| In shopping for a horse there are a few basic | | | | of the horse to load the horse in the trailer |
| rules to meet success. Do yourself a favor | | | | just to see how the horse responds. Pick up |
| and read this guideline if you want a smooth | | | | the horses feet. Lead the horse around at a |
| transition into your next purchase of an | | | | jog to see how they respond. Then if your |
| equine. All buyers interested in horses are | | | | comfortable take a ride yourself, but wear a |
| interested for different reasons. The most | | | | helmet. Have a friend video tape it and if |
| important thing you can do for yourself is | | | | your concerned about anything take the tape |
| know yourself. Knowing yourself will | | | | to a respected trainer and ask them what they |
| ultimately lead you to understand what you | | | | see. Suggestions they might have? |
| need to aim for in finding the "right" horse. | | | | |
| For instance, if you have never owned a horse | | | | 5) Ask for vet check. It is worth the |
| before don't buy a untrained horse or a young | | | | investment. If you buy a horse and it ends up |
| one for that matter. The market right now is | | | | lame in a week your "new" horse won't be |
| such that you can find a well broke | | | | worth as much as you paid for it. Also it |
| experienced horse for a good price. Also | | | | will allow you to see if the previous owner |
| understand a horse will not train you, you | | | | has been up to date on teeth floating, |
| need to find someone to help you learn how to | | | | trimming, ect. It will also give you a little |
| become a good rider and a responsible horse | | | | time to really think about the decision your |
| owner. A well trained horse makes this | | | | about ready to make. If the horse passes with |
| transition a lot smoother if your new at | | | | flying colors I would recommend having the |
| being a horse owner. | | | | vet back out to give the horse it's vaccines |
| | | | and worming it before it's transported. You |
| Here are some steps to go by. | | | | will be responsible for the bill so be |
| | | | prepared for that. |
| 1) Figure out exactly what you want in a | | | | |
| horse. Figure out the breed your aiming for, | | | | 6) Ask the owner of the horse if they have |
| the level of training you want them to have, | | | | sold any other horses in the two years. If |
| their age, their past experience, mare or | | | | they have get the name of the buyer and call |
| gelding, and what you want to do in the | | | | them to see if their transaction was |
| future with this companion. If you are buying | | | | positive. Ask if the owner was honest about |
| your ten year old daughter a pony will the | | | | the horse. |
| pony still fit her in four years? Will she be | | | | |
| able to compete with her like friends when | | | | 7) If everything lines up then this is the |
| they all have quarter horses? What is in her | | | | one. I might wait a few weeks to make sure |
| best interest now and in the future. | | | | the vaccine becomes active and then it's time |
| | | | for safe transport. |
| 2) Start looking around to see what meets | | | | |
| this description. Look locally, look on the | | | | 8) Prior to pick up ask if the horse comes |
| Internet, ask a local barn that specializing | | | | with anything. A records book? A halter (do |
| in your area of interests. | | | | you need to bring your own), a blanket, |
| | | | anything? So you are prepared when it's time |
| 3) Once you find a prospect start asking | | | | to pick the horse up. |
| questions. Lots of questions. Past history, | | | | |
| vet check-ups, how they do in a trailer, how | | | | 9) Once your horse has been purchased. Ask |
| do they respond to a bath and most | | | | for all their vet records. If their vet has |
| importantly how often is this horse worked | | | | them ask for a waver so you can access them |
| with? How do they respond to vaccines? What | | | | today and in the future. |
| do they feed him or her? Are they in a | | | | |
| pasture, a stall, a horse facility. What do | | | | 10) Have the owner fill out a bill of sale |
| they do when they are in a stressful | | | | and get a signature and date. Head on down |
| situation? Bring a friend that is horse savvy | | | | the road. You got yourself a pony! |
| with you. This is important, because it will | | | | |
| give you a different perspective. | | | | Understand that you can not predict |
| | | | everything when you buy a horse. That you |
| 4) Make the owner ride the horse first and | | | | can only do as much as you can to ensure that |
| watch how the horse responds and how the | | | | you made the most knowledgeable decision |
| owner complies with the horse. Ask the owner | | | | possible. |