| I have made the mistake, more than once, of buying a | | | | than it is worth, when you decide to sell it. Any way |
| horse without having a price range in mind. That | | | | you look at it, you are going to lose money. For this |
| means how much I plan to pay for a horse, as well as | | | | reason it is very important that you figure out the |
| how much that horse is worth. There are a number of | | | | market value of the horse before you buy. |
| things that determine the value of a horse. They | | | | Keep in mind that all horses are different and the price |
| include age, breeding, training, performance history, | | | | range you get for a horse is just that, a range. The |
| usability, level of soundness, etc... | | | | individual qualities of a horse will be what determines |
| On this point of the purchase, it is important that you | | | | the ultimate price. This is where YOUR price range |
| do your research diligently. Try to find out prices of | | | | comes into play. You must know the maximum you |
| horses in your area with similar breeding, training, | | | | are willing to pay regardless of how much you like a |
| performance history, etc... Where horses are priced is | | | | horse. |
| not as important as what buyers are paying. Try to | | | | Also, if you are in the market for a horse that children |
| talk to people in your area who have recently | | | | will be riding, you need to plan to spend more to get a |
| purchased to see if they will give you a range of what | | | | horse that is safe, quiet, and eager to put up with a |
| they paid for their horse. This is a step I have skipped | | | | child. I have had horses that visibly prefer a youth rider, |
| in the past, and it has come back to haunt me when | | | | almost as if they are protecting the child. We call these |
| needing to sell. | | | | horses "babysitters". That type of horse is difficult to |
| If you pay too much for a horse, chances are you will | | | | find and can be expensive. Invest in a GOOD HORSE |
| be upside down if you want or need to sell. This is no | | | | and a GOOD HELMET for your child. |
| different than buying a car and owing more for the car | | | | |