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 Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:35 pm
Hey guys. While I own a few horses, I never actually bought one. Mine were givin to me by my parents. But it's about time i go an buy one myself. Now I'm looking ofr a western barrel racer or a reiner, or even a pleaure horse, but I'm not sure what to do. I mean, is it proper to ask to try its paces? If so when should you ask? Should you bring all you gear with you? What if you do and it dosnt fit? Is there something I should or shouldnt look for? What prices are too high? I need all the help I can get as my parents refuse to help me, they say this will help me 'gain experience' but I'm totally lost. Please, any advice would be greatly appriciated!
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:12 am
yes! u definetly ride the horse! u look for all the things u want in a horse. soundness, quality, responsiveness, desire to please. before u ride, ask the owner what the horse can do, and try it all (for instance, if the horse can spin, flying changes, whatever). if u have a riding instructor, i strongly advise asking her/him to come with you (some instructors ull have to pay) or your parents, if theyre knowlegeable about horses. its just good for someone on the ground (other than the seller) to watch. oh, before u get on, the owner should ride the horse (or trainer or whoever is the horses main rider). this way u know that the horse isnt going to throw u! lol. the seller will provide the tack, but just incase, bring your own along (tack that u feel safe in). oh, and even before u get on, its normal if u just stand there and talk to the seller about the horse. here u can look at his comformation, see how acts in the herd/being tied up, and get an idea of what the horses is all about even befor eu get close to him. if u can, do everything urself, like grooming, picking feet, tacking up, lunging, the works. if u dont like what u see, u might not even get to the point of where u want a test ride. ive never really tested anyhorses for myself (ive kinda had them placed infront of me for the taking, haha) but ive been the seller before, and the person who shows the horse for the buyers. sellers are trying to sell the horse, so take a second party with u who has bought and sold many horses in their life.
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 5:27 pm
ALWAYS have the owner ride it before you do. Don't let any one sucker you into buying a freak of a horse. If the owner doesn't want to ride it there is a good chance there is something really wrong with the horse be it a physical problem or a mental one.
Take some one who is well knowledged in horses with you. I'm not saying that you don't know what you're doing, it's just nice to have a second opinion. This person may notice things you miss.
Make sure the Vet you use to check the horse has no relations to the person selling the horse. Some vets will lie for their clients. Nothing sucks more than getting a horse because the vet check went well and then finding out it was all made up.
Try out the horse for a month or two before you buy it. Sometimes it takes awhile to realize the horse you found isn't the horse for you. Don't get yourself stuck with a horse that annoys or angers you. Or is below or above your level.
Good luck with finding your horse. I hope this helps.
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Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2006 4:04 pm
xD I know alot about horses, but absolutley nothing when it comes to buying. I'd take my parents, except for the fact they refuse, BUT I have two instructors that I think would come with me. I also have a few friends whom have bought them...Any other points I should know?
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 3:53 pm
get help from any instructors or other horsey people to go with you. bring your own helmet, they should have tack there. also, other people will most likely end up riding your horse, so have your helpers hop on. don't forget to get a vet check and current neggitive coggins test a horse without either shouldn't mingle with your horses.
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Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 2:50 pm
Confirmation ... Shoulder=back= croup ; barrel = legs ; (longer) slender neck that is tied in well with the chest
VERY important if you want a barrel or west pleasure
you would rather have alil bit longer of a neck than shorter, but somethin' that is slender still and the throat latch being good also,
check for bumps and scars that might also latter result of a lameness
defetly bring instructor! cause they could also get on and ride to make sure the horse is at your level or would be good for you.
and always make the owner ride before; unless they have a broken leg or preg... but if they have injurious make sure it's not from that horse.
and don't feel bad to ask you instructor to ride the horse also, because they might notice stuff from the back also that they don't notice from the ground, or that you dont' notice
and GOOD LUCK!!!!!
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:19 pm
My instructor is my mom. We have a ranch since I was born and Ive been rifing since I was 5.. (1m 16 now). Theres not too many horses I can't handle. (atleast I havnt met one) I know confermation and stuff, but I just need to know if there are any curtious things to do, what I should ask and stuff. Like, the owner riding first was a good tip, I would have never thought of it. Any other little hints that would help me look professional?
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Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:20 pm
First of all, if you can't try the horse and you want an experienced one: the owners are hiding something, and then it's not worth it. People selling horses will let you ride the horse around, to be sure you like what you're getting, and to encourage a sale.
They should have the tack with them, but bring a basic set just in case... a Western saddle is fine enough size wise that you can pack an extra pad and be sure that a short ride won't hurt the horse.
Before getting on the horse, run your hands over it, pick its feet up: inspect for faults, flinching, discomfort... lift its tail to see if it kicks, run your hands along its ears and pinch the top to see exactly how headshy the horse is. Tack the horse up yourself to see how much you like it, groom it yourself, lead it around. Make them lead it around for you at a walk and trot so you can observe its gait.
When you ride, check for tenderness, hesitation, etc, etc.
