Some questions to ask about buying my horse?

Question

Im planning on buying a horse. I am seeing it in person next Friday and I want to know some questions to ask the owner. Here is the stuff that I already know...

AGE

COLOR

HEIGHT

WEIGHT

BREED

REGISTERED

TEMPERMENT

Answer 1

Hello,

Here are some suggestions, I always add these to your questions

Training?

Trail ridden/arena ridden or both?

Cross water

Vices- pulling back, humping up, bucking, rearing, bolting, biting, rearing, kicking, pawing, etc.?

Marish/ if mare when they come in season?

How are they on the trail?  Do the follow, or lead?

Any health issues, ever been sick, coliced, etc.?

Any soundness issues, been off before?

Any lameness?

Any problems with have a vet check and x-rays?

Any problems offering a money back guarantee?

How is the horse trailering?

It it an easy keeper (keeps ideal weight with only feeding hay)?

It is a hard keeper (you always have to supplement and struggle to keep weight up)?

How is the horse for the farrier?

Does the horse plow rein or neck rein?

Does he sidepass, two step, etc.?

HAVE fun trying him/her out!!!!!

EDIT<><><><>

Ask if he needs lunged before you ride...  Or can you just saddle up and ride?

EDIT EDIT>>>>

We are getting a horse where the owner is going to college too!  I think it is hard for some of these girls to let go of their horses.  But it is a responsible thing, since they will either be very busy with the school work or out of state.  We are still making shipping arrangements for ours!

Answer 2

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?

What is the price? Is it negotiable?

Has he been injured or sick recently?

Does he get along with other horses?

Is he safe with kids?

Is he allergic to anything?

Have there been any problems about anything?

Why is he being sold?

Ride him before you buy him. You don't need to ask what color he is because you will see that.

Answer 3

Does he trailer well?

Does he buck or kick?

Does he listen in the saddle?

Is he good with kids?

Is he behaved on the halter?

Does he have good ground manners?

Is he allergic to anything?

Are you giving him any supplements?

Does he have shoes?

When was he last checked by a vet?

When did he last have his hooves done?

Does he bite?

Does he saddle well?

Can you easly put his halter, and bridle on?

What style riding does he do?

Can he back up?

Does he listen well?

Does he know voice commands?

What treats to you give him?

Is there anything he cant have?

Is he good with other horses?

Has he been in any shows?

If male, is he gelded? Has he ever had a foal, is he still a stallion, is he a stud?

If a mare, is she a maiden or not, if she isnt a maiden how many foals has she had and did the births go ok?

Can you clean hooves easily?

Does he allow you to brush him?

Is he good with baths?

Can you tie him to something?

Does he have any medical issues?

Does he need certain types of shampoo?

Does he ride with a bit or a bitless bridle?

Western or english?

thats all i can think of. best of luck with  your horse!

Answer 4

Here is a portion of an article I have written on buying a horse.  It is written for a first-time owner, you can read the whole thing at the link provided.  

here are some questions to ask when you contact the owner: How long have you owned this horse? (If less than a year, beware.) Why are you selling? Does this horse have any known bad habits? Has this horse ever bucked, reared, run away, or kicked someone? How old was this horse when it started training? Do you personally know the trainer and recommend the horse as being trained well? Was this horse ridden regularly this past year? Do you have any knowledge of the sire and dam of this horse, whether or not they were good riding horses or have any outstanding accomplishments? Do you have the registration papers for this horse, and does the horse sell as registered? Do you consider this horse to be a good match for a rider of my level? Is this horse hard to catch? Does it have any known vices such as cribbing, wind-sucking, stall-weaving, pacing, etc? Is this horse easy to trim, shoe, bathe, trailer-load, etc? Does this horse have good ground manners, or are there areas he still needs work on? What potential disciplines would you recommend for this horse, and is there any reason why he would not make a good (fill in your intended discipline) horse? Are there any soundness issues or illnesses in this horse? Past injuries or problems?

http://liverystable.net/talk/viewtopic.p...

