ..

Reaction Around Other Horses?

Price? (Duh)

Have They Ever Been Bred?

Fit?

Answer 5

make sure you ask why the owner is selling the horse.. you may want to back down if the owners response is 'this horse is a biting, kicking, and bucking pile of future vet bills'

Answer 6

You want to ask how old the horse is, the age of the horse, if it has had any special training. I would also ask how the horse behaves with other horses when riding. For example my QH is very good when we are riding with other horses, and if I try to remove her from the group she gets very upset. I would also ask if the horse has any issues with riding in an indoor arena. I have known of a few horses that would refuse to go into indoor riding areas. Does the horse spook at anything? That might also be a good question to ask. When you go see the horse, make sure to take it for a "test ride." The owner should offer to let you do this. If you have your own saddle, take it along because that would allow you to get the feel of the horse in a saddle you are comfortable with. Enjoy your new horse! They are wonderful animals!

Answer 7

the trainer with the list of questions has the best answer, there is only one i'd ask about that is usually left of every list

to your knowledge has the horse ever been abused?

say you dont mean to be offending, but it does help alot to know if the horse has been abused, how the horse has been abused and if the horse doesnt like males or females.

i didnt ask that and bought a horse that was abused by a man, the horse went after my dad when he went in the stall to feed the horse... jammed up my dad's shoulder and i felt so bad for my dad and that the horse had been abused. . . but other then that i'm going to have to copy some of these questions b/c they are really good.

good luck, and dont be afraid to ask, not knowing can be dangerous.

Answer 8

Age? (for first horse, I'd say  nothing under 10)

Height?

Mare/Gelding/Stud?  (for first horse, I would recommend a gelding)

What has the horse been used for in the past?

Professionally Trained?  If so - who?

How many owners has the horse had?

Why are they selling him?

Is it registered?

If registered - are the papers up to date wtih owners (if not, you'll have to pay for the transfer of all of the people and track them down to get proof of sales).

Any vices - cribbing, weaving, etc.?

Can you clip the horse?  Does he have to be twitched for clipping?

Good for farrier?

Does he require shoes?

Does he tie?

Does he load into a trailer?

Does he have any seperation anxiety?

If you tie him to a trailer next to another horse and take the other horse away - waht will he do?

Any health issues?

Will he pass a vet check?

Has he ever coliced?

Has he ever had any surgery?

Has he ever been lame?

Any laminitis issues?

How long has the owner had him?

How many hours has he had on his back in the past year?

How many hours on his back in the past month?

What is the worst thing about him?

What is the best thing about him?

Up to date on coggins and vaccinations?  

What vaccinations is he given?

Has he ever had strangles - if so, when?

If he's a gelding - at what age was he gelded?  (Ideally the answer will be at 1 year of age - if he was 3 or older - don't buy him!).

If he's a show horse - what's the biggest thing he's won?

How much preperation does it take to get him ready for a show?

Does he have to be kept at a trainer to be show ready?

How do you warm him up for a show?

Is he cinchy at all?  If so - what does he do?  (some horses will just give you a dirty look, others may try to bite/kick you, some will take off bucking or bolt).

Can he be kept out on pasture?

Can he be kept in a stall?

What are his current living conditions?

What does he do when he's scared (some horses will bolt, some will back up, others will just jump in place)?

There's more good questions - but this is a good start...If at all possible - take a very experienced owner with you.  A vet check is definately a good idea (usually about $200).  Ask for pictures a video - I can tell how energetic and usually how naughty a horse is just  by its snapshot picture.

Answer 9

Depending upon the distance, I would request a video of the horse so you can see how it moves and check for lameness and see if you really like it. In this day and age, this is not an uncommon request and did it plenty of times when I was on my quest for a horse..especially when far away.  It should show both ways of a ring at all gaits..if for jumping..a few over fence shots too.

My trainer and I would review them together.

Just a thought!!