| Trained versus Untrained Horses | | | | training contract at an economical level, trainers may |
| For most people (e.g. excluding large breeders, horse | | | | rush the training or under-estimate the amount required. |
| dealers and such), it is usually best that you purchase a | | | | If this occurs, at best you end up with an incompletely |
| horse which is already trained to the level you will be | | | | trained horse and at worse a horse which has been |
| using the horse at. If you will be using the horse for | | | | mis-trained, resulting in undesirable behaviors. |
| basic riding it should be trained to this level | | | | Feel. Two horses, trained in exactly the same way, will |
| pre-purchase; if you are using it for advanced riding | | | | provide a different riding experience due to individual |
| then you should buy a horse that is trained to the | | | | differences. Horses differ due to breed, build, training |
| advanced level. If you are using it for show jumping, it | | | | and individual genetics. Consequently, how comfortable |
| should already be trained for show jumping. | | | | you will be riding a horse is more predictable with an |
| Of course, one can purchase an untrained horse or a | | | | already trained horse than with an untrained one. |
| partly trained horse. Such a horse will be less | | | | Health Examination. A trained horse is easier to |
| expensive to buy. Also, you can instruct a trainer on | | | | evaluate for injuries or other defects as one can ride it |
| exactly how you want the horse trained, and you can | | | | and one can watch it carefully while being ridden in |
| have the experience and pleasure of participating in | | | | each gait. Although one can examine an untrained |
| this. However, against these advantages, there are a | | | | horse, the examination by necessity is less complete. |
| number of disadvantages: | | | | Because of these factors, buying an already trained |
| Training Costs. The cost of training will be in addition to | | | | horse is often less expensive, less risky and less |
| the cost of the horse. To begin with, there are the | | | | stressful than buying an untrained or partly trained |
| costs of the trainer. In some cases the trainer will | | | | horse and then having it trained up. |
| come to you but if not, you will need to transport the | | | | You should not try to train a horse yourself, unless you |
| horse to the trainer or stable the horse with the trainer, | | | | are a professional horse trainer or working under the |
| either of which will be additional costs. Due to individual | | | | complete supervision of a professional horse trainer. |
| differences, it can be difficult to state precisely how | | | | When non-professionals train horses, the horse will |
| much it will cost to train a horse, but such costs are | | | | almost certainly pick up bad habits and behaviors |
| frequently (one could even say 'usually') | | | | (which are very time consuming and expensive to |
| under-estimated. It is often the case that when one | | | | correct), as well as the risk of accidental injury to the |
| adds in all the final costs of training, it would have been | | | | novice trainer. |
| less expensive to have purchased an already trained | | | | You should also be wary of buying a partly trained |
| horse. | | | | horse based on the seller's commitment to fully train it. |
| Accidents. Occasionally there are accidents during | | | | Having made the sale, many sellers will rush the training |
| training, even with good trainers, especially during early | | | | and cut corners, in order to minimize their costs and |
| training when the horse is less predictable. Even in the | | | | receive payment as soon as possible. One should only |
| case of minor accidents, there may be vet costs. | | | | make a purchase commitment when the horse is fully |
| Mis-Training. Trainers vary both in terms of approach | | | | trained and you have ridden it to ensure that you are |
| and in quality. Furthermore, in order to secure the | | | | completely satisfied with the result. |