I'm going to look at a horse Saturday

[MyMia]

I've started looking at horses. I'm not sure I'm completely ready to get another one, but the warmer weather is making me want to ride and I'm afraid Charlie will go lame if I ride him too much. Plus, he's lonely so I NEED to get another horse, right? ;)

Anyway, I found a listing for a black and white paint mare. She's 8 years old and supposedly really quiet. I have a feeling she might be a little too quiet--the ad said she needs a lot of leg to keep trotting. The woman said she never trail rides her, so perhaps she's just bored in the ring...or maybe she's just really lazy. I don't want a horse that I have to constantly ask for more more more.

I'm going to look at her and try her out tomorrow afternoon. If there's anything in particular I should look for, let me know please!

Thanks!

[missyfritz]

Good luck! Make sure to take plenty of pictures. ;)

[cyb]

Just be sure this is the horse you want, ask for a trial period!

[gaited07]

I don't know how much experience you have but I would ask to ride the horse outside of the arena to see her performance.

I would also take a video camera and tape her so you can view it at home and look for things you could have missed while there in person.

try the horse out and if you like her get a vet check scheduled.

[palomino]

A lot of times the really green horses that need alot of leg dont turn out that way- thats how Izzy started out when I started her, now she LOVES to go! LOL

[jeezitsjacki]

good luck! I would definately try riding her outside wherever she is typically ridden, she may pick up speed then. And dont forget the camera!

[MyMia]

Thanks, everyone. I'm hoping my husband will be with me so he can take pictures while I'm riding. I'll take lots (and then figure out how to get them on here, lol!).

I was planning to check her out on the ground, then in the ring, then outside the ring. I hope she does perk up outside. I don't know anything about the barn she's at now, but the website claims there are trails nearby. I'd like to take her someplace she's never been (or not usually) to see how spooky she is and if she gets more energetic.

How long a trial period is good? I was thinking two weeks at least, a month ideally. I don't know if they'd agree to it--the ad claimed she has to be out of there by April 1 because she can't afford the board. I'd like to have a vet check by my own vet (someone I know and trust) rather than an unknown, so if I can have a trial period, I'd have the vet check here. She's too far away for my vet to travel down there.

Gaited, that's a good idea for the video camera. I'll have to make sure it's charged.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

[Gliderider]

Best of luck. Hope she is what you are looking for. Hmm good luck with the trial period people here will not go for trial periods unless the horse stays at there barn. Even then it is hard to get a trail period. Myself I have never had one nor know anyone personally that has.