Tips for Going to Look at a New Horse?

I'm going to look at a horse to lease soon, and neither the horse nor the owner are familiar to me. I haven't ever gone to look at a horse by myself before as I've always ridden horses that belong to my coach. She is unable to accompany me on my visit. Also, the horse hasn't been ridden since the fall and the owner is pregnant and won't be able to ride him first. Besides "listening to my gut," can anyone suggest tips for how to try this horse in a safe way? I've asked lots of questions and the horse sounds good, but you never know.

Thanks! Emily

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Permalink Reply by Jan Jollymour on April 14, 2010 at 7:23pm

Hi, Emily:

My first bit of advice would be to NOT ride the horse. Unless the owner can provide a suitable rider to show the horse to you, and you are comfortable with the horse's behaviour under that rider, don't even think about putting a foot in the stirrup.

There's nothing at all wrong with going to LOOK at the horse, but after that I would definitely wait until either (a) your trainer can accompany you and test ride the horse first, or (b) the owner can provide a suitable demonstration rider and ride. I had to show a horse to buyers last year when my wrist was broken, and full of pins and in a cast. I could not ride the horse myself to show her to the buyers, but I had a client ride her instead, and show her to them. Following that they were comfortable riding the horse themselves, but I would never ask someone else to step onto a strange horse with no background.

Having people tell you that the horse is fine is not the same as witnessing it. The vendor should be prepared to show the horse to its best advantage, and that may mean paying a professional to show the horse to you. Given that this particular horse has not been ridden since last fall my strongest advice to you would be to insist on a solid demo ride prior to mounting yourself.

Give the horse the best chance possible, and yourself the best opportunity to evaluate it, by either waiting for your trainer or requiring a demonstration ride.

I hope this helps!

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Permalink Reply by Emily Edwards on April 15, 2010 at 11:24am

Hi Jan,

Thanks so much for your reply and advice. I completely agree that someone else should ride the horse first. I will talk about possibilities with the owner when I meet her later today (her horse doesn't have shoes on yet so there's no chance she'd ask me to ride today). Maybe even her own coach could ride him.

I have also lined up two other horses to see on the weekend (in the name of "never buy/lease the first one you see") and have already requested that someone ride the horses first. In the case of the 26 year old gelding, I think the owner thought I was a little nuts, but better safe than sorry! I know all too well the feeling of being on an unsafe horse.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your help and for giving me that extra bit of grit to say no to the first ride.

Emily