Horseshoe Diaries

The 5 Secrets to Finding the Perfect Horse (Part 2)

3)      Do Not Skip the Vet Check

As a buyer, there is nothing more important when buying a horse than the pre-purchase exam/vet check. When looking at a horse there is only so much you can see by simply looking at it. Riding the horse definitely gives you a better idea of soundness, suppleness, and movement, but it’s the problems that we can’t see that may eventually lead to disaster when you buy a horse. This is why pre-purchase exams are so important! So if you find that you’re asking yourself, “are pre-purchase exams worth it?” let me save you a lot of headaches; they are! For myself, how extensive of a vet check I have done depends on the price of the horse, but as a rule of thumb anything over $5000 and I wouldn’t feel comfortable without a thorough exam. Sometimes the real value of the pre-purchase exam comes from the peace of mind of knowing that you made a well-informed buy. So please save yourself a lot of heartbreak and money, fall in love with the horse after the vet check.

4)      Do Some Leg Work

It is extremely helpful when horse shopping to go and visit some reputable barns in your area. Browse the Internet and ask around to try and pinpoint some barns that specialize in your chosen discipline. Often at barns like these coaches are training up young horses as sales projects and although they may not be publicly for sale, all of these horses are available. The best way to go about doing this is by visiting these barns and telling them exactly what you’re looking for and asking if they have anything similar available. Most of these barns will have a variety of horses to fit different budgets, but I’ll take this opportunity to stress to you an important fact. You get what you pay for! If a deal on a really nice looking horse seems too good to be true, nine times out of ten it usually is. So follow that third tip and get that vet check. Reputable barns that specialize in your discipline are an untapped gold mine for finding the perfect horse.

5)      Take a Test Drive

Apart from looking at an unbroken prospect, there is no reason that ANYONE should be buying a horse without riding it first. Every horse is different and if you want a horse that is right for you, you need to get a “feel” for it. What I mean by this is that just like when people shop for shoes, every rider has a different taste. Though some riders are not quite as particular as others, we all have our preferences and they should be remembered while horse hunting. More important than this, riding the horse allows us to feel exactly what’s going on underneath us. For example, how smooth their movements are, their suppleness, the evenness of their gaits, and their willingness to go forward on both reins. It is crucial in finding the perfect horse to take it for a test ride and see if it’s the right feel for you.

Remember, the finding the perfect horse takes time; it does not happen in one day, so take your time and choose wisely. Look at as many horses as you can! A horse is way too big of a commitment to just rush in, so I want you to really think about your choice and make sure you’re happy with it. So good luck and happy hunting!

-Carly