What kind of questions to ask when buy a horse?

Here's my standard list...

Does this horse have any vices?

How does this horse do with being tacked up and untacked?

How does this horse handle while mounting?

Will the horse mount from a standing object or block?

Is the horse English trained or Western?

How does the horse do around crowds or other horses?

How does this horse do around dogs or other distractions like cars?

Will this horse go through water, over bridges, and under overpasses?

Is this horse spooky around things that move? Is he/she prone to bolting?

Is this horse registered? Do you have it's papers?

Does this horse have current shots and Coggins?

Is this horse currently shod or barefoot?

When is the last time he/she was seen by a farrier and how does he stand for a farrier?

How does he/she do with clippers and bathing?

How does he/she handle being in a stall?

Does he/she have a history of cribbing?

Does he/she stand tied?

How does he/she load and ride in a trailer?

Is this horse barn or buddy sour?

Also ask if the horse has any major medical problems; ever foundered, sunburn badly, colic, blindness, bad hooves, rain rot, etc. are all things you should ask about and be aware of. Also look for scars and ask where they came from.

If I were you I'd take an older, experienced, person with me to see and ride any horses. Never buy a horse sight unseen and without a proper vetting, especially if there are any doubts or concerns.

You can look on Craigslist, Horseclicks, or search for "horse ads online" or in your local newspaper, riding club, or at stables and vet's offices. :D Good luck!

• Has the horse ever colicked or foundered?

• Has it ever been lame?

• Has it ever had surgery of any kind?

• Does it crib?

• Has it ever been sick?

• Does it need special shoeing?

• Does it have any under-saddle vices (buck, bolt, rear)?

• If it sits for a couple of days, how does the horse behave?

• What does it do when it spooks?

• What are the look and feel of its gaits?

• How does the horse behave on trail rides?

How many times has it gone on trails, if at all?

• How is it when you arrive at a strange place or horse show? Does it need to be lunged to relax?

• How is it when another horse passes it from behind?

• How much training does the horse really have?

• How many times has it been ridden per week, per month?

• Has it had any time off over the years?

How long, and why?

• What is the history of this horse?

• Why is it being sold?

• Does it have papers (is it registered)?

• Has a child or non-professional rider been riding it?

• How well does it carry a mild snaffle bit?

• How does the horse act when loading into a horse trailer? Any accidents?

• How is it with hair clippers?

• What kind of bit is it rode in? (severe bits are red flags)

• How is the horse in a wash rack?

• How is it to tie?

• Do any other vices, health problems, or training issues exist?

there are several good websites. My favourite is Horsetopia, which is where I found two of my horses. It has great search preferences so you can really narrow it down. I'd ask about what the horse has been used for, and I'd get the owner to describe to me what they thought the perfect rider for that particular horse is. You learn a lot by getting them talking instead of just answering specific questions! Also - when was the last time the horse had its teeth examined, farrier work, deworming etc. Get a sense of the routines and you should have a good idea of if this horse has been decently "maintained". Make sure you see the horse being tacked up AND that you get to do it yourself - and that the seller rides the horse before having you hop on.

Ask if the horse had any injuries or health problems in its lifetime. Also make sure its good around children, etc. and can be ridden and handled. If your looking to take it places, make sure it trailers good. Oh and ask if it can stand good for farriers :) And you can look really anywhere for a horse. Ask around and maybe some people you know will know of someone selling a horse (or pony). You can also go online too to a pet buying website. The only problem is that sometimes its harder to go look at a horse.

good luck :)

I would recommend having an instructor go with you so you have a professional opinion. Trainers often have plenty of contacts for horse sales. I always recommend doing a pre purchase exam with a vet that doesn't know the horse, and also ask the seller to release the horses medical history, be aware of significant injuries and illnesses. Joint injections aren't a big deal if part of the horses annual maintainance program. Drug screen also recommended to detect tranqs steriods and anti-inflamatories. its a daunting task to find a horse and have them vet clean, but this is your money no matter how small the price tag!!

