subject: The Ultimate Horse Buyer's Guide [print this page] The Ultimate Horse Buyer's Guide The Ultimate Horse Buyer's Guide
In the war between heart and head, too often the heart wins. Although amusing, this story is true of many who buy a new horse. Here are a few suggestions to help you with the buying process.
One day a man passed by a farm and saw a beautiful horse. Hoping to buy the animal, he said to the farmer: "I think your horse looks pretty good, so I'll give you $500 for him." "He doesn't look so good, and he's not for sale," the farmer said. The man insisted, "I think he looks just fine and I'll up the price to $1,000." "He doesn't look so good," the farmer said, "but if you want him that much, he's yours." The next day the man came back raging mad. He went up to the farmer and yelled, "You sold me a blind horse. You cheated me!" The farmer calmly replied, "I told you he didn't look so good, didn't I?"
In the war between heart and head, too often the heart wins. Although amusing, this story is true of many who buy a new horse. Here are a few suggestions to help you with the buying process.
BE HONEST!
Be honest with yourself. If you are not confident, take a more experienced friend or instructor to put the horse through its paces.
Explain to the seller your own equestrian experience. If you have had lessons at a riding school for 10 years, this does not make you an experienced horse owner.
HAVE A BUDGET
Think seriously about your budget before contacting the seller. It is frustrating for the seller to spend hours with a buyer who says they can't afford the price. If you need the seller to reduce the price by more than $500, be up front on the phone before seeing the horse.
Be realistic. If you are trying to find a bomb proof pony for under $2000 you will probably have to see hundreds to find one. And remember, if it looks too good to be true it probably is!
VIEWING
Make a list of everything you wish to see the horse do (i.e. jumping, schooling, floating, catching, tacking up) and be sure to tell the seller. See the horse in a variety of locations as a horse may behave beautifully in familiar surroundings, but play up away from home.
VET CHECK
We cannot stress this point enough - make sure you get your horse checked by a veterinarian! Vets know what to look for and provide an objective point of view; emotional purchases can be disasterous. Choose a vet who regularly does checks for the purpose of sale as vets who don't can be overly critical. Unfortunately, drugging horses for sale has become a problem in recent years, so a vet check is an excellent investment.
BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL
Be punctual, polite and respectful (this horse is someones pride and joy). If the horse is not right for you, tell the seller quickly and politely. And remember, the seller also needs to think you're right for their horse.
