Ridecamp: Re: [RC] horse purchase

The three things I've learned about buying horses are; always trust your gut
feelings, vets can make mistakes, horses, buyers and sellers all have good
days and bad days.

I am firmly of the opinion that you should test drive a horse away from his
home turf to see what they're going to be like at rides.

Riding a horse on his home turf is a great test too (want to check for barn
sour and other games), but if you can't ride it where you want to ride it,
what's the point of buying it?

I now also firmly believe in test riding a horse in a purposely stressful
environment, as that's what they're going to get at a race start (playdays
are great test grounds-- pretty safe, enclosed arenas, usually tilled
ground, lots of noise and excitement and there's usually somebody with first
aid training to come pick you up out of the dirt if you really seriously get
in over your head).

I suppose you could always arrange to meet the seller at a playday or a ride
and test ride there. . .

Guys and gals, there's no way to 100% CYA in buying and selling horses.

You should close your eyes, make your choice and commend your soul to the
god of your choice.


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