Possible buys for 1st time horse owner

My other thread isn't getting attention so here's a new, fresh one. I really do need help and input guys, because this is my first time starting a process like this.

#1- http://dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php...rse_id=1257325




His owner says: He has not been jumped in the "traditional" sense. He is very athletic and he will walk & trot over ground poles, we play on the trails and jump over logs and trees that are down so I feel that he would be good at it. He is very collected, light on the bit and moves out wonderfully. He doesn't have any vices. He gets along great with other horses. He has been out with gelding & mares and mixed herds. He was never stalled before I got him so a pasture board situation would be fine. He does get bumps from fly bites (the greenheads & horse flys) so I keep a fly sheet on him when he is out. That is my preference not a requirement. He is very loving and affectionate. He has wonderful ground manners, stands for vet, farrier, worming, mounting, is very quiet to handle, will walk or trot along side you, is respectful of your space when handling at all times. He will stand tied to a trailer or picket line, he stands perfect for tacking. He lunges on a line or free lunge - he knows voice commands and the click kiss for lunging. He ground drives and was trained to pull a cart before I got him. He loads very easily in a straight or slant trailer - I have never used a ramp trailer so not sure about that. He is good for bathing and loves to be brushed and scratched. He is good for fly spraying as well. He is definitely fine for an intermediate/advanced beginner - my 10 year old daughter rode him last year in the arena and my exboyfriend rode him on trails last year while I broke out a different horse. He does have a big trot that is a bit bouncy so as long as you can post/ride english should be just fine. His canter is smooth and feels like you are floating.

He's about an hour away from me. I know there aren't any conformation shots, but I could take some if I went to check him out.

I'd say he sounds very cheap for the features he has (dressage etc.).
He looks very nice though. If you decide to go with him do the vet check for sure. And also at what age was he broke? Did he race?

great questions, I'll ask. his owner is asking ME a lot of questions, which I always feel is a good sign.

**Her response: He wasn't raced. Wasn't fast enough at age 2. The lady I got him from adopted him through the Stb adoption program and she had to have him 3 years - he just sat in her pasture and wasn't handled except to have his feet done and shots. I broke him to ride in April of 2006 - he was easy as he already lunged, ground drove and knew some voice command and steering. He is a very nice horse.**

looks like a really nice horse-vet check!!!!!!

Hm-hmmm... Sounds like he was broke at age 2 or even earlier. Not that good, but I know horses (ottb) broke very early and they still were going for lo-o-ong with jumping and dressage.

Vet check for sure! (especially that flexion test)

I agree if owner asks lots of questions it means she is concerned about his future! When I was looking for my horse noone really asked anything (just tried to get rid of horses).

Also try everything you can think of when you decide to try him including how spooky he is to logs, barrels and things like that. Good luck!

Question about a vet check: The gelding is about a hour away from me. I don't have any vet connections in MY area yet, let alone in another city. How would I go about setting that up? Calling a vet in the area where the gelding is located and having him checked out, or making a connection with a vet here and asking them to travel? How much does a vet check typically cost?

her initial e-mail said she jumps him over trees and logs on the trail, so it doesn't sound like he's a spooky fella, but I'm make sure and try that out.

That's frustrating that people weren't ensuring their horses were going to good homes and just basically trying to dump them off. Unfortunately, I'm seeing a lot of that in my price range, and a ton of horses who are just green broke.

He looks like he has potential. I'm a little skeptical with what the add says (school 2nd level movements?) for the price. Not to say you can't get a lovely horse in that range...but most aren't schooling that level. Or, the price is saying something that they aren't. Meaning...he sounds great, but what aren't they telling you? Why is he for sale? How is with new surroundings? I bought a gorgeous OTTB, who went nutty on my property. He finally calmed down after awhile, but a year later when I sold him, he did the same thing when a couple took him on trial.

Other things to ask - how is he in new situations? Why did she say he's definitely for intermediate/advanced beginner? If he's usually been pasture kept...how is he in a stall? Again, is this an issue? How are his feet? Any past lameness issues?

Questions are good! When will you get to see him? Also, for a vet check - it'd be nice to have someone in your area that will eventually be your vet, but if the distance is an issue, look for one near him. You could ask the sellers for contacts of vets in the area - it doesn't sound like she's going to try to do anything underhanded. A lot of people say don't use the owner's vet, but I think certain situations it's acceptable.

Thanks for the reply-keep em coming. Right now I'm scheduled to go see him on Friday evening. what's frustrating is I'm fairly new to the area/state and don't have a super horse savvy friend or trainer to take along to help evaluate. I didn't ask about the 2nd level movements, but my guess is that he isn't really schooling 2nd level, more just that his movements would be well suited to that. Either way, I don't know/haven't trained in dressage, but would love to have a horse with potential to learn that with me, jumping as well.

He's for sale due to some rather unfortunate relationship/real estate circumstances. I don't want to splash this woman's story across the internet, but nothing about it seems sketchy. She said her 10 year old daughter has ridden him, and that his temperament across the board is very kind, patient and loving. I don't really care how he is in a stall, since I'd be pasture boarding him as well. She said his feet are great and that she and his previous owner have never experienced any lameness/health issues with him.

She rides him in an eggbutt snaffle, and he's been around cats, dogs and goats. He's an easy keeper, keeps weight on in the winter well, she's never needed to blanket him in the winter.

I already Googled some vets in her area, so I can ask on Friday which vet she uses and make the choice then if I see serious potential there. I do think he sounds pretty darn wonderful, and I can tell she's heartbroken about selling him and her other horses. I am keeping an open mind tho.