Buying Sheets- Great for when you're looking for that perfect horse!

I have told numerous people and have actually e-mail these sheets over to a few people. I have found it very helpful when looking at a horse for sale, and I don't have to rely on my memory a few days after seeing the horse.

There are 2 different sets. One is before you see the horse, and the other is afterwards.
When you found the horse for sale1. Vital Statistics
A. Where did you see the horse advertised for sale?1 __________________________________________________ ___
B. Asking price: __________________________________________________ ___________________________________
C. Horse’s (registered) name: __________________________________________________ _______________________
D. Gender: ❏ Mare ❏ Gelding ❏ Stallion
I. If gelding, when was horse gelded?2 __________________________________________________ ____________
E. Age: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________
F. Height: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
G. Breed: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
I. Registered? ❏ Yes ❏ No3
Ii. Does the seller have the original registration papers? ❏ Yes ❏ No4
Iii. Is seller listed as the current owner on registration papers? ❏ Yes ❏ No5
Iv. Registration number: __________________________________________________ _________________________
H. Color/markings: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________________
I. Owner’s name, address, phone number(s) and email6:___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___
2. Soundness and Health
A. Is the horse currently sound? ❏ Yes ❏ No7
Notes: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
B. Has he or she ever been lame? ❏ Yes8 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
C. Does the horse wear shoes? ❏ Yes ❏ No
I. If yes, what kind of shoes and does he have any special shoeing needs, such as pads or egg bar shoes?9
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
D. Does the horse have any current health issues? O Yes10 o No
Notes: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
E. What is the horse’s current diet?11 __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________
F. Has the horse ever had colic? ❏ Yes12 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
I. If yes, did he or she require surgery? ❏ Yes13 ❏ No
G. Is the horse up to date on his shots, including Strangles and West Nile? ❏ Yes ❏ No14
Notes: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
H. When was the horse last wormed?15_________________________________________ ________________________
3. Disposition and Vices
A. Ask the seller to describe the horse’s disposition:16____________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________
B. On a scale of 1-5, what is his typical energy level?17 (1 = bone lazy, 5 = highly spirited)
❏ 1 ❏ 2 ❏ 3 ❏ 4 ❏ 5
C. Does he or she:
I. Kick or strike? ❏ Yes18 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
Ii. Bite or nip? ❏ Yes19 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
Ii. Rear? ❏ Yes20 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
Iv. Buck? ❏ Yes21 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
V. Bolt? ❏ Yes22 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
Vi. Kick his or her stall? ❏ Yes23 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
Vii. Pull back when tied? ❏ Yes24 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
Viii. Crib or windsuck? ❏ Yes25 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
Ix. Stall walk or weave? ❏ Yes26 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ ____________________________________
X. Have issues with leaving his buddies? ❏ Yes27 ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
D. Is the horse currently in a28: ❏ Box stall ❏ Stall/paddock combination ❏ Paddock ❏ Pasture
Notes: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
E. Is the horse suitable for a child to handle?29 ❏ Yes ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________________________
4. Training and Performance Record
A. Is this horse broke to ride? ❏ Yes ❏ No30
B. What skills does the horse currently have?_____________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______
C. Has the horse had any professional training? ❏ Yes ❏ No
If so:
I. By whom31? __________________________________________________ ________________________________
Ii. In what event(s)? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________________
D. Does the horse have a competition or show record? ❏ Yes ❏ No
If yes, describe (dates/points/# of horses in event)32: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
E. Is the horse now in shape for competition or show? ❏ Yes ❏ No
If no, ask the seller what needs to be done to get the horse in shape: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________
F. Is the horse suitable for a child to ride?33 ❏ Yes ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
5. Basic Stable Skills34
A. Does the horse stand quietly without a twitch for:
I. Grooming and saddling? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Ii. The vet? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Iii. The farrier? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Iv. Clipping? ❏ Yes ❏ No
V. Bathing? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Vi. Paste worming? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Vii. Blanketing? ❏ Yes ❏ No
B. Does the horse load readily into a trailer and ride quietly once in the trailer? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ ________________________________________
C. Does the horse get along well with other horses? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________________________

6. Breeding Soundness35
A. Mares
I. Has she ever been bred? ❏ Yes ❏ No36
Ii. If yes, how many times, when and to which stallion(s)?______________________________________ ________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Iii. Were the breedings via AI or live cover? __________________________________________________ ________
Iv. How many breedings resulted in pregnancy? __________________________________________________ ____
V. How many pregnancies resulted in live foals? __________________________________________________ ____
Vi. How many pregnancies were aborted or otherwise not carried to term? _______________________________
Notes: __________________________________________________ ____________________________________
Vii. How many foals were stillborn?________________________________________ __________________________
Viii. Did the mare have any difficulty in breeding or conceiving? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________________________
Ix. Did the mare have any difficulty in birthing or nursing her foal? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________
X. What are the registered names of the foals?37 __________________________________________________ ____
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Xi. Does the owner have any photos of the mare’s foals? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
Xii. Has the mare had any genetic testing?38 (E.g., for lethal white, HYPP) ❏ Yes ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
B. Stallions
I. Has he ever been bred? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Ii. If yes, how many times and to which mares? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
Iii. Were the breedings via AI or live cover? __________________________________________________ ________
Iv. Is he phantom-trained?__________________________________________ _______________________________
V. Does the stallion have any breeding difficulties or behavioral issues associated with breeding?
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________________________
Vi. How many breedings resulted in pregnancy? __________________________________________________ ____
Vii. How many pregnancies resulted in live foals? __________________________________________________ ____
Viii. What are the registered names of the foals?39 __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________________________________
Ix. Does the owner have any photos of the stallion’s foals? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
X. Has the stallion had any genetic testing? (E.g., for lethal white, HYPP) ❏ Yes ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
7. Photos and Video40
A. When and where were the photos and video taken?41 __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________
B. For videos, watch the video several times all the way to the end and pay close attention to background noise,
Especially anything being said in the background.42
Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________________________
8. Terms of Sale
A. Why is the horse for sale?43 Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________
B. How long has the horse been for sale?44 Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _
C. Has any other potential buyer performed a prepurchase vet exam or taken the horse out on trial?45Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _______________________________