Do Your Homework

Before you go out to look at horses, thoroughly browse the classifieds in the magazines for your breed and/or discipline. Scan the ads on general horse classified web sites as well as the sale pages of breeders’ websites. This will give you a sense of what you should expect to pay for the type of horse you want. If you work with a trainer or instructor, talk over your expectations and budget to make sure they are realistic. Attend some shows or competitions for your discipline and note what types of horses are winning. Frequently, there are horses advertised for sale at shows, which is an excellent opportunity to evaluate purchase prospects.

Ask LOTS of Questions

If you ask, the seller must answer truthfully, so it’s in your best interest to ask the seller everything you might want to know, including details of the horse’s health and soundness history, his behavior in the show ring and on the trail, how he stands for the vet and farrier and whether he clips, ties and hauls. When you first call about a horse, have a list of questions ready, and ask them – it could save you the time and trouble of going to look at a horse that isn’t right for you. Equine Legal Solutions has developed a horse buying checklist to help you evaluate horses you are considering. Ask the seller to send you photos and video, if available, before you go out to see the horse. Tell the seller what you plan to do with the horse and ask the seller directly whether he thinks the horse would be suitable for you. We've found it useful to ask the seller why they are selling the horse – sometimes they are too honest for their own good! Don’t take anything for granted, and be specific in your questions. Trust your instincts – if a seller doesn’t answer your questions fully or makes you feel uncomfortable for asking, it’s time to move on.

Bring an Experienced Friend or Trainer

Even if you have years of experience, it’s smart to bring along an experienced friend when you’re horse shopping. Review the features that are most important to you and ask your friend to help keep you focused on them. If you have a friend who can operate a video camera or even just take a few snaps of you on the horse, all the better – see tip #3! On the way home, discuss the horse in detail and ask for your friend’s honest opinion. If you work with a trainer or instructor, be sure to take them along to see your final choice before you purchase a horse. You may have to pay them for their time, but if their input helps you select a horse that is right for you, that fee will be a good investment.

Try Out the Horse – Thoroughly

We shudder whenever we hear of a horse bought “sight unseen.” There are so many things that a seller can do to disguise a horse’s condition and behavior, even in a video. There is absolutely no substitute for trying the horse out yourself. When you call to make an appointment to see a horse, tell the seller that you would like to see him tacked up after you get there. Arrive early and note whether the horse appears to have been worked already. Ask the seller to demonstrate everything that he says the horse can do, including clipping, tying and loading. Have the seller ride the horse first, then ride the horse yourself. If possible, come back to try out the horse a second time, even if it has to be the same day.

Get a Vet Check

Even for an inexpensive or “free” horse, we strongly recommend getting a vet check. As most experienced horse owners will admit, the initial purchase price of a horse is just the beginning of the investment! An old saying advises that it costs just as much to keep a good horse as it does to keep a bad one, and we’d add that it often costs more to keep a bad one! Ask your vet (not the seller’s vet) to check the horse for general health and soundness and screen for painkillers and tranquilizers. If your vet advises X-rays, get them – this is not the time to economize. Don’t be tempted to accept the seller’s word that the horse is sound – you’ll be glad that you took the time and relatively modest expense to have your vet examine the horse, if only for your peace of mind. Even if you are buying the horse from a friend, you will both rest easier knowing exactly what the horse’s condition was when you bought him, and if the horse becomes lame or ill later, having had a pre-purchase vet check will go a long way to preserve your friendship. If the horse’s location makes it impossible to have your own vet examine the horse, hire a local vet not affiliated with the seller to come out and examine the horse for you, and if the local vet takes X-rays, ask her to send a copy to your vet back home.

check out think link too for more questions you should ask! http://www.equinelegalsolutions.com/assets/HBC.pdf

GOOD LUCK!!!