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Well, let me jump on this one. For the
past few months I have been "horse Shopping" via the net. I have looked at
probably close to a thousand horses all over this country and even outside of
this country.
First what are you going to be using this horse
for? If for endurance riding, then set up your criteria. Mare or Gelding? how
tall? Stocky or lean? Are you looking at hooves? Cannon bones? Temperment? what
questions have you asked about the horse, ie, does it kick, bite, get along with
other horses? Can you walk right up and catch it in the field? Is it level
headed to be in an adrenaline pumping sport? What is the energy level of this
horse?
On the FEW horses that I have seen that may fit
my stringent criteria, I ask for a video. I want it to be extensive. Starting
with showing them walking out to pasture to halter the horse. Then I want it
tied and touched all over, feet picked up, tacked up, I want to see them mount
and dismount the horse. I want to see the horse ridden out in all the gaits that
it can do. Close up of stifles, cannons, feet both on the ground and the
underside picked up to see the frog. Show me this horse with another horse
riding out.
Then, if it gets to the nitty gritty and I
either can't get to that horse or know someone that can get out and ride that
horse, I want a prepurchase exam. I want a video of the exam being taken with
volume up so I can hear what is being said. Ask for everything that is part of
your needs with this horse to be done, but don't let the Vet get carried away,
if not necessary.
Get the history on the horse. How many previous
owners? What can you find out about these owners, such as the care and
riding history. If you are searching for particular bloodlines, ask for the
pedigree on the horse. Ask why they are selling, and be prepared for a not so
honest answer.
If you find the horse that really interests
you, get on ridecamp and offer to pay someone in the near vicinity to go take a
look see and ride the horse.
The best possible thing is to get to that
location and ride the horse. You may spend some money in airfare, which now are
quite low, but you will save tons of heartache down the road. Keep a log
of the questions that you ask, make sure that the Seller answers all of them.
Check your list, go back and ask again if one was missed. If they miss it the
second time, either persue it or figure you are not going to get the answer and
move on.
I have bought too many horses being
inexperienced because it was a "deal" or the horse was so "pretty" or
whatever.
"Free?" no such thing. Free to get the horse
out of the sellers pocketbook. Free means not of much use and I am sick of
feeding, shoeing, Vetting , cleaning up after.............so some other schmuck
can take this on.
Buying a good horse is a challenge if you are
there to see the horse and get to see the personality that hopefully will suit
you. Buying sight unseen, is really a gamble, but the odds are better for you if
you can get as much research done as possible.
amber...............looking and looking and
looking.
I forgot to mention that the gelding is "free to a good home" and the mare
is 3,000. they took 500 off for shipping...
Jen
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