Anyone who has ever enjoyed a few riding lessons at the local riding school, has dreamed of meandering along country paths on their very own horse or cantering through the surf. For those who love horses, there can be no more exciting moment than buying their first horse but choosing the right one carefully is the key to a long and happy relationship with your new four legged friend.
Buying a spirited and unbroken youngster would not be right for someone who is less experienced or who simply wants a calm and dependable companion for gentle country walks. And for sure, there is nothing sadder than seeing a horse abandoned or given up for sale becasue he was simply bought by the wrong owner.
No. this is a relationship that is going to last you both for many years. You own it to yourself and the horse or pony to take your time and consider your options carefully.
What Should I Look for When Searching for a Horse to Buy?
The Seller
One tell-tale sign of a horse that you probably do not want to buy is where the current owner is to keen to sell. If he or she does not ask you a ton of questions related to your experience, your ability to shelter , feed, train, exercise and spend time with the horse, then they do not have the horses’ best interests at heart. DO not be offended by a probing seller. They love their horse and want to be sure it is going to a great owner.
It is the sellers who do not care if you can provide a good home to the animal that you must be wary of.
Where Should I look for my Perfect Horse?
Horses are advertised in magazines, both local and national, and in many local outlets such as notice boards in livery yards and tack shops. You might also find leads to horses for sale on horse forums and riding related websites.
For a first horse or pony word of mouth is always a good option – your local riding school or livery yard may know of ponies or horses in the locality which may suit you and which are going to be sold, however this may not be the quickest option. Be prepared for it to take some time to find your right partner.
Before you start looking at the adverts and especially before you go to see that first horse ask yourself the following questions:
- What is an honest assessment of your riding ability?
- What do you want to do with your horse?
- What is your budget?
Don’t be disappointed if it seems that you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince! The time taken to find your ideal partner is worth every moment because you want to end up with the horse that is right for you.. Make sure you are totally honest and keep the answers to the questions in your mind – many a person has been led astray by falling in love with a totally unsuitable mount. Remember, it is not fair on either you or the horse if you end up with an animal you cannot control or if you want to jump and the horse has a total aversion to it!
And remember, keeping a horse is an expensive business – there is no point overstretching yourself to buy him if you are going to need to buy tack as well.
Keep a clear head – and let it rule your heart!
When I Go To See a Horse, What Should I Look For?
Make sure you see the horse in the stable – don’t rely on any statement that he has ‘perfect stable manners’, ask to see for yourself. Ideally watch him being tacked up – does he stand quietly? Horses which behave well when being ridden sometimes try to kick or bite in the stable, when being tacked up, having rugs put on or off or just when you go to fill a hay net. A horse which is difficult in the stable will make your life difficult as the owner, and if you are going to keep your horse at livery will not make you popular!
Look carefully at the horse for any signs of sweat marks. Some sellers lunge or vigorously exercise their horses just before a prospective owner turns up at the yard making them seem a much quieter ride than they really are. You can also ask about the level of exercise he has been used to – if he is used to being exercised more than you will have time for you may find you have a more excitable horse on your hands than you really want.
I Have Never Bought a Horse Before – What Should I Do When I Try It Out?
If you have only had lessons before you may find yourself at a loss without an instructor standing in the middle telling you what to do. It is therefore best to decide before you go a short routine you will use that will test the horse you are trying, and allow you to assess whether it is the one for you or not. Talk it through with your riding instructor if that makes you feel more confident.
A routine might be, walk round the ménage, halting at least once to make the horse is listening to you. Walk a 20 metre circle, watching out for the horse leaning in or out. Does he listen to your corrections? Change rein and repeat the walk exercises. Try to assess whether he bends easier on one rein or the other – not necessarily a fault as horses do tend to have a stronger rein, but it is more important that he is attentive to you!
Now put the horse into trot – watching for whether he goes forward eagerly or is reluctant. Use little leg at first – if you have been used to riding school horses they may have become ‘dead to the leg’. You can always increase the leg aid, but it is preferable to do this than having the horse shoot off with you! As in walk work a circle on both reins. Does he drop out of trot as he bends? Does he try to go forward into canter? Would you be happy with this behavior? If he is very strong, be prepared for him to be even stronger when you get him home – an energetic horse may well have been lunged before you came to see him and may be even fresher on other days!
If you are happy with the trot, try a canter on each rein. He should make the upward transition smoothly when you ask him to do so.
If you want a jumping horse make sure you try him over a fence. Is he eager or does he need a lot of encouragement?
Try to decide before you visit the horse exactly what you are looking for, and what you are prepared to work with. And try to keep sensible. There is no point falling in love at first sight with a beautiful animal you cannot control – or one which is reluctant to jump when that is your reason for buying!
This is a partnership which you will have for some time – your partner should be chosen very carefully to make sure he is compatible with your level of riding, and what you want to do. Common sense should rule here – not your heart!
When I Go to See a Horse, Should I See Him Ridden First?
DEFINITELY YES! If the owner says there is no one available to ride him be very wary. It may be that he is too difficult for anyone there to ride. Only attempt this is you are a very experienced rider – otherwise be prepared to walk away, or at the very least try and arrange to come back when you can see him ridden.
The current owner should ride a routine similar to the one described above to enable you to assess the horse’s way of going, and how he responds. If he makes upwards transitions easily for someone else, but not for you, this could be something that can be addressed with some lessons. However, be aware – there is a saying that a horse’s ability sinks to match those of its rider. Just because the horse you have fallen in love with makes flying changes on demand for its current owner, it may not make them for you if you cannot ride at that level! Your new perfectly schooled dressage horse cannot be depended on to teach
And finally
It may take a few months to find the right horse, but be assured that the wait will be worth it. One thing is probably certain – that palomino mare you had pictured yourself riding away on into the sunset may well turn out to be a bay gelding! But whatever size, colour or sex you end up with, if you have taken your time choosing you will have a wonderful partnership.
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