If it is a horse that seems sluggish, or "spaced out" or clumsy, or if it drags its feet: it's probably been sedated, and that means in real life it's a helldevil. Sedating a horse you wish to sell, by the way, is illegal. If you see this in a horse, CONFRONT THEM, and then if you have PROOF, report it!
SO! Basic process!
You get there and you want to get this information if you don't know it... even bring a sheet with you with these printed or written out so you can fill it in:
Name:
Nickname:
Breed(s):
Regiestration? (yes/no)
Faults (temper, habbits, etc):
Strong points:
History of competition:
History of lameness(and cause):
Attitude towards other horses:
How well feet are handled:
Headshy? (Yes/no)
And anything else YOU want to know about the horse!
After you are satisfied, have the owner go and catch the horse. If the horse is already caught, ask if it would be conveniant for them to turn it lose in a small paddock with a halter and lead so you can try to approach it.
After the horse is caught, have the owner lead it at a walk and trot. Get them to do sharp turns (both directions!), wide turns, stops, and backing up. Pay special attention to any commands they use, verbal or physical. Do everything yourself after you see the horse is not bad-tempered.
When you are watching them lead, watch the feet. Does the horse cross its legs, overstep, understep, stumble, drag its feet? Does he droop his head, toss it up, resist the pull, limp, try to move sideways. Is his tail clamped to its butt, or is it lose? (a sign of tension/relaxation) or, is it waving in the air? (a sign of arrogance or high spirits)
When you are leading it, see how easy it does everything, and see if it will respond to your commads. Watch where it naturally follows you, so you know what your ideal is.
After that, get the owner to pick up the feet, run his hands over the horse, and lift the tail, then pet the ears. Get him to rub the belly, lean on the back, everything, then do it yourself, excersizing caution. Aslo, at this point, check for sedation. Ask about how well the animal takes medication. If the owner is an expert, you might want to pry a bit to see just HOW MUCH meds this horse has needed.
Afterwards, get the owner to tie the horse somewhere, and watch it for a bit as you discuss the horse, to see how well it stands when people aren't paying attention.
Afterwards, groom it yourself: you've already rubbed it all over! Pick the hooves, curry it, brush its mane and tail out. If the tail is TOO clumped, gasp! Sign of neglect! Question how often the horse is groomed, but never accuse anything, or they may just get annoyed.
Tack up the horse yourself. Again, you've already rubbed it all over. Be cautious and take things slow to see how well the horse responds. Check for signs of soreness or reject to the tack. Make sure everything is good for the horse, and look to see if how it was standing has changed (to suggest anger or lameness)
Then get the owner to ride it around for you, putting it through its paces. Again, check for anger, stubborness, or lameness. If the horse has a habbit of rearing or bucking, take note of any attempt to do so.
Then get on yourself. Put it through its paces in a firm but understanding way: remember, the horse is not used to you.
You'll want to ride it a couple times over a span of a couple weeks, just to make sure you like the horse.
Good luck! Use common sense, it will come to you X)
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Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:06 pm
Thank you Marsh! That is VERY helpful. I shall make note of it all, and hopefully it will go well!
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Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2007 8:28 pm
^_^ glad I could be of service.
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Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:32 pm
Midnight Mare Hey guys. While I own a few horses, I never actually bought one. Mine were givin to me by my parents. But it's about time i go an buy one myself. Now I'm looking ofr a western barrel racer or a reiner, or even a pleaure horse, but I'm not sure what to do. I mean, is it proper to ask to try its paces? If so when should you ask? Should you bring all you gear with you? What if you do and it dosnt fit? Is there something I should or shouldnt look for? What prices are too high? I need all the help I can get as my parents refuse to help me, they say this will help me 'gain experience' but I'm totally lost. Please, any advice would be greatly appriciated! Well with my lessons of learning about selling and buying. You want an older horse one that knows a lil more then a three year old I would start at age 10-15 don't let age fool you on horses I own a 31 year old mare that still barrel races. Lets see far as what to look for you want good confermation meaning no vises of any kind. Always have an experianced rider go with you when you ride and look for horses that way you get a second opinion. Say your trainer or a more experianced friend. If your serious about buying the horse you can ask to ride it that same day your looking at him or her. And yes bring your own gear something you feel comfortable in always help ease the nervs on a first time ride on a new horse if it don't fit the owner should have all the gear for the horse. Dont let the buyer push you into buying the horse right off the bat most of the time they will use they got another person looking at this horse witch eitehr means they are using you or the other buyer to buy something ya don't want.If your into barrels a Quarter horse cow horse rening horse that has been breed for those type of contest would be best. Take your time looking go to the online sites and your local farm store let the clerks know your interested in a horse and they will help u look. When you go look at a horse you like ask the owner not to catch him until you get there don't tack him up you want to see how he does all that while your there to see his manners. If you see a horse that's tacked already and been rode you know it's to much of a horse to handle.And make sure the owner of that horse knows you are serious about catching him before you get there alot of owners do that and work the horse before you get there and some even drug the horse.If ya have any more questions you can email me at Darkpaw2006@AOL.COM I have horses for a very long time will be glad to help in any questions you have
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