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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
  
| I've decided to keep my gelding, as it's what I want for him, and I know that no one could love him more than I do 
I am still boarding him now, and slowly looking for another horse. When I find another horse, I will bring my gelding home. No, I don't have 20 acres, but I do have about 2 acres for him, and a small barn that I will convert for him.
I know it was my fault with my gelding that I did not do a pre purchase, so this time around, what can I do to protect myself and not be in this situation again? I will of course do a vet check, and I know you can do a basic one, or a more advanced one. I would opt for the more advanced one. I will not be using my regular vet, as some of the areas I am looking in are 6+ hours away. My trainer is shopping for me, I have not done much looking. A prospect we have now is a 5 yo gelding, who is started on the pattern. Another place is a working ranch 30 min from me, where my trainer bought her horse from and has found a lot of her clients horses from this ranch. None are started on the pattern, they go out to OK, TX, AR buy a bunch of horses and bring them back. They have a pretty good reputation, it's not my first choice, but they do bring back some nice horses.
As for trying out horses that are NOT patterned, what do I look for? I know that it's a gamble if they will be a good barrel horse or not.
Thanks! Trying to do this the right way! | |
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
| Do a basic one first. Consider how the horse was used prior to being for sale. Were they lightly ridden vs. Racetrack etc. Be ready at the vet appointment to make decisions. Even if the horse flexes sound, I would still get xrays of front feet and Hocks. If they come up sore during flexion at all then you can xray those areas. If the horse is a finished older horse, you can expect to find normal wear and tear. Once you have that information you and the vet can make a decision on the projected performance of the horse based on age, problems found, how easily managed etc. You can also negotiate price of the horse based on these factors.
OHHH ALWAYS PULL BLOOD!!!!!! Make the sale pending blood test results. Sometimes sellers will inject the horse with heavy NSAIDS in order for them to not go sore on a vet check. It happens.
Edited by FLITASTIC 2018-05-23 11:32 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 1516
Location: Illinois | You're going to get a lot of different opinions on what to look for I think lol. For me with vet checks I either use mine if it's local, or another vet that's local to the horse. For those horses I'll contact the seller, set up a tie to see the horse, then ask what vet the horse is seen by. I will call and ask for records, if they won't release them I walk away from the sale. If they won't release them that means they called the seller and asked permission, the seller said no for a reason usually. Sometimes its something big, sometimes they just don't want you to find out they've slacked on maintenance or routine things. After getting records I usually find a second vet to do an exam, xrays and all that jazz. My last one I was able to look at past records and chose not to do a pre-purchase as I knew the person she came from and where she came from. I trusted that enough and she was cheap enough that even if she ends up just a broodmare I still get the value of what I paid just with her breeding.
As for what to look for the first thing I check is that they're structurally correct. I'm not picky about the shoulder angles, hip angles, length of cannons etc. If the horse is generally balanced, no crooked legs, decent sized feet for its body, etc then I'm good. I like to watch the way they move and carry themselves. For instance we lunged mine and in the circle her inside leg came up underneath her towards her front outer leg. I like that, comes in handy when they're turning. She was well minded for me and even though I confused the hell out of her on my test ride I felt she made great effort to figure out what I was asking and do her best. At just having 60 days on her she could have said screw you woman what the hell do you want from me & really pushed my buttons. Instead she just tried her best to quietly figure out what I wanted. Also one that is comfortable for you to ride, has a stride you feel balanced on. I don't want to ride a horse everyday that feels like its beating my back up for example and there are some of those rough suckers out there. Some you can adjust to and get used to but I've had a few I've ridden somewhat regularly for others that even after several months I was still needing a chiro and Advil for myself. Also don't let your trainer sway you if you don't feel certain about it don't let them talk you into it. Make sure its one YOU want, not just one your trainer wants for you that you settle with. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| FLITASTIC - 2018-05-23 11:31 AM
Do a basic one first. Consider how the horse was used prior to being for sale. Were they lightly ridden vs. Racetrack etc. Be ready at the vet appointment to make decisions. Even if the horse flexes sound, I would still get xrays of front feet and Hocks. If they come up sore during flexion at all then you can xray those areas. If the horse is a finished older horse, you can expect to find normal wear and tear. Once you have that information you and the vet can make a decision on the projected performance of the horse based on age, problems found, how easily managed etc. You can also negotiate price of the horse based on these factors.
