Questions to ask sellers, before buying a horse...post your questions!

horseluvr4ever · 06-09-2006, 12:07 PM

I thought it might be nice for some of us to post questions to ask sellers about their horses. Then when we are looking at a horse for sale, we can scroll down the list to make sure we have covered everything that should be asked. I wasn't sure if there has been a thread like this or not, so I thought I'd post.

I'll start off:

*Why are you selling?
*What have you done with the horse?
*Does the horse stand for the farrier?

endurgirl · 06-09-2006, 12:27 PM

Ever been injured?
Any bad habits?
What is his training so far?
What level rider does he need?

philly78 · 06-09-2006, 12:34 PM

does he bath?
does he load if so into what type of trailer?
if mare, then has she ever foaled if so how did that go, was foal alive?
what type of bit do you ride him in?
how is he with other horses?
how long have you owned this horse?

Cavalier · 06-09-2006, 02:56 PM

To add to what others wrote:

What is the horses level of education?
Competition results?
What is the horse like to take out?
What amounts and type of feed does the horse require to maintain weight?
Is he easy to rug, worm, shoe, float, catch, lead, tie up, clip etc
Does he have any undersaddle or ground vices?
What ares of the horses training are lacking and need work?
What could the horse to do suprise me?
Is he submissive?
How does he handle pressure?
Bloodlines, registrations etc
Who is your instructor that you have lessons on this horse with, and can I call him/her
If the horse is still fairly young I will ask who broke the horse in
What are the horses personal quirks.

All that I can think of right now!

Ureventer · 06-09-2006, 03:03 PM

How often is the horse ridden?
When was the horse last ridden?
Have you ever vetted the horse?

DressageGirl · 06-09-2006, 08:33 PM

What is the worse thing this horse does???

Could be poohing after you wash his tail

Or bucking wildly everytime you mount...

I think it puts the seller on the spot to think...if you simply ask if they have any vices, it can be answered with one word..yes or no...while the above question entails a little more detail!

Brina · 06-09-2006, 09:02 PM

To add to everyone else's:

Does he/she like to eat alone/have problems when it comes to feeding?

What feed and supplements is the horse on now? What type of hay?

Has the horse had one consistant vet/farrier/dentist?

HawaiianPaint · 06-09-2006, 09:14 PM

Has the horse ever had colic, colic surgery etc?

Is the horse up to date on its vaccinations and worming? (and knowing which vaccinations and when they were last given is a plus)

How often do you get the horse's hooves trimmed, when was the last time the farrier was out, has the horse ever had shoes on?

Just wanted to add that no amount of questions will make up for actually seeing/riding/picking up hooves/loading the horse into a trailer yourself...or at the very least seeing someone else do those things. BUT a lot of these questions can be asked via email or over the phone before you actually go look at a horse too, save both yourself and the seller sometime by deciding what you really want in a horse.

RowdyRio1324 · 06-09-2006, 09:20 PM

wow i cant think of any other but the ones you all posted.

chocchipcookie · 06-09-2006, 09:26 PM

Is the horse allergic to anything?

06-09-2006, 12:07 PM	#1
horseluvr4ever Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In the barn (Illinois) Posts: 715 Images: 14	Questions to ask sellers, before buying a horse...post your questions! I thought it might be nice for some of us to post questions to ask sellers about their horses. Then when we are looking at a horse for sale, we can scroll down the list to make sure we have covered everything that should be asked. I wasn't sure if there has been a thread like this or not, so I thought I'd post. I'll start off: Why are you selling? What have you done with the horse? Does the horse stand for the farrier? __________________ Color rides n wins* Go Chicago Cubs!!!

06-09-2006, 12:27 PM	#2
endurgirl Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,780 Images: 159 Blog Entries: 3	Ever been injured? Any bad habits? What is his training so far? What level rider does he need? __________________ Don't squat with your spurs on!! If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough. Proud Member of the Quarter Horse Club

06-09-2006, 12:34 PM	#3
philly78 Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Oakland OR Posts: 2,487 Images: 359 Blog Entries: 4	does he bath? does he load if so into what type of trailer? if mare, then has she ever foaled if so how did that go, was foal alive? what type of bit do you ride him in? how is he with other horses? how long have you owned this horse? __________________ Note: This post is being attached without a Sig. ~ "Philly, is a flirt": Endo~ Pinky Ribbon

06-09-2006, 03:03 PM	#5
Ureventer Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Munchkinland (fa la la) Posts: 5,181 Images: 36 Blog Entries: 41	How often is the horse ridden? When was the horse last ridden? Have you ever vetted the horse? __________________ ♥Formal Attyre Voici mon secret. Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.

06-09-2006, 09:02 PM	#7
Brina Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: RI Posts: 978 Images: 67	To add to everyone else's: Does he/she like to eat alone/have problems when it comes to feeding? What feed and supplements is the horse on now? What type of hay? Has the horse had one consistant vet/farrier/dentist? __________________ Bree* Custom Pet Portraits

06-09-2006, 02:56 PM	#4
Cavalier Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,698 Images: 236 Blog Entries: 18	To add to what others wrote: What is the horses level of education? Competition results? What is the horse like to take out? What amounts and type of feed does the horse require to maintain weight? Is he easy to rug, worm, shoe, float, catch, lead, tie up, clip etc Does he have any undersaddle or ground vices? What ares of the horses training are lacking and need work? What could the horse to do suprise me? Is he submissive? How does he handle pressure? Bloodlines, registrations etc Who is your instructor that you have lessons on this horse with, and can I call him/her If the horse is still fairly young I will ask who broke the horse in What are the horses personal quirks. All that I can think of right now!

06-09-2006, 08:33 PM	#6
DressageGirl Banned Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 3,163 Images: 174	What is the worse thing this horse does??? Could be poohing after you wash his tail Or bucking wildly everytime you mount... I think it puts the seller on the spot to think...if you simply ask if they have any vices, it can be answered with one word..yes or no...while the above question entails a little more detail!

06-09-2006, 09:14 PM	#8
HawaiianPaint Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 690 Images: 46 Blog Entries: 24	Has the horse ever had colic, colic surgery etc? Is the horse up to date on its vaccinations and worming? (and knowing which vaccinations and when they were last given is a plus) How often do you get the horse's hooves trimmed, when was the last time the farrier was out, has the horse ever had shoes on? Just wanted to add that no amount of questions will make up for actually seeing/riding/picking up hooves/loading the horse into a trailer yourself...or at the very least seeing someone else do those things. BUT a lot of these questions can be asked via email or over the phone before you actually go look at a horse too, save both yourself and the seller sometime by deciding what you really want in a horse.

06-09-2006, 09:20 PM	#9
RowdyRio1324 Senior Member+ Join Date: May 2006 Location: California. Posts: 3,768 Images: 156	wow i cant think of any other but the ones you all posted.

06-09-2006, 09:26 PM	#10
chocchipcookie Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia... Posts: 2,441 Images: 114 Blog Entries: 14	Is the horse allergic to anything? __________________ Live for today, we'll dream tomorrow.

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