How to buy your horse like a PRO!
Before making this huge jump, plan and plan some more.
Here we will give some need-to-know tips for buying a horse, especially if it’s your first time! Questions to ask when buying a horse
It is easy to get lost in the excitement of buying a horse.
However, there are many things you must consider before handing over your hard-earned money, see this guide to buying a horse. Let’s take a look at our horse buying tips.
Table of Contents
Are Your Ready For a Horse?
Make sure you are ready for the commitment a horse takes. The purchase price is the cheapest part.
You will have ongoing costs for the lifetime of the horse.
Have you researched the reals costs of horse ownership? You can check out our How Much Do Horse’s Cost guide to get started.
Evaluate Your Riding Skills
Take a good, honest look at your riding ability. Are you ready to ride on your own unsupervised?
Can you deal with a problem if it arises?
If you are unsure of your riding ability, get an evaluation from a good trainer. This is important! Many people run into a problem because they overestimate what they can handle.
They then end up overhorsed. This can lead to you losing confidence and creating behavioral problems in the horse.
Always look for a horse that matches your ability. Then refine it by what you want from the horse.
Do you want a horse that is bombproof on trails? Do you want a horse that can jump at a certain level? And so on.
Make A List
Put together a list of questions to ask the seller. Ask many of these questions before you even go a see the horse.
You don’t want to waste your’s and the seller’s time by viewing a horse that is not suitable.
Questions For Your List
Here are some good questions that you might want to include, depending on what you are looking for.
- How old is the horse?
- Is the horse spooky (sharp)?
- Will the horse go on trails alone?
- Can I see videos of the horse?
- What is the horse’s competition record?
- Can I see the horse’s passport? (Not all horses will have one, but imported and ones registered with certain associations will) This will confirm the breeding, age, and that the horse is the one you came to see.
- Can you wait until I arrive to take the horse out to tack up? This will let you see how the horse is in its stable and how it handles.
You can also check the video below:
Related: Horse Care 101 for Beginners
When You View The Horse
The above questions are only a sample to get you started. You will no about have many more on your list. When you arrive to see the horse take a good look at its body for any lumps or scars.
Don’t hesitate to ask about anything you see. Many times what you see will not affect the horse’s soundness but if you want to compete in some events these might go against the horse.
Look at the horse’s conformation and build. Look out for things like unbalanced muscle development, as this can indicate an issue with the horse or its training.
Always ask the seller to ride the horse first. This way, you can make sure the horse behaves under saddle. It also allows you to see how the horse moves and spot anything to question or have the vet look at during the pre-purchase exam.
Take videos of the trial. Video the seller riding the horse and ask someone to record you on the horse as well. You can then look this over later while contemplating your decision.
Bring Help When You Buy A Horse
You should always bring someone with you when looking at a horse to buy.
This goes for first-time buyers and those that are more experienced.
A second pair of eyes will always work to your benefit. If you are a first-time buyer having someone experienced with you is essential.
They will spot issues or suitability conflicts that you won’t. Your trainer is always a great choice to accompany you.
They will know your abilities and if the horse will suit you. You can also have them ride the horse before or instead of you if you are nervous.
Stick To Trusted Sellers
Unfortunately, the equestrian world is full of unscrupulous sellers. Many will happily sell you a horse that is not sound or has dangerous behaviors while passing it off as safe.
These sellers focus a lot of their selling on less experienced riders and owners because they don’t know any better.
The best place to start is to work with your trainer. Your trainer will have connections and can ask around to see if anyone has a suitable horse for you.
They will know which sellers are honest about the horse they are selling. Trustworthy sellers will tell you if the horse requires maintenance, has any quirks, such as not standing on the trailer without company, health history, and won’t avoid your questions.
Lease A Horse First
If you are thinking of buying your first horse, it is a good idea to lease a horse first. This can be for only a couple of months or longer.
Leasing is a good way to dip your toe into what is involved in owning a horse.
When you lease, you are responsible for all the care bills and ensuring the horse gets exercise and whatever else it needs. You can test if you have time to actually have your own horse and if you are ready for such a large commitment.
Check some of the pros and cons of leasing a horse in the video below:
Don’t Make Looks The First Priority
A beautiful horse is great, but the prettiest horse might not always fit what is best for you. The most important thing you need to consider is temperament.
Regardless of what level you ride at, a horse with a good temperament will always make the experience much more fun. If the horse has a questionable temperament, it can mean it might have some dangerous behavior.
While some experienced riders don’t mind this and have a system in place to help put these horses on a better track, a new owner should never buy a horse like this.
Horse Size
Consider the size of the horse. This is one element you need to put on your initial list.
Make sure you look at horses that are suitable to your needs and size. If you are very tall, a small horse just won’t work.
At the other end, if you are short, do you really need a 17-hand horse? It can be much harder for a small person to keep a large horse together. Also, look at your weight.
Some horses, breed or size, are better suited for carrying a heavier person. Think of the 20% rule when looking at horse size. This general rule says that the horse should not carry more than 20% of its body weight for its physical well-being.
There are horses in all sizes to suit people of all sizes, so look at those that will make the best partner for you.
Horse Age
Some people like the idea of buying a young horse as they feel they will get many more years with it. However, this can have its problems for beginner horse owners.
Young horses lack experience and need good guidance to turn into solid riding animals. A young horse can test its rider and, without the correct training, can have behavioral issues and even become dangerous.
This is not fair on the horse or you, as it will ruin your enjoyment.
It is best when buying your first horse to look for one that has experience, and a couple of years of training under its belt.
These horses can help you learn and improve your riding.
Horse Gender
New horse owners should not buy a stallion. Stallions require different handling and can have more unpredictable behavior.
They are not for first-time horse owners.
Stick to a mare or gelding. Many people prefer geldings, as they are generally less moody and more amenable than mares.
Veterinary Exam
Before handing over money for a horse, arrange a pre-purchase exam. There are different levels of vettings.
This will depend on the purpose you want to horse for and how much it costs.
The vet is able to tell you if the horse has any hidden issues and if it will suit your purpose.
The vet will check the horse’s soundness, wind, and heart. You can also have X-rays taken, which you will want if you want to compete or are spending a lot of money.
Don’t Buy Unseen
Never buy a horse unseen, unless you really know what you’re doing. Unfortunately, many novice equestrians have horror stories from buying a horse this way.
The horse isn’t what they thought, and it is very hard to make right.
The only time unseen works if you know the seller personally, or are buying from a high-end auction and have the right knowledge to do this successfully.
Conclusion
Many words in horse sale ads will give away some important information about the horse. First time buyers need to avoid ads that state things like spirited, advanced riders, green, project, potential, needs finishing, and needs a quiet rider.
Each of those words is telling you that the horse might have some issues or is only suitable for someone very experienced.
The best advice we can give you here is to plan and research. Always take someone with you on your search, and don’t rush.
References
- M, et al. “10 Tips for First-Time Horse Owners.” Horse Family Magazine, 10 June 2020, www.horsefamilymagazine.com/10-tips-for-first-time-horse-owners/. Accessed 2 July 2021.
- “Read This before You Buy Your First Horse.” The Horse, 21 May 2020, thehorse.com/135881/read-this-before-you-buy-your-first-horse/.
Do you have other tips on how to buy a horse like a pro? Please share with us below!
Siun is an all-around animal lover, with a passion for horses. She grew up in the United States, competing in the hunters, equitation, and jumpers. Now living in Ireland, she competes with her own showjumping horses. She is experienced in the care and training of horses, as well as teaching riding lessons. She loves to combine her love for horses with her work. When not working, Siun will be found at the stables, rain or shine.
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