How to Buy a Horse: Guidelines to Keep in Mind

If you’re looking for advice on how to buy a horse, take a look at our article below that considers the different breeds, money and stabling.

Some people are content with going to a riding school to ride when they feel the need for some horse-company but equestrians say that there’s nothing as satisfying as owning your own horse.

If you’re thinking of buying a horse, keep these guidelines in mind.

Breeds

There are literally dozens of horse breeds. The breed of horse that you choose depends on your goals in owning a horse. Do you want companionship? Exercise? What discipline do you want to focus on? showjumping, dressage, eventing, polo or showjumping? All these points need to be considered. Here are some of the main breeds of domesticated horses that you might wish to explore:

• Arabian Horses – Arabian horses originated in the Arabian Peninsula. The breed sports a distinctive head shape and a high tail carriage. Horse experts believe that Arabian horses are one of the oldest breeds of horses still thriving today. They are known for their spirit and endurance and are raced and used often for showing.
• Connemara – Connemara ponies make excellent showjumpers and showing horses. Their ability and scope are considerable compared to others. Floating pace, rythm and beat of each pace helps excel the ponies ability. Some make over 15hh making fantastic small sport horses. They are hardy, with a solid structure and come in most colours – grey being the most consistent.
• Warmbloods – Technically warmbloods are a group, not a breed, and that group encompasses a number of types and breeds such as the Holsteiner, the Hanoverian, the  Oldenburg and the Trakhner. Warmbloods are characterized by open studs. They are known for their prowess as sport horses and excel in jumping. They are heavier in bone than the Thoroughbred and are often seen in all three competitive Olympic disciplines, proving popular by elite sports riders worldwide.
• Andalusians – Andalusians are a Spanish breed that originated in the Iberian Peninsula. They were first recognized as a breed in the 15th century. They are characterized by their long, thick manes and tails. The Andalusian is strong, elegant and compact and were once recognized as a war horses. Ownership was prized by nobility. Most present-day Andalusians are grey or black though in the past there were Andalusians of many different colorings. Today they are used for driving, saddle and even jumping, although they are not seen frequently in the United Kingdom
• Thoroughbreds – Thoroughbreds are the type of horses that you see most often on the racing track. Thoroughbreds are high spirited and known for being affectionate and loyal. They make excellent sport horses, and are used as jumpers and hunters as well as mounts for dressage and polo. They cost a lot to keep due to there excitability and lack of ability to hold weight. They can become stressed easily and should only be considered by more experienced owners.
• Cobs – Perhaps one of the most common breed types in the United Kingdom is the Cob. Their resiliance, hardyness and kind minds make them fabulours ponies and horses for any level of rider. Seperated between Section A, B, C, D there are a number of key features seen in the Cob. Heavy set legs with considerable feathers, a round rump, big neck and chunky body. They are very good-doers, therefore prove a more cost effective breed to own, being suitable for the more novice horse owner.
• Cross Breeds – there are a number of fabulous horses that are cross bred. Warmblood x Thoroughbreds offer excellent stamina alongside ability and scope. Cob x Thoroughbreds offer a slightly lighter build with more stamina and spark. And the list goes on.

Getting Ready

Before you go out and plunk down your money, you should spend time with horses and learn about them. You should prepare yourself by learning about equine health and basic first aid for horses. Ride some of the horses and watch the owners around them. Ask yourself questions such as are the owners confident in handling the horse? Are they willing to ride themselves prior to you getting on board. It’s a good idea to help tack up and observe the horses behaviour and reactions as much as possible to assess their overall attitude to people.

IF you’re a complete newby, you might want to volunteer to work at a local stable – perhaps at a stable training program that does therapeutic work through horses could be considered or at a horse rescue where your help will be valued. As you work with the horses you’ll get a better idea of what owning horses is like and what work is entailed.

You will also find it helpful to develop a network of horse enthusiasts who can give you information about typical facilities to expect, local feed stores, tack shops, vets, and other resources. You should also have information about the nearest equine hospital and horse ambulance service.

Other things that you’ll need to know include:

• Where you can get good quality hay
• Where you can find a local farrier to trim and shoe the horse’s hooves
• Local riding facilities, competition services
• Bedding suppliers
• Costs of livery yards
• Costs of insurances

Money

In their enthusiasm at the thought of owning a horse, many people forget that it costs a tremendous amount of money to properly care for a horse. You should calculate and budget for the cost of a horse and its upkeep before you buy the horse.

Horse experts say that it costs between £4000 and £6000 per year to keep a horse. Your budget should include costs of:

• Feed (grain, hey and supplements)
• Grooming kit
• Halter, lead rope
• Tack – including saddle, bridle, bit, cinch
• Rugs
• Transport fee (if applicable)
• Vaccines and deworming meds
• Vet visits
• Farrier visits (shoeing or trimming)
• Emergency treatment
• Riding lessons and training (if applicable)
• Insurance for horse and rider
• Rider equipment
• Transport to get to and from the stables
• Livery type
• Bedding
• Specialist health practitioners

Stables

If you have space on your land to keep your horse, that is, obviously, preferable. Not only will you save livery fees but you’ll have daily contact with your horse. If you can’t keep a horse nearby, you’ll have to find a place that will stable your horse – for a fee. Ask your horse-friendly contacts for names of reliable boarding stables or search FB for suggestions.

By using search terms such as ‘stables near me’ in Google, this will help identify business in your area. Be sure to check up on any stable yards you go to and ask for references off reliable sources.

To keep a horse on your own land you’ll need several acres of land plus a place where you can ride. Since horses are herd animals and do best when they aren’t by themselves, you might want to consider the benefits of stabling with others – or get two horses!

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