Buying a horse you haven't sat on, in a country you won't visit until late in the process, is one of the harder things to do in this sport. You're trusting video, a few phone calls, and the word of someone you've never met. We sell horses across Europe, so we're often on the other side of that conversation. Here's how we'd go about it as a buyer.
Start with what you actually need
Before you look at a single horse, be honest about your level and your plan. A horse confirmed at Prix St-Georges is wasted on a rider who needs to learn the work, and a green four-year-old is the wrong answer for someone who wants to compete next season. Tell the seller your level, your budget, and what you want to be doing in two years. A good seller will use that to rule horses out, not just in.
What the video should show
Ask for video that's useful, not flattering. A clip cut to music with only the best moments tells you nothing. What you want to see:
- The horse ridden in walk, trot and canter on both reins, in one continuous take where possible.
- Transitions and the work it's schooling, including the parts that aren't finished yet.
- The horse being tacked up, led, and standing: temperament shows on the ground as much as under saddle.
- Recent footage, with the date. A horse changes a lot in six months.
If a seller is happy to film what you ask for, that tells you something. If every request turns into a reason why it can't be done, that tells you something too.
Ask the questions that matter
Honest answers are worth more than a perfect description. We'd ask what the horse still finds difficult, why it's for sale, who it would and wouldn't suit, and whether anything has shown up in vetting or treatment. A seller who answers plainly, including the less convenient parts, is usually one worth dealing with.
Vet it properly
Have a pre-purchase exam done by a vet you trust, with X-rays, and ask for any existing clinical and radiographic findings up front. A good seller will share them with your vet without being pushed. This protects you, and it protects the horse from ending up in the wrong job.
Plan the practical side early
Transport, paperwork and timing across borders take longer than people expect. Agree who arranges what before money changes hands, and build in time for the horse to travel and settle. A horse that arrives stressed and underprepared doesn't give a fair first impression of itself.
The short version
Buy from people who'd rather lose a sale than sell you the wrong horse. Ask for honest video, ask the awkward questions, vet it properly, and don't rush the practical side. If you'd like to talk through what you're looking for, that's exactly the kind of conversation we like to have.