Going to look at a horse tomorrow (first time buyer)!?

[Jollywilderness798]

Tomorrow I'm going to look at a horse I found online (it was an ad on a facebook page of somebody's OTTB & OTQH rescue). She's a 4 (coming 5) yr old, 15.3hh, OTTB mare. She is UTD on everything, has no vices, and was last raced in April. But she is said to be "Super sweet, super broke, dead quiet girl. Novice friendly, great on trails and in arena." And this lady seem very genuine. Now I know you're not supposed to trust anybody's opinion but worst case scenario, I go home empty handed. If so, I'll keep looking. But I'd really like to see this mare (: This will be my first visit, if I like her I'll come back with a vet, my trainer, and a trailer. I'm just nervous, I've never went horse shopping before! How do I know this is the horse for me? How do I know if she likes me? And also, will I be too big for this mare? I generally like smaller horses even though I ride English, I just find them more comfortable. But I am 5'4" and 115-120 llbs. I am 14 but I won't grow anymore, and if I do, it'll be no more than an inch. In lessons I ride 14.2hh and 16.2hh mares. I feel best on the shorter mare but it doesn't look as good. Thanks!!
Blujay- Fully aware it could be a sham, I doubt it but maybe! I didn't ask for your input on *that* though. She IS young, I realize. But that's what me and my trainer want and she could be one of those rare young horses that are quiet and broke.
She's normally ridden in a halter but can be ridden in a snaffle, too. I know those questions, as well. I'd never get on a new horse without seeing it being ridden before hand. (:
Karen- Um..I'm not a beginner. My trainer was going to have me buy a green horse. I don't want some tiny QH. I do eventing, that just would not work. I didn't ask if this horse was right for me, so why I'm getting such answers boggles my mind.
And she is not lame, she was just too slow. She only had 5 starts. I won't be boarding at my trainer's place..because she doesn't have a boarding facility..
And she's free...

[krispy luvr]

It's ur first horse look at some other ones to u might think u connect but it's ur first horse Sony fall in love I made this mistake and bought a horse I don't bond with!!!! Make sure you ride it and do some ground manner work to see how u work together like I said look at some other ones

[Blujay]

You are so being ripped off "Dead Broke" horses are normally in there teens or 20's so that is a young young horse not really broke maybe Green broke if you are a first timer and stuff that is not a "Dead Broke horse" it is way too young but it could be it is possible but unlikely.

[O.o]

how do you know if this horse is for you?
you trust your gut.
either you "feel" it or you don't.

that said, I'd be VERY suspicious of anyone who claims that an ex-race horse that's that young is so perfect all around......that's not common.

Here's a few things to keep in mind:

1. the horse should not be ready (saddled and tied up, ready for you) when you get there.
if she is, the seller may be hiding something

2. you want to watch the horse being caught, groomed, tacked up and ridden by the seller.
if the seller insists you do it all, be suspicious. the seller might be scared of the horse

3. if the horse looks already ridden before you show up (has sweat marks, etc), be suspicious. why did the seller have to ride before you showed up? if the horse has to be lunged before ridden, this isn't a good sign either.

4. the seller always rides the horse first. no exceptions.
the horse should be great in the arena and outside of it.
watch the steering, stopping, transitions in speed.

does the seller look nervous? hold a tight rein? slack rein?

what kind of bit is being used? twisted? is there a tie down?
does the horse look calm, relaxed? does the horse react or respond?

If the horse is so great, she should be ridden with a plain snaffle bit (smooth no twist, no shanks)

Above all:
Trust Your Gut

once you get all of that squared away, then worry about the height. that's not important compared to the temperament and training and soundness.

[Karen]

Please please do not purchase a 4 year old TB off the Track, First, Off the Track means they didn't make it racing for some reason, most likely lameness. Two, this horse... NO MATTER WHAT THE SELLER SAYS... has only been ridden (raced fast around a track) for two years at most by professional riders, going very fast! Please Please go and look at a smaller horse, preferable a quarter horse of some kind that is at least 10 years old and has been ridden by kids. these are great horses that you will learn from and be safe. If your trainer doesn't agree, get another opinion. As she is only looking out for herself probably getting a commission on the sale, and is wanting you to buy a horse to board at her place so she makes money.

I am not saying this to hurt you, only to help you not get hurt and love horses for a lifetime and not be afraid. TB's are not for beginner riders.

Also look into Untied States Pony Club, it's a great organization for young riders like yourself and it's fun.

[Amy Sanders]

Well I got my first horse about a year ago, she's a 27 year old chestnut trakehner mare. I was getting her from a widow who didn't want her husbands horses anymore. I first found out about this horse from my trainer, (Who I might add was pretty set on teaching me to ride bareback . ) she had taken a pony off this woman recently and knew I was looking for a horse. So she took me over and I walked her around and got on. She's not always the best, but that's because she's a mare and most mares have some attitude! She was already trained and had been in several show jumping and dressage competitions. This is the first horse I looked at, and my first choice. And I know most people wouldn't agree with just taking the one you see first, and I admit at times it seemed like she didn't like me at all. But I felt a connection and kno I'm happy to say she's the love of my life! So ill just tell you this, at least walk her around and jump on for a try, but then it's just a choice, go with what you feel!

[katherine h]

You won't know till you look at her. Check her legs for bumps. Spend some time with her. Get the owner to ride her. If they won't lounge her, lead her figure out what she knows before you get on her and don't get on her with a halter, only in a controled area with fencing not near the road. Don't be afraid to spend some time with her. It give the drugs time to wear off if they have given her anything. Don't fall for the rescue thing. There are a lot of horses at the killers for a reason and they shouldn't be rescued. People rescue them and then find out the horse will hurt them and that is why they were at the killers in the first place. I worked at the track years ago. The horses usually don't have manners because they only worry about them running. So make sure she doesn't have habits like biting or kicking. If your not sure get a vet check and have your trainer ride the horse. A free horse isn't always a bad thing. I have a Quarterhorse gelding that was given to me and he is learning to work cows and had four Clydesdales given to me that we showed in a hitch for years. Good Luck!