Would you buy an unregistered horse without a full history?

Question

I found a great horse - I am a begginer hunter / jumper doing 2 feet. I need an experienced horse that's a good teacher I can get a few years out of.

Anyway - he's 12. Passed vet check. Problem is - he isn't registered and the owner (who has been training and showing him for the past three years) doesn't know his history. He is a TB Cross.....but we aren't even sure with what. Should I be wary or is he okay for my purposes? The price is right.

Answer 1

i'd buy it. none of our horses have papers. ; p..... if he is as good as you say he is don't let this one slip away!

Answer 2

Since the present owner has had 3 years with him, I see no reason to need prior records.  Anything pertinent would have come up during her ownership.  If he passed the vet check, then you should ride him a couple of times with the owner present to learn how he cues, etc. and if you are comfortable with the horse, that's what matters.

Answer 3

There's nothing wrong with an unregistered horse.  It's like dogs...there are some great dogs that are mutts with no registration.  Registration makes people feel important, because they can say they have a purebred and registered horse, but the horse has no idea if it's purebred or registered.  Performance and conformation are way more important than paper.

Answer 4

sure did we bought real cheap appy/walking horse turned out to be thebest  beginner horse ever, we gave her to our niece now her loves her to death. she wasn't ugly most people would comment on her looks, O look athe pretty horse. she was a red roan have black around her eyes she was really a great horse she is  in her late 20's now and  my niece take real good care of her.

Answer 5

Sounds like a good buy to me.  If you are not going to enter the horse at a breed show, then it is not important for him to be registered.

Hope this helps you make your decision.

Answer 6

If you like him, and you get along with him well, and he meets your expectations / needs, go for it. If what you say is true about the past owner training and showing for the past three years, then you should be fine.

The horse I have now is unregistered (as far as i know) and is the best horse I have ever had. He has the biggest heart, a will to learn, and where i was afraid to jump a three foot oxar three years ago, he has given me the confidence to go far beyond that.

Maybe see if you could do a lease first before you buy if you are still unsure. This way, if he doesn't work out, then you can always give him back.  

Answer 7

You really DO NOT need a pedigree unless you plan on showing him in breed clubs.

He sounds like a good horse, and if you like him, then he's as good as yours.

The only thing to be wary of in his history, is that if he was abused or not trained right, he may have vices ( bad habits) that will get in your way. Make sure to inquire where the owner aquired him from. Good luck!

Answer 8

yeah, i would. go for him.  

Answer 9

For riding, not showing or breeding unless it was a s a recip mare. The important thing is conformation conformation conformation! I would buy a horse with a poor pedigree and awesome conformation before I would get  the opposite. Always get a vet check and X rays if you don't know the history. If it is a quarter paint or tb cross pulls some hairs and get an HYPP test.  

Answer 10

I don't think his history is important. As long as he checks out with the vet and fits what you want to do with him nothing else should matter. Papers don't make a horse.

Answer 11

Yes I would buy that horse. As long as they are healthy now, and suited for what you want now, their past cannot effect them all that much. There might be a case where there was some abuse or some old injury, but if you cant see anything that might cause a problem or be a deal breaker, go for it!  

Answer 12

I bought a horse with no history. He passed the vet check, and as long as the horse is mentally and physically sound, you should not worry.

Answer 13

I did, i bought my TBX mare with no history, unregistered/no passport and she didnt even have a name!

It was pretty stupid of me but she turned out to be brilliant :)

If hes passed the vet check then i'd personally say he seems safe, if hes from a good dealer/private owner then i dont see anything wrong with it.

But if you have any doubts go back and ask, or if you think theres a risk then talk to someone knowledgable that can come and see him with you!

Good luck :)

xx

Answer 14

i don't think you have to worry about it. as long as he is healthy and in good shape to show and compete you will be fine. he doesn't have to be registered to show , so you would be fine if you bought this horse. especially if he is what you want. good luck!

Answer 15

If you have test ridden him, and he has no vices then he will be fine :) A registere horse is not needed to show or even win in a hunter class. Me and my unregstered QH do well in the hunter ring ^^

If you are wary, then ask if you can keep him for a week or two just to see if he acts diffrent in a new place. You could also get an x-ray on hi legs if you are that worried.

But, he sounds good for a begginer.

Answer 16

Yes. The only purpose for buying registered is for showing and breeding (because more $$). As far as getting a history. I would just ask a vets opinion and get a coggins.

Answer 17

You absolutely do not need a registered horse to do H/J. As long as he vet checked clean and you enjoy him, he should be fine. Enjoy your new horse :)

Edit: You do have a 3 year history, and if he's been shown for the last 3 years, there's likely no big soundness issue with him. I'd say that's good enough.

Answer 18

buy it and RIDE THAT HORSE

Answer 19

I did, and hes the best purchase of my life. We are absolutally postive he is a warmblood, so we know were not being lied to about that ( 4 diffrent trainers, to A circuit level, agree hes a warmblood). Mine passed the vet check too, even if we didnt know his history he still is turning out to be the best horse ive ever had.

Your storyis almost exact to mine, and ive had no problems with my horse.

Answer 20

If you like him buy him. If he/she does what you want or need him to do it doesnt matter if he's registered or not!