Below you will find our recommendations for when buying off video and what you should look for and consider. This is simply a guideline and if we were to include everything we would be here ’til the end of day. Please feel free to ask any questions you feel aren’t answered on the website or if you want more info on any horse in particular. We are here to help ease the nervousness with buying online.
X-RAYS
X-rays. These should be dated and horse identification details on each plate. By this we mean, horses name, Date of birth, microchip and/or Registration number, vets clinic and date/time x-rays were done. X-rays are usually front feet, all fetlocks, hocks and stifles. minimum 12 plates, usually 22 plates. watch for any plates missing or foggy/blurry images. a horse with too good x-rays are also suspicious, horses are made by nature and will all have imperfections.
VET SHEETS
Are they signed off by vets? Does chip and passport numbers match? Ask to speak to the vet directly if need arises. Ask for vets name. phone number email or website so you can look at his/her credentials. If not the vet could be for cats dogs and hamsters, not horses, and your insurance may not cover the horse. check it is a full 5-stage vetting, 3-stages just check the basics such as heart and very basic lameness. Five stage vetting covers, trotting on hard, soft surface, flexions, hoof testers, all heart lungs, neuro eyes, ears muscle etc. Is blood drawn and stored?
QUESTIONS AND INFO
Does seller answer all questions about the horse or do they evade questions? How long have they had it in and is that long enough to know all about it? Do they own it? If they’ve bought it then they believe in the horse to spend their own money and this speaks volumes. Are They willing to provide videos and photos requested or are they dragging their feet doing so?
OVER JUMPING
Be very aware of “prepared” or “tricked” horses! Does the video show it jumping up in the stratosphere and almost tipping up on landing? Horses very very rarely jump naturally like this. Look at the sellers other horses, if many jump like they’ve been electrocuted then you can go with that hunch!
PRICE
Good, correct horses are expensive and there’s a ready market to buy good horses. if its cheap there’s a good reason.
RESEARCH
Google the seller. How long have they been in business, where is their base and roughly how many horses a year do they sell? The horse industry is a small world, ask around who has had experiences of these people. You need to know who you are dealing with.
INVOICE
Get an invoice and/or contract specifying all costs and what is included in price.
