Buying a Horse or Pony? ... what to look for and questions to ask.
Before you start looking it's always a good idea to make a few decisions at the very beginning. These being:
your budget
your main interests (lead rein/first pony/eventing/dressage/sj/sh or whatever...)
what you expect the horse to do (ie, the purpose for which you are buying it!)
how far you will travel to find the right one
the riders support base (parents/instructors/pony club etc)
is there any breed preference or requirement
your requirement or preference for age, sex, height, temperament and perhaps colour.
Steps to take in Order:
Look around before deciding on a particular horse
Make the call and if necessary ask for a video
Ask questions, plenty of them. Note your answers to check against future conversations.
If you choose to look, plan a time when you are not under pressure to leave.
Go and look.
If liked, go back with a coach or experienced person
Get a vet check if paying over reasonable $$$
Organise the horse to be delivered or collected
First things first - your initial questions must include:
where you are going - how far you will be travelling
age
sex
colour
height
how it travels
does this horse have any issues or problems?
who will guarentee its performance at the level advertised/presented to you.
If it sounds interesting, follow with questions along thses lines:
What has it done in the last 12 months, and has it been in constant work? If not, why not as this will tell you something about its soundness.
Who has been riding it? You need to see it being ridden by the rider and know riders age.
Has it been to Pony Club and which one? Check with the PC about the certificate level of the rider, what they have done with it and how it went.
Know the ownership history - how long has the present rider had the horse?
Does the horse travel well? has it been trucked, floated etc?
How is the horse with the farrier? Has it been shod? Had/need studs?
What bit/s is this horse worked in and why?
How is the horse to handle? Easy to catch? Cover? Clip? Bridle? Saddle up etc.
Does the horse need constant work? Does it come back into work easily?
Ask the best things about the horse
The worst things too
Other Important points that should be asked and considered...
Has this horse been lame in the last 12 months?
Have a good look at the present condition of the horse, particularly its feet - remember the saying, 'no foot, no horse'.
How is its general health?
Has a vet seen this horse for any reason in the last 5 years/since purchase?
Is it a windsucker, does it suffer from colic, grass staggers, head shaking (particularly in summer), has it been 'tied up' or suffered laminitis?
When did it last see a dentist?
Has it required physio/chiropractic or other treatment at any stage?
What is the worming programme, when was it last wormed?
What is it fed, and does this change through the year? If complicated, why?
Is the horse covered, what times of year? What covers (and other gear) come with it?
What saddle, bridle & bit and cover sizes? (Will you need to purchase a new saddle/gear and have you allowed for this in your budget?)
Going to look at the horse...
Arrive earlier than expected.
Ask to see the horse caught, saddled up and riden by the rider.
If you are unsure, don't put your rider on the horse, particularly an inexperienced one..
If the horse is tied up on your arrival, or even saddled ask why. You need to see the horse taken from the paddock in a fresh condition. Saving time is not a good excuse.
Watch for signs that a horse has already been ridden that day - sometimes a tell tale saddle, girth or bridle mark could mean the horse has been excercised that day already and already warn out and therefore quieter than normal straight from paddock condition.
Handle the horse yourself - groom, pick up its feet, fit the bridle & saddle. Watch for flinching & grumpy behaviour.
Take photos, plenty of them. Or video, even if not top quality it will give you something to consider at home. Of both the rider and yourself/child handling and riding the horse.
Taking a Second Look:
It is highly recommended that an instructor or knowledgeable person (with a strong interest in the field you wish to use it) attends at this stage. A second set of eyes is invaluable.
Ask to see the horse in a different environment. If possible some place totally new to it.
If looking for a jumper, make sure it can jump at the level being sold at, similarly for an eventor. Endeavour to take it to a new environment to see this.
If a dressage horse, check it works on both grass and sand surfaces and to the level you understand it to be working. Any reputable seller wil have no difficulty with allowing you to see and try the horse off the property. If purchasing a dressage horse or eventer, ask what scores it is gaining (averaging, highs, lows and in what movements) and request to see dressage score sheets. This can give you a quick indication of the horses good and bad points.
If NZEF/ESNZ registered ask to see an official printout of its scores/points.
Ensure you see the horse both load and unload from the float or truck. If you are to float a horse that is always trucked (or vice-versa) ensure you see it in your situation as well.
Ask if a trial period is available but do not be offended if this is not offered.
Always, Always...
You should always ask (where-ever possible in the presence of your instructor/friend) 'Is there anything else I should know about this horse?' This covers you legally if any issues arrise after purchase that may not have been mentioned or you feel may have been purposely withheld.
If you feel something is being withheld, ask it several times. If the purchase turns to custard and for any reason you end up in court that simple statement and a witness to it can often be the difference between winning and loosing.
If at any point you hear things you beleive makes the horse unsuitable for your purposes politely let the owner know that you are not comfortable with that or that the animal is not suited to for you.
Most will understand that it is in the best interests of both the rider and horse and it's future welfare that it goes to the best possible home and if it is not 100% what you are looking for then you may not be the right owner.
