Horses For Sale Are Growing In Number

The number of horses for sale has grown in size

, largely due to economic slow down. Owners simply cannot afford to keep these expensive animals. Many horses end up in shelters simply because their owners can no longer afford to keep them. Even high-priced and well-trained show horses are selling for a small amount of what they used to sell for.

Horses in every breed, and trained for any riding style, can easily be found. Price levels vary widely as well. Individuals must still be very cautious when purchasing this type of animal. It is an investment of sorts. Numerous issues should be considered during the decision process. In addition, many different sales sources are available to assist the buyer in finding the right horse.

A potential buyer should decide specifically what he or she intends to use the horse for. This streamlines the purchase process, making it easier to select the right animal. Most horses cannot be utilized for all purposes, simply because they lack the training. Their body type may only be suited for specific uses. For example, a draft horse would not be effective at herding cattle. A thoroughbred racehorse fresh from the race track would not make a good child's horse.

There are a multitude of resources for finding a horse. Many websites exist that list horses for sale, across riding disciplines, by breed, and by geographic location. Most of these sites reach a worldwide pool of buyers and sellers. Most sites allow the seller to upload photos, which really helps the buyer narrow down the list of possible candidates for purchase. The potential buyer can usually sort prospects by price, breed or riding discipline. This is an excellent way to find horses quickly, do preliminary research on just what is available, as well as determine corresponding price ranges.

Buyers can find horses using more conventional methods as well. Horses usually sell at auctions for greatly reduced rates. One should be careful purchasing from this type of resource. Breeders and trainers are excellent sources. Breed associations usually have newsletters or magazines with classified sections. Breeders are listed, and usually sell horses they breed and raise. Trainers may or may not have horses for sale, but always have leads on animals for sale within the horse community.

Regardless of the method of locating a prospect, it is very important to ride or at least visit the horse multiple times. This provides a better understanding of the horse's temperament and level of training. Get a second opinion. Bring a trusted friend, colleague or trainer to see the horse. If possible, have this individual ride the horse as well. Trainers usually charge a small commission if a horse is purchased. The cost is well worth it to ensure that a suitable mount is identified.

It is a good idea to have the horse examined by a licensed veterinarian before completing the purchase. A thorough stress test should be included in the examination. The value of x-rays is somewhat controversial, however. Some believe x-rays are necessary to verify whether a horse has a developing lameness issue. Others do not think x-rays provide any value. They are believed to erroneously indicate a problem when none exist.

A variety of resources are available for finding horses for sale. A search is usually more comprehensive when one is looking for a more expensive animal for high level competition, or an animal necessary for a specialised discipline. Regardless of the type of horse one is looking for, it is a good idea to do thorough research, and tap on more than one resource to find that perfect horse.

by: Melanie Scott

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