Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2015 20:41:16 GMT
Hi all! Sorry I've kind of been a bad forum member lately, my co-worker's house burned down last week (all people and pets are ok, but they lost everything), so she is on leave and I have been working 7 days a week to cover for her. So my free time has evaporated for the time being.
You know how the moment you give up on finding something it shows up right in front of your face? Well about a month ago I gave up on finding a prospect horse for some eventing and maybe higher jumpers. I just wasn't finding anything I really liked or clicked with, and just figured it wasn't meant to be right now.
Well a horse showed up on my Facebook news feed 2 weeks ago that I REALLY, REALLY like, price is a little high, but not massively so and is negotiable to a non-flip home. He hasn't been advertised yet, but the lady who is selling him sold a friend of mine her current mare 3 years ago and asked her if she knew anyone looking.
I hesitate to post more because I do REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, like this horse and it seems like every time I outwardly express that, get excited, or tell someone about it something happens. (horse sells, is taken off the market, comes up lame ect.) Yes, I know I am being crazy superstitious here.
I will say he is tall, dark and handsome though  , and of course and OTTB.
So now that I have babbled out a novel... What are your favourite / best questions to ask when horse shopping? I'm looking for questions outside the basic feet, temperament, soundness, health, training and vices questions. I know the best thing is just to go and check him out myself, which I intent to do hopefully in the next two weeks, but in the meantime any thought provoking questions I should ask?
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nhg
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Post by nhg on Sept 2, 2015 0:11:16 GMT
I wish I could think of some good ones. Even just basic questions should get the person talking, though.
How long have you had him? How many times did he run and did he do well? When did he start in training for regular riding? How much time did he have off between racing and regular riding? Has she noticed any stress behaviours? Has she had him checked for lameness at all? How did she get him or where did she buy him? Has she had him through the winter and did she keep him stalled or does he grow a decent winter coat? If he needs a winter blanket does he look after it or wreck it? Does he need to be kept shod? What has he experienced such as dogs, farm equipment, etc? How often does she ride him? Has he competed?
I could go on and on. I do find, though, that one question leads to another unless you get one of those people that doesn't let anything on unless you drag it out of them. That's usually men, though. And if the person is talkative they'll often say more than they mean to.
Good luck! I'm excited for you!
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Post by carshon on Sept 2, 2015 12:43:06 GMT
I really think a question that needs to be asked of a buyer selling a performance horse or performance prospect is have they had hock injections or any other type of aid to help with leg health. These are very common today and very accepted but IMHO should be disclosed. Of course of PPE should be done.
And the standards as NHG said:
vices
trailer habits
gets along with other horses
shoes fine
colic'd before?
etc
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2015 18:39:43 GMT
Thanks for all the great input. The more I think about it the more I think that I might be trying to 'reinvent the wheel' so to speak.
Going to try and set up an appointment to see him next weekend.
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mistersmom
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Abita Springs, LA
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Post by mistersmom on Sept 2, 2015 19:07:07 GMT
I don't have any real suggestions, just wanted to say good luck! I hope you get to try him out and he is everything you are wanting. We can all give references if they need them!
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Post by dickel on Sept 2, 2015 20:06:39 GMT
This might apply.
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Post by horselady on Sept 2, 2015 20:57:06 GMT
Good luck, and dickel that is great advice. and let the seller do most of the talking and you fill in the blanks after. let them announce all the good points, and while they are talking. hands on the face. ears. legs. pick up a hoof. use a hoof pick and look professional and relaxed, walk to the side with your hand on his side. and than over the hip all the while the seller is talking. your hand is going to feel for a skin quiver. if it does that than retrace your hand a little firmer to see if the skin still quivers. than go down the hip and down the leg and feel for any heat in lower legs and hooves. all the while not saying too much if anything.
than do the same thing on the other side. if the horse is antsy this will give you a indication of it is being a bit concerned with who you are but if he accepts you doing all that than he is ok. oh and look at each hoof, closely.
good luck and you do need to take photos.
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nhg
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Post by nhg on Sept 2, 2015 21:13:32 GMT
While I agree with Dickel on this and like a seller to wait to catch the horse until I'm there I have to say that when I bought Prince he had not only been ridden but he had such huge saddle galls on his sides that I couldn't ride him. I bought him anyway because the price was right and with his colour and look I knew that if he didn't work out I could double my money at the next horse auction. Fifteen years later, he's still here.
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Post by mustangsavvy on Sept 7, 2015 23:57:58 GMT
Soundness History?
Colic history?
Training?
Show Record?
Ever been trail ridden?
Shoes?
Feeding Schedule?
Etc?
