03/11/2025
Some Helpful Suggestions for Buying a Horse:
1. If you’re new to the horse world (5 years or less of experience) have a trusted trainer help you find a horse. Honestly, even if you are an experienced horse person, you should still bring another experienced set of eyes with you. They will see things and ask questions you won’t think of. They will also remain emotionally neutral.
2. Do not purchase a horse solely based on looks. They can be pretty, but if they’re crazy it won’t be a good experience for you.
3. Green horse and green riders DON’T MIX. The concept of “we can learn together” is a HUGE 🚩 if you’re learning about horses and how to ride, you need a trusted, broke, calm, older, been there done that buddy.
4. When you go to try a horse and it’s your turn to hop on and ride- LISTEN to the trainer and owner when they offer tips on how to effectively communicate with that horse. They want you and the horse you’re trying to have a good experience- they know the horse, you don’t.
5. I always recommend getting a PPE (Pre- Purchase Exam) from an equine veterinarian. This is done at the BUYERS cost, but worth the investment- also, if you can’t afford a PPE- then how are you going to cover the inevitable vet bills? Horses are expensive, buying them is the cheapest part of getting into horses.
6. Always ask if the owners are willing to release the horses medical records from their veterinarian- you want to know the whole, true health history prior to purchase. If they won’t release this info- RUN.
7. For the most part, you get what you pay for. If a horse is cheap, or free- there is most likely a reason.
8. When you go to look at the horse you want to see the whole process; getting the horse from the paddock, the horse standing to be groomed (brushed, fly sprayed, feet picked) and tacked up, how the horse warms up, and finally how they are after they warm up. This allows you to catch a lot of little things you might not notice.
9. Do not feel forced into a decision after riding a horse for 20 minutes. It’s OKAY to leave and ask to make another appointment to come ride the horse again, you always want to be sure that it is a good fit for you and your potential new horse.
10. I hate that I have to add this, but in this day and age, I am finding it to be more and more common; people selling horses are NOT always honest. Do not take people’s word for anything when they are selling a horse. Ask questions, look at video, talk to their vet, talk to their Farrier, talk to their trainer get a PPE with a blood test. Unfortunately, many people seem to be more interested in selling a horse than being honest about a horse and making sure that it is a good fit for everyone.
Bonus: Always ask these three questions
1. Why are you selling this horse?
2. What’s your favorite thing about this horse?
3. What’s your least favorite thing about this horse?
What are your tips for the horse buying process?
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