Beginners Guide to Buying Horses
By Barb Hento
April 2005 Northwest Horse Source Magazine
By Barb Hento
April 2005 Northwest Horse Source Magazine
The pleasure horse is enjoying a popularity surge. With this comes many first time horse owners. Trying to find a suitable horse is an immense undertaking. Once you have decided to buy a horse use the guidelines below to assist you with the task:
1. Your abilities as a horse person - Are you a very beginner? Did you ride as a youngster and now are returning to horses after no contact for several years? Or are you moving on to a more advanced horse? A trusted professional can help establish exactly what type of horse you are looking for.
2. The type of horse you need - What is the main thing you will use this horse for? Do you have a preference to a special breed? Some breeds are noted for having talent to excel in an area. For example &endash; Quarter Horses are known for western style riding and having "cow sense." Thoroughbreds are used for racing, hunters, and jumpers. Arabians are noted for their endurance and also style as an English pleasure horse. The key is to determine what your interest is and then find the horse that suits your abilities and wants to do the job you are asking him to do.
3. Age, size and the amount of training - Size is important when it comes to suitability. A 16 hand (4" equals a hand and is measured from the ground to the whither) horse can be difficult for a 5' rider to mount and dismount. On the other hand a short horse can be difficult for a long legged rider to balance on. Most two to four year old horses are short on training and experience time for new beginning riders. Even well started young horses will test you by thinking up new habits (or phobias) when you least expect it. For five years to nine most horses are starting to settle out to what you see is what you get and from ten on most horses are set in their ways. Too often a buyer overlooks the older horse (10 to 15 or even older) however, if the animal has been well cared for it can enjoy a useful life well into the twenties.
4. Gender is important - A stallion should only be owned and handled by a very experienced horseperson, as the male horse can be unpredictable at times. A mare can be testy as she goes through her monthly cycles, but can be a good choice if you are interested in raising a foal. For an all around pleasure horse a gelding (altered male) is an excellent choice as they tend to remain at a constant personality level.
5. Where to look - A walk through the 4-H horse barn at the fair will often turn up a good lead. Want ads always have horses listed and often a prize will turn up in these papers and magazines. There are people who specialize in marketing horses. When shopping at a dealer's stable be aware that there are reliable dealers and others who are not so reliable. Ask around to find trustworthy horse brokers. Many horses are sold each year at auction. For the novice buyer this is probably the least favorable place to look. Most auctions sell horses "as is" with no guarantees as to soundness or ride ability.
6. Enlist the aid of an experienced friend or professional - If you have an experienced friend, seek their help. If you have a professional help you, it is customary that they receive a percentage of the buying price. Be sure to ask about this cost before proceeding too far. If you like everything about this horse and decide to go ahead and buy him it is advisable to have a veterinarian do a pre-purchase exam (cost is about $100 - $150) to make sure you haven't overlooked a pending problem.
When the final decision is made on your new horse, be sure to get a bill of sale with guarantees in writing. If the horse is branded be sure you have a release on that brand. Make sure you have all resignation papers properly signed and filled out for smooth transfer to your name. Then take your new horse home and enjoy!
1. Your abilities as a horse person - Are you a very beginner? Did you ride as a youngster and now are returning to horses after no contact for several years? Or are you moving on to a more advanced horse? A trusted professional can help establish exactly what type of horse you are looking for.
2. The type of horse you need - What is the main thing you will use this horse for? Do you have a preference to a special breed? Some breeds are noted for having talent to excel in an area. For example &endash; Quarter Horses are known for western style riding and having "cow sense." Thoroughbreds are used for racing, hunters, and jumpers. Arabians are noted for their endurance and also style as an English pleasure horse. The key is to determine what your interest is and then find the horse that suits your abilities and wants to do the job you are asking him to do.
3. Age, size and the amount of training - Size is important when it comes to suitability. A 16 hand (4" equals a hand and is measured from the ground to the whither) horse can be difficult for a 5' rider to mount and dismount. On the other hand a short horse can be difficult for a long legged rider to balance on. Most two to four year old horses are short on training and experience time for new beginning riders. Even well started young horses will test you by thinking up new habits (or phobias) when you least expect it. For five years to nine most horses are starting to settle out to what you see is what you get and from ten on most horses are set in their ways. Too often a buyer overlooks the older horse (10 to 15 or even older) however, if the animal has been well cared for it can enjoy a useful life well into the twenties.
4. Gender is important - A stallion should only be owned and handled by a very experienced horseperson, as the male horse can be unpredictable at times. A mare can be testy as she goes through her monthly cycles, but can be a good choice if you are interested in raising a foal. For an all around pleasure horse a gelding (altered male) is an excellent choice as they tend to remain at a constant personality level.
5. Where to look - A walk through the 4-H horse barn at the fair will often turn up a good lead. Want ads always have horses listed and often a prize will turn up in these papers and magazines. There are people who specialize in marketing horses. When shopping at a dealer's stable be aware that there are reliable dealers and others who are not so reliable. Ask around to find trustworthy horse brokers. Many horses are sold each year at auction. For the novice buyer this is probably the least favorable place to look. Most auctions sell horses "as is" with no guarantees as to soundness or ride ability.
6. Enlist the aid of an experienced friend or professional - If you have an experienced friend, seek their help. If you have a professional help you, it is customary that they receive a percentage of the buying price. Be sure to ask about this cost before proceeding too far. If you like everything about this horse and decide to go ahead and buy him it is advisable to have a veterinarian do a pre-purchase exam (cost is about $100 - $150) to make sure you haven't overlooked a pending problem.
When the final decision is made on your new horse, be sure to get a bill of sale with guarantees in writing. If the horse is branded be sure you have a release on that brand. Make sure you have all resignation papers properly signed and filled out for smooth transfer to your name. Then take your new horse home and enjoy!
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