Hi
I have lifted these questions from another site:
www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51164
But they seem rational! There are TWO sets of questions here, from two commentators - I have not checked them for doubling up but you can cut and paste and put them in rational order and then use on the phone - I'd get a pad of paper and have two columns for Q and A so that you actually ask the questions and not get side tracked!!!
Obviously there's a lot here and so some could be for a first viewing - ALWAYS get them to ride the horse first...I went to a viewing and the person was bucked off her own pony - suffice to say I didn't 'pop' on board as offered!!
When/Why did you buy the horse
- Do you know the horses past history/breeding/breeders/past competition results
- Why are you selling the horse (important one this!)
- What vetinary treatment has the horse had to have while you have owned him (you can check this with a local vetinary clinic if you are uncertain)
- Has the horse ever been unsound
- When was the horse last checked, or ever checked, by a physio/chiro and by an equine dentist
- Does the horse have a height certificate
- Is the horse registered with any breed or competition societies
- How much competing has the horse done, and with what success
- How good is the horse to shoe (if unsure, check with local farrier)
- How good is the horse to load and travel in a horsebox AND a trailer
- How easy is the horse to catch.
- What herd position does the horse seem to assume
- Has the horse ever suffered from Laminitis, or Sweet Itch or similar.
- What is the horse like to hack in company/alone
- How is the horse in traffic (ask specifically about certain things, eg. tractors, bicycles, motorbikes, fast cars, articulated lorries)
- How much schooling has the horse done, do they have regular lessons
- How much jumping experience does the horse have
- What height has the horse jumped free schooling and under saddle
From another person commenting on the site:
Age? can it be confirmed?
Height? Can it be confirmed?
What is his personality? Quiet? Feisty? Lazy?
Does he have or has he had any medical problems/injuries/allergies?
Is he registered with any societies? which ones?
... About the horse's behaviour:
Is he good to... catch? shoe? load? lead? clip?
How is he to handle? in the stable? outside the stable? in a diffierent atmosphere (e.g. competition)?
Does he have any behavioural problems? biting? kicking? chewing?
Does he have any stable vices? if so what started them? what is done to reduce them?
If a mare, is she particularly marish?
Is he scared of anything in particular? does he have any phobias? how is he with hose pipes, etc?
Whats he like with the vet/farrier/dentist/people/other horses/other animals?
... About the horse's care:
What bedding is he stabled on? why?
What is he fed? why? any supplements? why? how much hay/haylage per day?
How long is he turned out per day? Is he kept on his own or with others? Is he more happy turned out or stabled?
How well does he travel? How well does he adjust to new people/surroundings?
Is he up-to-date on vaccinations and worming?
What shoes does he wear? Why?
... About riding the horse:
Is he an easy/difficult ride? Is he suitable for a novice or experienced rider? Who is he normally ridden by?
Is he good to hack? alone? in-company? on roads?
Is he particularly spooky? at what? where? when?
Can he be ridden both indoors and outdoors safely?
What disciplines does he participate in? does he compete?
Does he have any behavioural problems? rearing? bucking? napping? bolting?
What is his current level of fitness?
Does he lunge?
Does he enjoy jumping?
Does he jump coloured fences? Does he jump natural fences?
Whats he like at shows/in stressful circumstances?
... About the horse's tack:
What tack is he ridden in? why?
What bit is used? why?
What boots is he ridden in? why?
... About the horse's history:
What is the horses breeding? can it be confirmed?
What did he do before the current owners had him?
How long have the current owners had him? (be suspicious if its only a couple of months)
What has he done with the current owners?
What types of competitions has he done? at what level? with how much success?
Has he had any medical conditions/injuries in the past?
... About the sale:
Why is he being sold?
How much is he being sold for? is it open to offers?
Can you have a vetting?
Is tack included in the price? if not, can it be bought seperately? for how much?
Does he come with any rides for competitions? which ones?
Is there a possibility of a trial period? how long?
When can the horse be collected? or can you transport him to me?
Good luck!