subject: Horse Shopping [print this page] Horse Shopping Horse Shopping
The first things you need to know when you begin shopping for a horse is how good of a rider are you and how ready are you to care for and keep a horse. Make no mistake, you need to really be honest with yourself as this is a huge commitment. Ask yourself what size and age of horse would work best for you, as well.
Okay, you have just fallen in love with a flashy looking equine and now what? Slow down. What do you want to achieve and is this the horse for you? Which riding discipline or disciplines do you hope to pursue? Jumping? Reining? Western Pleasure? Dressage? Are you going to ride at all? You can get horses just to drive.
So, how is this horse's personality? Is he quiet, feisty, pushy, amenable, or grumpy? Whatever you do, avoid agressive, pushy horses if you are a beginner. If you are planning to just trail ride, don't buy an eventing horse.
If you don't have horse experience then do not buy a young horse and try to train it. If neither the horse nor the rider knows what they're doing, bad things will happen. Buying an untrained or hot-tempered horse can cost you and the horse in the long run with injuries to you, your horse, or both.
It's always a good idea to have a trainer or more experienced friend or family member help you assess potential horses. Count on their knowledge and experience to avoind buying more horse than youre ready for. Such a person should also be willing and able to ride the horse to help determine its manner and temperament. If the current owner is riding the horse, and they insist you don't need to try the horse - run, don't walk as far away as you can, and keep looking.
It's important to take your time. Do not rush this process. Horse websites are filled with stories of heartbroken people who bought a horse too quickly. Learn from people's good and bad experiences to make yours as positive as possible. Buying and owning a horse can be one of the most exciting and rewarding things you've ever done - as long as you find a horse that fits your needs and is a good match for your abilities.
