The Ultimate Guide To Buying A Horse
Are you thinking of buying a horse for the first time?
Congratulations and welcome to the world of horses!
Owning a horse can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience.
However, buying a horse for the first time can also be daunting, if not downright scary, especially if you are a beginner.
But don’t worry because… We’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide on buying a horse.
Buying A Horse – Where To Start?
Before you start your search for that perfect horse for you, you’ll need to think about a few things:
Your Budget
How much can you afford to spend on a horse? Horse ownership costs go well beyond the initial purchase price.
In fact, your horse is probably going to be the cheapest part of the equation in the long run!
There are many other expenses, including…
Agistment
Feed
Vet, farrier, dentist
Worming
Vaccinations
Tack and equipment (rugs, grooming gear etc)
Your Purpose For Buying A Horse
What are you going to do with your horse? Do you want to show it or just use it for pleasure riding?
Your Experience With Horses
How much experience with horses do you have? Are you a beginner or an experienced rider? Matching these with a horse with the right temperament and education level is important, bothyou’re your own safety and for the wellbeing of the horse. Some types of horses are not suitable for beginners.
Now that you have worked out where you stand with these factors, it’s time to start your search for your ideal horse.
Where To Look?
You have a number of options for buying a horse…
Online Horse Marketplaces
The Internet is probably going to be your best friend in your search for a horse. Horse trainers, breeders, and people with horses for sale use these avenues to advertise.
Look for reputable sites though, preferably ones that specialise in horses.
In fact, if you type a search query like ‘horses for sale [your location]’ into Google, it will bring up these types of sites.
Local Classifieds
Horse breeders and trainers often place ads in horse magazines when they have stock for sale. You may also find them listed in print newspapers, although these are not as common these days. Apart from these, online classified sites often list horses for sale.
Horse Auctions And Sales
Horse auctions and sales can also be a great place to buy a horse if you know what you’re looking for. However, it’s important to treat these with caution because quite often the horses that go through these sales don’t come with paperwork, which means you may not be able to find out the horse’s history.
Local Breeders
Get a list of local horse breeders and reach out to them to see if they have any stock for sale that may be suitable. If they don’t, they may know someone who does. Something they bred and sold for example may be back on the market.
Local Feeds Stores And Equestrian Outlets
People often place For Sale ads in their local feed store when they have something for sale. They often include a photo of the horse as well. You can also place a ‘Wanted’ ad in many of these places too and ask people to contact you if they have something suitable.
What To Look For?
What should you consider when buying your first horse?
Age of horse
Do you want a young horse so you can grow older together? Or do you prefer something a bit older that has ‘been there and done that’?
Young horses can be energetic and enthusiastic, whilst older horses are hopefully a bit more sedate and calm!
If you’re a very nervous person or don’t really know too much about horses (yet), something a bit older with a lot of experience under its belt may be more suitable that a green-broke horse.
Breed of horse
We mentioned this above but some breeds of horses are not suitable for beginners or nervous people, especially if they’ve already experienced a ‘working life’.
Thoroughbred ex-racehorses are a case in point.
They are great for someone who wants a top equine athlete or is experienced with retraining horses off the track.
However, they’re not so suitable for beginner riders or nervous people. Hoever, there are many breeds out there that do make suitable first mounts, or mounts for nervous riders.
Health
When you’ve found a suitable horse, consider getting a pre-purchase exam done before you actually commit to anything.
This will help identify any health issues the horse may have, such as arthritis, or other issues that will affect its soundness. If you want to insure the horse, a pre-purchase exam is often mandatory.
Temperament
Some horses have exactly the right temperament for beginners and nervous riders. You may see them advertised as ‘bomb proof’.
Although there is no such thing as a 100% bomb proof horse (they are prey animals with a strong flight response!) there are horses that are almost like that.
Be aware though that horses are sometimes sedated for inspections to make them appear quiet but if you are getting a vet check done, your vet will hopefully pick this up.
Education And Training
If you don’t have much experience with horses yourself, you will need a horse that is already well trained and has some experience. Or be prepared to spend the money on getting it trained.
Always take someone experienced with you when you go to look at a horse.
Not only can they spot things about the horse you’ll probably miss, but they also know all the right questions to ask.
Ask to ride the horse when you inspect it (they may even let you take it on trial for a few days).
Size and your Physical Abilities
What size horse do you want?
If you’re a small person, you probably don’t want something that towers over you.
Apart from being intimidating to someone not used to it, the bigger they are the harder they are to get on, and the further you have to fall off!
Furthermore, if you’re middle-aged you’re not going to be as spry as you were 20 or 30 years ago!
Conversely, if you’re a tall or large person, you don’t want to be under mounted.
You should also know that research tells us horses ideally shouldn’t really carry more than 20% of their own body weight.
So, a 500kg horse shouldn’t be expected to carry more than 100kgs or at least not for extended periods.
However, this will vary depending on the build, physical fitness, and muscular structure of the horse.
Nuggetty little horses for example may be able to carry a lot more weight than a bigger one with a lighter build, even if they weigh around the same.
Buying A Horse – Tips For Beginners
Further to the above information, you should also consider the following tips if you’re new to horses:
Invest In Lessons
Learn everything you can about horses before you get one. Help out at riding schools or your local agistment centre. Go to horse shows and talk to people. Get lessons, both in handling horses on the ground, and riding lessons. Not only will this give you an idea of what type of horse will be best for you, it will also give you invaluable experience in how to care for one properly.
Get Professional Assistance
Consider hiring an experienced trainer or get a knowledgeable friend to help you with the buying process.
Take Your Time
Buyer’s remorse is definitely a ‘thing’ when buying a horse, usually as a result of rushing into a purchase. So – take your time and make sure you find a horse that suits you, and your abilities.
Agist, Or Board The Horse With Experienced Horse People Initially
Even if you have your property, consider agisting the horse somewhere there are experienced horse people to help you take care of it properly, at least initially.
Use the time to learn all you can about things like feeding, worming, and when to get medical attention for them.
Key Takeaways About Buying A Horse
Buying your first horse can be an exciting experience.
It can also be daunting but by taking your time, getting experienced help, and doing your research properly, we’re sure you’ll find exactly the right horse for you.
