So, you’re looking to buy your first horse. That’s so exciting! Starting a new adventure is always so much fun! Now I have to be honest, when I started looking for my first horse, I didn’t really know what I was doing. Yes, I had ridden since before I could walk with my grandma, but I had never actually taken care of or purchased my own horse. I lucked out and now I have the best trail riding partner I could have ever dreamed of. Unfortunately, not every horse purchase works out as well. Here are some helpful tips I wish I would have known when purchasing my first horse!
Calling and Researching the Seller
Breed
The first important piece to consider is what breed is right for you. I rode Quarter Horses with my grandma my entire life and had no experience with other horse breeds. As a result, I was unaware that different breeds could really be so different. It is important to research each breed that interest you, to find the perfect fit for what you are looking for. When I was looking for my first horse, I wanted a reliable, level-headed trail horse. I found an 19 year old, purebred Arabian horse for $500 to a good home. He is absolutely amazing, but I had no idea Arabian horses were so expressive and energetic. They also form very strong bonds with their humans. It took us over a year to really understand each other, but now that we do I couldn’t have imagined a better trail partner even if I tried! It worked out great for me, but always make sure you research before you buy and figure out exactly what you want before you start looking.
Cost
The next piece to consider is cost. What is your budget for purchasing a horse? Are you looking for one that is green, meaning it has less training? Are you looking for a fully trained and experienced horse? What breed are you looking for? All of these things factor into how much you will pay. Make sure you do your research on that front as well. A great horse can go for a price anywhere from $1000 to $50,000 or more, depending on what breed it is and what discipline you want to pursue with it. I was lucky and found my horse for $500. All his owners wanted was to find him a good home. I definitely had to do quite a bit of work with him to get him where he is today, but for me it was worth it. Another person I used to board with paid $20,000 for his new trail horse. It all depends on what you are looking for. Do your research beforehand, set a budget, and don’t jump into anything quickly.
Calling and Researching the Seller
Next is calling and researching the seller. There are many people trying to sell horses. In my search, I came across a few that were unreliable, inconsistent, and had negative reviews from others. If they own a boarding facility or own an actual business selling horses, talk to past customers or boarders, look for reviews, see what others have to say about the seller. If not, you could try researching them on social media pages. Make sure the person you are looking to buy from has a good reputation.
Once you have done your research, it’s time to call the seller. Before going to see the horse you are considering, give the seller a call and ask all of your questions so you can make an informed decision. These could include questions like: Is this horse registered? Can you send me a copy of papers and vet records? What is his or her temperament like? Does the horse have any vices or quirks? How are his or her feet? Has he or she had any major health issues in the past? How does the horse do with other horses in the pasture? Can he or she be in a stall for a length of time? You could even ask for references so you can speak to people who have bought horses from this seller in the past. These are all important questions when considering going to look at a horse. If everything checks out and the seller’s answers are consistent, then it’s time to go look at the horse!
See the Horse in Person
Now that you’ve done your research and everything checks out, it’s time to go see your potential horse! It would be a good idea to bring along someone who has experience with horses. My grandma came along with me when I bought my first horse, as she had many years of experience with horses. There are a couple important things to do when you go see the horse. Your first warning sign is if the horse is already saddled and ready to go, sweaty and breathing heavy, or being ridden or lunged by the owner. This could mean the horse starts out the ride with bucking or other vices, and the owner wanted to ride it out before you arrived. It could also mean the horse is really hard to catch, the horse is hard to saddle, and more. I suggest you speak with the seller beforehand and ask to go through the entire process, from catching, to grooming, to saddling, to riding, to lunging, and everything after the ride. This will show you whether or not the horse is easy to catch, accepts grooming well (brushing, picking up feet), saddles calmly, and how he or she responds to a rider. I would suggest having the seller ride the horse before you, so you can see how the horse acts for him or her. Finally, it’s time for you to ride! Hopefully all goes well!
Prepurchase Vet Exam
The final thing you’re going to want to do is request a prepurchase exam of the horse. A prepurchase exam is basically a head-to-toe, full body exam of the horse you potentially want to buy. First, use your own vet. Do not let the seller pick the vet. This exam will help you decide whether or not the horse is healthy, and a good fit for you. Rather just asking the seller about the horse’s health, this brings in a third party who doesn’t know the horse and can give you an unbiased opinion. If the seller refuses, that’s a very good reason to not buy the horse. Personally, I would suspect the seller is hiding something by declining the exam. If the prepurchase exam goes well and the horse is a good fit, then the rest is up to you!
Hopefully all this information has been helpful and not too overwhelming! I would highly recommend doing all of these things before purchasing any horse, especially your first horse. I definitely missed some of these steps when I bought my first horse, but will not in the future. I hope my suggestions help you in your journey to find yours! Happy horse shopping!