“Ten Tips to Find The Ideal Horse”
About Michelle
– If you would like to know more about Michelle then listen to her previous chat
First Chat – 217 – Michelle O’Neill
Third Chat 426 – Michelle O’Neill 3 – “Ten Tips to Prepare For The Trail”
About This Episode
“Ten Tips to Find The Ideal Horse”
To Listen to Michelle O’Neill 2 on iTunes – Click Here
Or Listen below
“Ten Tips to Find The Ideal Horse”
1. Create Your Unicorn
– Before you start to look write out a list of what your perfect horse would be; make it as precise as you can (you can always change it later)
– Include every little thing that is important to you; height, age, sex, colour, what size rug he or she might take!
– Then go through your list and work out what things you can forgive eg if you are only a nervous beginner you can forgive some conformational faults if the horse is super quiet and you feel safe
– Put them in order of importance
2. Take Your Time
– Spend lots of time looking
– Online
– Ask people
– Get to know what breeds/ages/types of horse might suit you
– Do you buy the first car you see advertised????
3. Be Prepared Before You Get There
– Formulate a list of questions
– Write down everything you want to ask the seller (get some help with this list) as you want to maintain a level head
– Make sure the questions relate to every little thing you want to know; from what name the horse likes to be called to what he is like for the farrier
– Take the list with you!
4. Get Good Advice
– Take someone with you
– Choose carefully; don’t take your local horse collector who will be too keen for you to purchase
– Your instructor or an experienced friend
– Pay someone if need be; it will be a cheap investment
5. Be On Time
– Try to be early for your appointment
– You want to see the horse caught in the paddock
– Puts you in a good position to negotiate
– Makes a good first impression
– Start asking all your questions!
6. When It Is Time To Ride
– What should happen when you look at a horse?
– Get the seller to ride it first
– Let your friend ride it
– If you feel the horse might suit, then you ride it
– This process will give you time to see the horse before you get on
– Ask if you can video everything so you can take the footage away and look at it again or even get another opinion
7. Equipment
– Take your own gear (if you have some);
– You are familiar with it and will be more comfortable
– Also a good chance to see if it will fit
– Remember is the saddle doesn’t fit you may be up for a new saddle!
8. Do Not Think You Are Taking The Horse Home Today
– Leave the float at home
– Helps to stop you making an unsuitable choice
– Stops the buyer from getting over confident
– Less pressure on everyone
– Cheaper to drive back than to buy another horse
9. When To Walk Away – Walk away if
– The horse is lame
– The seller refuses a vet or drug test (yes there are people out there who do it!)
– The seller has too many excuses or is rude
– Your friend/advisor says too
– You just have a bad gut feeling
10. Trials and Overcoming Them
– Ask for a trial, but don’t be disappointed if the seller says no (we don’t give them)
– See if you can visit the horse on several occasions and ride it
– If you are travelling a long way, stay at a motel for a couple of nights and ride the horse over different days (of course organize this with the seller!)
Time Stamps
00:40 – Background
01:08 – DVD “Please can I have a pony?” in relation to what is being discussed
03:30 – 1. Create Your Unicorn
07:00 – 2. Take Your Time
10:40 – 4. Get Good Advice
13:15 – 5. Be On Time
15:20 – 3. Be Prepared Before You Get There
16:30 – 6. When It Is Time To Ride
21:40 – 7. Equipment
26:59 – 8. Do Not Think You Are Taking The Horse Home Today
32:00 – 9. When To Walk Away – Walk away if
35:30 – 10. Trials and Overcoming them
39:02 – Summary
43:25 – Contact: see details below
Michelle’s Contact Details
Phone: 02 6454 3030 or +61 2 6454 3030
Email: info@cherrytreeequine.com.au
Website: www.cherrytreeequine.com.au
Facebook: Cherry Tree Equine
Music
BenSound.com
When Michelle is a return guest on Horse Chats, what question would you like to ask her?
(Please leave comment below)
Denise says
Very sound advice and very useful!
Horse Chats says
Yes it is thank you for your comment