| The number of horses for sale has grown in size, | | | | Breeders and trainers are also very good resources. |
| largely due to economic slow down. Owners simply | | | | Breeders usually sell the animals that they have bred |
| cannot afford to keep these expensive animals. Many | | | | and raised. Trainers may or may not be in the |
| horses end up in shelters simply because their owners | | | | business of selling horses, but have a lot of |
| can no longer afford to keep them. Even high-priced | | | | connections to sellers in the horse world. Breed |
| and well-trained show horses are selling for a small | | | | associations usually list horses for sale in the classified |
| amount of what they used to sell for. | | | | sections of their newsletters or magazines. |
| Horses are available in every breed, riding discipline and | | | | If a buyer is seriously considering purchasing a horse, |
| price level. Owning a horse should be considered a | | | | he or she should try to ride him a few different times. |
| long-term investment. Buyers should be careful when | | | | This way the buyer can get a clear picture of the |
| making this type of investment. There are many | | | | animal\'s demeanor, and the amount of training the |
| factors to consider before purchasing. There are a | | | | horse has had. A second opinion from a trusted |
| variety of different sources a person can utilise to find | | | | individual is very valuable. Try to have this person ride |
| the right horse. | | | | the mare, gelding or stallion you are considering. A |
| A potential buyer should decide specifically what he or | | | | trainer may charge a small fee for assisting in the |
| she intends to use the horse for. This streamlines the | | | | search, but it is worth paying for. |
| purchase process, making it easier to select the right | | | | Veterinary examinations are usually recommended. |
| animal. Most horses cannot be utilized for all purposes, | | | | However the effectiveness of such an examination is |
| simply because they lack the training. Their body type | | | | somewhat controversial. Nevertheless, a complete |
| may only be suited for specific uses. For example, a | | | | stress test should be conducted. This helps to identify |
| draft horse would not be effective at herding cattle. A | | | | lameness issues. Some people believe that x-rays |
| thoroughbred racehorse fresh from the race track | | | | should be included in the exam, to thoroughly screen |
| would not make a good child\'s horse. | | | | for any lameness issues. On the other hand, x-rays in |
| There is a huge variety of resources available to | | | | older horses will usually show some sort of bone |
| buyers for locating a suitable horse. A large amount of | | | | abnormality that may or may not cause lameness in |
| websites specialize in listing sale horses for any riding | | | | the future. |
| discipline, all breeds and locations. Sellers can upload | | | | A pre-purchase veterinary exam is recommended. |
| photos on the site. The buyer can usually sort sales | | | | This should include a complete stress test to rule out |
| lists by price, breed, or geographic location. Most show | | | | lameness. Some people like to have x-rays taken, but |
| sale horses all over the world. | | | | the efficacy of performing such a procedure is |
| More traditional search methods also exist. Auctions | | | | somewhat questionable. Certain individuals feel that |
| usually sell horses at bargain prices, and are held on a | | | | x-rays are necessary to determine if there are any |
| regular basis. Horses should be purchased at auction | | | | developing leg abnormalities. Others feel x-rays may |
| only by those with extensive horse knowledge. | | | | falsely reveal issues that really are not problems. |