Every Horse Will Have Some Faults.

Success in buying a horse is largely to do with using your common  sense, and asking questions applicable to you and your circumstances.

Bear in mind that there is no such thing as the perfect  horse. Every horse will  have some faults. You   need   to establish which set of faults you personally   can live with, and which you cannot. The following are a few general questions and pointers that you should consider:

1.Try to ascertain why the horse is for sale.
2.The advertisement should have mentioned age, sex, and height. If not, establish these points. Also ask what breed the horse is.

3.Ask about the horse's temperament. Find out if it is quiet, strong, difficult, excitable and so on. Does it kick or bite? What is it like in the stable and the field? Is it a bully, or can it be turned out with other horses?

4.Does it have any vices? Vices such as weaving, cribbing, windsucking, rug tearing, and pacing the stall are really undesirable features in a horse, and should be reflected in the price being asked.

5.Find out what the horse is like in traffic. If you are likely to be riding on the roads at all, it is very important to make sure that the horse will be safe, and is used to vehicles.

6.Ask what the horse is like to shoe, catch, clip, and box.

7.Try to establish as much of the horse's history as you can. What type of work has it been doing? Has it entered any competitions? Has it won anything? Has it been cross-country? Will it go through water and jump ditches? Has it showjumped? What is its flat work like?

8.If the horse is a mare, ask what she is like when in season.
9.Find out if the horse naps.

10.Ask if it has been hunting? If so, how does it behave, how strong is it, and what type of bit is it ridden in? Will it go first or last, is it mannered, can you open and shut gates on it?

11.Find out what type of bit the horse is usually ridden in.
Ask if the horse has ever had any major illnesses or injuries, and whether or not it has any significant scars.

If you wish to pursue a career in the showring, you do not want a horse with scarred knees, etc. If so, has it had colic more than once? Some horses are prone to colic, and it is important to know if this is the case.

12.Find out what type of environment the horse is living in, for example, is it kept in a small private yard, a large busy yard, on its own, out at grass all the time or in a stall?

13.Ask what type of feed the horse is on and the amount it needs.

14.Success in buying a horse is largely to do with using your common sense, and asking ques¬tions applicable to you and your circumstances.

Bear in mind that there is no such thing as the perfect horse. Every horse will have some faults. You need to establish which set of faults you can live with, and which you cannot.