Is it worth buying a horse without viewing

Photo: Noellefloyd.com.

The issue of buying a horse “by video”, that is, without personal viewing, is very relevant in a pandemic. All the risks and “pitfalls” of such a decision are analyzed by the lawyers of Leone Equestrian Law LLC, specializing in equestrian law.

So is it worth buying a horse without seeing it? One of the fairly common questions we get is:I am looking for a mature horse for 90 cm routes. When I was looking through the ads on the Internet, I found an experienced, calm gelding, which I think would suit me perfectly. The only problem is that it is very far from me, and I have no opportunity to go there and see it. Should I buy this horse without viewing? I’ve heard a lot of creepy stories about situations like this, but this horse seems very good to me. What should I pay attention to before buying?

And this is what we answer to our clients: it is not in vain that they say that the buyer assumes all the risks associated with the transaction. These words are the best suited to the situation of buying a horse without viewing. Online shopping has already firmly entered our modern life, potential buyers can easily buy a horse with one touch or one click of the mouse. But, as already mentioned, it is always better to arrange a personal viewing with the owner of the horse, ideally you should come along with your trainer or someone who is a professional in this matter. If this is not possible, there are some tricks that will help you make the right decision.

First of all, there are two most important points when it comes to buying a horse without a viewing:

1. You must be sure that you are willing to take the risk. Even though this gelding seems perfect to you, you should understand that buying a horse without viewing comes with certain risks. Even if you take into account all the recommendations below, there are no guarantees for a successful outcome. You may be wasting your money. Even though this horse seems like the perfect match for you, even experienced riders don’t connect with every horse. You won’t know if this horse is really right for you until you ride it. Unknown or masked problems may surface later.

2. Ask for a trial period. This is a very important point in such purchases, and we advise you to negotiate this if possible. Depending on the seller’s relationship with the buyer, the seller may offer to try the horse in the buyer’s stable for a certain period of time. In your case, since you don’t know the seller, they will most likely ask for references from your trainer, veterinarian, and farrier. In addition, before the start of the trial period, you and the seller must decide such issues as the amount of the non-refundable deposit, the length of the trial period, who is allowed to ride the horse during the trial period, the heights that the horse can jump during this period, transportation moments, amounts insurance claims for this period and payment terms for the horse in case of purchase.

If you’re willing to take the risk, here are some tips to avoid making a purchase you’ll regret:

• Request as many photos and videos as possible. If you’re buying a horse that needs to fit an amateur, then ask for a video of the amateur riding it. How does she react to typical rider mistakes? Is it equally easy for her to change her leg in both directions? If you plan to use her on 90 cm routes, ask for a video of her jumping the route of this height. Also ask for a video of the horse standing at crossroads, loading into a horse carrier, shaving, and other similar recordings, thanks to which you can better understand its behavior in everyday life and character in general.
• Ask for recommendations and study them. This is a great way to keep things in perspective and gain some peace of mind. Study the past of sellers, find out if they have a good reputation. If you google and find negative reviews about their training system or sales, then maybe this will be a stop sign for you.
• Consider hiring a professional to independently evaluate your chosen horse. Buyers who cannot go and try the horse themselves can hire a local professional, such as a reputable groomer, to look at it. If possible, ask him to film his ride online, this will allow you to see how the horse behaves and ask him questions of interest along the way.
• View video footage of the selected horse and find out if there were gaps in his tournament career. If the horse has had long breaks in the tournament schedule, this may indicate that he had some kind of injury that requires long-term treatment, in which case it is worth investigating. Or it could be due to a personal issue with the owner (e.g. being busy at work), so it’s worth collecting as much information as possible to have a clearer picture of the horse’s background.
• Agree on a vetchek. Of course, this does not guarantee that the horse will be healthy and perform well in the future, but it may reveal hidden problems that may subsequently affect the physical condition of the horse. A veterinary check-up is a very important step in the process of buying a horse. If possible, arrange an examination with a veterinarian who has never seen this horse before, for a more objective assessment. Also do a drug use analysis so you can learn about recent treatments that may affect your horse’s performance in the future.
• Request a horse’s veterinary history. As a buyer, you should definitely ask the seller for the horse’s veterinary history. This information will allow you to review medical history and treatment records. If the seller refuses to provide you with this information without explaining the reason for the refusal, he may be trying to hide some facts about the health of the horse.
• Draw up a detailed contract. Perhaps one of the most important points is the drafting of a competent contract signed by both parties. Depending on what points were taken into account during the trial period (if you decide to take this opportunity), make sure that you take into account all the nuances in the contract. Because this is a fairly complex contract, you may want to have an equestrian lawyer draft it.
• If you have weighed everything, researched and still want to buy this horse, you may not lose, and you will have a great new partner. However, unfortunately, there is always some probability of an unsuccessful outcome. Remember, it’s good to have a professional help you through the buying process. Good luck!

Source: Noellefloyd.com