Horse for Sale – 42 Questions You Must Ask Before Buying a Horse

 Buying a horse, especially a horse on sale can be seen as an opportunity to save. However, despite the opportunity to shave hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, buying a horse is an emotional and financial commitment. As such, you must make a wise decision, because it is very easy to fall in love with a good-looking horse, only to have buyer's remorse later. 

So before you get ahead of yourself and whip out your checkbook, here are some important questions to ask taking that leap;




Finding the Right Horse

A trainer is a great resource to help you narrow down your requirements. But if you don’t have that luxury, here are some questions to guide your choice;

  1. Is it a stallion, mare, or gelding? How about the breed?

  2. What is the age? How tall?

  3. What is the general temperament?

  4. Who rode the horse and for what purpose?

  5. What rider experience is the horse suited for?

  6. How much is the going price? Is it fixed or negotiable?

Before the Initial Visit

AS your search for a horse intensifies and you see the horse you fancy, the next step is for you to schedule a time to see the horse in person. This allows you to ride the horse. Before scheduling a visit, here are some questions to ask;

  1. Where is the current location of the horse?

  2. Can I or my trainer test ride the horse?

  3. Is there an enclosed area or safe space where I can test ride the horse? If not, where can we test the horse?

  4. Is there a well-fitting tack that we can use?

  5. Can I review the horse’s medical records?

  6. Can you hold the horse for me to complete a medical examination with my vet?

History

Buying a horse is like purchasing a used car, so you take what the seller says with a pinch of salt. You want to know the history of the horse. When asking these questions, watch out for red flags, and if the seller doesn’t have the right information for you, walk away.

  1. How long have you owned the horse?

  2. Who were the previous owners?

  3. What is the history of the horse?

  4. Why are you selling the horse?

  5. Is the horse registered? Can I see the registration papers?




Personality

The personality of the horse will determine if you will enjoy your purchase or if it will just be another horse. The horse’s personality will also determine your riding experience, so ensure to ask the following questions;

  1. How would you describe the horse?

  2. Is the horse friendly?

  3. Is the horse submissive or dominant?

  4. Does the horse have any vices?

  5. How is the horse with grooming?

  6. Does the horse have a history of violence? Like kicking, bucking, or biting?

The Health of the Horse

The future health of the horse is out of your control, but you can fully understand the medical history and current health status of the horse, so you can be prepared and know what you are getting yourself into. Asking the right questions will save you from heartache and unexpected medical expenses or worse, you can’t ride the horse

  1. When was the horse last examined by a vet?

  2. What is the medical history?

  3. How often is the horse dewormed?

  4. Does the horse have any known health issues?

  5. Has the horse ever had colic?

  6. Is there a history of being lame?

  7. Can my vet perform a pre-purchase exam?

  8. Does the horse get regular dental care?

  9. Does the horse have any issues with their feet?

Showing/Riding

The horse you want to purchase must meet your riding requirements and experience, so ensure that you check out for those things. Some things to look out for are;

  1. Does the horse stand well for grooming?

  2. Does the horse take its bit easily?

  3. Does the horse stand still for mounting?

  4. What kind of rider will be a good fit for the horse?

  5. Is there anything the horse responds poorly to?

  6. Is the horse alert?

Care and Feeding

If you are seriously considering the horse, the next thing you want to learn about is its care and diet. This will help you understand how much time and money you will be spending on their care

  1. What is the current routine?

  2. What does the horse eat?

  3. Does the horse have any allergies?

  4. How well does the horse respond to a new environment?

Although these questions are not exhaustive, they will provide the basic background and insight you need to ensure you don’t regret your purchase.

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