WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING A HORSE

Buying a horse can be both an exciting and nerve wracking exercise. Everyone has heard about the costs that can be involved when a horse has a serious problem so here are a few checkpoints you should think of before you buy:

1. Buy a horse appropriate to your skill level.

If for example this is your first horse then avoid a ‘Project Horse’. This is all about having fun and having a horse that does what you want it to do it vital to your enjoyment.

2. Buy privately or from a reputable dealer that you has been recommended to you.

There are many places to look for a horse (just type ‘horses for sale’ into Google!), but I would suggest phoning a friend or riding school to ask of they know a good place to buy a horse. While your dream horse may not be the first horse you look at, the more you see the quicker you will get a gauge of what you want and don’t want in a horse.

3 Check horses passport

Is is law that every horse over 6 months of age, have a passport. This book will have the horse’s name, age, breed and will list all vaccinations that horse has had in its life. It may also list all medications that have been given to the horse.

4. Get your horse ‘Vetted’

This is the most important piece of advice I can give you. Get your horse checked by a professional. But always remember, the purchase of any horse involves you taking a risk. No horse is risk free and at best, your vet can aim to identify, assess and attempt to quantify that risk for you so that you can come to an informed decision as to whether or not to proceed with your intended purchase.

5. Get a receipt

Always get a receipt as this is proof of ownership. A passport is NOT proof of ownership.

6. Consider a trial period

Trying before you buy is vital and buying a horse from a picture can be very hit and miss. Try the horse a few times and perhaps even ask about having the horse on trial to see how it ‘fits’ with you and your life. But remember to find out ‘who pays for what’ if you need to call a vet. 7. Ask about the seller return policy

Things don’t always work out so finding this out can save arguments later. Will you get your money back?

8. Horse are expensive!

Do not under estimate the cost of keeping a horse. Farriery alone can cost £500-750year and that without the emergency problems that need to be dealt with by your vet.

Have fun.