Follow These 8 Steps to Buy a Horse Successfully
Buying your first horse is a big deal. Many horse lovers dream about horse ownership for years—and sometimes decades—before it becomes a reality, so a first-horse purchase usually comes with a heavy list of hopes and expectations.
However, horse shopping successfully is about much more than finding a horse that fits your ideal image under a certain budget. If you’re wondering how to buy a horse, here are eight steps to help you find the best fit for your needs.
1. Educate Yourself
Caring for a horse requires specialized knowledge and skills that you can’t acquire overnight. Get as much hands-on experience with horses as possible before you consider purchasing your own. Learn about equine first aid, health, nutrition, hoof care, and safe handling practices. Take the time to understand horse behavior and body language.
This knowledge is essential to giving your new horse great care since your horse will be dependent on your abilities. Becoming a skilled horse person is a lifelong pursuit, and you’ll never stop learning, but knowing as much as possible before you buy a horse will help you avoid costly and dangerous mistakes.
2. Find Experienced Help
When you have enough knowledge to care for a horse, find an experienced person to help you shop around. Horse shopping can be a complicated business full of pitfalls, so it’s a good idea to partner with someone who knows what to watch out for and understands your needs and skill level.
If you already have a trusted trainer, rely on their guidance and recommendations as you look at horses for sale. If you don’t, consider finding one who specializes in the discipline you hope to pursue. They can help you find a suitable horse for your goals and riding ability, and their expertise can keep you safe and ensure a positive experience for everyone.
3. Set a Budget
Determine the amount of money you have available to spend on a horse. Don’t forget to reserve funds for a pre-purchase exam and any possible shipping costs. If your trainer is shopping with you, make sure to factor their commission into the final bill.
Once you find a potential horse within your budget, consider the age, training level, and health before you agree to pay the full price. Just because a horse meets your budget doesn’t mean the price is fair.
4. Make a Plan
Before you finalize a purchase, ensure that caring for your horse will be financially sustainable. The real expense of horse ownership goes far beyond a horse’s initial purchase price. Calculate your monthly costs including board, equipment, training, feed, farrier expenses, and routine veterinary fees. You’ll also want to set aside extra money for unexpected costs so you can care for your horse during a personal or veterinary emergency.
5. Be Patient
Finding the right horse takes time. Build a clear idea of what you need for your budget, and don’t worry if you have to wait a while before it comes along. No horse will be entirely perfect, and that’s okay. However, don’t compromise on anything you consider to be essential.
Waiting can be difficult, but it’s far better than ending up with a horse that you don’t get along with or who won’t enjoy pursuing the same goals you will.
6. Cover Your Bases
Once you find a horse that interests you, don’t fall in love or commit too quickly. Instead, gather as much information as you can about the horse, and check the seller’s facts.
Test-Ride
Don’t buy a horse you haven’t seen in person, and watch the seller ride the horse before you test-ride it yourself. If the horse still requires some training before you can mount up, ask your trainer to assess the horse’s suitability for you.
Prepurchase Exam
If everything about your equine candidate checks out, schedule a prepurchase exam. Regardless of the horse’s price, a prepurchase exam is a good idea if you don’t want to be surprised by costly or career-ending health conditions.
Prepurchase exams can be basic or incredibly thorough based on your budget and long-term needs for the horse. Speak openly with your vet about your plans so your vet can advise you about additional tests and x-rays that may or may not be necessary.
Drug Test
Even if you know the seller, order a drug test on the horse. This test should happen concurrently with a lameness exam. A clear drug test will verify that the seller hasn’t used medication to misrepresent the horse’s soundness. If the seller is offended by your request, kindly explain that the test will protect both of you should the horse exhibit signs of illness or become unsound after purchase.
7. Trust Your Gut
If something about the transaction feels off, don’t ignore it. If you have questions or concerns about any part of the process, clear them up before you continue.
Don’t rush a purchase because a seller is impatient and wants you to commit. It’s important to be courteous and not waste sellers’ time, but remember that a seller who has a horse’s best interest in mind will want to know you’re a good fit for their horse and allow you a reasonable period to complete your due diligence. It’s always okay to walk away if you don’t feel good about a situation. Something better will come along soon.
8. Complete the Purchase
When you’re ready to finalize the purchase, use a secure method of payment, such as a cashier’s check. Pay the seller directly, rather than through your trainer or an agent, and take appropriate measures to protect yourself against fraud.
Carefully discuss any conditions related to the sale, such as a trial period or a right of first refusal clause, and include them clearly in a written, signed, and dated bill of sale. If needed, or in the event of a high-value purchase, consult a lawyer for advice.
Enjoy Your New Horse
Becoming a horse owner is a life-altering decision and a serious commitment. Following these eight steps for how to buy a horse and completing your purchase safely will help you avoid heartache and set you up for long-term success. Once you’ve found the right equine companion, you’ll be ready to enjoy getting to know each other and to build a valuable partnership.
If you have a story about how horses or horse people have improved your life, please consider sharing!
Image by standret from Adobe Stock.
