Buying a horse takes a lot of money and time, and it's not easy to own one.There are a lot of pitfalls that can appear when buying a horse.Understanding how to buy and vet a horse is important.You are starting your relationship in a positive way when you buy a horse that is clear and fair.
Step 1: You should spend time with horses.
You should have experience interacting with horses and knowledge of their care if you want to buy a horse.Basic horse health and equine first aid should be included.Before buying a horse, most people have experience riding horses and caring for them.You can volunteer to work at a stable if you want more experience.You can get to know horses better and give back at the same time by volunteering at rescues and riding for the disabled.You can get a better idea of what owning horses is like by working with horses.You can shadow people who own horses to see what it's like to care for a horse.Local laws concerning horses should be included in your knowledge of them.There are local taxes on livestock that can reproduce and fire code laws for stables.
Step 2: There is a network of horse people.
Find and learn about boarding facilities, tack shops, feed stores, farmers that produce hay, vets, and farriers in your area and where the nearest equine hospital and horse ambulance service is.A horse goes through 2% of its body weight in hay daily, so make sure you have access to several hay suppliers.Ask your horse friends where they buy their hay.Check the quality of their hay while you are there.Hay bales should be heavy and dry.You should get the contact information of multiple farriers if your regular one is busy.Don't bother your farriers while they're working.Wait for your horse to arrive in cross ties.Find a vet.One that knows what they are talking about is a good choice.They should explain to you how to keep your horse healthy.Should psychological or training issues arise, you may want to get in touch with a trainer who can help.You can locate and visit your local tack and feed stores, as you will be visiting these frequently to get supplies and make more equine contacts.
Step 3: The cost of a horse and its upkeep is calculated.
You need to take all costs into account in order to determine if you can afford a horse.The general cost is usually between $2500 and $4000 per year.Price out all aspects of care and consider the overall cost of these factors.
Step 4: If you want to buy a horse, consider other options.
There are options when it comes to getting a horse.You can borrow a horse.You can lease a horse or share one with someone else.You can volunteer at a horse rescue if you want to spend time with horses.Loans can be long or short term.Before you take the horse, you need to agree on the length of the loan with the owner.Sharing a horse involves caring and riding for part of the week, as well as making a financial contribution to the horse's upkeep and veterinary bills.A signed contract, a monthly fee, and a commitment of your time are required for a horse lease.A leased horse will usually stay at the leaser's place and be ridden, fed, and cared for.Some are long term and others are short.
Step 5: You should find a suitable place to keep your horse.
If you don't own land and are unsure of the local boarding facilities, look for ads in local papers, equestrian magazines and on the internet.There are tack shops and riding schools nearby.Ask them to recommend another yard if there are no spaces in the stable.It's cheaper to keep a horse on your own land, but it requires a bigger commitment of time and effort.No one else will be able to handle the horse without your knowledge.It takes quite a bit of space to keep a horse at home.If you want to keep a horse on the land, you should have several acres.This will allow you enough space for horses.Ideally, you should be able to keep more than one horse on your property, as horses are herd animals and do best when they aren't by themselves.You don't need to own two horses.You can board horses for other people.
Step 6: Take a look at boarding facilities.
Ask about hours, cost, feeding schedule, and what you'll be expected to do.You'll have to feed and water your horse if it's rough board.All you have to do is pay.A boarding facility that can meet your horse's needs is a good choice.Your needs are in a comfortable environment.Horses only sleep for two hours a day.If they choose, keep them in pasture with free access to their stall.If you like it, you can secure a space at the boarding facility.Good yards tend to fill fast because spaces are rarely available.To reserve a space until your horse arrives, be prepared to pay a weekly/monthly fee.Ask the facility if they have a work-share program.The barn is where you work a few days a week in exchange for money off your board or perks.This usually involves feeding the horses or mucking out stalls.
Step 7: A knowledgeable horse-loving friend is a good person to ask for help with.
A friend with experience with horses should be able to help you find resources and learn what to do when buying a horse.It's great if your friend can give you advice on buying a horse and the training world of horses.Asking this friend to help you during the buying process is a good idea.They should accompany you to your appointments as an extra set of eyes and ears so that they can pick up on things you may not be aware of.
Step 8: You should get the word out that you are looking for a horse.
Let your friends know that you're looking for a horse.Tell people about vets and tack shop owners.You can tell your instructor and employees at the stables you frequent.These people may be able to help you try out some of the horses that are coming up for sale.A recommendation from a friend can help your case if the owner is most concerned about having a loving home.People who work with horses tend to have a lot of contact with various horse owners, so they are often the first ones to learn about available horses in their area.There are sales ads in equine veterinary offices, boarding stables, and tack stores.Ask an employee where they are if you don't see any posted.It's a good idea to let your friends know you're looking for a horse.Finding the right horse isn't easy.It's better to find the right fit sooner rather than later.You will need to find a horse that is the right size for you and that you can handle it.
Step 9: There are horse ads in magazines and on the internet.
advertisement for horses for sale if you haven't found any potential horses through word of mouthBuying from a sale or auction without the services of a professional is not a good idea for first-time owners.Contact information of farm animals, including horses, that need new homes can be provided by animals shelters.It's a good idea to be cautious of a "free horse" online.A horse is not always free.It might have expensive health problems.The horse should be examined by a vet for illness, injury, and age.You can see how it works if the owner handles it for you.
Step 10: A horse dealer can be contacted.
