Disclaimer: our blog, our thoughts:

 Possibly unwanted and unwarranted - feel free to stop reading now...

Please note, these are just my thoughts based on my experiences.

Second Viewings 

One of the most surprising things that I have learnt, from running Performance Horse Sales, is that some people view multiple horses, even up to 10 or 20 and still don't purchase anything. My family used to joke that I always buy the first horse I view - which isn't technically true - but on examination, it is because:

1. I do so much due-diligence BEFORE viewing. The viewing is just to tick the boxes.

2. I don't view horses that I don't already feel very strongly about.

3. I make sure my search criteria are compatible.

4. I am realistic - horses aren't perfect and 99.9% of horses don't have squeaky clean vet checks.

My advise:

1. Make sure you are realistic about the compatibility of your skills, experience, confidence, goals, wants, and budget. If you aren't, you will either never purchase a horse or you will purchase the wrong one. See our 'Am I ready to buy, self assessment'.

2. If you aren’t super keen on the horse before the first viewing, don't view it. It is a complete waste of your time and the sellers time.

3. If you aren't sure in the first 30 minutes of the first viewing, if you want to buy the horse, my advice is to walk away. 

I know that you are thinking 'it’s a big purchase' and you 'can’t make a decision that quickly', but keep the following in mind:

• A horse isn’t an investment - if you think it will be, run while you still can!

• A horse is a ‘heart’ purchase, the right horse should be something that you connect with - on some level - straight away. Whether you love it or you feel safe or feel that the horse can help you to achieve your goals - there must be that ‘something’ there.

• If you need a second viewing, to convince you to purchase, then the horse isn’t the one for you. 

But I'm not experienced enough to 'know' on the first ride...

• If you aren't experienced enough to know if it's a good fit on the first ride, you won't gain that experience before the second one.

• Find or pay a someone to help you. 

But I want to double check the horses behavior - at it’s home or off property…

• If a horse is going to misbehave ‘off property’ the owner would not agree to an off property viewing.

But I want to check if the horse ‘takes advantage’ on the second ride…

• The wheels don’t ‘fall off’ rider/ horse relationships at the second viewing. 

• Of all the horses I have bought and sold or helped buy and sell (well into the hundreds!) if issues arise, it is a month or two after the horse goes to it’s new home. It is NEVER at the second viewing.

If you love the horse at the first viewing, buy it, if you don't ... walk away.