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| Tips on buying your first horse (Spring 2005) |
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Buying a horse can be riddled with perils. There’s a checklist of characteristics and traits to look for and some to watch out for, and your ability to recognize both could mean the difference between finding your dream horse or getting taken for a ride.
Most horse sellers are honest and reputable. But the truth is, there are some who simply are not straightforward about the horse they are selling. It can be often difficult, especially for first-time buyers, to sort the facts from the fiction since there are all kinds of deceptive ways for a seller to hide ailments and bad habits from a potential buyer.
Do your homework
Avoiding the pitfalls takes knowing where to go, knowing exactly what you want, and getting some good, old-fashion horse advice, according to Geff and Dawn Dawson, who are horse-buying consultants near Alma, Kan. In the business of pairing good horses with happy owners, the ranching couple has helped many people, both privately and through informative lectures, with the sometimes arduous horse-buying process.
There are many places to find horses for sale, but be careful of the path you choose, warn the Dawsons. Buying a horse at a national or local horse auction can be a bit of a grab bag if you haven’t taken the time to investigate the horse prior to the auction. It’s easy to spend too much money on a substandard horse. Newspapers and bulletin boards are a quick way to find a horse, but it’s a good idea to bring along an experienced horse person to give you a second opinion. You may have little recourse should the horse prove to be a bad fit.
The best, well-trained horses are usually sold by word of mouth. Contact the stable where you ride or plan to keep the horse. Instructors, trainers, and horse breeders are other good sources, since they generally have a vested interest in seeing that you find a good match. Listings of different horse breeders in your area can be obtained from state and national breed associations found on the Web. Horse dealers are another option, but make sure they’re reputable, says Geff. “Although many dealers are honest,” he says, “some are in the business just for the buck.” Check their credentials with other horsemen who actually have purchased animals from them.
Stay clear of sellers who seem uncertain about the health and history of the horse or who are unwilling to share the information, warn the Dawsons. Before selling a horse to a client, the Dawsons make it a priority to own the horse first so that it can be handled and ridden for at least three months. “It takes a while to experience everything about a horse that really needs to be known about them,” says Dawn. “Some horse traders will mislead buyers into thinking that it’s a broke-to-death kid’s horse, and it’s never had a kid ride it. The truth is, they don’t have a clue what it does because they haven’t had it long enough.”
Another red flag to watch out for is a seller’s unwillingness to have you revisit the horse a second or third time before buying it, Dawn notes. First impressions are strongest and savvy sellers know that buyers often fall smitten to a freshly-groomed, primped steed. Be especially wary of the horse that is already saddled and warmed up. You’ll want to assess the horse’s manners when it’s fresh and unworked. Ask to come back a second, if not a third time. Watch closely for the horse’s reaction as it’s being caught, groomed, saddled, and ridden. Is he quiet or fidgety?
Take a test ride
Look for correctional equipment, such as martingales, tie downs, or drop nosebands that may signal a problem. Ask the seller to ride it first. Then don a helmet and take your turn, moving through all three gaits in each direction. Does it lug on the reins, toss its head, or move out willingly? Some sellers may even be willing to arrange a brief trial period of seven to 10 days, allowing for a more thorough “test drive.”
Finding an honest seller is important, but being honest with yourself is important, too. Finding the right horse requires being realistic about your current riding level and your riding goals, say the Dawsons. Riding is a team sport—of the horse and rider. It’s important to buy a horse that suits the temperament, style, and experience of the rider. A nervous, fearful rider should have a calm horse that will not react in kind. Untrained horses and green riders are ingredients for disaster. However, an experienced rider will want a more sensitive horse that responds quickly to slight leg and rein commands. As a rule, gelding and mares are better suited for recreational riding than stallions. Some people believe geldings are more dependable than mares, but there are as many good mares as geldings, says Dawn. She notes that some mares do tend to be more excitable, especially when in heat.
Also, consider what type of activity you want to do with your horse, say the Dawsons. Whatever the discipline—competitive or pleasure riding—buy a horse that already has the capability and skills unless you plan to fork out some cash to a trainer.
