Shopping for a horse.

[Blacktail135]

 Wifes dragging me up to Whatcom County tomorrow to look at a Palomino gelding she thinks she wants. Neither one of us know very much about horses. I told her to take someone up that does know horses then if it looks good to take a vet on the second trip. $2000.00 is a lot of money, especially if it's for something that won't workout. We've already got 2 "free" horses that aren't really a decent fit. I think some sweet-talker has her on the hook. 

[JLS]

Choose horses on

1) Disposition and temparement
2) Physical conformation
3) Color

In that order. 

[runamuk]

Choose horses on

1) Disposition and temparement
2) Physical conformation
3) Color

In that order.

I would say first you need to look at a horse that fits what you want it to do ie don't buy a dressage horse if all you want is a trail horse etc.  then Temperament, disposition, training, conformational concerns, if it passes the muster then take a vet for a soundness exam.  And then if all is idea say yay cool color on top of that.

I used to help people buy horses was one of the coolest jobs I did back in the day, always loved catching a shyster in the act.  I have a bunch of quick soundness checks I can give you but if you are really new it might not make sense.  Make sure she gets to ride the horse/and possibly also see it ridden if it is being sold as well broke or even green. 

[Jingles]

Also if the horse is saddled when you get there have them unsaddle and re saddle Had one that was great for riding and good looking but everything you cinched up the girth she'd pull back and want to flip over backwards.

Also don't get all tied up with the papers or how good the blood line is . You can't ride the papers and blood line doesn't mean squat unless you're buying a mare and plan on breeding

[aer212]

A lot of horses are cinchy, just get the cinch so the saddle won't fall off and then trot the horse a couple circles each direction, then tighten the cinch the rest of the way.

[Jingles]

A lot of horses are cinchy, just get the cinch so the saddle won't fall off and then trot the horse a couple circles each direction, then tighten the cinch the rest of the way.

That is good info as long as you aren't out in the Paysayten wilderness and need to get after all the stock you let loose overnight. Me I want a horse that I can throw the saddle on cinch it down tight enough I can get on. Once on I don't care if the cinch is hanging free as long as I'm in the middle  I have had cinches loose enough you can stick your hand between the horse and the cinch.

[bearpaw]

I would recommend taking a friend with lots of horse experience to ride and handle the horse and ask questions you wouldn't think of asking.

I like to handle the feet and tap them with a rock, saddle the horse yourself, and ride thoroughly, take note if he seems nervous when you touch him, be careful around strange horses. If I think I'm going to buy the horse I ask if I can load him in the trailer first, maybe unload and walk around and load the horse again, if he loads and does everything to my satisfaction then I buy the horse.

If the horse acts sluggish in any way don't buy him, they may have aced him to make him gentle and get the sale. I learned that the hard way. 

Take someone who knows horses with you to make your final decision. 

[firefighter4607]

What would be the primary use of this horse? You stated you have 2 others that don't fit.

Questions I would want to know is how old, has it been broke, and make sure it hasn't been cribbing or wood chewing. What color is the horse? Lighter colored horses are more prone to sunburn, skin cancer and melanoma. We just had to put a horse down because of skin cancer.

And all the replies above are good items to do or question.

[Fowlweather25]

I buy and sell as well as train horses. If you have any quetions, please call.
I will pm you my number. I would be happy to check the horse out for you. Im tired of seeing people get duped.

[bearpaw]

I buy and sell as well as train horses. If you have any quetions, please call.
I will pm you my number. I would be happy to check the horse out for you. Im tired of seeing people get duped.

  perfect offer 

[RG]

I would recommend taking a friend with lots of horse experience to ride and handle the horse and ask questions you wouldn't think of asking.

I like to handle the feet and tap them with a rock, saddle the horse yourself, and ride thoroughly, take note if he seems nervous when you touch him, be careful around strange horses. If I think I'm going to buy the horse I ask if I can load him in the trailer first, maybe unload and walk around and load the horse again, if he loads and does everything to my satisfaction then I buy the horse.

If the horse acts sluggish in any way don't buy him, they may have aced him to make him gentle and get the sale. I learned that the hard way. 

Take someone who knows horses with you to make your final decision. 

Absolutely on the taking a knowledgeable person part.  Even then it's a gamble any time you buy a horse.  In about six months after you figure out how to ride this horse and after the horse figures out what to expect from you, it will start to be apparent what you actually bought.  I've been feeding horses and mules for a lot of years and I've had more good ones than bad ones so I must be a little ahead of the game I guess.

[Blacktail135]

 Thanks for all the replies! I didn't state what we're (wife) is looking for in a horse. Here goes: We've got 60ac. located on a deadend road (we're 2nd from the end). Our neighbor has about 200+ acres beyond our place that we are wecome to ride. Most of the terrain is typical Western Washington (mud 8-10 months out of the year). A couple of hills, still not much gravel/rock. All wife want's to do is ride a horse around that. The one lane road to our place is chip seal gravel but we can ride off the side in the grass. Wife's 55yo and we have a 10yo granddaughter who has been taking riding lessons for 2 years and a 5yo granddaughter who just started taking riding lessons this year all Western pleasure. Our 2 "free" horses are a very,very,very old Appaloosa mare and a 14yo Arabian mare. The Arabian is a sweet (and beautiful) horse and has taken my wife 2 to 3 years to "bond" but always will be "an Arab". The 10yo granddaughter stated today that she was taking over the Arab. She rode it for 4 hours today. My wife wants a horse with minimal to no issues that is mature and she can just grab in the field,saddle up and ride around a little bit, bring back to the barn comb and groom, toss out some hay and call it a day!.

[bearpaw]

Another easy thing to check, have the owners make a good size puddle with a garden hose, then see if the horse will ride through it. Sounds like you need a horse that's not too worried about water or mud. Also see if the horse will let you approach in the pasture with a lead rope in your hands. If that doesn't work make sure the horse comes to grain when you have the lead rope. Some horses will even avoid grain if they see a lead rope in your hands, I doubt if your wife wants that horse. 

[6x6in6]

I'd be happy to tag along and check the horse out if you want.

[Blacktail135]

 Didn't go shopping for a horse today. Had to cancel. Father in law called this morning (in 30 years he never calls) to say MIL was in bad shape. She has Pancreatic cancer that has migrated to her liver.  Not good. Then we came home and the daughter and her family were riding our Arab mare. Daughter fell off after horse danced around due to dog disturbance. Neighbor was driving down the road and saw the whole thing and asked if I needed a gun. Told him I had one. Didn't shoot....yet. Dust has settled down around here for the day. Thanks for the offers. We aint done yet.