| Want to know how to buy a horse? Finding the | | | | horse you should have a second visit. You should |
| perfect horse is not an easy task. Every | | | | visit again and have another ride. Feel free to visit |
| Equestrian have made some easy tips on how to | | | | the horse as many times as you like. Remember, |
| buy a horse. | | | | your the one who is buying! If all goes well and |
| I have been there and done it. Making that first | | | | you like the horse the best advice is to "sleep on |
| step to purchasing a horse can be a bit nail biting. | | | | it". Don't just accept the horse and hand over the |
| I have listed a few suggestions that might help | | | | money. On the second visit, maybe try |
| you out when getting ready to purchase a horse. | | | | negotiating the price. |
| Things you should ask the owner: | | | | Final steps in purchasing: |
| - Confirm the information you see in the ad; age, | | | | - Tell the owner if you want to buy and negotiate |
| height, color, breed etc | | | | on pricing. The most important first step in buying |
| - The horse's history and breeding | | | | a horse is to getting a vet check. Having a vet |
| - Ask if the horse has show experience and if so | | | | check is a must, you never know what kind of |
| how much experience (show results)? | | | | problems you could be dealing with down the |
| - What is the medical history? | | | | road. If the vet approves the horses overall |
| - How well the horse travels | | | | health you can then proceed to taking your |
| - Any vices or bad habits (kicking, bucking, biting, | | | | dream horse home. |
| spooking, and cribbing) | | | | - Find out what the horse has been fed. If you |
| - Reason for sale | | | | are going to change the horse's diet you should |
| - Ask as many questions as possible to avoid | | | | change the diet slowly over a week or two. |
| wasted trips to view unsuitable horses. | | | | - Insure the horse before you transport him. |
| Visit the horse at least twice: | | | | - Prepare a safe area, either a stall or a paddock. |
| On your first visit you should arrive a little earlier | | | | Get any basic equipment for feeding, grooming, |
| than scheduled to catch a glimpse of what the | | | | traveling and blankets for the winter. |
| horse's environment is like and what the horse's | | | | - Find a way to transport your horse to your |
| behavior is like. You should come with your | | | | horse's new home. If you don't have a trailer you |
| instructor or an experienced friend. Typically the | | | | can hire someone to trailer your horse. |
| owner or your instructor will test ride the horse | | | | - Allow your horse to settle in peacefully, and be |
| first to see if it is safe and worth your time. | | | | careful introducing it to new horses. |
| After you have ridden and decided if you like the | | | | |