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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
   
Location: Montana | Do you bring the trailer any ways? Do you make a decision on the spot about a horse, or do you take your time to make up your mind? I'm looking at buying my first finished barrel horse, and it is more money than I have ever spent on a horse before. I want to make really sure of the horse and myself and how we get along before I purchase it.
How can I be fair to the seller and still be able to take a day or two to think about it? I plan on telling the seller upfront that I want to take a day or two to think things over.
Before I've made up my mind on the spot and had things work out good, and another time not as well as I'd like. I don't generally just go look at horses for the fun of it, I usually go to look to buy.
What is the fairest way to proceed? I don't want to step on toes or hurt feelings or act rude. It has been almost 5 years since I've purchased a horse, and I think I'm out of the loop! LOL.
I guess my question is, how would you proceed? |
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  Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | Don't take the trailer and just tell them the truth......if you came to my house to try a horse and just said I have never spent this much money on a horse and I want to make absolute sure before I buy it, I would be totally cool with you trying him/or her out a couple of times within a few days.......a lot of sellers really want the buyer to be completely happy with their purchase and want their horse to go to the "right" home. Don't sweat it. Don't be a lunatic either, but take your time and make sure it's right. |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | ....AND, lol, if they give you a hard time about that then tell the to stuff it and come to ol' LRQHS' house....I'm sure to have something that will make you happy......Lord knows that I have enough to choose from lol.... |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Awe, thanks! That's sweet of you LRQHS! |
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 Expert
Posts: 2674
 
Location: Silver Lake, MN | As long as you were up front I would totally be okay with it. As stated above I want the best fit for our horses as well, that is the most important thing to me. It's all about communication.
I hate when people come look - and then just leave without saying one way or another what they are thinking. Or telling me when I should expect to hear from them by. That is just a window shopper to me. If you are serious buyer and tell me I will have an answer for you within 2 days that would be great. I wish more people would just communicate. I'm not going to kick and scream because you don't want my horse. LOL. |
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 Underestimated Underdog
Posts: 3971
Location: Minnesota | I agree, just be very upfront with them. I've been very lucky and worked with awesome sellers. They understood and allowed me to take a couple days. I think they can tell someone who is really interested and someone just out for a ride on a horse. I would speak with them on the phone and tell them what your wanting to do, its worked great for me.  |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | If I was spending a big chunk of money on a horse I would try it out at their place and think about it and then ride the horse again in a few days to beable to get the feel of the horse and make sure its what you want. Talk to the people befor you do anything and let them know that you would like to beable to think about the horse befor you decide, I would leave my trailer home, but if you decide to ride it again for the second time then I would bring the trailer with me just in case you decide to buy it.
They should understand  |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I would suggest riding the horse, if you like the horse then ask to ride the horse another day at another arena, discuss who will be hauling the horse. If the second ride goes good, then I would suggest trying to run the horse at a barrel race, discuss this at the beginning.
Horses can be completely different in different arenas and different settings.
If the run goes well then I suggest get a very thorough vet check prior to paying in full for the horse and have a contract written up pending vet check, whether the deposit (if you give one) will be refundable if the horse doesn't pass vet check.
Good luck |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Thanks very much for all of the great advice!  |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Good luck I hope this is the horse for you |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | If it were me, and if I were young, I would save my money and go buy one of LQRHS's nicely bred, big assed babies, and spend a little money on a real horseman/trainer later on. I mean a real honest-to-goodness trainer, not even necessarily a barrel racer. I think you can save a ton, and enjoy it even more, plus it will make you a better rider as well, IMO. |
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Grammar Expert
| LRQHS - 2014-01-02 1:03 PM Don't take the trailer and just tell them the truth......if you came to my house to try a horse and just said I have never spent this much money on a horse and I want to make absolute sure before I buy it, I would be totally cool with you trying him/or her out a couple of times within a few days.......a lot of sellers really want the buyer to be completely happy with their purchase and want their horse to go to the "right" home. Don't sweat it. Don't be a lunatic either, but take your time and make sure it's right.
Best line I've read today - Don't be a lunatic either!!!!!!!! LOLOLOLOL |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Southtxponygirl - 2014-01-02 1:30 PM Good luck I hope this is the horse for you
Thanks very much, he sounds good, but you never know until you meet him. :)
On a pre-purchase exam, how much should you have done? I'm not looking at a $10,000+ horse, but it is more than I've spent before.
