Top Five Horse Buying Mistakes (By Iian)

Top Five Horse Buying Mistakes

Published January 2, 2013 | By Iain

Top Five Horse Buying Mistakes

Equine Purchasing , www.USAHorseSource.com

Purchasing a horse for the first time is undeniably an exciting experience. It’s so easy to get carried away … who wouldn’t fall in love with that big set of soft brown eyes? It doesn’t matter that the horse batting them is not what you would consider as the best beginner horse. However, buying the wrong horse can put you at risk or can ruin the fun of horseback riding. You can skirt these situations by learning how to avoid the top mistakes that new horse buyers make.

1. Buying an untrained horse.
Many experienced horsemen and women will tell you they see this too often. Because untrained horses are often less expensive, or for whatever other whim, beginning riders often choose untrained horses. Don’t buy a horse you plan to train yourself or plan to send to a trainer. Training can take months. It can be dangerous if not done right. Young or inexperienced mature horses are not reliable. Beginners will be safer and happier with a horse they can enjoy the moment it descends the trailer.
2. Turning down older horses.
An older horse, which has seen the world, makes a great first-time beginner horse. Beginners might shy away from a horse into their late teens and twenties. But many healthy, sound horses can be ridden well into their senior years. In fact, light daily exercise, such as a quiet hack or drive may be beneficial to both horse and rider/driver.
3. Buying a young horse for their children to ‘grow up with’.
This is a romantic notion, but the reality is that young horses and young beginner riders or drivers are not a safe mix. Buy your kids a mature, well-trained horse they can saddle or harness up the same day you bring it home. Buy a horse that knows how to handle itself when all the scary aspects of the world present themselves, because a young beginner won’t know how. On an older, well-trained horse or pony kids will learn and have fun in greater safety.
4. Buying at auction.
It takes a keen eye to pull a good horse out of an auction. Horses can appear docile at auction because they are so confused that they ‘freeze’. Horses can be drugged to make them look calm or healthy. I know about a pony, which several days after being brought home, showed all the symptoms of ‘heaves’, similar to emphysema in humans. The indicators had been masked by strong drugs. The new owner faced constant expense helping the pony breathe more easily.
5. Impulse buying.
I have to admit I am as guilty of this as any beginner, and I should know better. Don’t buy a horse on first sight. Try the horse out, then try it again, and ask lots of questions. Go home and think about it for a few days. Look at other horses besides the one you’re smitten with and make comparisons. Be absolutely sure you’ve chosen the horse most suitable for you.
It would be very wise to enlist the help of a professional horseman when selecting your horse. This, of course, will not be a free service … but it could be the best money spent in your quest for your first horse, and all the wonderful adventures awaiting you and your new best friend.