Tips on Purchasing Your First Horse

Buying your first horse is supposed to be an exciting experience. However, all too often trainers come across people and horses who are unhappy and not suited to one another. Here are some general tips on what to do and look for when purchasing your new equine partner:

Before you begin looking for a horse, you need to determine what it is you want to do with your horse. Do you want to do trails, or jumping, or competition? You need to choose a horse that is best suited to what you want to do – a high-energy competitive horse is probably not going to be happy becoming a trail horse. Consider how much retraining you want to do and what your resources are in that aspect (Do you have access to a trainer? What is your budget for training and lessons?).

What is your experience level? An inexperienced horse paired up with an inexperienced rider is often not a good combination. A general rule is that you should look for a horse that is a few experience levels above your own. Your horse is your greatest teacher, but your horse can also only be as good as you are.

Another thing to consider - when it comes to your first horse, think about co-boarding or leasing a well trained horse for a few months first. This will prepare you for the responsibility and costs involved with owning a horse, and give you a better idea of what you want to look for in your own horse.

In terms of breed, age, sex, height and so on, a lot of it comes down to personal preference. Stallions are best left to very experienced riders and trainers. Some people swear by mares, others prefer geldings. The breed of horse that you choose can affect what it will be best suited for – for example, a gaited horse may have difficulty doing hunter classes unless paired with an experienced and determined rider. Research the discipline that you would like to participate in and the types of breeds that interest you before you begin going to look at horses. In terms of age, horses are considered to be in their prime when they are between the ages of 6 and 12. A horse that is young and does not have much experience is best left to an experienced rider who is prepared to put the required work into the horse. A horse that is older may have certain physical limitations that would prevent it from being used as a competition horse at the higher levels. When it comes to height, the height of horse you will choose will depend mainly on the height and weight of the person who is going to be riding it.

Think about what type of personality you would like in a horse. Horses have good days and bad days, just like people. Consider if you have the experience, resources and confidence to deal with a horse that has a lot of energy, or is flighty or spooky. Beginner riders often prefer horses that are very experienced, laid back, calm, “been there done that” types. Riders who are going to participate in high level competition tend to want horses with a higher energy level, or “edge”.

After you have thought about all of these factors and have found a horse that you want to go and try out, ask an experienced horseperson/coach/trainer to come with you to look at the horse for a second opinion. Ask to see the horse being caught up in the field, observe how the horse leads/ties/cross ties, watch the horse being groomed if you are not allowed to groom the horse yourself. Look at the horse's feet – do they look like the have been trimmed regularly? Can you handle the horse's feet easily? Watch the horse being tacked up – does the horse pin his ears when the saddle goes on? Does he seem girthy? Does he take the bit easily? Does he seem headshy at all?

Ask to see the horse lunged at all gaits and then ridden by the owner. Watch how the horse moves – notice any habits such as headtossing during transitions or if the horse seems difficult to stop. Then have your trainer ride the horse and ride the horse yourself.

Ask lots of questions – if you do not ask, the owners will probably not tell you! Many owners are good at simply leaving out bits of information. Does the horse have any vices? Does the horse have any special needs? Does the horse trailer well? How does the horse handle competition? How does the horse fit into a herd situation? Has the horse ever had any colic or lameness problems? Why are they selling the horse? How many previous owners has the horse had? How is the horse on the trails?

Consider the source. Know who you are buying from and ask for references if possible. Ask if you can speak to the horse's vet or farrier. Speak to other people at the barn about the horse you are thinking of purchasing.

Purchasing a horse on the spot is often not a good idea. Auctions are best left to people with lots of experience. Once you have found a horse, tried it out, and decided that you like it, a veterinary pre-purchase exam is standard procedure. Many people do not think that a pre-purchase exam is necessary on a horse that is a relatively inexpensive purchase, however a simple $60.00 exam could save you thousands of dollars in the future if it helps uncover an unforeseen health problem. A vet exam also includes pulling some blood from the horse, which the vet will keep for 30 days after you purchase the horse for testing if you become suspicious of drugging.

Sleep on it – give yourself some time to think about a particular horse that you are interested in. If the buyer insists that you make a decision on the spot, you can always give them a deposit and say that the rest is to be paid pending the successful completion of a vet check. This will give you time to think about it, and you will have the results of the vet check. If you can go out to see the horse a second time during this time period that is often a good idea as well.