And if any of you have an idea or sample of a purchase agreement that translates to pending vet check, that would be good too! |
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 Star Padded Honey
Posts: 8890
Location: NW MT | I know sometimes in the past, if I've hauled the trailer w/me, I almost feel "pressured" by MYSELF to make a decision too soon. I would go w/o the trailer - check the horse out, ride it & you will know if you are still interested or it's a "pass up". Just be honest w/the seller - either tell them thank you, very nice horse (or whatever), but just not quite what you are looking for; OR I really do like your horse but since this is the most I've ever spent, I want to be sure so would like a couple days to think on it & maybe schedule another time to come ride again" or similar. if they are good folks, they'll want you to be sure too! |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | HotbearLVR - 2014-01-02 1:35 PM If it were me, and if I were young, I would save my money and go buy one of LQRHS's nicely bred, big assed babies, and spend a little money on a real horseman/trainer later on. I mean a real honest-to-goodness trainer, not even necessarily a barrel racer. I think you can save a ton, and enjoy it even more, plus it will make you a better rider as well, IMO.
That would be a good idea, Hotbear, except I think it would cost more to get the horse shipped here than the horse and training combined, LOL. Just kidding. I thought about going the prospect way, but felt at this time wasn't a feasible option for me. Maybe sometime in the future. :) |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Seriously, I mean take a look at that cocky little bugger in LRQHS's avitar. Grab him and have fun raising him right. His breeding is outstanding. You can spend your money on the best possible TRAINER and still be miles ahead. If things go right you can have a LOT more satisfaction knowing you did it yourself. That sounds like so much fun, with a lot less risk and a lot more savings. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | mtcanchazer - 2014-01-02 2:49 PM HotbearLVR - 2014-01-02 1:35 PM If it were me, and if I were young, I would save my money and go buy one of LQRHS's nicely bred, big assed babies, and spend a little money on a real horseman/trainer later on. I mean a real honest-to-goodness trainer, not even necessarily a barrel racer. I think you can save a ton, and enjoy it even more, plus it will make you a better rider as well, IMO. That would be a good idea, Hotbear, except I think it would cost more to get the horse shipped here than the horse and training combined, LOL. Just kidding. I thought about going the prospect way, but felt at this time wasn't a feasible option for me. Maybe sometime in the future. :)
I understand. I was just thinking outloud. |
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 Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | Don't forget the pre-purchase exam and insurance if you are spending money that would hurt to lose.  |
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| I recently bought a horse 15 minutes away well actually my dad did. but we told them we just wanted to come try it and take a bit to decide and they said okay so i went and rode the horse at their house and then we set another time to go ride and try out again without buying.. i was really lucky because they let us ride the horse quite a bit and i ran him 3 times before i bought him. i probably rode him 5 times before i bought him. w=we called told them we liked him and then went to their house to pick him up. which we knew the people personally so I'm sure your situation is different just my advice/story |
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Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | HotbearLVR - 2014-01-02 2:49 PM
Seriously, I mean take a look at that cocky little bugger in LRQHS's avitar. Grab him and have fun raising him right. His breeding is outstanding. You can spend your money on the best possible TRAINER and still be miles ahead. If things go right you can have a LOT more satisfaction knowing you did it yourself. That sounds like so much fun, with a lot less risk and a lot more savings.
Hot dang Hot bear!!! You just became my sales rep lol! I'm humbled :) |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | HotbearLVR - 2014-01-02 1:51 PM mtcanchazer - 2014-01-02 2:49 PM HotbearLVR - 2014-01-02 1:35 PM If it were me, and if I were young, I would save my money and go buy one of LQRHS's nicely bred, big assed babies, and spend a little money on a real horseman/trainer later on. I mean a real honest-to-goodness trainer, not even necessarily a barrel racer. I think you can save a ton, and enjoy it even more, plus it will make you a better rider as well, IMO. That would be a good idea, Hotbear, except I think it would cost more to get the horse shipped here than the horse and training combined, LOL. Just kidding. I thought about going the prospect way, but felt at this time wasn't a feasible option for me. Maybe sometime in the future. :)
Oh you're fine. It's a good idea, but I have to board and feel that something that I can just keep legged up and go have fun with (at this point) and not think about training is the way to go for me.  |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | If I show up with a trailer, I am assured to leave with it loaded. The trailer does NOT go with me on a first visit for this reason. I get too caught up in the moment and convince myself I NEED the horse. I'd rather have a good horse get away than a barn full of horses I regret buying.
