- Breeding
- OmegaTri & the Equine - Reducing Inflammation, Restoring Balance
- Feeding and Management of Horses During the Transition from Warm to Cool Weather
- The Missing Equine Link: How the Modern Horse Came to Be
- Buying a Horse
- Equine Experts Send Us Your Best Tip - Win $750 Worth of KAM’s Healthy Horse Products and More
- When Dealing With Horses Get It in Writing - Sign Up for May 16 FREE Webinar
- Rocky Mountain Horses
- General Horse Articles
- Social Media, User Generated Content, and the Equestrian Industry
- eZall Shine & Detangler Transforms Ratty Manes and Tails Into Flowing Tresses
- Bucking, Shying and other Attention Deficit Disorders
- Horse Feeding
- Cookies With a Clue For Your Horse
- A Look at Horse Feed
- Essential Fatty Acids – The Functions and Benefits in Horses
- Horse Grooming
- Relive Southern Eighths/Nikon Three-Day on YouTube
- eZall Shine & Detangler Transforms Ratty Manes and Tails Into Flowing Tresses
- Equine Experts Send Us Your Best Tip - Win $750 Worth of KAM’s Healthy Horse Products and More
- Horse Health Issues
- It’s Getting Cold Out! What to Do With Your Horse
- Horse Nutrition: The Basics
- An Overview of Horse Grooming
- Horse Training
- Ask Chelsie Natural Horsemanship - What Does It Mean To Disengage My Horse?
- Training Mythunderstandings: Green Horse Lessons: Adding the Lead Rope
- Equestrian Education: Choosing the Right Horse School
- Horses & History
- Horses in Art: An Abridged History
- Equine Experts Send Us Your Best Tip - Win $750 Worth of KAM’s Healthy Horse Products and More
- Horsing around the Sierra Madre - 1974 Style.
- Horses & Sports
- What do do when the Panic is On to keep our Horses Safe!
- Equine Experts Send Us Your Best Tip - Win $750 Worth of KAM’s Healthy Horse Products and More
- Submit Your Grant Proposal To USA Equestrian Trust
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!
