Horse Purchase -
Contacting The Seller
When seriously considering a horse purchase, it is a really good idea to contact the seller by telephone in the first instance.
You can get answers to most of your questions before you even see the horse.
This is especially useful if the horse is some distance away as you may decide after speaking to the owner that this particular horse purchase is not worth pursuing. This will save time and petrol and enable you to move on to the next horse on your list.
Questions to Ask The Seller
Reputable owners will not mind any prospective buyer asking detailed questions as this demonstrates a responsible attitude and will give them confidence that you know what you're doing.
Make a note of the answers given by the owner. Once you've made several phone calls to different sellers, information is easily confused unless you take some notes. We suggest you put the horse details and owner's phone number at the top of the page for easy reference later.
Ask open questions that require more than a "Yes/No" answer as these will generate more information - a key to your decision whether to view the horse in the flesh.
Reasons For Selling?
1) Why are you selling the horse?
2) How long have you had the horse?
3) When was the horse last ridden and is s/he in regular work?
Health and Passport?
4) Does the horse have a passport and do they hold the passport?
5) Is the horse vaccinated against Flu/Tetanus / micro-chipped / freeze-marked?
6) When was the horse last wormed, shod, teeth checked, back checked?
7) Has the horse suffered any historic or recent injury, allergy or illness or been the subject of an insurance claim including Loss of Use?
Temperament and Behaviour?
8) What is the temperament of the horse around people/in the stable/in the field with other horses?
9) Does the horse have any behavioural issues (has it ever bitten, kicked, reared, napped, bolted or otherwise misbehaved while with the current owner?
10) How does the horse behave in the stable? (does he have any stable vices?)
11) How does the horse behave when ridden alone and in company (does it spook, pull, barge or hang back?)
Anything Else?
12)You may also have questions relating to the advert content so ask these while you are on the phone.Always thank the seller for their time but do not be pushed into buying a horse or arranging a viewing. If you like what you hear, tell the seller you will ring them back once you've gone through your notes. If you decide you do want to
Arrange a Viewing
click on the underlined text to read our tips and advice for this next step. Remember viewing the horse does not place you under any obligation to buy it but only view if you are seriously considering the horse as it is frustrating for sellers for their time to be wasted.
Return from Horse Purchase - Questions to Ask the Seller to Step 3 of our Buying Guide
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