Beware of items for sale you cannot pick up in person at the time of payment.
If you send or transfer payment prior to taking delivery of an item it may never arrive.
Information contained in advertisements may include errors and it is responsibility of users to check all published details with the seller prior to purchase.
Purchase Price – determine what you can afford to pay keeping in mind that you also should have the horse vet checked and transportation costs to get him to his new home. Plus there will be on-going maintenance costs such as veterinary care, feed, stabling, farrier .
Riding Goal - Does it simply involve pleasure riding, or do you have hopes of showing in cutting, halter, hunter jumper or competing in polocrosse, dressage or three day eventing?
Breed temperaments and disciplines - Certain breeds are typically used for particular disciplines although this is not exclusively true. For example: Arabs for endurance riding, Thoroughbred for speed, Quarter Horses for cattle work or reining. Bloodlines within a breed (pedigree) can also be considered.
Size - Smaller horses or ponies are generally easier for children to handle; they can saddle, bridle, brush and pick hooves with less help from adults. However, an adult on a horse that’s too small will feel like they are straddling a fence rail!
Gender – mare, gelding, colt or filly. First-time horse owners should not purchase a stallion.
Riding Skill - Choose a horse that has experience a few levels above your own, since the horse can teach you a lot. However, be careful that you don’t choose a horse or pony that is too much for you as this could present a danger.
Location - Determine how far you are willing to travel to see horses and the logistics of transporting them home.
Searching ads – Your local newspapers, horse publications like Equine Exchange, and the Internet Equine-trader.com are all great places to search. Sometimes local horse trainers, farriers and stables know of horses for sale.
Questions to ask – What training and experience has the horse had, what is it’s age, does it have any health problems or bad habits, and why are they selling the horse.
Professional input – A second opinion from a trainer or riding instructor will help in making the right choice. A pre-purchase exam by a veterinarian should be standard procedure.
Does the horse have a current negative Coggins test?
Are the papers in order and ready for transfer-have copies faxed or e-mailed so you know there are not going to be problems with ownership.
Will the seller provide a health certificate at his or her expense?
Will the seller provide board and care for the horse until it can be shipped or picked up?
Will the seller give you a written guarantee the horse is sound and will the seller accept return of the horse if it proves to be unsound within 7 days of acceptance?
