“Ten Tips to Find The Ideal Horse”
(Listeners’ Choice)
By Popular Demand we have re-published this episode. Each weekend we are choosing the most listened to and commented on episodes for you to enjoy.
This interview was previously published in 2018 Michelle O’Neill 2 (297)
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 LC on Youtube – Click Here
To Listen to Michelle O’Neill 2 LC 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?
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