When you go to look at the horse
1. Visual Inspection
A. Your initial impressions: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ______________________
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________
B. Overall healthy appearance? ❏ Yes ❏ No
Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________________________
C. Weight: fleshy, thin or just right? __________________________________________________ __________________
D. Muscle tone: fit or flabby?___________________________________________ _______________________________
E. Coat condition: slick and shiny or shaggy and unkempt? _______________________________________________
F. Front legs: straight and free of blemishes? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
G. Rear legs: straight and free of blemishes? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________
H. Eyes: large, bright and clear, free of discharge? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________________________________________
I. Breathing: normal and healthy breath sounds, not exerted? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________
J. Any visible injuries or scars? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ______________
K. Any brands or tattoos? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ______________________
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________
L. Condition of horse’s feet – shod or barefoot? Do the hoof and pastern angles appear uniform on both front feet
And both hind feet? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________
2. Temperament
A. Does the horse look interested and friendly when you approach? Note the horse’s ear position. Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____
B. Does the horse stand quietly while being groomed, saddled and bridled? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________
C. Pick up the horse’s feet – is he compliant or resistant? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________________________
D. While moving around the horse on the ground, ask him to move his hindquarters over, first one direction, and
Then the other. Is he compliant or resistant? Does he raise his leg or swish his tail? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________

3. Soundness and Way of Going
A. Ask to see the horse on a lunge line or in a round pen at the walk, trot and canter in both directions, preferably
On a hard surface. Note his way of going as well as his temperament and willingness. Look for any gait
Irregularities, head bobbing or other indications that the horse may not be completely sound. Notes:____________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________
B. Ask to see the horse trotted toward and away from you on the leadline, preferably on a hard surface. Note any
Interference or gait irregularities. Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____
4. Performance
A. Note the equipment being used – type of bit, type of saddle, crop, spurs, tie downs, any other special
Equipment. Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ______________________
B. Does the horse stand quietly while the girth/cinch is tightened? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________________
C. Does the horse stand quietly while being mounted? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________________________________
D. What is the horse’s general demeanor under saddle? Watch for any signs of inattention, nervousness or
Spookiness. Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________________
E. How responsive is the horse to his rider’s cues – is he soft and willing or resistant? Pay special attention to gait
Transitions and backing up. Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________
F. Ask the seller to have the horse do everything he has been advertised to do, even if you do not plan to make
Use of all of the horse’s talents. Make sure you see all gaits in both directions, plus halts from all gaits and
Backing up. Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________
G. If you still like the horse46, ride him yourself and test everything that he has been advertised to do. Note how
Responsive he is to you and whether you feel comfortable on him. Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _____________________
H. If possible, ask to ride the horse outside of the arena. This will take the horse outside of his comfort zone and
Give you an idea about his general temperament. Does he stay quiet and relaxed or does he get nervous?
Does the seller look nervous when you ride the horse outside of the arena?
Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ________________________________
5. Stable Area
A. What kind of housing is the horse in – stall, pasture, paddock? Notes:____________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________
B. Check out the stall and/or fencing – do you see any signs of cribbing or stall kicking? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ______________
C. If the trash is easily accessible, walk by and look for any tubes of calming paste, syringes, or other items of
Interest.47 Notes: __________________________________________________ ________________________________
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________
D. What do the other animals on the property look like? Are they in good condition? Notes: __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________
6. Friends’ and Trainers’ Notes:
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________

Whoa... very thorough. It definitely looks like a good thing to use.

Yes it is very thorough. But it reminded me of a lot of things to ask when it would either slip my mind or I just never would have thought about it.

Obviously the breeding parts can be removed, but I included them just incase

that looks very usfull I don`t find horses for my self I payed this lady that travels all around the east cost doing rodeos. I know her cus her house and barn for off seson is in my town she found outlaw for me in harisburg.

This looks great! I'm going to use it today when I go to check out a horse.

Appylover your a genius to come up with something like this.

Has everything you need to ask when looking for a horse.

A few things to add:
1>) Does horse have a current coggins? What is the date on thay coggins?

When did horse last have teeth done? Who did them? How did horse behve for equine dentist?

When did horse last get their shots? What is the name of the horses vet?

Last of all take the vet with you (if you're planning to buy the horse) to take a blood sample when you ride it the last time. That way vet can check to make sure horse hasn't been doped up to be calmer when you ride it.

Great stuff - heaven know that when you are actually there looking at the horse it is easy to get so caught up in looking that all the important questions can fall right out of your head....only to come to mind on the drive home in one of those "duh" moments.