Horse dealers buy and sell horses.If you want to find horse dealers in your area, you can either do an online search or ask for recommendations at your local stables or tack shops.Horse dealers have a reputation for not being the best people to buy horses from, as they can be very motivated to sell horses that don't fit a client's exact needs.They are legitimate business people who can connect you with a horse.If you choose to use a dealer, make sure you take control of the horse you purchase.Not all dealers have the best interests of the horse in mind.If you're unhappy with anything, walk away from the dealers.
Step 11: Find someone who is a breeder.
If you want a young horse or a horse with good breeding, you can go through a breeder.Ask the horse professionals that you interact with.Talk to potential breeders about their breeding policies and ideals.If you're an inexperienced rider, a new horse may not be right for you.The saying goes that new riders need old riders.There are some horse breeders that are not trustworthy.If you want to avoid dealing with this type of breeder, make sure to get recommendations from past clients and ask about the breeder's reputation with horse professionals that you trust.It is helpful to be able to see a foal from a breeder at a young age to observe their personality and how they have grown.
Step 12: Find a horse with the right riding level.
A great horse for new riders is the average family horse.If you're not experienced in training horses, don't buy a green or untrained horse.Don't buy a thoroughbred horse if you're not going to work with it and ride it all the time.There are many types of horses and one that is right for you.Don't buy the wrong horse because you've not found the perfect one yet.Wait for the right horse and take your time.
Step 13: To ask the owner, make a list.
To get all the information you need, you should make a list of things to ask sellers.Don't forget to ask the following: Confirmation of everything in the advertisement: age, height, color, breed, etc.There is history and breeding.Medical history and competition.There is a reason for sale.Bad habits and vices include biting, kicking, bucking and cribbing.The horse is being managed.There are any security markings and registration for breed societies.If tack can be bought cheaply from the current owner.The horse is moving.What amount of training does he/she have?
Step 14: Contact the owner of the horse you are interested in.
Avoid wasted trips to unsuitable horses by asking many questions.If the owners don't allow you to view the horse with a professional, you should walk away.Chances are there is something wrong with the horse.If the owner's claims of wins are credible, check with the competition bodies.If you're wary of the owner really owning the horse, you can check the security marks on it to see if it was stolen.There are databases for horses that have been stolen.If you feel inclined, check them.
Step 15: It is a good idea to visit a horse a few times.
Arrive a little early on your first visit.You can see the horse caught and handled.Depending on what you want to do with the horse, ask to see it in different situations.Look at the horse canter, gallop, and follow its rider's commands.Before viewing, ask the owner to ride the horse.Do not ride the horse if the owner won't ride.If you think the horse is worth a second visit, take an experienced friend or professional with you.Someone who knows your level of riding is preferred.You should be prepared to pay for the time of a professional.If the agreement includes the horse's tack, make sure to inspect it.
Step 16: Time to think about a horse.
It's important to give yourself time to assess whether a horse will work for you.Consider the pros and cons of each horse.Accept the first horse you meet and give the money is not a good idea.Don't choose a horse just because it's cheap.A problem horse will cost more in the long run than a beginner horse.Less attractive horses, such as those with superficial scars or growths, and horses of a less popular color and part, are often cheaper while still being suitable for beginner riders.Think about what a horse will look like five years from now.The purchase is more about the many years you will spend together than it is about today and tomorrow.
Step 17: If you can get the horse on a trial, then ask.
It's a lot easier to buy a horse if you spend some quality time with it.You can ride the horse for two weeks and keep it at your house to see how it performs.Discuss borrowing the horse from the owner.You may be able to compromise on time and location for the trial run.A one or two week term is what most trials are.Some can be more than a month.You are responsible for the horse in this time.Write a legal agreement for having the horse on trial.If the horse becomes sick or injured, what will happen if you don't take care of him, and what activities he should be used for, be included.Also include the owner's signatures.
Step 18: Negotiating to buy the horse.
If you want to buy the horse, tell the owner.Agree on a price and ask for a deposit to secure the horse.The horse will not be looked at by other potential buyers.The deposit is usually 10% to 20% of the price.The average cost of a well-trained horse is between $3,000 and $6,000.If the seller will take 10% - 20% under the asking price, be prepared to pay the selling price.It is possible to pay in cash and all at once, instead of in payments.
Step 19: The owner might give you tack.
Buying tack that you know fits the horse will save you time and energy, even if you are asked to pay for it.Many horse owners are more willing to give you tack and equipment than to lower the price.If you have a knowledgeable horse professional check the tack on the horse first to see if it fits.
Step 20: A vet will assess the horse.
Before you pay the entire sale price, you should have a vet check the horse.The veterinary visit will cost you between $300 and $600, but it can save you from buying a horse that can never perform how you want or that has an expensive health condition.It's a good idea to make sure the horse is in good shape before you pay for it.Most insurance companies demand a health certificate before they will insure a horse, so a veterinary assessment is important.
Step 21: Pay for the horse.
The seller should be paid in full and sign the bill of sale.Make arrangements for future payments if you are paying the seller in installments.You own your new horse when all is said and done.All the papers associated with the sale should be kept in a safe place.If you want to sell the horse yourself or if you need to establish ownership, they are important.
Step 22: The horse will be transported to its new home.
A riding instructor or horse friend will haul your horse for you.If you have a trailer, you can haul the horse yourself.If your driving license endorsements work for hauling a horse trailer, you should review local law to make sure.Many states will require a negative Coggins test and brand inspection before allowing you to cross their border.This test is used to make sure that your horse doesn't have infectious anemia.Before transportation, make sure the horse is insured.In case of an accident or a problem with the horse, this is definitely advised.