OHHH ALWAYS PULL BLOOD!!!!!! Make the sale pending blood test results. Sometimes sellers will inject the horse with heavy NSAIDS in order for them to not go sore on a vet check. It happens.
Thank you! This time around, I am not buying anything over 5yo. Just what I am looking for at the moment. The horse that I like, I have not gone to see yet. He's 5, started on barrels in 2017. Worked some cows here and there. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| JLazyT_perf_horses - 2018-05-23 11:31 AM
You're going to get a lot of different opinions on what to look for I think lol. For me with vet checks I either use mine if it's local, or another vet that's local to the horse. For those horses I'll contact the seller, set up a tie to see the horse, then ask what vet the horse is seen by. I will call and ask for records, if they won't release them I walk away from the sale. If they won't release them that means they called the seller and asked permission, the seller said no for a reason usually. Sometimes its something big, sometimes they just don't want you to find out they've slacked on maintenance or routine things. After getting records I usually find a second vet to do an exam, xrays and all that jazz. My last one I was able to look at past records and chose not to do a pre-purchase as I knew the person she came from and where she came from. I trusted that enough and she was cheap enough that even if she ends up just a broodmare I still get the value of what I paid just with her breeding.
As for what to look for the first thing I check is that they're structurally correct. I'm not picky about the shoulder angles, hip angles, length of cannons etc. If the horse is generally balanced, no crooked legs, decent sized feet for its body, etc then I'm good. I like to watch the way they move and carry themselves. For instance we lunged mine and in the circle her inside leg came up underneath her towards her front outer leg. I like that, comes in handy when they're turning. She was well minded for me and even though I confused the hell out of her on my test ride I felt she made great effort to figure out what I was asking and do her best. At just having 60 days on her she could have said screw you woman what the hell do you want from me & really pushed my buttons. Instead she just tried her best to quietly figure out what I wanted. Also one that is comfortable for you to ride, has a stride you feel balanced on. I don't want to ride a horse everyday that feels like its beating my back up for example and there are some of those rough suckers out there. Some you can adjust to and get used to but I've had a few I've ridden somewhat regularly for others that even after several months I was still needing a chiro and Advil for myself. Also don't let your trainer sway you if you don't feel certain about it don't let them talk you into it. Make sure its one YOU want, not just one your trainer wants for you that you settle with.
I didn't know that you were able to call a vet and ask for records on a horse that wasn't yours? I didn't know that! Do you tell the seller your going to do that? The horse I want to go look at is about 6.5 hrs away. If I go, and like him, I just set up another appointment in a few days to get a vet out there, right?
There is a horse at the barn I board at that is for sale, my farrier's horse actually. My trainer said to hop on and see how I liked him. I did not like him. I'm pretty good at a sitting trot, and I could not sit to this horse. He has a short, choppy stride, and just not something that I was interested in buying. I didn't feel pressured by my trainer, but I haven't told her yet I'm not interested. I feel bad in a way.. | |
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | No vet worth his/her salt will release records to you unless the current owner tells them to.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 542
| emricmacy - 2018-05-23 3:57 PM
JLazyT_perf_horses - 2018-05-23 11:31 AM
You're going to get a lot of different opinions on what to look for I think lol. For me with vet checks I either use mine if it's local, or another vet that's local to the horse. For those horses I'll contact the seller, set up a tie to see the horse, then ask what vet the horse is seen by. I will call and ask for records, if they won't release them I walk away from the sale. If they won't release them that means they called the seller and asked permission, the seller said no for a reason usually. Sometimes its something big, sometimes they just don't want you to find out they've slacked on maintenance or routine things. After getting records I usually find a second vet to do an exam, xrays and all that jazz. My last one I was able to look at past records and chose not to do a pre-purchase as I knew the person she came from and where she came from. I trusted that enough and she was cheap enough that even if she ends up just a broodmare I still get the value of what I paid just with her breeding.
