When buying a horse for pleasure riding guidelines:
Nowadays buying a horse is not as simple as just seeing a horse, I like it and I want it and I buy it. We have become more aware of the issues around buying a horse due to the increase of costs keeping a horse. If you think I live on a farm or it is "just a hack" and it does not apply to me, think again and very carefully.
Not all people are honest when selling a horse. The seller might not always disclose the negative issues.
Anyone selling a horse is doing it for a reason and always make sure you know what that reason is and if it is the truth. If a horse dealer is involved, remember one thing, its their way of income and would possibly only highlight the positives.
1) Always make sure the horse has a passport (Why?)
In the passport you will see if the horse was inoculated against AHS and Equine influenza. In the passport you will see the description of the horse and if it is the same animal. It might also disclose other diseases or illnesses the horse might have been treated for.
2) Look for any problems with the feet or legs. See the diagrams in the album and compare them to the conformation of the horse. If you are not sure you can always ask a vet at a later stage before the purchase.
3) Ensure you see as many horses as possible before the purchase and ride the horse/s yourself if possible. If it is to far from you get someone else to ride the horse for you.
4) If you cannot do it yourself, ask for pictures and if possible video clips. Pictures can be very deceiving but a video not as much. Videos could be edited so a real visit is the best option. You can compare the pictures they send you with the diagrams in the album to give you an indication of possible problems.
5) Find out about the history of the horse with specific reference to illness, disease and accidents. Ask if the horse was treated by a vet and follow up with the vet.
Once you have decided on your first option of a horse:
6) Golden rule: Don't think because the horse is "cheap" or for that matter might be "expensive" it is what you see. Its not! No one of us have X-ray eyes.
7) Depending on where the horse is: find out what the vet would charge you to perform a pre-purchase examination, try and negotiate this fee to be deducted from the selling price. If the seller is willing to do that it is a step in the right direction. If the seller does not, think again before making the purchase or getting the vet out.
8) If you made a decision that this is the right horse, at this stage get the vet out and ask him to do a pre-purchase examination which would include a Flexion test (for soundness) and test of the vital organs (heart and lung). You MUST get a report from the vet in writing wherein he states his results and recommendations. This is the only way you can protect yourself in the event of something seriously going wrong after the purchase.
9) Specifically ask the vet to look at any conformational issues which might at a later stage lead to problems. Take serious note of this and keep it in mind before you make the purchase.
10) If the horse passes the inspection and it is the horse you want the next step would be the contract.
11) If the horse does not pass the inspection you will be stuck with a vet bill and no horse. Rather this now than vet bills of many
thousands of Rands and no horse to ride at a later stage.
This is why it is so important to look at the conformation of the horse before you buy a horse even for pleasure riding.
Confirm all information via documents or email and keep the records.
If you cannot afford a vet to do a pre-purchase, will you be able to afford his services when your horse has a major problem later on?
Not all people are honest when selling a horse. The seller might not always disclose the negative issues.
Anyone selling a horse is doing it for a reason and always make sure you know what that reason is and if it is the truth. If a horse dealer is involved, remember one thing, its their way of income and would possibly only highlight the positives.
1) Always make sure the horse has a passport (Why?)
In the passport you will see if the horse was inoculated against AHS and Equine influenza. In the passport you will see the description of the horse and if it is the same animal. It might also disclose other diseases or illnesses the horse might have been treated for.
2) Look for any problems with the feet or legs. See the diagrams in the album and compare them to the conformation of the horse. If you are not sure you can always ask a vet at a later stage before the purchase.
3) Ensure you see as many horses as possible before the purchase and ride the horse/s yourself if possible. If it is to far from you get someone else to ride the horse for you.
4) If you cannot do it yourself, ask for pictures and if possible video clips. Pictures can be very deceiving but a video not as much. Videos could be edited so a real visit is the best option. You can compare the pictures they send you with the diagrams in the album to give you an indication of possible problems.
5) Find out about the history of the horse with specific reference to illness, disease and accidents. Ask if the horse was treated by a vet and follow up with the vet.
Once you have decided on your first option of a horse:
6) Golden rule: Don't think because the horse is "cheap" or for that matter might be "expensive" it is what you see. Its not! No one of us have X-ray eyes.
7) Depending on where the horse is: find out what the vet would charge you to perform a pre-purchase examination, try and negotiate this fee to be deducted from the selling price. If the seller is willing to do that it is a step in the right direction. If the seller does not, think again before making the purchase or getting the vet out.
8) If you made a decision that this is the right horse, at this stage get the vet out and ask him to do a pre-purchase examination which would include a Flexion test (for soundness) and test of the vital organs (heart and lung). You MUST get a report from the vet in writing wherein he states his results and recommendations. This is the only way you can protect yourself in the event of something seriously going wrong after the purchase.
9) Specifically ask the vet to look at any conformational issues which might at a later stage lead to problems. Take serious note of this and keep it in mind before you make the purchase.
10) If the horse passes the inspection and it is the horse you want the next step would be the contract.
11) If the horse does not pass the inspection you will be stuck with a vet bill and no horse. Rather this now than vet bills of many
thousands of Rands and no horse to ride at a later stage.
This is why it is so important to look at the conformation of the horse before you buy a horse even for pleasure riding.
Confirm all information via documents or email and keep the records.
If you cannot afford a vet to do a pre-purchase, will you be able to afford his services when your horse has a major problem later on?