Hope that helps!

Answer 5

Ask if the horse has ever been lame and if so when and what kind of lameness.  Ask if the horse has ever been sick or colicked. Ask if the horse will lift it's feet for the farrier, lead and stand tied quietly, trailer easily.  Ask how this horse gets along with other horses, especially under saddle.

Answer 6

Do they have any vices?

Have they ever been off work and if so why?

How are they with other horses?

How have they done in shows?

You should definately ride the horse and take someone that you know knows what they are doing e.g. riding instructor, because they can tell heigh and approx age because sometimes people lie to make you buy the horse. Also get the horse vetted before you buy it, but only do this if you are 100% sure you want this horse because it can cost £100.

Answer 7

How about soundness?  BEFORE you purchase your first horse make sure you get a vet check by a vet unassociated with the seller.  Besides soundness, do a blood work looking for anysort of drugs.

Then you can ask about clipping (Does he/she clip), shoeing (Is he/she a problem?), loading in a horsetrailer.

Answer 8

You need to check out its conformation.  The way it moves.  Training level.  Is it up to date on coggins and all other  vaccines.  When was its teeth last floated.  When did a vet least see it and proof.  How long they had him.  How many owners has it had.  What type of feed.  Is it a good eater.  Is it picky (treats, feed, riding style, and so on).  Make sure to ride it.  DO NOT let them give you some lame excuse on why you can't...that is your first sign to walk away.  Have them give you a lesson on it just to get used to eachother...has it ever been abused?  There a so many questions to ask and if you are not to knowledgeable I would bring someone with you.   Make sure it is not on any kind of steroid(this has happened to me before)  ask for some sort of guarantee

Answer 9

well i own horse's and you should always check the teeth if you see he/she has lost of teeth and are chipped and seemed to be old. means the horse is an older horse. if its missing some or seem to look new its a baby =).

the food!

they have very sensitive tummys there food should be givin to them at the same time everyday, and the same amount.

if not they can die from colico.

you should look at the horse's pedgree.

& just to help you i think Paso Fino Horse's are the best!

there are so many types and not all jump over rails like the other breeds these have talent and if are trained right good be worth a fortune. you can even compete them.

i know i own a horse who has History and just to have a baby of his cost alot =).

Good Luck and you'll love horse's the super sweet!!!!

Answer 10

you will only truly know the temperment of the horse once you ride him/her and actually see the horse.

-but other things you will want to ask are...

about the horse's history of being sick like colicing and other things of that nature.

-when were the teeth last done?

-does he have current coggins?

if i can think of more i was come back and add them.

i think it is very good of you to prepare questions to ask!!!

good luck! hopefuly this horse is prefect for you!!

Answer 11

Did you learn what its allergic to?

[i do not own a horse, but i would think you would need to know that]

Answer 12

HAS THIS HORSE EVER BEEN SICK IN THE PAST, IF SO WHAT SICKNESSES? LIKE COLIC? LAMENESS?

HAS THIS HORSE EVERY REARED, BUCKED, KICKED, OR BITEN ANYONE?

HOW DOES THIS HORSE ACT AROUND MARE, GELDINGS, FOALS, AND STALLIONS?

hOW WELL DOES THIS HORSE ACT AROUND DOGS, CATS, AND OTHER PEOPLE AND ANIMALS

HOW WELL DOES THIS HORSE TRAILER?

DOES THIS HORSE NEED SHOES?

DOES THIS HORSE NEED ANY EXTRA SPECIAL CARE? ANY STRICT DIETS??

HOW RESPONSIVE IS THE HORSE UNDERSADDLE?

DOES HE KNOW HOW TO LUNGE??

DOES THIS HORSE TAKE WORMER WELL??

the gold question you ALWAYS ALWAYS ASK a seller

"WHY ARE YOU SELLING THIS HORSE??"

there are SO many questions just keep them coming!!