The moves follows a number of incidents in the Borders where unsuitable horse and ponies have been sold on as being suitable for younger riders and trading standards staff at Scottish Borders Council are concerned it is only a matter of time before a young rider is seriously injured as a result of the practice.

The warning also follows the recent jailing of a horse breeder who sold a 'dangerous' pony to the mother of a 12-year-old novice rider.
Natalie Whittington-Davies, whose family operates a stud in Inverness-shire, attempted to pervert the course of justice when she was subsequently sued by the woman for selling the animal.

Inverness Sheriff Court also heard how Whittington-Davies, 26, forged a vet's signature on application forms to obtain nine 'equine passports', which are required when selling horses and ponies.

SBC trading standards officer George Balfour told TheSouthern his department had recently been involved in disputes relating to the purchase and sale of horses where there have been issues relating to suitability of the horses and passport irregularities and forgeries.

"Having decided to view or try a horse, there are various bits of advice that are issued by different horse organisations. However, there are a few very basic points," Mr Balfour explained.

"Always take a more knowledgable person with you, no matter how experienced you think you are. Both the prospective rider and the 'expert', if possible, should try the horse in situations that you yourself will be using the horse – many riding school horses don't like open country.

"Don't be frightened to ask to see the horse being stable managed and saddled and bridled, even do it yourself, and ask to see it being loaded into transport.

"It is also well worth asking for a reference from an independent person on their opinion of the horse.
"Hopefully by this stage you will have a good idea of the horse and whether it is suitable for you.

"It is now imperative to have the horse vetted by a vet who you yourself appoint, not the seller.

"Finally comes one of the most important bits – ask to see the passport – and thoroughly check that it is a valid horse passport."
Mr Balfour added that, if there is any doubt over the passport, potential purchasers should phone the Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO).

And Mr Balfour stressed that, if at any stage a seller is not happy to accommodate a buyer, there is probably a very good reason why.
"Do not be frightened to view and try the horse various times, remember it is not the seller who is going to be riding it after you have bought it," he said.

Once you are happy and have bought the horse you have 30 days to update the passport to your name. It is worth noting here that 'sale as seen' receipts are against the law as they infringe your consumer rights.
And, remember too that some horse sales only give you one hour after the fall of the hammer to check the passport.

Since August 2005 all equines, regardless of age and status, have been required to have their own passports – the exception being foals which should have a passport applied for by December in the year of their birth, or earlier if the foal is to be sold or shown.

A valid horse passport should contain the horse's name and life number along with the first registered owner's name and address and signed by them, along with any changes of ownership details.

Each new owner has 30 days to return the passport to the PIO for reissuing. Details of any microchip should be included, after verification, in the description details drawn up and signed by a vet or competent authority.

Section 9 should be completed and signed where relevant. If section 9 part 3 is signed, details of all veterinary treatment should be included. Any significant changes, eg scars, should be notified to the PIO.

If your passport does not contain Section 9 as may be the case with older issues, we would advise you to contact your vet or the PIO. In the unfortunate case of your horse dying the passport should be returned to the PIO.

Any problems relating to validity or otherwise don't hesitate to get in touch with your local Trading Standards office on 01896 823922. A very useful guide to buying and owning your first horse is available from the British Horse Society.