Buying Your First Horse
6 Basic Steps to Avoid Disaster
by Deborah K. Bundy
republished with
permission of HorsePower
The idea of buying
your own horse has you champing at the bit and you can hardly wait
to have your own friend Flicka. Before you gallop into horse ownership,
get your heart out of the storybook and take the time to use a reality
checklist for buying a horse. You don’t want to get Flicka home
and find out that reality bites!
Listed below are
six basic steps for finding the right horse. This advice was gathered
over the years from horse professionals and from people who have been
where you are right now. Follow these six steps and you will end up
with an animal you can not only ride, but one that will give you years
of enjoyment.
1. Evaluate your
riding skills. You must begin by assessing your level of riding ability.
Have someone you trust (such as your instructor) and whose knowledge
of horses is good evaluate your skill level. Tell them you want an
honest opinion. Ask questions such as: What kind of horse would suit
someone of my ability? Should I buy an older horse, or a younger one?
Do you think I am capable of training a horse, or should I get one
that can teach me?
More than likely, if this is your first horse, you have limited riding
experience. The rule of thumb is green horse plus experienced rider,
or green rider plus experienced horse.
2. Shop with an
experienced horse owner. This could be the same person who evaluated
your skills. It is also possible to hire a trainer who has helped
others find the right horse. Another possibility is a knowledgeable
horse-crazy friend who does this because she just loves looking at
horses.
Do not shop alone.
You need someone to bring you back to reality when you fall for the
“Black Beauty” of your dreams that no one has been able
to ride for five years. Stick with horses that fit your ability. That
old appaloosa will seem mighty perfect when you canter around a field
without the fear that he is going to dump you on the ground.
3. Look at many
horses. The more you look, the more you will understand what you need.
Don’t be in a hurry; it can take time to find the right horse.
After all, buying the horse is the “cheap” part. They cost
a lot to maintain, and you don’t want to be stuck with a horse
you cannot ride and cannot sell. Look at horses in the classified
sections of the newspaper and horse magazines. Look at horses in sale
barns. Look at horses owned by other riders you know.
Look from the
ground up. There is an old saying – “No foot, no horse.”
Look for hooves in great shape. Check carefully for straight legs.
(If you’re not sure what good conformation is supposed to look
like, read books on the subject.) Observe the way he moves; you want
the rhythm of every gait (especially the trot) to be even. Watch someone
else ride the horse. Ride him yourself. Then ask yourself: Will I
enjoy him? Do I like his personality? How are his manners? A horse
with bad ground manners can be dangerous.
4. Narrow the
field. It’s time to get serious, so select a few to try. It is
really nice if the owner will let you take the horse home for a few
days. This is not always possible, though, so if you can’t take
him home, be sure to do all the things you will want to do with him
when you own him. Groom him, tack him up, try him on the trail, load
him on a trailer.
Be sure to ask
about vices. Does he crib or weave? Does he kick? How does he get
along with other horses?
If you want a
horse to trail ride, take him on the trail – both alone and in
the company of other horses. If you plan to show your horse, ask about
his show record. If possible, go to a show to watch him perform. If
you want to jump, jump him.
5. Have the horse
vetted for soundness. Once you think you have found the perfect horse,
call a veterinarian. This assessment can cost anywhere from $100 to
over $500, depending on how extensive the exam is. You should at the
very least ask for a flexion test, hoof sensitivity test, and have
the eyes and teeth checked. Tell the vet what you are planning to
use the horse for, so he can decide if the horse is up to the job.
If the vet finds any problems, listen carefully to what he has to
say. After all, you are paying for his advice. Ask if the problems
can be managed; maybe the seller will lower the price because of a
problem you can live with.
6. Make an offer.
Try to look at horses in your price range, so you aren’t disappointed
when you find one you love but can’t afford. The cost of horses
can range from $500 to over $100,000. Some prices are firm, but often
the price can be negotiated.
Once you have
made an offer and it has been accepted, make sure you get a bill of
sale. You might want to think about equine insurance if you have paid
a great deal for your new horse. At the very least, get liability
insurance in case your horse gets loose and causes an accident, or
kicks someone. There are a number of insurance companies around who
handle this; look them up in horse magazines, or check with your trainer
or veterinarian.
Congratulations!
If you have followed the six-step plan, you are now the proud owner
of a horse meant for you. She may be a he and not Flicka, but he’s
yours, and he will be your friend. Now, you can gallop off into the
sunset together.
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