All the best for your new purchase!
your budget
your main interests (lead rein/first pony/eventing/dressage/sj/sh or whatever...)
what you expect the horse to do (ie, the purpose for which you are buying it!)
how far you will travel to find the right one
the riders support base (parents/instructors/pony club etc)
is there any breed preference or requirement
your requirement or preference for age, sex, height, temperament and perhaps colour.
Steps to take in Order:
Look around before deciding on a particular horse
Make the call and if necessary ask for a video
Ask questions, plenty of them. Note your answers to check against future conversations.
If you choose to look, plan a time when you are not under pressure to leave.
Go and look.
If liked, go back with a coach or experienced person
Get a vet check if paying over reasonable $$$
Organise the horse to be delivered or collected
First things first - your initial questions must include:
where you are going - how far you will be travelling
age
sex
colour
height
how it travels
does this horse have any issues or problems?
who will guarentee its performance at the level advertised/presented to you.
If it sounds interesting, follow with questions along thses lines:
What has it done in the last 12 months, and has it been in constant work? If not, why not as this will tell you something about its soundness.
Who has been riding it? You need to see it being ridden by the rider and know riders age.
Has it been to Pony Club and which one? Check with the PC about the certificate level of the rider, what they have done with it and how it went.
Know the ownership history - how long has the present rider had the horse?
Does the horse travel well? has it been trucked, floated etc?
How is the horse with the farrier? Has it been shod? Had/need studs?
What bit/s is this horse worked in and why?
How is the horse to handle? Easy to catch? Cover? Clip? Bridle? Saddle up etc.
Does the horse need constant work? Does it come back into work easily?
Ask the best things about the horse
The worst things too
Other Important points that should be asked and considered...
Has this horse been lame in the last 12 months?
Have a good look at the present condition of the horse, particularly its feet - remember the saying, 'no foot, no horse'.
How is its general health?
Has a vet seen this horse for any reason in the last 5 years/since purchase?
Is it a windsucker, does it suffer from colic, grass staggers, head shaking (particularly in summer), has it been 'tied up' or suffered laminitis?
When did it last see a dentist?
Has it required physio/chiropractic or other treatment at any stage?
What is the worming programme, when was it last wormed?
What is it fed, and does this change through the year? If complicated, why?
Is the horse covered, what times of year? What covers (and other gear) come with it?
What saddle, bridle & bit and cover sizes? (Will you need to purchase a new saddle/gear and have you allowed for this in your budget?)
Going to look at the horse...
Arrive earlier than expected.
Ask to see the horse caught, saddled up and riden by the rider.
If you are unsure, don't put your rider on the horse, particularly an inexperienced one..
If the horse is tied up on your arrival, or even saddled ask why. You need to see the horse taken from the paddock in a fresh condition. Saving time is not a good excuse.
Watch for signs that a horse has already been ridden that day - sometimes a tell tale saddle, girth or bridle mark could mean the horse has been excercised that day already and already warn out and therefore quieter than normal straight from paddock condition.
Handle the horse yourself - groom, pick up its feet, fit the bridle & saddle. Watch for flinching & grumpy behaviour.
Take photos, plenty of them. Or video, even if not top quality it will give you something to consider at home. Of both the rider and yourself/child handling and riding the horse.
Taking a Second Look:
It is highly recommended that an instructor or knowledgeable person (with a strong interest in the field you wish to use it) attends at this stage. A second set of eyes is invaluable.
Ask to see the horse in a different environment. If possible some place totally new to it.
If looking for a jumper, make sure it can jump at the level being sold at, similarly for an eventor. Endeavour to take it to a new environment to see this.
If a dressage horse, check it works on both grass and sand surfaces and to the level you understand it to be working. Any reputable seller wil have no difficulty with allowing you to see and try the horse off the property. If purchasing a dressage horse or eventer, ask what scores it is gaining (averaging, highs, lows and in what movements) and request to see dressage score sheets. This can give you a quick indication of the horses good and bad points.
If NZEF/ESNZ registered ask to see an official printout of its scores/points.
Ensure you see the horse both load and unload from the float or truck. If you are to float a horse that is always trucked (or vice-versa) ensure you see it in your situation as well.
Ask if a trial period is available but do not be offended if this is not offered.
Always, Always...
You should always ask (where-ever possible in the presence of your instructor/friend) 'Is there anything else I should know about this horse?' This covers you legally if any issues arrise after purchase that may not have been mentioned or you feel may have been purposely withheld.
If you feel something is being withheld, ask it several times. If the purchase turns to custard and for any reason you end up in court that simple statement and a witness to it can often be the difference between winning and loosing.
If at any point you hear things you beleive makes the horse unsuitable for your purposes politely let the owner know that you are not comfortable with that or that the animal is not suited to for you.
Most will understand that it is in the best interests of both the rider and horse and it's future welfare that it goes to the best possible home and if it is not 100% what you are looking for then you may not be the right owner.
All the best for your new purchase!