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Post by horselover4life on Sept 8, 2015 0:08:34 GMT
Apollo....how about...
Is there any reason I should not buy this horse?That would put the seller somewhat off-guard as that sounds like you are sold on the horse unless they come across with a reason to kill the deal...
Amazing what stumbles out of mouths when you catch people off guard...
If he/she is such a nice horse why are you selling?
See if when you are face to face the story matches what you have been told on the phone, in email and seen on various sites where advertised for sale if all the information stays the same or suddenly there are discrepancies...
Basic questions are basic questions and you should have a lot of those answers before you ever even venture out to see the horse...
Health, racing/show record, illness, farrier, clipping, trailering, aggressive at feeding or feeding issues, tolerant of other horses.....so on and so forth are all important.
Those answers also make the beginning of bargaining points for you if really interested.
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mistersmom
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Abita Springs, LA
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Post by mistersmom on Sept 11, 2015 20:48:15 GMT
Hey Apollo - were you able to set up an appointment to see this mystery horse?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2015 22:04:29 GMT
Not yet. I am hoping that I will get to see him sometime between the 18th and the 25th. Between stuff coming up in my schedule and stuff coming up in the seller's we haven't been able to make anything work quite yet. He still isn't listed for sale and she isn't in a rush to move him, so that is good. If / when I go to see him I will be sure to make a thread about it (with pictures ) if I am fairly serious about moving forward with buying him. I'm debating shedding my superstition and posting the pictures I do have, but I am on the fence about it. Lol |
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Post by horselady on Sept 11, 2015 23:45:53 GMT
NO just keep the photos to your self unless you want to private message someone with them just to get a private opinion. he sure does sound like a nice horse.  |
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Sept 12, 2015 0:22:47 GMT
I tend to agree with HL on this - nothing wrong with superstition!
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Post by ladymcts on Sept 15, 2015 11:35:09 GMT
To add to Dickel's post, I think Horse Shop.ping 102 is to be wary when the owner won't get on the animal. Yes, I broke that rule with Jacques and paid for it in lessons on dealing with bucking. Seller claimed to be pregnant, was the only reason I stuck around and watched a trainer ride him instead (and later rode him myself).
I keep a running list of questions to ask ... just in case. :-) Here goes:
What do you know of his parents\breeding?
What’s his history been that you know of?
How long owned him?
Has he ever hurt anyone?
Why selling?
Training?
Trail experience?
Crossing water
Crossing bridges
Spooking
Any vices? Buck, bite, kick, crib
Any health issues?
Bathing?
Loading?
Trailering?
Tying or standing?
Standing for farrier?
Vaccinations?
Coggins?
Herd pecking order?
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Post by ladymcts on Sept 15, 2015 11:39:39 GMT
Doh, found another list sent to me by a friend. She's had more horses than I have, and is being an accountant is probably more complete in what she makes sure to ask. (I will tend to be a weenie and look at my list and ask half of them because I don't want to be a bother.) Anyhoo, some of these are more complete versions of my list above.
Any illnesses or medical issues?
Coggins/ shots?
Last time teeth floated?
What is horse fed?
On any supplements
Shod? Ever ridden on hard, rocky surfaces?
Lives in pasture and/or stalled?
If in a herd, how big and pecking order?
How long owned horse? Any other background on horse?
Registration: Dam & Sires Names, which assns?
Any vices (cribbing, weaving, pawing)
Any pinning ears with other horses around?
If mare, marish when in season?
Spooky?
Personality/energy level?
Rear, buck, kick, bite?
Is horse easily caught in pasture?
Direct rein versus neck rein?
Arena work?
Trail experience, front, middle and/or back? Bridges, rocks, stepping over things and animals?
Trail experience - riding out alone?
Training-what type, level and what needs work?
How much work lately?
Go versus whoa (how sensitive to leg aids)?
Load and into what type of trailer?
Ever been ridden in an English saddle/type of withers?
Ground manners?
Kind of bit/bridle used? Special tack?
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Post by horselady on Sept 20, 2015 11:37:48 GMT
Apollo, any update on this idea of looking at a horse?? sure am curious. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2015 16:38:24 GMT
Thursday, we've been pushed back a few times because the seller is combining right now and the weather has been decent. The more I learn about him the more excited I get. I am really trying hard not to get my hopes up, so I'm cautiously optimistic about him. There will be an update and hopefully pictures Thursday evening if all goes well.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2015 2:40:22 GMT
Pushed back again. Seller is sick. No word yet on when we will reschedule for.  |
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Sept 23, 2015 13:10:17 GMT
UGH! Sounds like you are getting a lesson in patience. I'm sure it will all work out when it is supposed to.
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, and of course and OTTB.
....