As for what to look for the first thing I check is that they're structurally correct. I'm not picky about the shoulder angles, hip angles, length of cannons etc. If the horse is generally balanced, no crooked legs, decent sized feet for its body, etc then I'm good. I like to watch the way they move and carry themselves. For instance we lunged mine and in the circle her inside leg came up underneath her towards her front outer leg. I like that, comes in handy when they're turning. She was well minded for me and even though I confused the hell out of her on my test ride I felt she made great effort to figure out what I was asking and do her best. At just having 60 days on her she could have said screw you woman what the hell do you want from me & really pushed my buttons. Instead she just tried her best to quietly figure out what I wanted. Also one that is comfortable for you to ride, has a stride you feel balanced on. I don't want to ride a horse everyday that feels like its beating my back up for example and there are some of those rough suckers out there. Some you can adjust to and get used to but I've had a few I've ridden somewhat regularly for others that even after several months I was still needing a chiro and Advil for myself. Also don't let your trainer sway you if you don't feel certain about it don't let them talk you into it. Make sure its one YOU want, not just one your trainer wants for you that you settle with.
I didn't know that you were able to call a vet and ask for records on a horse that wasn't yours? I didn't know that! Do you tell the seller your going to do that? The horse I want to go look at is about 6.5 hrs away. If I go, and like him, I just set up another appointment in a few days to get a vet out there, right?
There is a horse at the barn I board at that is for sale, my farrier's horse actually. My trainer said to hop on and see how I liked him. I did not like him. I'm pretty good at a sitting trot, and I could not sit to this horse. He has a short, choppy stride, and just not something that I was interested in buying. I didn't feel pressured by my trainer, but I haven't told her yet I'm not interested. I feel bad in a way..
Only the owner can release records to you. The vet may send xrays our records to you at the owners request only. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1516
Location: Illinois | emricmacy - 2018-05-23 3:57 PM
JLazyT_perf_horses - 2018-05-23 11:31 AM
You're going to get a lot of different opinions on what to look for I think lol. For me with vet checks I either use mine if it's local, or another vet that's local to the horse. For those horses I'll contact the seller, set up a tie to see the horse, then ask what vet the horse is seen by. I will call and ask for records, if they won't release them I walk away from the sale. If they won't release them that means they called the seller and asked permission, the seller said no for a reason usually. Sometimes its something big, sometimes they just don't want you to find out they've slacked on maintenance or routine things. After getting records I usually find a second vet to do an exam, xrays and all that jazz. My last one I was able to look at past records and chose not to do a pre-purchase as I knew the person she came from and where she came from. I trusted that enough and she was cheap enough that even if she ends up just a broodmare I still get the value of what I paid just with her breeding.
As for what to look for the first thing I check is that they're structurally correct. I'm not picky about the shoulder angles, hip angles, length of cannons etc. If the horse is generally balanced, no crooked legs, decent sized feet for its body, etc then I'm good. I like to watch the way they move and carry themselves. For instance we lunged mine and in the circle her inside leg came up underneath her towards her front outer leg. I like that, comes in handy when they're turning. She was well minded for me and even though I confused the hell out of her on my test ride I felt she made great effort to figure out what I was asking and do her best. At just having 60 days on her she could have said screw you woman what the hell do you want from me & really pushed my buttons. Instead she just tried her best to quietly figure out what I wanted. Also one that is comfortable for you to ride, has a stride you feel balanced on. I don't want to ride a horse everyday that feels like its beating my back up for example and there are some of those rough suckers out there. Some you can adjust to and get used to but I've had a few I've ridden somewhat regularly for others that even after several months I was still needing a chiro and Advil for myself. Also don't let your trainer sway you if you don't feel certain about it don't let them talk you into it. Make sure its one YOU want, not just one your trainer wants for you that you settle with.
I didn't know that you were able to call a vet and ask for records on a horse that wasn't yours? I didn't know that! Do you tell the seller your going to do that? The horse I want to go look at is about 6.5 hrs away. If I go, and like him, I just set up another appointment in a few days to get a vet out there, right?
There is a horse at the barn I board at that is for sale, my farrier's horse actually. My trainer said to hop on and see how I liked him. I did not like him. I'm pretty good at a sitting trot, and I could not sit to this horse. He has a short, choppy stride, and just not something that I was interested in buying. I didn't feel pressured by my trainer, but I haven't told her yet I'm not interested. I feel bad in a way..
