Welcome to part 8 of our buying and selling series. We have previously covered what to look out for and how to write adverts. Today we look at how you will respond to an advert if buying and what questions to ask.
My first rule and I can’t stress this enough DO NOT TEXT well not unless advert specifically states to do so. There is nothing more frustrating as a seller to receive a text asking “Tell me bout ur orse pls” or “is orse still 4 sale???”. If you are interested pick up the phone and call the seller, they will not bite and they will be able to tell you significantly more information than in a text message. Current day emails are more acceptable but leave the text speak at home and make sure to write a structured email asking questions appropriate to the advert. If the ad states its a 7yo 16h2 grey mare don’t ask what colour and height it is. This will make you look stupid and remember the seller can ultimately choose who to sell or not sell their horse to!
Personally I also make a point not to call anyone before 9am or after 9pm. How would you feel to be woken up at 7:30am on your only lie in for several weeks?! Also take note if the advert states a time to call i.e. evenings, a lot of sellers have full time day jobs and won’t be able to answer their phones during the day. If you do call and they cannot answer leave a voicemail with your name and number stating its about your horse for sale and 99% will ring you back. (but yes some don’t!)
Ok so what questions are you going to ask? Well all the below would be on my list although some you may want to expand on or remove dependant on what you already know from the advert/photos/video.
– Age
– Height – expected to grow further?
– Colour
– Breeding
– Good for dentist/vet/farrier
– Competition name registered with BE/BD/BS (allows you to check record)
– Competition experience affiliated/unaffiliated. Latest results (it may have great results last year but shocking this), explanations of blip on record
– Are any of its weaknesses rider based? aka rider hates dressage or SJ and all horses go badly in that phase for them?
– Explanations for breaks in record. horse/rider injury or even pregnancy?
– Ability to progress further? if dropped down a level why?
– Still able to compete?
– Suitable for what standard of rider?
– How long owned
– Reason for sale
– Any injuries or periods of lameness during ownership
– In general good health now?
– Up to date on worming and flu/tet?
– Does it load travel fine alone/company and if so in what? lorry (front/rear/side facing) or trailer?
– Special farrier requirements/shoes?
– Ok in field in company/alone. clingy/dominant?
– Manners home and at shows with yourself and strangers in charge.
– Stabled away from home
– What currently being fed (rocket fuel or nothing?)
– Ability to be turned out 24/7?
– Ever bucked/reared? if so what context and when last? I can personally excuse an excitable buck but not a naughty one and I would be wary of a true rearer although a bunny hopper is a different matter)
– Any vices? crib/weave/windsuck etc?
– Hacking alone/company? how is it in traffic, cantering as group etc?
– Good to clip? need sedation? has it even been clipped?
– Good to have mane pulled/plaited?
– Any special care requirements bedding/feed/stabling/turning in out etc?
– Price and any flexibility on said price?
– Viewing facilities what are they like School? SJ/XC jumps? if no jumps can it be transported somewhere that does?
I could add several more to the above list but that should be pretty exhaustive. Normally you will find you get into a conversation with the seller and most of the above questions get answered as a matter of course of the conversation anyway but its useful to have them printed out so you can write the answers as you go. This allows you to pull up the owner on any discrepancies at a later point. I.e. they said no major injuries but at a vetting the vet finds clear signs of notable tendon injury! An owner might make a mistake as old injuries or behaviour can easily slip ones mind if nothing is recent but it is handy to write a record of things said.
If enough questions are answered satisfactorily then arrange a mutually agreeable time for a viewing. be prepared that if you cannot see it for a week or two even if you were the first caller the seller is not obliged to stop anyone else viewing the horse and would be silly to do so. Until they have a deposit it’s first come first served so make sure you have an empty diary.
