Advice On Buying Your Next Horse
When looking for horses for sale, there are a few points which are worth considering in order to make the buying process easier, and to make sure you end up with your perfect horse.
- All horses have issues – just make sure that your chosen one has faults that you can live with and that won’t affect your enjoyment.
- Take an expert with you, someone who is knowledgable of your capabilities and strengths. Ideally take someone who is able to spot whether the horse is lame or any illnesses. Or even your trainer who can tell if the chosen horse is appropriate for your style of riding – your aptitude and confidence.
- Check any relevant documets and passport. A horse passport is not proof that your chosen horse is owned by the person selling it so ask to see a receipt as proof of purchase. It is unlwful to buy or sell a horse that don’t have a passport.
- Find out if all innoculations are up to date. A new course of innoculations can cost a lot of money and can take months to come into effect before you can compete. You will not be popular moving a horse to another horse if it brings illness with it.
- Once you have decided the horse is for you, employ a vet to perform out the highest vetting that you can afford. Don’t rush or be forced into purchasing if you believe you need the horse looked at by your vet.
- Where possible view your chosen horse or pony demonstrating the trials you would like it to do. Reschooling a horse will add a considerable amount to the total cost if you cannot do this on your own.
- Try to negotiate a trial loan in which the horse can be sent back if it is not suitable.
- Always be realistic when looking to buy a young horse, do you have the required experience to bring it on. Another thought is that, a more mature horse may just have the stability and maturity to build your confidence and teach you the ropes.
- Don’t feel you have to purchase the first horse you view and don’t be pressurised by the many other people that are waiting to buy the horse if you don’t – very often this is just a ploy to push you to make an impulse buy. Take your time when buying a horse.
- As soon as the sale is completed take out insurance on the horse before you consider transporting it. The majority of injuries happen in transit or whilst introducing a horse into a new yard with other horses.
- Trust your judgement – if you believe the vendor is hiding something from you then they most probably are.
- Be mindful that your horse is a major investment of both your time and your money – be sure you have budgeted accurately for all the expenses that you will encounter.
Finally, enjoy your new addition and enjoy many hours horse riding together! Click here to find horses for sale online!