I haven't had much problem asking for records, most vets will with the owner's permission. I typically only go to the vet if the owner doesn't provide them to me themselves. I usually ask what vet they use, say I'm wanting a PPE done and then just ask the vet when I call. They usually call the owner asking if they can be released and then call me back saying yes they can or no. I haven't had a vet refuse me, but I have had a seller refuse. I typically don't get super detailed info, just the dates of exams/vaccinations/teeth and a brief description of what was done. They don't show me the actual invoices or anything. I've only had to call twice as the rest had records. When I ask for records I'm mostly just wanting to see if vaccinations and teeth have been done regularly or if it needs maintenance how often it gets done and what the vet uses that works. Or if it has had previous xrays for something I may want to compare it to the xrays from the PPE. And as far as vet check I typically have them out when I'm there trying the horse. I've quickly caught a couple being drugged that way, by having them there. Ended up buying one anyway and have had him for 17 years now lol. I just personally like being there and getting it all done at once, but I'm not a big horse shopping fan. I got lucky and bought 3 of the 5 I've owned as the first one's I went to look at. My first horse was the 2nd one I looked at and then my newest was the 3rd I looked at, but they were all at the same location I was at. So I've been very lucky in not having to really travel much & go places. | |
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| emricmacy - 2018-05-23 1:57 PM
JLazyT_perf_horses - 2018-05-23 11:31 AM
You're going to get a lot of different opinions on what to look for I think lol. For me with vet checks I either use mine if it's local, or another vet that's local to the horse. For those horses I'll contact the seller, set up a tie to see the horse, then ask what vet the horse is seen by. I will call and ask for records, if they won't release them I walk away from the sale. If they won't release them that means they called the seller and asked permission, the seller said no for a reason usually. Sometimes its something big, sometimes they just don't want you to find out they've slacked on maintenance or routine things. After getting records I usually find a second vet to do an exam, xrays and all that jazz. My last one I was able to look at past records and chose not to do a pre-purchase as I knew the person she came from and where she came from. I trusted that enough and she was cheap enough that even if she ends up just a broodmare I still get the value of what I paid just with her breeding.
As for what to look for the first thing I check is that they're structurally correct. I'm not picky about the shoulder angles, hip angles, length of cannons etc. If the horse is generally balanced, no crooked legs, decent sized feet for its body, etc then I'm good. I like to watch the way they move and carry themselves. For instance we lunged mine and in the circle her inside leg came up underneath her towards her front outer leg. I like that, comes in handy when they're turning. She was well minded for me and even though I confused the hell out of her on my test ride I felt she made great effort to figure out what I was asking and do her best. At just having 60 days on her she could have said screw you woman what the hell do you want from me & really pushed my buttons. Instead she just tried her best to quietly figure out what I wanted. Also one that is comfortable for you to ride, has a stride you feel balanced on. I don't want to ride a horse everyday that feels like its beating my back up for example and there are some of those rough suckers out there. Some you can adjust to and get used to but I've had a few I've ridden somewhat regularly for others that even after several months I was still needing a chiro and Advil for myself. Also don't let your trainer sway you if you don't feel certain about it don't let them talk you into it. Make sure its one YOU want, not just one your trainer wants for you that you settle with.
I didn't know that you were able to call a vet and ask for records on a horse that wasn't yours? I didn't know that! Do you tell the seller your going to do that? The horse I want to go look at is about 6.5 hrs away. If I go, and like him, I just set up another appointment in a few days to get a vet out there, right?
There is a horse at the barn I board at that is for sale, my farrier's horse actually. My trainer said to hop on and see how I liked him. I did not like him. I'm pretty good at a sitting trot, and I could not sit to this horse. He has a short, choppy stride, and just not something that I was interested in buying. I didn't feel pressured by my trainer, but I haven't told her yet I'm not interested. I feel bad in a way..
Veterinary records are protected just like human medical records, so legally a vet's office should not be releasing any records to a non-owner unless they have specific permission from the owner. People value their privacy (and especially how they choose to spend their money, or not spend it), and if I liked a horse and the owners didn't want to release its medical records, I would take that with a grain of salt and make my decision based on a PPE, how the horse fits my needs, etc.