A second opinion
If you’re in doubt about your horse’s capabilities, personality, or current health, seek expert advice. Take along an experienced horseman who can more easily identify bad habits, conformation and health problems, and abstract traits like disposition. Paying an experienced horse person is a cheap investment compared to purchasing a horse that doesn’t work out when you get home.
If you find a horse you’re serious about, consider getting a pre-purchase examination by a qualified veterinarian. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, these exams reveal important information such as the horse’s age, general condition, internal and external parasites, and musculoskeletal problems, including conformation abnormalities and the condition of the feet.
The Horseman’s Council of Illinois and Southern Illinois University’s Equine Science Program also offers buyers important advice before clinching a deal. Put your entire agreement in writing, date it, and have the seller sign it. If the horse is registered, get all of the registry paperwork in order before closing the deal. Make sure that you get the horse’s original registration papers, and make sure they match the horse, along with a signed transfer that matches the name listed as current owner of the horse. Some states require proof that it doesn’t have equine infectious anemia. It’s also wise to obtain a copy of the horse’s health-maintenance records so you can keep its established schedule.
Remember, no horse is perfect. “If you’re willing to spend only $800, don’t expect to fulfill a long list of requirements,” Dawn says. To get the most of your purchase, refrain from demanding a specific color or breed. Instead, focus on getting a horse that’s healthy with a great disposition—and shop until you find it.
Don’t buy just good looks
A popular saying sums it up best: It costs as much to keep a good horse as it does a bad horse. So buy the best horse you can, but buy the horse most appropriate for your needs and from someone you trust. “A lot of people buy the first flashy horse that they look at, and that’s a mistake,” says Geff. Don’t let a fancy pedigree hide poor quality or disposition. “An older, super quiet, trustworthy horse is harder to find, but worth their weight in gold.”
Is a pony right for you?
Disposition, rather than size, should be the priority for your child’s first horse
One of the hardest horses to find is a safe, gentle steed that will build the riding confidence of your son or daughter. Some parents automatically think that a pony’s small size makes it less intimidating and safer for their children. That may be true for some, but there are other important issues to first consider.
Disposition is key, regardless of the horse’s size, explains Geff and Dawn Dawson. Ponies have a well-earned reputation for biting, kicking, and other mischievous acts. Why? “If a pony doesn’t naturally have the right personality and good disposition, there’s going to be trouble ahead,” warns Dawn. “Most ponies don’t have adults riding them regularly, keeping their behavior in check.”
Kids can promote bad habits
Adding to the problem are young, inexperienced riders who unwittingly promote many unwanted behaviors. Ponies often get jerked in the mouth or handled inappropriately in other ways. And because they are not taken as seriously as larger equines, they often don’t get the same level of training, or retraining, as their full-size counterparts.
However, a well-trained, obedient pony may be easier to handle for the sheer sake of their size. They tend to consume less feed, too. But remember that ponies are more prone to hoof ailments like laminitis (founder) than larger horses, and they over-eat free-choice feed. For a pasture animal, a small horse may be a better option than a pony. If you’re looking at a pony, be sure to ask the seller if it has ever foundered. If you’re unsure, order a pre-purchase exam. A skilled veterinarian can often assess underlying or potential problems by analyzing the hoof growth and condition.
Size should not matter
When it comes to buying your child’s first horse, size shouldn’t be the determining factor, says Geff. “Safety should be your ‘number one’ goal when purchasing your child’s first horse.” If your child is an inexperienced rider, choose a quiet, older animal with a proven track record. A pony or horse that is 15 to 20 years old is not considered too old, especially for a first horse. And it’s not out of the realm of possibility that a child may outgrow an older pony long before the animal is ready for retirement.
Still unsure?
Consider leasing. It offers all the benefits of horse ownership without the liability and large initial expense—especially if you think your child’s horse craze is just a passing fancy. You also won’t be saddled with a horse that has pre-existing problems or a pony your older child may quickly outgrow.
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