Horseshoe Diaries

The 5 Secrets to Finding the Perfect Horse (Part 1)

What an exciting time! There’s nothing more fun or exhilarating than the search for the perfect horse. But one problem, where do you start? Buying a horse is a serious commitment, so the process of finding one should not be taken lightly. I want you to be prepared and well-equipped on your search. Have you ever heard the term BUYER BEWARE? There are countless sellers out there in the horse world looking to make a quick buck and get a problem horse off of their hands at the same time. This is why I’m giving you these 5 secrets, in an effort to help you to avoid making a costly and potentially heartbreaking mistake. Here are the 5 secrets to finding the perfect horse:

1)      Make Your List

It is key in your search to realize that a horse that is ideal for someone else may not be the ideal horse for you. Every rider has different abilities and different aspirations in their riding so how can we expect every horse to be right for every rider? This is why it is crucial that you make a list when horse shopping. I’m not talking about ideal height, colour, breed, etc. The list should include the desired experience level the horse should have. Remember inexperienced horses and inexperienced riders are never a good mix so be realistic about the experience level you’re looking for. Note the discipline you’re hoping to ride the horse in, trust me, it’s much easier to have a horse that’s already trained in your discipline than having to start training from scratch. It’s important to include your budget in this list, it’s extremely easy to get carried away while horse shopping and end up falling in love with something way out of your budget. Horses are a costly expense so be sure to be looking at ones within your means. Make your list as detailed as possible, the more you know about exactly what you want in a horse, the easier it will be when finding the perfect horse.

2)      Use Your Resources

In the horse world there is nothing more invaluable than your resources. By resources I mean your coaches, riding buddies, vets, farriers, and even tack store clerks, anyone who is immersed in the horse world with lots of contacts. The ideal way to find the best horse is through someone you already know and trust so ASK AROUND! Coaches are perfect since they already know your riding style and abilities and will know if the horse is well-suited to you as a rider. As for your vets and farriers, these are the people who frequent all of the local barns most often and have the most contacts in the horse world. Because of this you’ll find that they often have the most recent updates on new horses for sale. Riding buddies are the perfect choice for bringing a buddy with you when trying out a horse. You should always have a pair of eyes on the ground while you’re riding to give you a second opinion. You have all of these resources in your life so make use of them while horse hunting.

Continued on Next Post

-Carly