| Buying a horse can be a very time consuming | | | | When you seek out professional advice, pay for it and |
| endeavor, with all the different horse breeds and skills | | | | then listen to it! When your instructor or veterinarian |
| to choose from. The more you become familiar with | | | | cautions you about a horse, it is for a reason. When |
| the process of buying and selling horses, the better | | | | seeking advice, it is best to a well-respected |
| your chances will be to end up with the horse to fit | | | | professional that has no vested interest in the horse |
| your needs. There are many avenues to look for the | | | | sale. |
| horse you want, like a local barn, tack shops, | | | | Here is a breakdown of what to look for when a |
| newspaper classifieds, and now you can go online and | | | | horse is for sale: |
| look through thousands of horse for sale classifieds. | | | | * does the horse fit your needs |
| Take your time and don't get to overwhelmed. If you | | | | * what skills does the horse possess |
| make the selection process in a hurry, you might make | | | | * does the horse have a good temperament |
| an unwise purchase. Plan to take from one month to | | | | * do comparisons of other similar horses |
| one year to find your ideal horse. Understandably, if | | | | * does the horse fit the selling price |
| you are without a horse, one year mite sound like a | | | | * get professional advice |
| very long time, but you can use this time to become | | | | * are there any lessons with the sale |
| more knowledgeable about what you want by taking | | | | * make sure to have pre-purchase vet exam |
| lessons. | | | | * can you afford the upkeep on a horse (such as |
| The first thing you must determine is what you really | | | | boarding, feed, and veterinary care.) |
| want from a horse, and to what extent you will be | | | | Stay focused. Keep in mind that you are selecting a |
| using him/her. Will the horse be a trustworthy | | | | horse for a particular reason or desired skill. There are |
| companion or wonderful Dressage prospect? Buy | | | | many decisions and compromises lying ahead, so it |
| taking the time and comparing the different classified | | | | helps if you set your priorities clearly at the outset. |
| ads presented to you, will help determine your priorities. | | | | If the overall purpose of the horse is to teach you how |
| Be sure to use the advanced search features each | | | | to ride rather than to carry you to the winner's circle, |
| online classified horse website has to offer, this will help | | | | then the selection process will emphasize different |
| you to narrow down your search results. | | | | traits to fit your needs. If the horse is intended to be a |
| Once you have found the horse you want, its always | | | | long-term project rather than a stepping stone, you |
| a good idea to get a professional opinion when you | | | | may need to invest more time, effort, and money in |
| are buying a horse. Whether or not you use an agent | | | | your purchase. Remember to take your time and use |
| to help you select your horse, you should always have | | | | the tools at your disposal, such as online horse |
| a basic veterinary pre-purchase exam performed. | | | | classifieds, you will thank yourself in the end. |