| g a horse can be a very time consuming endeavor, | | | | performed. When you seek out professional advice, |
| with all the different horse breeds and skills to | | | | pay for it and then listen to it! When your instructor |
| choose from. The more you become familiar with the | | | | or veterinarian cautions you about a horse, it is for a |
| process of buying and selling horses, the better your | | | | reason. When seeking advice, it is best to a |
| chances will be to end up with the horse to fit your | | | | well-respected professional that has no vested |
| needs. There are many avenues to look for the | | | | interest in the horse sale. |
| horse you want, like a local barn, tack shops, | | | | Here is a breakdown of what to look for when a |
| newspaper classifieds, and now you can go online and | | | | horse is for sale: |
| look through thousands of horse for sale classifieds. | | | | * does the horse fit your needs |
| Take your time and don't get to overwhelmed. If | | | | * what skills does the horse possess |
| you make the selection process in a hurry, you might | | | | * does the horse have a good temperament |
| make an unwise purchase. Plan to take from one | | | | * do comparisons of other similar horses |
| month to one year to find your ideal horse. | | | | * does the horse fit the selling price |
| Understandably, if you are without a horse, one year | | | | * get professional advice |
| mite sound like a very long time, but you can use this | | | | * are there any lessons with the sale |
| time to become more knowledgeable about what | | | | * make sure to have pre-purchase vet exam |
| you want by taking lessons. | | | | * can you afford the upkeep on a horse (such as |
| The first thing you must determine is what you really | | | | boarding, feed, and veterinary care.) |
| want from a horse, and to what extent you will be | | | | Stay focused. Keep in mind that you are selecting a |
| using him/her. Will the horse be a trustworthy | | | | horse for a particular reason or desired skill. There are |
| companion or wonderful Dressage prospect? Buy | | | | many decisions and compromises lying ahead, so it |
| taking the time and comparing the different classified | | | | helps if you set your priorities clearly at the outset. |
| ads presented to you, will help determine your | | | | If the overall purpose of the horse is to teach you |
| priorities. Be sure to use the advanced search | | | | how to ride rather than to carry you to the winner's |
| features each online classified horse website has to | | | | circle, then the selection process will emphasize |
| offer, this will help you to narrow down your search | | | | different traits to fit your needs. If the horse is |
| results. | | | | intended to be a long-term project rather than a |
| Once you have found the horse you want, its always | | | | stepping stone, you may need to invest more time, |
| a good idea to get a professional opinion when you | | | | effort, and money in your purchase. Remember to |
| are buying a horse. Whether or not you use an agent | | | | take your time and use the tools at your disposal, |
| to help you select your horse, you should always | | | | such as online horse classifieds, you will thank |
| have a basic veterinary pre-purchase exam | | | | yourself in the end. |