Below is a list of basic questions to get started with when you are looking for a horse you’re not going to breed. The first questions assume that you’ve never seen the horse in person. Some of the questions may not apply to you , but they will give you some ideas that will trigger questions you’ll want to have answered to see if you’re interested in the horse.

Do you have any full body current photo’s?

Current video?

Date of birth (particularly important for a horse under 4 years of age).

Do you have a full pedigree?

Is he registered & is the registration transferable? I point the “transferable” out because some people do not have the legal right to transfer registration for a variety of reasons. Also, some people won’t sell a high quality horse with papers for a low price – and they may be willing to sell for a low price because they need the funds badly! Why do they refuse to sign over the registration? Because they don’t want a new owner to be able to profit as much as they perhaps could have…sometimes it’s only fair (in my opinion).

Is he barefoot? Has he always been barefoot?

Do you think he would do well pastured (example: on 25 acres with a run-in barn shelter)? Or do you think he needs to be stalled?

How many hands is he?

What are his best attributes?

What are his faults?

Has he had any notable injuries? If so, please describe

Please describe any soundness issues.

Has he had any health problems? If so, please describe

What, if any, training has he had?

Were natural horsemanship methods used in his training? If so, please describe.

Has he ever been shown? If so, in what discipline(s)? How did he do emotionally? Physically? Please describe his show history.

Has he ever been trail riding? Camping? How did he do emotionally? Physically? Please describe his history.

If the horse has been ridden – Have you had any difficulty with saddle fitting? If so, what special needs does he have for proper saddle fitting?

For a green or unstarted horse: What riding discipline do you think he’s going to be the most suited for?

Can you describe his personality?

Any other pertinent information would be appreciated.

If the answers to those questions meets your criteria, then proceed. I’ll do another post on where to go from this point.