Basic Horse buying Tips to help you purchase the right horse.
1. Budget
Determine your budget and what discipline you are looking for in a horse. Budget is important as this will determine the type of horse you can purchase. Are you prepared to spend further money on training a newer, greener horse? An older horse is likely to better trained and will require less effort and training expense. It will also help you build experience where as a younger horse will require a more determine rider and possible training
Your reason for purchase will determine what type of horse you end up looking for.
2. Contact the seller
If you have time, consider sending an email to ask further queries or if the horse is still for sale. Not everyone read their emails regularly so for a quicker response you may be better phoning the advertiser. Make sure you verify price when you phone to ensure it has not changed.
3. The Horse's height
An average horse these days is approx 15 hh (hands high). Ponies are considered 14.2 hh or less. One hand is 4 inches. The correct way to measure the height of a horse is to place a tape yard or stick along side a front leg and measure from the ground to the highest point of the wither. If the size measured includes a .1 .2 or .3 then add an inch. So a 15.2 hh horse is 15 x 4 = 60 inches, plus 2inches, equals 62. The height of 15.4hh is incorrect as it would be 16hh.
4. Horse Registration
A horse’s registration and breeding are factors that affect its value. An un-registered horse is usually termed a ‘grade’ horse and often sells for less than a registered horse. A registered horse should include documentation that confirms the registration and this should be confirmed on the registration certificate. Registered horses generally are worth more than grade horses, unless it has a condition or history which restricts usage.
5. Why is the horse for sale?
There are many reasons as to why people sell a horse. Some reasons are genuine, others less. Be aware of why the horse might be for sale and keep an open mind. Consider how many past owners it has had. The horse may have been passed from owner to owner if it had behavioral or health problems. Reasons why people may sell a horse include:- financial difficulties, changes in family circumstances, eg the owner may be pregnant or may have outgrown the horse; the owner is changing location, or could be a breeder. Not all reasons are entirely genuine and it is your duty to gather as much information as possible about the horse to make an informed decision.
6. Conformation and movement
A horse is determined to have good conformation when it is well proportioned. A well proportioned horse is better balanced, less prone to unsoundness and will be able to perform tasks easier. The head should be in proportion to its overall size; the neck long and curved; chest and body reasonably broad, hindquarters strong and muscular; forelegs straight and strong, pasterns of medium length and scope, forefeet rounded and matching and feet should point directly forwards.
The horse should move freely and in a coordinated action. Be alert for stumbling and tripping. Is the horse moving in a calm manner or is it on its toes and ready to speed up with little signal from the rider
7. Temperament and habits
Does the horse have any bad habits? What is it like around people? Would you like a horse that is a pleasure to be around or a pain? Ask these questions to the seller and you will gain a better idea of its personality.
Ask the seller if the horse has any vices or bad habits. Striking, Charging, kicking, biting and bucking are often aggressive vices. Ask what the horse is like around other horses. In large groups?
8. Consider having a vet check or a farrier check the horse
9. Ask about health and injuries. Has it been well cared for?
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