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