How to Buy a HorseFiguring out how to buy a horse that will fulfill your dreams and expectations can be a real challenge. Too often people with limited experience want to buy a horse and end up purchasing a problem. Even we "experts" have made bad decisions and ended up with the wrong horse. It can be discouraging to say the least. I know many people become so frustrated and disappointed that they give up their passion for horses because it seems to be more trouble than it's worth. Like anything else in life, there are no guarantees when it comes to purchasing a horse. However, knowledge is the great equalizer. The more you know going in as far as what to look for and what to avoid, the better your chances are of having a wonderful experience and bringing home a horse you can enjoy. I'm going to share with you my approach to horse shopping. I follow it whether I'm looking at a horse for myself or for a client. These are my personal recommendations and even if you follow each one to the letter that doesn't mean that you can't still end up with the wrong horse. Anything can happen when it comes to horses. However, you can do your best to stack the odds in your favor. Here are 10 of my own "how to buy a horse" tips: 1. If you don't feel confident or knowledgeable enough to make an informed decision about which horse is the right one for you, hire an equine professional or bring along a horse savvy friend to help. Remember that unless you and the horse's seller have agreed on a trial period within which you can return the horse if he isn't suitable, once you've handed over your money and taken the bill of sale, that horse and all his problems belong to you. 2. Go with your gut. If everyone followed their first impressions and instincts, fewer people would buy the wrong horse. If I had a dollar every time I've heard someone say, "You know I had a bad feeling about that horse, but I bought him anyway," I'd have a really nice extra source of income! 3. Ask that the horse still be in his stall or pasture when you come out to see him. You want to see the horse being handled from start to finish. Some horses are perfect angels in the cross-ties. You might thing Ol' Joe is the most well-behaved horse you've ever seen...as long as you don't see him in his stall where he attacks everyone who enters or it takes an hour to corner him in the pasture. You want to see the horse caught, groomed, tied, saddle, etc. 4. Look the horse in the eye. His eye should be large, round, and have a soft intelligent look that projects calm confidence. Sure, you want to be certain that the horse is sound, has good conformation, and is well-trained, but none of that is worth a hill of beans to me if he has a "stinky" eye. You wouldn't want to hang around a person with a nervous personality or a bad attitude, so why would you want to bring home a horse that has one? 5. Evaluate his conformation. If you want the horse to perform a specific task, make sure he's built to do it well. Also, know your horse conformation and teach yourself to recognize flaws. While some can be overlooked under certain circumstances, significant problems are not worth the risk. Crooked legs and other structural weaknesses can cause anything from mild discomfort to serious pain and degenerative joint disease. No matter what the breed or discipline, choose a horse that is well balanced overall, is designed to do the work you want him to do, and is structurally correct. 6. Watch the horse move at liberty. Good handling can cover up personality quirks. Turn a horse loose and see how he interacts with people when he has the freedom to do what he wants. Also, watch him move around a round pen or arena. Even a few laps on the lunge line will reveal a lot about his energy level, soundness, and how focused and responsive he is. 7. Let his owner ride him first. This is both for your safety and to get an idea whether or not you like the way the horse rides and looks under saddle. First, make sure the horse is safe to ride, and second, watch to see how he responds to the rider's cues. Then you'll know what to expect when you ride and whether or not any problems you have getting along with him are your fault or his. 8. Ride him like he's your horse. Absolutely, listen to the horse's owner's explanation as to how he/she communicates with the horse so that you can have a good ride, but you also need to know that once you get him home he'll be okay with your personal riding style and communication techniques. This is your chance to see if this is the right horse, so pretend like he's yours. However, always be respectful of the seller and ask if it's okay to do something that the horse might not be used to. 9. If you like the horse the first time, go back and see him again. My rule of thumb is that I should like him even more the second time. If I don't, then I'll pass on him. It's also really easy to have a "love at first site" reaction to some horses. Seeing him a second time will give you a chance to see him with a more subjective eye. A second visit will let you see the horse on a different day and get a better idea about how consistent he is. 10. If you like him, get a vet check. A prepurchase exam is conducted by a veterinarian. He or she will evaluate the horse's overall health. More importantly, he or she will assess whether or not the horse has any underlying lameness issues. While you may not see it under normal circumstances, there could be a problem lurking in a joint or hoof that will affect the horse's ability to perform. There are many conditions that are treatable and manageable, but you will have to decide if that's something you want to take on. It's rare for a horse to be completely symptom free at the time of a vet check. However, it's always better to know what you're getting into, and the money you spend on the prepurchase exam is inexpensive insurance against paying for and bringing home a horse that has a chronic and/or incurable problem. If you're wondering how to buy a horse any avoid any disappointment at all, be an educated buyer or bring along someone who is knowledgeable. It's easy to fall in love with the first one you see, or one that is your favorite color. A discerning buyer looks at the entire horse to see if he or she has all the necessary attributes. There are a lot a really great horses out there that can be wonderful partners and performers. Don't rush into making a decision. You will find the right horse and be rewarded with the wonderful experience of owning a horse to can truly enjoy.
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