I agree that just because your trainer likes a horse, doesn't automatically mean you need to like the horse. She may just be trying to keep you aware of any horse that comes available that may be a good fit for you, and help get you on as many as possible to see what your likes and dislikes are.
I tend to first notice conformation, and then their minds. Same as above, I feel you need a structurally correct horse that can pack you around and not get sore doing it. You have already dealt with more than your share of maintenance issues, so I would be darn sure to have radiographs taken and flexion tests done during a PPE. I really dislike dealing with crabby or obstinate horses, so having a kind and tender, willing mind is huge.
Good luck in finding the right horse, and keep us posted! | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | emricmacy - 2018-05-23 3:57 PM
JLazyT_perf_horses - 2018-05-23 11:31 AM
You're going to get a lot of different opinions on what to look for I think lol. For me with vet checks I either use mine if it's local, or another vet that's local to the horse. For those horses I'll contact the seller, set up a tie to see the horse, then ask what vet the horse is seen by. I will call and ask for records, if they won't release them I walk away from the sale. If they won't release them that means they called the seller and asked permission, the seller said no for a reason usually. Sometimes its something big, sometimes they just don't want you to find out they've slacked on maintenance or routine things. After getting records I usually find a second vet to do an exam, xrays and all that jazz. My last one I was able to look at past records and chose not to do a pre-purchase as I knew the person she came from and where she came from. I trusted that enough and she was cheap enough that even if she ends up just a broodmare I still get the value of what I paid just with her breeding.
As for what to look for the first thing I check is that they're structurally correct. I'm not picky about the shoulder angles, hip angles, length of cannons etc. If the horse is generally balanced, no crooked legs, decent sized feet for its body, etc then I'm good. I like to watch the way they move and carry themselves. For instance we lunged mine and in the circle her inside leg came up underneath her towards her front outer leg. I like that, comes in handy when they're turning. She was well minded for me and even though I confused the hell out of her on my test ride I felt she made great effort to figure out what I was asking and do her best. At just having 60 days on her she could have said screw you woman what the hell do you want from me & really pushed my buttons. Instead she just tried her best to quietly figure out what I wanted. Also one that is comfortable for you to ride, has a stride you feel balanced on. I don't want to ride a horse everyday that feels like its beating my back up for example and there are some of those rough suckers out there. Some you can adjust to and get used to but I've had a few I've ridden somewhat regularly for others that even after several months I was still needing a chiro and Advil for myself. Also don't let your trainer sway you if you don't feel certain about it don't let them talk you into it. Make sure its one YOU want, not just one your trainer wants for you that you settle with.
I didn't know that you were able to call a vet and ask for records on a horse that wasn't yours? I didn't know that! Do you tell the seller your going to do that? The horse I want to go look at is about 6.5 hrs away. If I go, and like him, I just set up another appointment in a few days to get a vet out there, right?
There is a horse at the barn I board at that is for sale, my farrier's horse actually. My trainer said to hop on and see how I liked him. I did not like him. I'm pretty good at a sitting trot, and I could not sit to this horse. He has a short, choppy stride, and just not something that I was interested in buying. I didn't feel pressured by my trainer, but I haven't told her yet I'm not interested. I feel bad in a way..
Vets will NOT release records of horse belonging to someone else to someone that asks for them just cause they are interested in buying the horse, dont believe everything you read.. The vet has to have permission form the owner.. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1516
Location: Illinois | Clearly everyone missed the part where I stated I get them IF the owner give the vet permission.........twice | |
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Veteran
Posts: 155
| JLazyT_perf_horses - 2018-05-23 9:31 AM
You're going to get a lot of different opinions on what to look for I think lol. For me with vet checks I either use mine if it's local, or another vet that's local to the horse. For those horses I'll contact the seller, set up a tie to see the horse, then ask what vet the horse is seen by. I will call and ask for records, if they won't release them I walk away from the sale. If they won't release them that means they called the seller and asked permission, the seller said no for a reason usually. Sometimes its something big, sometimes they just don't want you to find out they've slacked on maintenance or routine things. After getting records I usually find a second vet to do an exam, xrays and all that jazz. My last one I was able to look at past records and chose not to do a pre-purchase as I knew the person she came from and where she came from. I trusted that enough and she was cheap enough that even if she ends up just a broodmare I still get the value of what I paid just with her breeding.
