CHECKLIST FOR VIEWING A HORSE

QUESTIONS TO ASK THE OWNER

How long have they had the horse, and why are they selling it?

What activities have they used it for?

How much Pony Club work has it done, and how did it behave there?

What breeds are its parents? Are there any registration papers, if it is purebred?

Does it have any vices? Does it kick, bite, bolt or buck?

Does it have bad habits such as windsucking?

What is it like to handle? Does it lead easily?

Is it hard or soft in the mouth?

Does it stop easily?

Does it shy?

Is it happy to be ridden with other horses?

Has it been ridden in traffic? If so, how did it behave?

Does it go in and out of a float easily?

Has it had any illnesses or injuries?

Has it been vaccinated against strangles and/or tetanus.

If so, when is the booster due?

When was it last drenched for worms?

Does it have any foot problems, eg founder, seedy toe, chronic cracking?

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

* Desirable

Catching the horse

*

Horse already caught

*

Horse comes up or stands still

Horse runs away

Leading, walking and trotting

Watch horse walk and trot toward and away from you:

*

Legs are straight and in line

Legs swing out or twist

Head nods unevenly in a trot (lameness)

*

Horse leads easily without pulling

Watch horse walk and trot from one side to the other:

*

Legs are straight and in line

Legs swing out or twist

Head nods unevenly in a trot

Conformation

*

Horse appears well-proportioned

The head appears too big or too small

*

Nicely rounded appearance, especially around the rump

Angular appearance, with bones protruding

Knees point in or out excessively

Feet point inwards or outwards

Physical check

Run your hands all over:

Any irregularities and swellings

Check the legs (run hand down from top first):

Any bumps or abnormal bone growth

Feel along the backbone for bumps

Pink skin on nose, around eyes or above hooves, if the feet are white

Discharge from eyes or nose

Check length of teeth - short for a young horse, long for an old one

*

Shiny, smooth coat

Dull, patchy coat

Tie the horse up

*

Stands quietly

Shows signs of unease - pulling back, ears back, swishing tail

*

Stands quietly when you move away

Check the head

Touch all over the head:

*

Horse stands quietly

Horse pulls back or lifts head away

Horse reacts nervously to fast hand movements around the head

Check the feet

Pick up and clean each foot in turn:

Horse kicks, stamps or pulls foot away

*

Horse lifts foot and stands quietly

Scaliness above hooves (dermatitis, sign of mud fever)

White feet - will need shoes

*

Hooves in good condition - no cracks

Founder line on hooves

Seedy toe - a hole extending into the hoof from the edge of the sole

Saddling up

*

Horse already saddled up

*

Stands quietly

Moves around or pulls back

Reacts to the girth being fastened

*

Accepts the bit readily

Lifts head away from the bit

*

Stands still when rider mounts

Walks away while rider is mounting

Riding

Watch someone else ride:

Horse appears nervous, shies

Horse coughs repeatedly when trotting or cantering

*

Rider keeps reins loose

Rider keeps reins short and tight

Horse throws head around, bucks, rears or bolts

*

Horse walks steadily without breaking into a trot

*

Moves easily into a trot, without breaking into a canter

*

Changes from a trot to a canter, without bucking

*

Stops easily

*

Backs easily

When you ride:

*

Horse follows commands to walk, trot and canter

*

Horse turns well

*

Horse feels relaxed and confident

The Owner

*

Gives you time to ask questions

*

Answers them readily

*

Does not object to a vet check

*

Agrees to any reasonable trial that you might suggest

This Checklist may be photocopied for personal use