How to Buy a Horse
How to Buy a Horse
This is the follow up post to How to Sell a Horse.
So you’re in the market for a new horse. First of all, I am so excited for you! Adding a new horse (or buying your first horse) is such an exciting time.
Like anything with horses, there are highs and lows to this experience. Sometimes your dreams are just too expensive, something else comes up, or the horse you fell in love with didn’t pass the vet check. But when you find that perfect partner and everything gets the green light, it’s like Christmas morning for us adults.
Excitement aside, boy oh boy, horse shopping has changed A LOT since I was horse shopping as a teenager (honestly, I am always shopping, it’s so fun!). Things like Facebook, online sales, and these record horse prices have really changed the horse game — and not all in bad ways!
Before buying a horse, there are several questions you should ask yourself to ensure that you are ready to commit to the responsibility of horse ownership. Here are some questions to consider:
Why do I want a horse?
Do I have enough time to care for a horse?
Can I afford to care for a horse?
Do I have enough knowledge about horses and horse care?
Do I have adequate space for a horse?
What breed, age, and gender of horse do I want?
Will I be using the horse for riding, competition, or as a companion?
Will I be able to provide the horse with proper exercise and training?
Can I provide the horse with adequate veterinary care?
Am I prepared to commit to the horse's care for its entire life span?
How do I start the horse shopping process?
Once you can confidently answer the above questions have established goals and a budget in mind, I fully recommend working with your trainer or a trusted, experienced horse connection. Good trainers have your best interest at heart and know exactly what you need. They also often have a wide network of connections and can put the word out and can even help find unicorns that weren’t even officially listed for sale.
Note: Prepare to pay for their time, but trust me, this will work out for you in the long run.
What are the red flags when looking to buy a horse?
Go with your gut always. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. That’s why when trying a horse, it’s always good to bring your trainer, that experienced professional, or a friend who can go with you and watch (and video!) for things you might be missing. Some red flags for me are:
Sketchy sellers. If the seller is evasive or unwilling to provide information about the horse's history, or is extra pushy, this is a bright red flag to me. An honest horseman wants what’s best for the horse.
Behavioral issues hidden. If the horse is cinchy, I’d rather know about that upfront. If you arrive to try the horse and the horse is already tied, saddled. You missed out on two big observations: how easy the horse is to catch and how the horse stands to be saddled. These two things can be worked on, but the fact that it was disguised from a potential buyer doesn’t sit right with me.
Health/soundness issues. If the horse appears lethargic, dull or sore, these could indicate major underlying health problems.
Like I mentioned before, go with your gut and listen to your trainer. This brings me to the final say: the vet check.
How to try out a horse for sale
Trying out a horse for sale is an important step in the horse-buying process. Here are some tips on how to try out a horse:
Schedule a visit: Contact the seller and schedule a visit to see and try out the horse in person. Be sure to bring any necessary equipment, such as riding boots, spurs a helmet, and gloves.
Observe the horse: Before getting on the horse, take a few moments to observe its behavior and demeanor. Look for signs of stress, such as nervousness, excessive sweating, or pawing at the ground. My favorite way to get a quick feel on a horse is to confidently (but calmly) walk up to it (in a field or stall) with a halter. You’ll know pretty soon if they like to be caught!
Handle the horse: Gently stroke and pet the horse to build a rapport with it. Take note of how it responds to you, leads and ties.
Tack up: If you plan to ride the horse, tack it up with the equipment provided by the seller. Make sure that the tack fits the horse correctly and is comfortable. Note how the horse responds to the cinch/girth and making adjustments. Also take note of the bit and other equipment used. Don’t be afraid to literally take notes.
Ride the horse: Start with basic riding exercises, such as walking and trotting in a straight line. As you become more comfortable, you can try more advanced movements and gaits — ones that align with your goals plans for the horse. If you’re into the cutting and cow horse stuff, the seller might have a flag or live cattle for you to work. When riding the horse, make sure you have someone videoing you so you can review more later!
Evaluate the horse: As you ride the horse, take note of its behavior, responsiveness, and athleticism. Consider whether it has the training and experience you require.
Ask questions: Don't be afraid to ask the seller questions about the horse's history, temperament, attitude in new places, training, and any health issues. Also, ask for references and try to speak with other people who have purchased horses from the seller.
Sleep on it. There shouldn’t be any pressure from anyone about this decision.
Remember to take your time when trying out a horse for sale. It's important to evaluate the horse thoroughly to ensure that it's a good fit for your needs and abilities..
Before buying: The pre-purchase exam
So you loved the horse you tried. Next up, I recommend a pre-purchase exam (PPE), also known as a vet check, is a crucial step to take before buying a horse. This exam is typically performed by a licensed veterinarian and is designed to assess the horse's overall health and soundness. Think of it as like getting your own personal Carfax on a horse.
During the exam, the vet will evaluate the horse's eyes, ears, teeth, heart, lungs, and musculoskeletal system. They may also perform x-rays and other diagnostic tests to check for underlying health issues, such as arthritis, lameness, or respiratory problems. Yes, these can cost more but they will save you so much in the long run, especially if you’re shopping for a performance horse you hope to continue to show on!
The pre-purchase exam is an essential tool for identifying any potential health or soundness issues that could affect the horse's performance or longevity. It can also help the buyer make an informed decision about whether or not to proceed with the purchase and negotiate the price based on the horse's condition.
If you're considering buying a horse, it's essential to schedule a pre-purchase exam with a trusted veterinarian. This will help ensure that you are investing in a healthy, sound, and suitable horse for your needs. If you’re making an out of state purchase like I did, I liked using Google and Social Media reviews to “vet” the vets vetting my potential horse (say that three times fast!). This made me feel better about paying for a service to stranger.
Horse pre-purchase checklist
Here’s my pre-purchase checklist:
Sound body and mind. Mind-wise, I want something that has a good mind. To me, a horse with a good mind is trainable, responsive and cooperative. I prefer a more laidback horse but a hotter horse can still have a good mind! This horse can be serviceably sound but should be able to be comfortable to work with your goals in mind. Maintenance isn’t a deal-breaker for me — everybody needs help now and again!
Documentation. In my sport, it’s custom to ride papered horses. I have no vendetta against grade horses, but I love looking at papers because knowing the sire and dam can give you a pretty good insight on what the offspring will be like temperament/ability-wise. Not always, but most of the time!
Good conformation. A plain-looking horse with good conformation will hold up better than a stunning horse with terrible conformation. If you don’t know what to look for, a seasoned professional can help!
Training that matches my experience. There’s lots of truth in the phrase green horse + green rider = black and blue. Listen to your trainer.
It’s a go.
Congratulations! So your horse made it through the vet check, your trainer approves, and you’re ready to pay for your new horse. This is the fun part!
My new horse arrived! Now what?
As someone who has been “unsupervised” before, I recommend all new horse owners take a least a handful of lessons with a trainer as you get to know your horse. AQHA has a great resource for this, but if you’re looking for another discipline or something else, don’t be afraid to ask around at your local deed store!