As for what to look for the first thing I check is that they're structurally correct. I'm not picky about the shoulder angles, hip angles, length of cannons etc. If the horse is generally balanced, no crooked legs, decent sized feet for its body, etc then I'm good. I like to watch the way they move and carry themselves. For instance we lunged mine and in the circle her inside leg came up underneath her towards her front outer leg. I like that, comes in handy when they're turning. She was well minded for me and even though I confused the hell out of her on my test ride I felt she made great effort to figure out what I was asking and do her best. At just having 60 days on her she could have said screw you woman what the hell do you want from me & really pushed my buttons. Instead she just tried her best to quietly figure out what I wanted. Also one that is comfortable for you to ride, has a stride you feel balanced on. I don't want to ride a horse everyday that feels like its beating my back up for example and there are some of those rough suckers out there. Some you can adjust to and get used to but I've had a few I've ridden somewhat regularly for others that even after several months I was still needing a chiro and Advil for myself. Also don't let your trainer sway you if you don't feel certain about it don't let them talk you into it. Make sure its one YOU want, not just one your trainer wants for you that you settle with.
nicely said!
I also look at feet. I don't mind if they are long, but they need to be balanced. | |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Junebug1 - 2018-05-23 5:29 PM JLazyT_perf_horses - 2018-05-23 9:31 AM You're going to get a lot of different opinions on what to look for I think lol. For me with vet checks I either use mine if it's local, or another vet that's local to the horse. For those horses I'll contact the seller, set up a tie to see the horse, then ask what vet the horse is seen by. I will call and ask for records, if they won't release them I walk away from the sale. If they won't release them that means they called the seller and asked permission, the seller said no for a reason usually. Sometimes its something big, sometimes they just don't want you to find out they've slacked on maintenance or routine things. After getting records I usually find a second vet to do an exam, xrays and all that jazz. My last one I was able to look at past records and chose not to do a pre-purchase as I knew the person she came from and where she came from. I trusted that enough and she was cheap enough that even if she ends up just a broodmare I still get the value of what I paid just with her breeding. As for what to look for the first thing I check is that they're structurally correct. I'm not picky about the shoulder angles, hip angles, length of cannons etc. If the horse is generally balanced, no crooked legs, decent sized feet for its body, etc then I'm good. I like to watch the way they move and carry themselves. For instance we lunged mine and in the circle her inside leg came up underneath her towards her front outer leg. I like that, comes in handy when they're turning. She was well minded for me and even though I confused the hell out of her on my test ride I felt she made great effort to figure out what I was asking and do her best. At just having 60 days on her she could have said screw you woman what the hell do you want from me & really pushed my buttons. Instead she just tried her best to quietly figure out what I wanted. Also one that is comfortable for you to ride, has a stride you feel balanced on. I don't want to ride a horse everyday that feels like its beating my back up for example and there are some of those rough suckers out there. Some you can adjust to and get used to but I've had a few I've ridden somewhat regularly for others that even after several months I was still needing a chiro and Advil for myself. Also don't let your trainer sway you if you don't feel certain about it don't let them talk you into it. Make sure its one YOU want, not just one your trainer wants for you that you settle with. nicely said! I also look at feet. I don't mind if they are long, but they need to be balanced.
