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