Buying a horse

[Blacktail135]

 The wife is in the market to buy a “grandma” horse. Where’s the best place to look? Current farrier? Craigslist? Horse sites? Preferably a QH gelding. I am not a horse person but am willing to learn a little bit to help keep her from buying another like the last two!!

[Jingles]

A lot will depend on I tended use, for example a flat land horse (arena ridden) is not what you'd want if you are anticipating much backwoods wilderness riding and I don't mean the "wilderness" around places like Tahuya.

[Blacktail135]

 She would just ride around in circles in the round pen and around the property. 50ac ours and 100ac the neighbors (all flatland).

[vandeman17]

We bought a horse this spring that I found on Craigslist. There are a lot of options but I do recommend having a vet on hand for any that you are interested in to give a checkup. It will cost a little coin but well worth it. Stupid things are expensive

[Blacktail135]

 I totally agree with the vet check!! The last couple we got were because they were pretty! Ain’t gonna go that route again!

[Blacktail135]

 Would it matter whether or not I search east side or wetside? Wetside horses would be acclimated to this side?

[vandeman17]

Would it matter whether or not I search east side or wetside? Wetside horses would be acclimated to this side?

Nope. They will acclimate pretty quickly. We bought ours from a place up by lake wenatchee that still had snow and it was in the 50s down in wenatchee when we brought her home. Few days to get the winter coat loosening up and brushing was all it took. What is your budget? I can ask around here

[Blacktail135]

 She’s looking for 7-15 yo, 15h or less, $5kish, partial to palomino, no white. Not getting picky huh? 😂

[vandeman17]

She’s looking for 7-15 yo, 15h or less, $5kish, partial to palomino, no white. Not getting picky huh? 😂

Way less picky then when we were looking. 

[Mark Brenckle]

I'd highly recommend having an at-home trial period. The two horses I was smart enough to do that on went back to their previous owners...
  The horse we brought along a trainer my wife worked with so didn't bother with a trial, he turned out to be dangerous and ended up putting my wife in Harborview with 2 broken legs. He went to the Everson auction and I hope he had a short trip to Canada from there.   

[Mark Brenckle]

She’s looking for 7-15 yo, 15h or less, $5kish, partial to palomino, no white. Not getting picky huh? 😂

Way less picky then when we were looking. 

  I understand wanting a certain breed or color, but it really is all about their attitude and demeanor. Having them at your place, seeing how they interact (after a few days) with your fences, your shelter and most importantly YOU makes the decision much easier. I honestly won't consider a horse if the owner won't agree to one.

[Jingles]

Regardless of whether you get an at home trial before you ever load it throw a saddle on it and tighten the cinch like you were getting ready to get on as some are cinch and will pullbac on the lead rope, know this from experience bad times for all as horse flipped over backwards and broke the saddle tree so not only out the horse as went to slaughter house but also out a 600.00 saddle.
Along with the vet check  you'll need a Coggins test and an EIA  test, andif by some chance you decide to ride outside WA you'll need a brand inspection. Those were the 3 things I had to show at the first open weigh station I came to when entering a state on my ride from WA to MI. Yep 2278 mile horseback ride summer of 2016.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://events.lls.org/pages/wa/horseadventure16&ved=2ahUKEwjgrsbysr_1AhWbCTQIHY2fDEsQFnoECCgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1NYQ5_--rSWTwbPkSaoG_3

[Blacktail135]

Thanks guys! Making my list and checking it twice….before we buy! The last one we got we think the guy gave him bute before we showed up. He was ok but older than the guy said…by far. The one before was insulin resistant, had cushions and laminitis. We knew nothing about this and paid the price for lack of knowledge….for 10 years!

[Jingles]

Blacktail135 your inbox is full

[Mark Brenckle]

Yep, I won't go through that crap again. My wife's current horse is close to retirement but she's always been pretty healthy. She'll live out her remaining years here and be comfortable and well cared for.  We bought her in '06 as an 8 yo, so getting up there. My horse we got in '17 as a guesstimated 12 or 13 yo, he's had very little if any formal training but he's such a good horse I'll overlook a lot of little stuff and be thankful he's sane and an easy keeper.