This- you need to take JLazyT with you horse shopping :). The only thing I would add is why nothing over 5? Being younger does not guarantee you are getting a sounder horse. I understand all you have been through but you just might overlook one a few years older that could be perfect for you. Good luck horse shopping, it can be fun and so frustrating at the same time. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| rodeomom3 - 2018-05-23 5:51 PM
Junebug1 - 2018-05-23 5:29 PM JLazyT_perf_horses - 2018-05-23 9:31 AM You're going to get a lot of different opinions on what to look for I think lol. For me with vet checks I either use mine if it's local, or another vet that's local to the horse. For those horses I'll contact the seller, set up a tie to see the horse, then ask what vet the horse is seen by. I will call and ask for records, if they won't release them I walk away from the sale. If they won't release them that means they called the seller and asked permission, the seller said no for a reason usually. Sometimes its something big, sometimes they just don't want you to find out they've slacked on maintenance or routine things. After getting records I usually find a second vet to do an exam, xrays and all that jazz. My last one I was able to look at past records and chose not to do a pre-purchase as I knew the person she came from and where she came from. I trusted that enough and she was cheap enough that even if she ends up just a broodmare I still get the value of what I paid just with her breeding. As for what to look for the first thing I check is that they're structurally correct. I'm not picky about the shoulder angles, hip angles, length of cannons etc. If the horse is generally balanced, no crooked legs, decent sized feet for its body, etc then I'm good. I like to watch the way they move and carry themselves. For instance we lunged mine and in the circle her inside leg came up underneath her towards her front outer leg. I like that, comes in handy when they're turning. She was well minded for me and even though I confused the hell out of her on my test ride I felt she made great effort to figure out what I was asking and do her best. At just having 60 days on her she could have said screw you woman what the hell do you want from me & really pushed my buttons. Instead she just tried her best to quietly figure out what I wanted. Also one that is comfortable for you to ride, has a stride you feel balanced on. I don't want to ride a horse everyday that feels like its beating my back up for example and there are some of those rough suckers out there. Some you can adjust to and get used to but I've had a few I've ridden somewhat regularly for others that even after several months I was still needing a chiro and Advil for myself. Also don't let your trainer sway you if you don't feel certain about it don't let them talk you into it. Make sure its one YOU want, not just one your trainer wants for you that you settle with. nicely said! I also look at feet. I don't mind if they are long, but they need to be balanced.
Yes, if she wants to come to VT I would happily have her come along!!!! We are trying to find something between 3-5yo that has not seen the pattern. It's not just the fact that maintenance wise, some younger horses might be more suitable, I want something with not a whole lot of baggage, as in buying something that's been racing a few years, and might have some bad habits that we need to fix. No horse is perfect, and that's not what I'm looking for by any means, but I would like something I can grow with. I have a great trainer, and I'm at a great barn now, so I have the resources to work with a younger horse, and have someone to help. The 5yo my trainer found is patterned, but my trainer has talked to a few people about the lady who trained him, and she gets them fancy broke, using themselves correctly, and starts them slowly and correctly on the pattern. | |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
Location: OH. IO | what state is the one that's six hours away in?maybe someone on here is close and can go look before you go that far and let you know if anything is noticably off | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 897
| jake16 - 2018-05-23 7:36 PM
what state is the one that's six hours away in?maybe someone on here is close and can go look before you go that far and let you know if anything is noticably off
NY, western NY. If anyone is close, and wouldn't mind going to see him, please let me know! | |
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Expert
Posts: 1516
Location: Illinois | Well since I've blown all my vacation time at work on going to barrel races I don't think I can swing it. Would if I could though, I've always wanted to visit VT and some other states over there. I've always known when I look at a horse if its "the one" or not. I've never bought anything I've been unsure about or lets see how this one works. I hate selling horses, I get kinda attached so I want to make sure I get the right fit. The one's I've gotten I've wanted to load up and take home the same day, so definitely go with your gut. Don't be worried about hurting anyone's feelings if you don't like their horse. I rode one I liked, but didn't feel like he was the one I was looking for so I helped shared his ad and helped the girl sell him. Sometimes it helps also to look to see if there's several horses in a similar area and then just make a day or weekend out of it. That's what I did last time. I looked at one, got off after 5 minutes & was done. That was the one I was most interested in too. Drove to a place close by to it and rode another one I was excited about seeing, didn't like him. There was another one there they had mentioned on the phone that was in my budget so I looked at her while I was there, and I came back and picked her up a few days later. So sometimes it helps finding several you can look at in an area, plus makes the trip a little more worthwhile. Also sometimes ask if they have anything else available for sale as well, might get lucky. | |
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 Life Saver
Posts: 10477
Location: MT | Lots of good advice !
One thing I try to keep in mind is that I try to choose a horse that will adjust well to where I live. I just feel that the less acclimation the horse has to go through the better .
I’m sure not everyone will agree with that but I have had troubles before when buying a horse who has come from a drastically different climate / environment.
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