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boon
Posts: 1
Location: NV | Hello all! I 'stalk' posts on BHW all the time, but this is my very first post. (go easy on me :) )
I thought I saw a similar post a while back, but I cant find it now. Here goes:
I am not new to horses, but this is the first time I will be buying without my dad/uncle/brother by my side. And the first one that will be all mine. I'm nervous to buy on my own, but am very excited and proud that I can finally do this. I found a few prospects and would like some (any) advice on my first purchase all by myself. I'm not looking for advice on owning a horse (I'll need that after the purchase ;)), I'm looking for advice on the buying process, please. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1035
Location: TN | Just a few things that come to mind: Be cautious and don't get so excited that you forget to look at all the important things - be picky. Have a plan for a few things you want to look for in your ideal horse (for example, good feet, soundness, calm in the alley, etc. - whatever qualities you find most important. Make sure the horse fits you. Try to get a decent deal on it (don't pay so much that you could never recoup your money if you decided to sell). Good luck and happy shopping! |
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  That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
 
| See the horse, see the papers, see the buyer. In person, actually see them all. This way you know what you are getting. I dont always do this, but it will bite me in the butt someday i'm sure.
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 Texas Lone Star
Posts: 5318
Location: where ever my L/Q trl is parked | Well welcome to the horse world... this is a great place for good info on exactly what you are needing.
My one thing that I learned the hard way is after finding the one horse you want and you're really serious is do a pre-purchase exam. It will save you tons of time and money in the long run- remember car salesman! |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | VET CHECK EVERYTHING!!!!
people will screw you over, unforunately it's the sad sad truth. Make sure you think about what you want, and when you look at horses. Just do not jump at the first one you like right away....extensive vet checks, make sure they are what you are wanting in a horse...and what you are willing to pay for. |
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| Check everything! Open his mouth and look at his teeth and tongue. Saw a horse bought at a breeders' sale and his teeth were awful-jaw had been broken or some other calamity occured. Pick up his feet and look at the bottom. If he doesn't have shoes look to see if there is separation of the sole from the walls. If it's a mare look to see if she needs a Caslick's or already has one. Look at the eyes and check for old injuries. Ask questions. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | First and foremost, GET A VET CHECK. I have made that mistake and paid for it dearly. Ride and spend some time with the horse to make sure it's a good fit and ask questions. Even little details like bathing, blanketing, wearing boots, mounting blocks, etc. can be very important.
Know what you want and what you need. Are there certain quirks, conformation issues, training issues, etc. you can't handle/won't put up with? How much maintenance can you handle time and cost wise? |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | I don't go out of state by myself. Have someone else go with you, especially if it's a long drive. My husband is okay with me going just down the road a little bit by myself, but he or my mom, or my best friend joins in if it's any further.
I also look look at old owner records (you might know someone who knows the horse's history) and I google/equi stat what I csn. |
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 The Vaccinator
Posts: 3810
Location: Slipping down the slope of old age. Boo hoo. | Vet check with digital x-rays of feet and hocks.... and take a trusted "horse expert" with you. I have two friends that I trust regarding their immense and deep knowledge -- and experience. One or both go with me to look at and try horses. One is a trainer + carded judge... the other is a nonpro but trains her own and has won dozens of world titles. They review videos for me, too. Don't let anyone pressure you into a purchase or price that does not meet all of your criteria -- and I do recommend making some notes about the "musts" for the horse you are looking for and what you should really look at when you go look so you don't get distracted and miss something. Get a signed bill of sale and GET PAPERS IN HAND with a signed transfer when you pay in full. Don't load the horse until you have those items.... I know too many people that had papers + transfer promised -- promised it would be mailed and it NEVER appeared. I always take a Bill of Sale AND transfer forms with me so I have them to use -- do not depend on the seller to have these items. It is a business transaction so step up and handle it in a prepared and business like manner. I also talk with my equine insurance person prior to a trip so I can easily call them and get a policy locked in as soon as I hand over the money for purchase. I want the horse insured before it jumps on the trailer. And don't get caught up in any "We have someone else coming to try him this afternoon" pressure tactics. Do your due diligence. Oh - and get proof from the horse's current vet regarding vaccinations plus you will want a new Coggins (and maybe a drug test) when you get your chosen vet to do the vet check.... if there is nothing to hide, the seller should assist you regarding obtaining any and all items you request as you close the deal -- because they are requirements to close the deal! Good luck! The first is the scariest....and most nerve-wracking, but after your get your "buying process" figured out, it gets easier! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1150
Location: LaCygne, KS | Delta covered most everything. I sent a pm with my 'words of wisdom". JT |
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Veteran
Posts: 161
Location: Right Where I'm Meant To Be :) | Everything above plus talk with your Farrior and ask if you can send him/her photos of the horses feet. Take a lot of different angles and the bottoms. They're not going to be able to give you 100% guarantee however it will give them an idea if the heel angles etc are something they can work with |
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Expert
Posts: 1280
Location: Texas | Don't do it alone if you don't have to. Take your Dad, brother, trainer, friend, or someone with you. I always want a second set of eyes (and I have been buying for 40 yrs) And, of course a vet check (although that's no guarantee either). Hell it's always somewhat of a crapshoot, but you have a better chance if you have help. |
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 The BHW Book Worm
Posts: 1768
| tracies - 2015-01-01 12:53 AM
Don't do it alone if you don't have to. Take your Dad, brother, trainer, friend, or someone with you. I always want a second set of eyes (and I have been buying for 40 yrs) And, of course a vet check (although that's no guarantee either). Hell it's always somewhat of a crapshoot, but you have a better chance if you have help.
I agree. I always get a vet check and in years recent history even with inexpensive young prospects. Don't skimp on vet check either. I had a fresh out of school just drumming up business equine vet do my last pre purchase and she completely missed something I found and it wasn't that little cost me 150 no radio graphes. I won't use her again and went back to a vet that is a little more seasoned and specializes in rodeo horses...it's costing me 300 without radio grahes. Moral of the story nothing is guaranteed and don't try to cut corners with a less expensive vet.these are both young not started inexpensive prospects.
Edited by Thistle2011 2015-01-01 9:19 AM
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 Playing the Waiting Game
Posts: 2304
| When you think you found what you want "GO HOME" and sleep on it (or at least leave the property and think on it without pressure)... I know the sellers will always have another buyer on the way out with a horse trailer. If it's meant to be the horse will be there in the morning.. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | suzy2qtee - 2015-01-01 10:04 AM When you think you found what you want "GO HOME" and sleep on it (or at least leave the property and think on it without pressure)... I know the sellers will always have another buyer on the way out with a horse trailer. If it's meant to be the horse will be there in the morning..
Oh yes I second this too. When I went to try my horse the first thing I did when I got back to my hotel is ask everyone on here what they thought lol. Pretty much everyone agreed that I should get him and they were right. He was there in the morning and I'm glad I got the chance to sleep on it and really make sure I wanted him. |
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