You’ve decided that you should buy a horse. How do you find the right horse?

The ideal situation would be that you’re taking riding lessons and find the perfect horse. You get to ride that horse for most of your lessons. You inquire about the horse. It is for sale and at the right price. You become the happy owner of a horse. However, it’s usually not that easy.

As a beginner, you should not consider young horses (pass on those weanlings, yearlings, etc.). You will want a well trained gelding or mare that you can ride now. Stallions are not to be considered. The breed isn’t that important for a first horse. A crossbred will do fine. Try to match your level of experience with the horse. If you are a beginner, get a fully trained horse. You need one who has experienced what you intend to do with it and won’t be frightened at new experiences. Older horses are great and with good care can last into their twenties.

There are several places to look for horses.
• Auctions
Auctions are not a good place to find your first horse. It takes an experienced eye to quickly rate a horse and decide upon it. Even experienced horse people can come home from an auction with an unfit horse.

• Newspaper ads or internet
Most newspapers have a section for horses and ponies (or at least livestock section). Horse magazines have listings of horses. You can do a search on the internet.

• Breeders, trainers and stables
Let your riding instructor know that you are looking to buy a horse. Not only will they have access to and/or knowledge of horses available, they can match you with a horse knowing your experience and personality and the horse’s. Sometimes the stable will have a bulletin board where you can post an ad describing what you are seeking in a horse or find ads from people who are selling horses.

• Friends or relatives
Let others know that you’re looking for a horse. You will be surprised at how many people know of others who might have a horse for sale.

After you have found some possible candidates, you will need to go and evaluate each horse. Take your riding instructor (or other ‘horse savvy’ person whose judgement you trust) with you to examine the horse. The owner should ride the horse so that you can see the horse in motion. You should ride the horse. If you feel uncomfortable on the horse, don’t buy it. Don’t make a snap decision to buy a horse the first time you see it. You need to go home and think about it for a few days. How well did you like the horse? Did you enjoy riding it? Were you comfortable with the horse? What were the recommendations of the person you took with you? Did that person think that horse would be a good match for you? You need to see a horse at least twice and observe its behaviour when it’s being saddled or groomed. You will also need to have your veterinarian evaluate the horse for soundness.