Buying your own horse… Experience is invaluable.
Though undoubtedly exciting, buying a horse can be a very stressful purchase. I am always happy to provide support and education for clients when they decide to take that step. Having been in the industry for over 25 years, I have bought and sold many, many horses and willingly share my lessons learned over the years.
The first thing I ask my clients to do is make a list of at least 10 characteristics they would like to see in their “dream” horse. I then ask them to number those points in order of importance. The list could include traits such as: good on trails, show experience, good ground manners, height, breed, cost, etc. This list gives me a good idea of what is most important for my student. I keep the list, knowing that we will never find a 100% match to all of those points, however the list helps me to keep sight of what is most important to them.
In many situations, what a buyer thinks they want in a horse, is very different then what they truly need. It is very important that I know my client’s riding ability, strengths, weakness and goals to be able to support them in their search. I want a horse that they can become a team with, and not get hurt on. I do my best at the farm to put my clients on different types of horses, so they can get a good feel and really understand what their likes and dislikes are.
The budget is almost always an important consideration. While it would be amazing to be able to have no worries about finances, we all have to make compromises and decide what is affordable for our own circumstances. On top of the purchase price, there are shipping and vetting costs that need to be considered as part of the total. These costs can vary widely.
I always support my clients if they decide to have a vet-check completed prior to finalizing their purchase. In my experience however, most of my clients do little vetting. Typically if there is something wrong, chances are it is not the correct horse. I trust my gut, but will always give the horse a fair trial.
Vetting can be very expensive. I would never recommend spending more money on the vet check, than you are spending on the horse itself! I believe people should do what they feel comfortable with, and be willing to live with whatever decision they make. If there is a lot of money being spent, and the horse is required to have a heavy work schedule, then I would insist on a vet check and some x-rays of the hocks and stifles but again, this can get very expensive. Clients need to remember there is no perfect horse out there.
Every horse owner has their opinion on trials or leases. This can become a complicated situation and I like to keep things simple. I really like to put the horse in different situations to see the horse’s reactions and temperament. It is important that the horse and my client are both at a point that is not too distant from their future expectations. I look for my client to be comfortable, and able to work with the horse at its current level, and for the horse to be happy, healthy, and in a position to do it’s new job, whatever that may be. The relationship requires not only a skill-based and physical fit, but show a fit for personalities too.
My goal is to help my client find a safe suitable healthy, affordable mount. My client makes the final decision, if they don’t like the horse; we keep looking!
