When purchasing a horse, there is still a lot to consider, for example where do you look and what do you pay attention to when you view a horse? In this article you will read briefly what you should pay attention to when buying a horse.
Preparation
Arrange storage
If you have decided to purchase a horse, it is useful to look around in your area for different stables. Think carefully about what you want; 24/7 with only a shelter without facilities or rather an inner box with the use of an inner box and other associated luxuries? Take a look at the stables and reserve a place if necessary.
Arrange veterinarian and farrier
What applies to stabling also applies to a veterinarian and farrier. Think about which vet you want to have a purchase inspection done and whether you also keep this vet for vaccinations and calamities. Also find out which farrier you would prefer to have your horse come to. Nothing more annoying than a horse that suddenly needs a doctor or blacksmith, while you do not yet know which one.
Looking for a horse
Selfknowledge
A very important aspect when buying a horse is self-knowledge. Be honest with yourself, but also with the seller of the horse (who knows the horse in question best!). Many people are overconfident and a horse that is high in the blood or a stallion naturally looks impressive and tough, but if such an animal is actually beyond your control, it is of very little use to you. Consider carefully what kind of character will suit your character best; if you are insecure yourself, for example, it is important to find a horse that can give you security and confidence.
Goals
Think in advance what you would like to do with your horse. For example, if you prefer to take a ride outside, it can be nice to buy a horse that is already traffic-free, so that you can quickly go out with your new friend. If you are very ambitious and would like to get far in dressage or show jumping, it is important to buy a horse that also has potential for this and possibly even some experience. This way you avoid disappointments.
Budget
What do you have left for the horse of your dreams? Think about what you want to spend in advance. Remember that everyone wants to sit in the front row for a duppie and that you generally pay a bit for a good horse. Cutting back on the purchase of a horse is not advisable, if it sounds too good to be true (horse with experience at competitions, classified high for a ridiculously low price) it often is.
Where to search?
On websites such as Marktplaats.nl and Bokt.nl, horses are usually offered for sale by private individuals. You can also create an advertisement here, stating what kind of horse you are looking for. You could also look at trading stables, here are often several horses for sale and so you can immediately view and try out several. Never hesitate to ask many questions about a horse and check the relevant selling party on the internet if necessary.
Watching a horse
Physically
If you have found a horse that interests you, it is of course important that he is physically well put together. If you don’t know what to look at yourself, take someone with you who does. The first impression is already very important, does the horse look clear from its eyes? Does he not have a snotty nose and what about his coat? Also check the body for wounds, any (old) pressure spots and see how it stands on its hooves, do the hooves look neat?
Other important things are the leg position, see my article about abnormal leg positions in horses: An abnormal leg position in horses, the general condition, is he not too skinny or too fat and how the horse moves.
If you want to assess the movements, you can ask the selling party to throw the horse loose, so that you can see how the horse moves in ‘freedom’.
Brushing and saddling
Ask if you can brush and saddle the horse yourself, so you can see whether the animal is friendly and how it reacts to, for example, girthing. While brushing, touch the animal over, including its ears and belly, and see what its reaction is.
Drive up
What is very nice is if the horse can be ridden before you step on it yourself. This way you can see how he moves under the saddle and what he has to offer. Watch the three courses under the saddle and be critical of what you see.
Drive yourself
Then you can probably ride it yourself to feel whether the animal meets your requirements under the saddle. Remember that this is of course the first time that you are on the horse in question, and that it is not all going great at once, but of course you have to have a good feeling about it. Do you like his movements? Is he good on his feet and how is his fit?
Decide
NEVER decide on the spot whether to buy the horse or not, nor make such promises. Indicate that you want to think about it for a while and sleep on it. Consider again carefully whether this horse is what you are looking for and also take a second look and test ride. A well-known trick at a second viewing is to arrive earlier than agreed to check that the horse is not being drugged.
Close the sale
Obligation to investigate
If you have decided to buy the horse, you must realize that you as a buyer have an obligation to investigate. This means that you must ensure that the horse is not sick and has no defects. You can do this by having a veterinarian inspect the horse, this can be clinically (exterior, appearance) and x-ray (legs are photographed). If the selling party refuses a purchase inspection, you better look further, then he probably has something to hide.
Also ask questions about the horse to the selling party about the horse’s medical past (lame, diseases, dental problems, always correctly vaccinated and dewormed?) And about whether it has stable vices.
Purchase contract
If the horse has passed the inspection and you decide to buy the animal, it is important to draw up a purchase contract in which the selling party declares horse X (name, chip number, life number) for amount Y (amount in euros, written in full) to sell the buying party. Make sure that the contract is signed in duplicate by both parties and keep one of the contracts each. In such a contract you could also agree on a probationary period and which accessories are sold with the horse.
When everything is done, I can only give you one more thing and that is a lot of fun with your new horse!