Guide to buying and selling horses

[LMSmith]

I am currently trying to write a guide for buying and selling horses.

I just wanted some peoples ideas and opinions on what they think people should be looking out for when buying or selling or steps they should take.

Edited to add: This is what I have so far(it is a very rough idea):


• Call seller and make sure horse is what you are potentially looking for
• Make arrangements to go and view the horse
• Advisable to see more than one so you have something to compare against
• View favourite horse again and try and take your instructor with you
• If happy agree on a price but on the condition that it passes a five star vetting
• If passes the vetting agree a date to collect the horse or arrange transport and to make payment

[greasedweasel]

Expect to provide deposit before vetting.
Accept if horse is good may well have been sold by the time you have arranged second viewing and looked at others

[LMSmith]

Thanks for that greasedweasel

[Philippa]

See it, try it, like it, buy it!!!!

Sorry - i'm quite a straightforward buyer.

[GinaGeo]

Go with your gut instinct. I've always known I'm having something from way across the field, you can tell from their expression if they're the right one.

I've never trailed round the country looking at hundreds either, if I like the advert I ring the person, arrange a viewing usually same day or the day after. I go and visit with my mother, we decide we like, we take my father the following day. He will give us the OK if they're nice to be around, he's unhorsey, but a pretty good character test is my father hanging round it's neck trying to cuddle it... especially with a then 3yr old, that's not seen much of life (Said pony is pretty bomb proof though and is very very friendly, and is regularly found having a sneaky cuddle with my dad. They spent yesterday afternoon, pulling up dock leaves together lol!)

We say yes, we pay deposit, we come back with trailer within the week, pay in full and collect. We've never bought a bad one yet and they all have a home for life - we don't buy many, but we don't mess around when do.

[Laura]

There is no way you could ever make a Guide that covered all eventualites both as a buyer and a seller ;D

[kayjayem]

If you make an appointment to view MAKE SURE YOU GO!! If you have a problem or change your mind contact the seller and advise them as such. Similarly if the horse isn't for you don't disappear into the ether, have the good grace to inform the vendor.

And vendors, make sure your description is accurate, if you don't mention something obvious the prospective puchaser will notice anyway, same with height, if you say something is 14.2 when it is only 13.2 they wont buy it and you've wasted yours and their time.

[Tralala]

Make sure you have personal accident insurance cover, just incase a potential buy isnt what it states on the tin!!

[iluvmypony]

be honest!!

[ymcmath]

Watch out with dealers, threre are some good ones but also some very bad

[bethayes]

if it sounds too good to be true then it usually is!

[bethayes]

If youve found out there names etc ive sometimes searched them on facebook youtube etc ive foundvideos of the horse

[09rebel99]

Google names, horses name, owners name and see what comes up.

I am also a straight forward buyer, my last one I rang up and went to see. Took the horsebox with us, gave him a quick once over to make sure he was straight and sound and home he came.
I can undertand vettings when large sums of money are involved but we have never had one vetted.