[Machias]

First piece of advice is take your time, don't rush into anything.  When I searched for my perfect saddle mule I looked at over 20 mules before I found the one.  Things I did not want to deal with.  Pull back when tied, pawing or pacing insistently when tied.  No buck, no bite, no kicking.  Leads nice, loads in the trailer every time.  Not a as big a deal with a horse, but no issues with their ears.  Lowers their head when haltering.  Easy to catch. No trouble for the farrier. I went on three trail rides before I paid for my mule.  Best mule I ever owned.  Don't compromise, look a bunch of horses over.  Good luck!!

[HUNTIN4SIX]

My daughter owns the horse you are looking, not sure if she’ll part with him.  She is using him for her HS equestrian team.  I’ll ask her?
We have bought more horses than I’d like to think about.
The funniest advice I have is make the owner you are buying from ride it first and then tell them what to do on it.  We have actually had a few refuse to ride their own horse after they just bragged about.  Some give really good excuses too...LOL. 

[Jingles]

Machias that is one good looking mule and agree that it takes time to find THE ONE, but when you do you know it. A lot of "equestrian" folks won't consider riding a mule but they are IMO a smoother more enjoyable ride than a lot of the supposed smooth horses

[Machias]

My daughter owns the horse you are looking, not sure if she’ll part with him.  She is using him for her HS equestrian team.  I’ll ask her?
We have bought more horses than I’d like to think about.
The funniest advice I have is make the owner you are buying from ride it first and then tell them what to do on it.  We have actually had a few refuse to ride their own horse after they just bragged about.  Some give really good excuses too...LOL. 

Great advice!!

[Machias]

Machias that is one good looking mule and agree that it takes time to find THE ONE, but when you do you know it. A lot of "equestrian" folks won't consider riding a mule but they are IMO a smoother more enjoyable ride than a lot of the supposed smooth horses

Thanks, she was a special gal!  About as bomb proof as they get.  I used her two years on mounted search and rescue.  We would go to desensitizing clinics and everyone with a horse wanted to follow Abbey as she would not balk at anything I asked her to doing.

[vandeman17]

My daughter owns the horse you are looking, not sure if she’ll part with him.  She is using him for her HS equestrian team.  I’ll ask her?
We have bought more horses than I’d like to think about.
The funniest advice I have is make the owner you are buying from ride it first and then tell them what to do on it.  We have actually had a few refuse to ride their own horse after they just bragged about.  Some give really good excuses too...LOL. 

Great advice!!

We did this when we bought our last horse, actually in a parking lot on Steven's Pass which was helpful because of all the distractions. Seeing her being in a new environment with all the distractions was a good test.

[Jingles]

Machias that is one good looking mule and agree that it takes time to find THE ONE, but when you do you know it. A lot of "equestrian" folks won't consider riding a mule but they are IMO a smoother more enjoyable ride than a lot of the supposed smooth horses

Thanks, she was a special gal!  About as bomb proof as they get.  I used her two years on mounted search and rescue.  We would go to desensitizing clinics and everyone with a horse wanted to follow Abbey as she would not balk at anything I asked her to doing.

Sounds like she was very similar to the horse I rode cross country beside US 2,  trucks, cars, tractor trailers, dogs, farm tractors, trains with their horns, birds flying up from underneath her, shooting off her back she was one solid horse. Plus she stepped put at about 4 mph and as smooth a gate as butter,, which really made the ride fun and enjoyable as did not take lo g to cover 20 miles a day.

[kellama2001]

That is a gorgeous mule @Machias! My grandpa used to raise appaloosa mules for packing and I've still got a soft spot for mules. They are hard to beat in the mountains!

To the OP, I agree 100% with the advice for an at-home trial. A seller that truly cares about their horse will have no problem making sure it goes to the right home. I've always given a 30 day full money back trial period when I've sold horses in the past. I also checked out the home the horse was going to, and wouldn't sell to just anybody.

Here is a starter list of questions from the AQHA website when you do find a horse you're interested in. Obviously you can add to or remove the questions that don't pertain to you. Good luck with the horse search and keep us updated! 

