Tips for looking at a horse...

Buckshot · 05-10-2008, 11:09 AM

(I'm not sure if this is in the right section...)

I am going to help a woman look at a horse this week sometime. I am not the sort of person to let my heart get in front of my mind, but I told her up front while I know a good amount about horses, I've never actually gone and "looked" at one before.

(She didn't seem to care...)

Anyway, what are some things I should look for? (This will be a family horse, for trail mostly, maybe a few open shows)

Finallyownhorse · 05-10-2008, 11:55 AM

The first thing I look at is if it has 4 legs. If its missing one, they usually don't do well as a trail horse.

(Thats the problem with the internet, anyone can answer.

)

tbtrainer · 05-10-2008, 12:23 PM

Willl she be doing a PPE if she likes this horse?

JCH · 05-10-2008, 12:41 PM

I would want to see the horse move both under saddle and without maybe a lung line session to check for any lameness issuse. Like andi said a pre purchase exam from a vet is a good idea

Silverwings · 05-10-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finallyownhorse

The first thing I look at is if it has 4 legs. If its missing one, they usually don't do well as a trail horse.

(Thats the problem with the internet, anyone can answer.

)

!! Dang there goes my answer!!

If its for a family horse, maybe bring along a child to see how the horse reacts to children? I've never looked for a family horse before.

Buckshot · 05-10-2008, 02:07 PM

Yes, if she's seriously interested in the horse there will definitely be a vet check.

Huntseat123 · 05-10-2008, 02:37 PM

The first thing I would do is watch. While the horse is being tacked up and brushed, watch how he reacts to everything. If he is not dangerous, i'd ask to take the tack off and do it yourself. Make sure to lift all the legs too.

Next, have them ride the horse first (and again watch haha). If he seems ok, have the lady hop on.

If they are advertising this horse as a bombproof child's horse, dont be afraid to take some "scary" things like tarps, balloons, balls, etc. And with the owners permission of course, you can wave them around the horse and again watch his reaction.

Good luck to you and your friend!!

horseyfrk145 · 05-10-2008, 02:39 PM

See if she feels safe with the horse, and pay attention - oftentimes the seller with be discreet and have the horse already in a stall, sometimes even tacked up, which generally means the horse is hard to catch, hard to tack up, or hard to handle in general. Just use your common sense.

05-10-2008, 11:09 AM	#1
Buckshot Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Michiana Posts: 4,540 Images: 21 Blog Entries: 18	Tips for looking at a horse... (I'm not sure if this is in the right section...) I am going to help a woman look at a horse this week sometime. I am not the sort of person to let my heart get in front of my mind, but I told her up front while I know a good amount about horses, I've never actually gone and "looked" at one before. (She didn't seem to care...) Anyway, what are some things I should look for? (This will be a family horse, for trail mostly, maybe a few open shows) __________________ Say ya to da U.P., eh? HGS's official Birdbrain

05-10-2008, 11:55 AM	#2
Finallyownhorse Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southeastern South Dakota Posts: 1,791 Images: 147	The first thing I look at is if it has 4 legs. If its missing one, they usually don't do well as a trail horse. (Thats the problem with the internet, anyone can answer. ) __________________ Vanna, 21 year old Appaloosa mare Ace, 23 year old Solid Paint gelding Sammy, 10 year old Mustapaint

05-10-2008, 12:23 PM	#3
tbtrainer Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 5,652 Images: 320	Willl she be doing a PPE if she likes this horse? __________________ Join the HGS prayer Chain! Just copy and paste this as your signature and say a little prayer for one of your HGS friends! $$Proud Member of the Thoroughbred Club$$ "I've been Goosed!" *In my experience, the best way to slow down a runaway horse is to bet on it...*

05-10-2008, 12:41 PM	#4
JCH Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: upstate ny Posts: 2,042 Images: 126	I would want to see the horse move both under saddle and without maybe a lung line session to check for any lameness issuse. Like andi said a pre purchase exam from a vet is a good idea __________________ If you honk at me again I'll flick a booger on your windshield

05-10-2008, 02:07 PM	#6
Buckshot Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Michiana Posts: 4,540 Images: 21 Blog Entries: 18	Yes, if she's seriously interested in the horse there will definitely be a vet check. __________________ Say ya to da U.P., eh? HGS's official Birdbrain

05-10-2008, 02:37 PM	#7
Huntseat123 Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Highland, MI Posts: 6,548 Images: 428 Blog Entries: 3	The first thing I would do is watch. While the horse is being tacked up and brushed, watch how he reacts to everything. If he is not dangerous, i'd ask to take the tack off and do it yourself. Make sure to lift all the legs too. Next, have them ride the horse first (and again watch haha). If he seems ok, have the lady hop on. If they are advertising this horse as a bombproof child's horse, dont be afraid to take some "scary" things like tarps, balloons, balls, etc. And with the owners permission of course, you can wave them around the horse and again watch his reaction. Good luck to you and your friend!! __________________ Amidst a conversation about her past as an established equestrian, we drove by a wonderful barn filled with horses. I watched as she swiftly unrolled her window and took a deep breath through her nose, letting the sweet aroma fill her lungs. A true horsewoman, I thought. R.M. Photography

05-10-2008, 02:39 PM	#8
horseyfrk145 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: H'ville, NC Posts: 5,100 Images: 24	See if she feels safe with the horse, and pay attention - oftentimes the seller with be discreet and have the horse already in a stall, sometimes even tacked up, which generally means the horse is hard to catch, hard to tack up, or hard to handle in general. Just use your common sense. __________________ "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." John 7:24 ~BECCA <3 Riley and LuLu!

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