The search for the right horse is a time-consuming activity. How do you choose from the hundreds of advertisements that you can find on numerous websites? What should you pay attention to when looking at and trying on a horse? How do you arrange the final purchase?
The quest
Decide for yourself exactly what you are looking for before you search the internet in search of your dreamhorse. Make a list with requirements which the horse must meet, a list of characteristics that the horse should absolutely not have, and a list of characteristics that you would like, but that are not required.
If you know what you want, check out several ad sites such as Kapaza and Marktplaats. These sites have a separate section ?? horses ?? on which many daily classifieds to show up. There are also specialized sites, such as www.sporthorses.be, on which you can search very specifically based on price, age, gender, level, breed and color.
Would you rather not buy from a private owner, but from a trading stable? That is also possible! On the internet you will find numerous sites of various trading stables that always have a range of horses for sale. If you do not immediately find what you are looking for on their site, it may still be advisable to contact us, perhaps they have a new horse for sale that is not yet on the website, or maybe they can contact you later when they do have a horse that meets your needs.
Be critical when you ads viewing! Stick to your list of requirements and deviate from it as little as possible. This way you avoid disappointments when you actually visit a horse.
Set one for yourself too budget first, and try to stick to it. It is tempting to buy a horse that can do everything and is very beautiful, but this should not be your financial ruin!
Viewing a horse
If you think you have seen your dream horse, please contact the seller and make an appointment to visit the horse. Always be wary, some sellers try to cover up flaws. Therefore, always try to be a little earlier than the agreed time, so you can see if the seller is not working with the horse yet, for example to make him tired before you try him, so that he seems better.
Ask to brush and saddle the horse in your presence, and keep an eye on the animal’s behavior. Is he sweet in the stable or mean? Is he calm or nervous? These are often indications for the further behavior of the horse.
Also check the general condition of the horse. Does he look happy and fresh? Does his coat shine? Are his hooves in good condition? Isn’t he too skinny or too fat? These are all elements that can be important.
If the horse is being ridden, look very closely and concentrate on the animal. Do not get distracted by the seller’s talk, but focus entirely on what is happening in the roadway.
Then it’s your turn! Get on the horse confidently and take your time to get used to the new horse. Try out everything you think is important! Walk, trot and canter and take a jump if you want to do that with your horse in the future. If you are looking for a nice walking horse, ask if you can take a walk around the yard to see how the horse is on the road. Take plenty of time to try everything, how does the horse react to different situations? What does he know and can you also ride it out? What are the lesser points?
After riding it can be interesting to take care of the horse and take it to the stable or to the pasture. Check for yourself whether you see yourself working with this horse in the coming years! If you want to compete with the horse, you can also ask if you can put the horse in the trailer or truck once, to see if this is easy.
When you return home, write down the pros and cons of the horse. If you are going to try different horses, you can compare the lists afterwards, to pick the best horse.
Always try to try more than 1 horse, even if the first horse meets your wishes immediately. The more comparison material, the more certain you can be of your choice!
The purchase
If you decide to purchase from the horse, it is recommended that you bring a veterinarian with you to check the horse for any hidden defects. You can choose one clinical examination, where the vet carries out a number of basic inspections. If you want an extensive inspection, you can X-rays have it made. The cost of this will amount to a few hundred euros, so try to make good agreements with the seller about who will pay for the inspection. In the Netherlands, the principle is often applied that the costs are for the buyer if the horse is approved, but that the seller pays for the inspection when the horse is rejected.
If the horse has been approved, you can proceed to the actual purchase. Let the seller one contract in which he explicitly states that he is transferring ownership of the horse. Make sure that the characteristics of the horse are stated, as well as the purchase price.
Agree carefully how payment and delivery will proceed. Do you pay in advance or upon collection? Are you going to pick up the horse yourself or have it brought? Good agreements make good friends!