Buying a Horse Checklist
When you first contact a seller about a horse he or she has for sale, you should be prepared with your questions. Here is a list of  questions to get you started:

___ Is he registered and do you have the original registration certificate?

___ Is this a gelding, stallion or mare?

___ What condition is the horse in?

___ Does he have any health problems?

___ What is the horse’s personality like? Quiet and well-mannered, high-strung or “spirited” and likes to go?

___ What does the horse look like?

___ How tall is the horse?

___ How old is the horse?

___ What kind of training has he had?

___ Is he road safe?

___ What is the horse’s recent background? What has he been doing? Has he been out to pasture or has he been used in English, western, 4-H, ranch, trail riding, lessons, driving, roping, reining, cutting, racing, etc.?

___ What vices does he have, if any?

___ Does he load into a trailer? Does he stand tied?

___ Has the horse been stalled or is he a pasture horse?

___ Has he lived alone or with other horses?

___ If handled by a trader or trainer, who owned him before? How long did they own him? Why are they selling the horse? May I speak with the previous owner?

___ Does he have a current Coggins test? If not, are you willing to get the horse tested?

___ Do you have someone at your place who will tack up and ride the horse?

___ Do you have an enclosed arena or enclosed pasture where I can try out the horse? If not, are you willing to take the horse to a public arena, demonstrate riding him and allow me to ride him?

___ If I like the horse, will you hold him for a vet check for me?

___ What is the horse's vaccination and deworming history?

[Blacktail135]

 Many thanks for ALL the advise! I may have “jumped” the gun a bit. After listening to her read me horse ads yesterday evening for an hour I came here to post. She’ll get a horse but I think it’ll be more closer to springtime. None of your posts were wasted for sure. I am soaking in any advise I can get. I want her to get “that horse” and I’ll help her as much as I can! Thank you very much for the advise!

[Blacktail135]

 We were at Bryce Canyon once many years ago to ride horses into the canyon. The wrangler rode up on a mule and started asking everyone what they wanted to ride. All the women wanted horses…I saw the wrangler ride up on a mule so I told him that I wanted a mule….he smiled and winked at me! I had myself a trouble free, smooth ride that day! 😁

[Machias]

We were at Bryce Canyon once many years ago to ride horses into the canyon. The wrangler rode up on a mule and started asking everyone what they wanted to ride. All the women wanted horses…I saw the wrangler ride up on a mule so I told him that I wanted a mule….he smiled and winked at me! I had myself a trouble free, smooth ride that day! 😁

  Very cool story!

[Blacktail135]

 She’s (wife) getting wound up again. She found a horse  (Rockin’ J Performance horses) from Kennewick. I’ll always be broke won’t I? 😂

[Machias]

 

[kellama2001]

She’s (wife) getting wound up again. She found a horse  (Rockin’ J Performance horses) from Kennewick. I’ll always be broke won’t I? 😂

Yes...but it'll be worth it! Remember the sound wisdom: happy wife = happy life 

[theleo]

She’s (wife) getting wound up again. She found a horse  (Rockin’ J Performance horses) from Kennewick. I’ll always be broke won’t I? 😂

Let's put it this way, you'll never have enough money to develop a drug habit.

There's lots of good advice in here I'm not going to repeat. What I will add is that you should show up early, way early, when you go to look at an animal. You want to see how much of a pain it's going to be to catch the short eared ditch hopper whenever you want to go for a ride.

[Jingles]

She’s (wife) getting wound up again. She found a horse  (Rockin’ J Performance horses) from Kennewick. I’ll always be broke won’t I? 😂

Won't say broke but don't plan any out of country hunting trips, buying the critter is the cheapest part. Then comes buying hay 380.00 per ton,  boarding, vet bills, annual shots, quarterly worming, tack, trailering, shoeing, and the list goes on and on, welcome to the poor house, but you got a horse. Hehe

[Mark Brenckle]

May want to check around for hay before you get a horse... few places I checked are out or reserving what they have left for their regular customers.

[Blacktail135]

 Yessir. Lots of good advice here for sure. I’ll be good for hay. We put our own up. Happy wife-happy life! 😁 38yrs so far. Her horse bug and my duck hunting bug should keep us poor! 😁 Thanks for the advise!

[2MANY]

Hunting ducks and owning horses is a lifestyle.
And
A good one.