Mistakes People Make When Buying a First Horse

beginner riders or drivers are not a safe mix. Buy your kids a mature, well-trained horse they can saddle or harness up the same day you bring it home. Buy a horse that knows how to handle itself when all the scary aspects of the world present themselves—because a young beginner won’t know how. On an older, well-trained horse or pony, kids will learn and have fun in greater safety.

Buying at Auction

It takes a keen eye to pull a good horse out of an auction. Horses can appear docile at auction because they are so confused they "freeze." Horses can be drugged to make them look calm or healthy. Things like heaves and lameness can be hidden easily with drugs.

Impulse Buying

Don’t buy a horse at first sight. Try the horse out, try it again, ask lots of questions. Go home and think about it for a few days. Look at other

horses besides the one you’re smitten with and make comparisons. Be absolutely sure you’ve chosen the horse most suitable for you.

Not Asking for a Trial Period

Don’t be afraid to ask the seller for a trial period. Most private owners want their horses to go to good homes, and are confident about the type of person they feel can handle the horse. Some dealers may agree on a trial period, or help you find another horse if the one you are looking at doesn’t work out. Just ask. And if you get a ‘no’ answer, ask why. There may be a valid reason.

Buying “Too Much Horse”

You may envision yourself jumping five-foot concrete culverts in a cross country event. However, the reality is you’ve only been riding six months. The type of horse required for high-performance sports may