Avoid These Common Mistakes when Buying a Horse

If you are buying a horse for the very first time then you need to make sure that you avoid these common mistakes. If not, you will end up with a horse that doesn't suit your needs or a horse that simply isn't what you are looking for. If you want to avoid issues like this then here are the top things that you need to watch out for.

Not Having Enough Riding Experience
When it comes to horses, there are so many things that you have to consider. One of the biggest would be your skill level. You to be realistic about where you are in terms of your ability and you also need to make sure that you understand what the ad is telling you when you read it online. You have to remember that ads are trying to sell something, and they might not always be as forthcoming with the truth as they could be. Remember, that the seller is always going to try and paint the horse in the best possible light. They may also withhold information from you. If a horse is very difficult then they may say that the horse needs an experienced rider, who is willing to put in the work. If you don't feel as though you are an experienced rider then you need to be honest with yourself. Although we do live in a very eCommerce-driven world you need to remember that you can't just click on a horse and buy it. Don't buy on sight either. You need to make sure that you visit the horse yourself. You may have horse brokers who are willing to visit the horse on your behalf and this is fine, but at the end of the day, this can lead to later problems.

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Not Taking the Horse on a Trial
When you go and see a horse for sale, you are usually in a world that is very familiar to them. They may be in their paddock and they may have their horse mates nearby. They may also have some sights that are very familiar to them as well. In instances like this, you do have to make sure that you take the horse out. The only way for you to tell how a horse is going to be is if you take it off the property. You can also ask the owner if they'd be willing to loan you the horse for a week or so. Either way, paperwork has to be done and you may even need to sign a contract, so make sure that you give some thought to things like this beforehand because if you don't then you may find that you end up struggling to get the result you want out of your horse.

Not Knowing the Horse's History
You have to know the horse's history if you can. Ask a lot of questions as this is the only way for you to understand what life the horse has lived. It can't tell you, and it can't tell you about any injuries it has had in the past either. If you can, look at the feet and teeth. Look at how much feed it requires too, as this can help you to build a bigger picture of what it is you are working with. If the horse has had nitrate poisoning in the past then this is also something that you need to be aware of. Look into equine diseases and take note if a horse is prone to anything. If you can do this then you will soon be able to find out if it is a match for you or not.

Not Making Sure the Horse Lives up to Expectations
If the horse self-soothes quite a lot in the trailer, according to the owner, then you need to ask them to show you a demonstration of this so you can form your own opinion. You also need to try and ask if they can be paddocked on their own. If the owner says yes then try and ask them for a demonstration of this so you can see it for yourself. All of these things are strong reasons why you should make sure that the horse is right for you and that it ultimately does what the owner says it does. Don't let it become an insignificant factor because you are there and you are asking far too much of the owner, as this is never the case. You are making a big investment at the end of the day, and you have every right to ask as much as you feel as though you need to ask. If the owner is not very accommodating then this can be a red flag so make sure that you take this into account and be sure that you also walk away if you feel as though you are not happy with the horse or the way that the owner is being with you. You can always go back for another visit, and this is always better than rushing your decision.

When you go to meet the horse, if the owner is not willing to ride the horse in front of you then this is another major red flag. It may be that the horse has thrown them in the past and they are too shaken up. If the horse is written as a good horse to ride but the owner will not ride it then this is a red flag. You can also look to see if the owner is a kind rider and how much effort the owner has to put in to try and get the horse to respond. Does the horse have a gait? Is there any stiffness? Things like this can help you quite a lot, so try and keep that in mind if you can as it could highlight a number of things, while ensuring that you get the best result out of your purchase.