IMO if you show up and have the ability to buy, you are not a tire kicker and you are not wasting anyone's time. If you show up for a free pony ride, that is a different story. Just be upfront about your intentions. The sale needs to be a good fit all the way around. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| mtcanchazer - 2014-01-02 2:43 PM
Southtxponygirl - 2014-01-02 1:30 PM Good luck I hope this is the horse for you
On a pre-purchase exam, how much should you have done? I'm not looking at a $10,000+ horse, but it is more than I've spent before.
And if any of you have an idea or sample of a purchase agreement that translates to pending vet check, that would be good too!
I would find the best lameness vet I could,
Flexion test
3 views of hoof, ankle, knee/hock of all 4
If the horse flexed lameness and X-rays didn't show anything then I would ultrasound all four legs.
I would also listen to the vet and consider additional tests.
I would also want to acquire all horses vet records and have them reviewed by my own vet
A thorough vet check costs around 1000-2000 |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Our rountine has been always ride the horse at their house once or twice and if we like him ask to run him at a race. If we want him we schedule the vet check and take the trailer. Depending on the price of the horse we have just done flexion and had films taken if vet saw something and for others we have xrayed head to toe, drawn blood, etc. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Thanks for everything. At the price range of a horse I'm looking at I don't think 1000-2000 dollars is realistic for me with a vet check. So, an over all wellness exam and a flexion test and if anything raises questions or eyebrows with me or the vet, go from there with more on a vet check? Would that be a good place to start? I'm not looking for a high dollar rodeo horse, but I don't want to deal with major problems on a 2D-3D horse. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1367
Location: mi | mtcanchazer - 2014-01-02 6:06 PM Thanks for everything. At the price range of a horse I'm looking at I don't think 1000-2000 dollars is realistic for me with a vet check. So, an over all wellness exam and a flexion test and if anything raises questions or eyebrows with me or the vet, go from there with more on a vet check? Would that be a good place to start? I'm not looking for a high dollar rodeo horse, but I don't want to deal with major problems on a 2D-3D horse.
I think your plan sounds great as far as vet checking but call your clinic ahead of time and get pricing. If I was looking at anything 5K or over that I was not familiar with I think I would at least do a Navicular series and a couple hock shots. Even if its just one of them. Not thorough but would give them a good idea if anything common might be brewing in there. You should be able to get a pretty good vet exam for under $500. Infact some of the local clinics around here actually have prepurchase packages. Just call your clinic and no the pricing ahead of time so you know how much you are willing to do.
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25351
Location: Bastrop, Texas | LRQHS - 2014-01-02 2:54 PM HotbearLVR - 2014-01-02 2:49 PM Seriously, I mean take a look at that cocky little bugger in LRQHS's avitar. Grab him and have fun raising him right. His breeding is outstanding. You can spend your money on the best possible TRAINER and still be miles ahead. If things go right you can have a LOT more satisfaction knowing you did it yourself. That sounds like so much fun, with a lot less risk and a lot more savings. Hot dang Hot bear!!! You just became my sales rep lol! I'm humbled : )
No problem, darlin'. I have a pretty good eye, but you have to be blind not to look twice at those beauties! Lots of nice babies out there just waiting to go to work. |
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 IMA No Hair Style Gal
Posts: 2594
| I would not come with a trailer. Before I would spend money on a pre purchase exam I would want to see the horse in a show atmoshphere and run a few warm ups on it.
I would also want to see the owners show the horse.
This is only because it is a finished horse. IMO this would be the only way to tell if this could be something you feel comfortable competing on.
THEN-I would procede with spending money on a vet check.
When you get into xrays vet checks can get pricey. Before I dump that money I want to make sure that I can at least run the horse. Good luck!
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | magic gunsmoke - 2014-01-02 6:23 PM I would not come with a trailer. Before I would spend money on a pre purchase exam I would want to see the horse in a show atmoshphere and run a few warm ups on it.
I would also want to see the owners show the horse.
This is only because it is a finished horse. IMO this would be the only way to tell if this could be something you feel comfortable competing on.
THEN-I would procede with spending money on a vet check.
When you get into xrays vet checks can get pricey. Before I dump that money I want to make sure that I can at least run the horse. Good luck!
Very smart advice seeing the horse in a competition setting (as others have mentioned too)! I'm sure I must sound ignorant, but I'm not trying to. You guy's always have the best advice.
Hotbear and LRQHS: I love LRQHS's foals out of El Scorcho, and maybe someday in the future I can get me one. I seriously thought about a prospect, but as for right now I feel a prospect is more than I can do. |
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When you go to look at a horse locally...