Why is the horse for sale?
A specific, checkable answer — a rider going to university, a step up in level, a change in circumstances — is reassuring because it can be verified in conversation. A vague answer that shifts between tellings is the thing to notice, not any particular reason.
How long have you owned it, and who had it before?
Short ownership is not automatically bad, but it means the seller can only speak to a few months of the horse's history. Ask whether you can contact the previous owner. A seller with nothing to hide will usually pass that on.
Has it been vetted, and can I see the report?
A recent vetting the seller volunteers is a good sign. A refusal to allow your own vetting is the answer that should end the conversation, regardless of how the rest of it went.
Is it on any medication or supplements right now?
Ask directly and ask again at the vetting. Request that blood be drawn and stored during the Pre-Purchase Exam so it can be tested later if something does not add up.
Can I see it caught, tacked up, and ridden by you first?
This one question covers behaviour on the ground, in the stable, and under saddle. A seller who wants the horse ready and warmed up before you arrive is not necessarily hiding anything — but seeing it from cold tells you more.
Can I come back a second time?
Almost every regretted purchase was decided on one visit. A seller comfortable with a second viewing is telling you the horse is consistent.
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Common questions
What if the seller gets defensive?
Defensiveness at a reasonable question is itself information. You are about to spend a large sum on an animal you will live with for years; a seller who resents ordinary diligence is worth walking away from.
Should I ask these before or after viewing?
Before you travel. Most of them can be answered by message or phone, and the answers decide whether the trip is worth making.
Does Stirrup generate these questions?
Yes — a full report includes a list of questions tailored to what that specific advert did and did not say, so you are asking about the gaps in that listing rather than working from a generic list.
More checklists
HorseQuest red flags: what to check before you view
ehorses warning signs: reading a listing before you travel
Horse listing red flags: a buyer's checklist
Buying a horse from a Facebook group: what to check first
Horse sale scams: the checklist before you send any money
When a horse price looks too good to be true
Buying a horse in the US: the paperwork and checks that differ
Stirrup is a screening tool, not veterinary advice. Always commission an in-person Pre-Purchase Exam before buying.