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Test riding a lease horse?

3K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  Skipsfirstspike 
#1 ·
What's the best way to go about testing out a possible lease horse? I contacted a woman online and she invited me out to try him out. I'm just a little unsure about how to go about jumping up on a horse that I know nothing about. I was thinking about asking if I could see him ridden by his owner first, making notes about how he reacts to the rider he is used to. Would this be odd?

Once I get on him, should I focus on anything in particular? I was just going to ride through WTC, maybe jump a small fence or two.

I have a mare already, but she's off for more training and I want to practice as much as I can to prepare for her, so this is a short-term lease.
 
#2 ·
I would absolutely not hesitate to ask for the owner to ride the horse first. Then you get on, and do what feels comfortable. I also suggest trying the horse on a couple of separate occasions, and making sure you see (or actually do yourself) the horse caught, brushed, and tacked up.
I'm in a lease situation myself right now, feel free to PM me with any questions :)
Best of luck, how exciting!
 
#3 ·
I always get owners to get on unless there is a reason for them not to (pregnant, injured etc). If they're afraid of their own horse there is usually a good reason. On the other note, I also have always ridden horses first for people if its a sale/lease situation. I'll show them that the horse isn't a nutter and exactly what it knows how to do so when they get on they will feel a bit more at ease getting on.
 
#4 ·
I'd ask the owner to ride first so you can see how the horse acts with someone they know and also if the horse isn't what the ad says it is, I would prefer the owner getting on first. I'd do whatever you would like to do with the horse. Walk, trot, canter and go over a few fences. Does the horse spook? Does the horse have any bad riding habbits? What type of riding would you like to do, if you want to do dressage and you haven't got any skills in dressage then you need the horse to be a school master. Basically you should ride the horse like you will do every day, possibly even more.
 
#5 ·
Ask the owner questions about the horse's preferred way of going, what kind of previous training he's had, and the aids she uses for certain things (canter departs, lead changes)

When you get on the horse to ride, do take any and all advice from the owner.

Only do what you're comfortable doing. If you don't feel in control on the flat on the first ride, ask if you can come back a second time and try jumping then.
 
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