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Before buying a new horse, first you must know where you will be boarding it. Do you have your own stable, or will you be renting a stall in a stable? Of course it would be preferable to have your own lodgings, but if you do not, visit a few stables nearby before deciding on one in which to board your horse.

Purpose of Owning a Horse

To make sure that you purchase the right animal, you need to determine whether you will be using the horse for strictly leisure activities or will you be showing it as well? If you are buying a horse mainly for leisure, the main thing that is important is how the animal pleases you. However, if you are buying a show horse, it will need to travel well, have a quiet temperament, and perform in front of crowds.

Have a Checklist

When you visit a horse that you are thinking about purchasing, bring a checklist with you. Things to put on the checklist would include the overall health of the animal, how it moves, what is its stable manner, how does it react to you?

Most owners who are selling their horse will allow a trial period for a specified time to give the buyer and the horse a chance to see if they work well together. This is highly recommended. Also, before committing to buying your new horse, it is imperative that a veterinarian do a purchase examination to determine the age and general health of the animal.