- Breeding
- Horse Breeding, Part 3: Birth and Care of a Foal
- Horse Breeding, Part 2: Breeding and Gestation
- The Missing Equine Link: How the Modern Horse Came to Be
- General Horse Articles
- The Winning Horse
- Equine Appraisal: The Value Of Our Horses
- How to Use the Latest Technology to Get Your Equestrian Fix
- Horse Feeding
- 5 Horse Feeding "Don'ts"
- You’ve Got the Right Feed, Now What?: Proper Feeding Practices
- A Look at Horse Feed
- Horse Grooming
- eZall Shine & Detangler Transforms Ratty Manes and Tails Into Flowing Tresses
- An Overview of Horse Grooming
- Mane Saving Ideas
- Horse Health Issues
- Sleep and Your Horse’s Health
- You’ve Got the Right Feed, Now What?: Proper Feeding Practices
- Evaluation the Equine Athlete from the Outside In
- Horse Training
- Did you Buy The Right Saddle?
- Two-track to Slow Your Horse's Gaits
- Ask Chelsie Natural Horsemanship - What Does It Mean To Disengage My Horse?
- Horses & History
- Top 5 Strange and Unusual Horses
- The Missing Equine Link: How the Modern Horse Came to Be
- A Brief History of Horse Breeding
- Horses & Sports
- In Defense of Horses in Sport
- Ask Chelsie Natural Horsemanship - What Does It Mean To Disengage My Horse?
- Halter Horse Show
What to Look For When Buying a Horse
05/26/2008
Deciding to buy a horse is a wonderful, exciting process. You are looking for something to invest your time, money, and affection in for many years to come. Owning the right horse is a dream come true, and something you will cherish for life.
Deciding to buy a horse is a wonderful, exciting process. You are looking for something to invest your time, money, and affection in for many years to come. Owning the right horse is a dream come true, and something you will cherish for life. Owning the wrong horse, by contrast, is a nightmare.
Before you go, check the information about the horse you are looking at. Get the birth date, height, weight, and sex. Ask about any health problems. If applicable, try to get information on the horse’s training history. Has the horse been kept on a pasture or in a stall, and where are you keeping it? Is this horse part of a herd, or has it been alone? You also want to make sure the owner will be able to let you ride the horse when you visit to check it out. Riding the horse is like test-driving the car.
When you visit the horse, evaluate its overall health. How does it look? Do you feel an attraction to the horse? If you don’t, then walk away. You need to go with your gut feeling because this horse will be a part of your life for a very long time.
Then, check the horse’s performance and ask the owner to show you how he or she interacts with the horse, especially if you are purchasing one for a specific discipline.
Now, it’s time for the “test drive.” Make sure the owner stays and watches you while you ride the horse. If you are buying it for a specific discipline, try it out for a few basic things. Make sure you are comfortable riding this horse. If something about it seems uncomfortable, walk away until you find one that you are comfortable with. This is a crucial and deal making-or-breaking step in choosing the right horse.
Don’t try to force yourself to get the “perfect” horse. There’s no such thing. But you do need to be aware of the bond you feel (or don’t feel) when you see that horse and interact with it. It’s that bond that will carry through your entire ownership of that horse!
