Over the years, there has been an “on again – off again” desire to buy horses. The problem was that I never could decide upon what I wanted in a horse. I loved draft horses, but wasn’t sure what I would do with one if purchased. While living in Lexington, KY, I would attend horse auctions at the Red Mile Track, assessing quarter horses on the auction block. I loved all breeds of horses and never took time to really consider what would be the best horse to buy.

In retrospect, buying a horse at that time would not have been a wise decision. I did not have a plan, and I did not appreciate the fact that loving horses was not enough for ownership of one. It would have been a big mistake to buy a horse without taking riding lessons and working more with horses for experience.

While I understood the costs involved in purchasing and maintaining horses, I was really inexperienced regarding temperament and behavior. Although Rasheeda’s selection of Model was based on the bonding that developed between them, there are many considerations that should lead to the decision to purchase a horse.


What Type of Horse is Best: Registered or Unregistered
Your interest and motivation in owning a horse will determine what type of horse would be best for you. Do you want a horse for pleasure or do you want a show and competition horse? The answer will have a big impact the breed of horse you select.

If you want a horse for pleasure or trail riding, an unregistered horse can be purchased. You want to look for a horse that is easy to handle and a good disposition. If you want a horse for showing or competition, then you will have to be more selective on the breed and quality of horse you purchase.

Purchasing a registered horse for showing is an investment. It will be more expensive to purchase and maintain than the non-registered horse, but the value of your horse will increase in value over time, especially if it place well in shows. You have to ensure that registration papers are current and in compliance with the breed registry. You want to make sure that the horse you purchase has been well cared for, is healthy with good traits for its breed. You want to spend time riding the horse. How does it handle with ease? You does he respond to you as an unfamiliar rider? If possible, look at a number of contenders before making your selection. This will give you a basis to make comparisons and make the best decision in a horse. Imagine what the hose would be like with more training. Different shows and competitions are based on different criteria for judging. Assess your horse on the standards set by judges.

The sex of your horse is another important factor to consider. Mares and geldings are preferred for individuals with limited experience with horses. Geldings are castrated males and tend to have slight advantage over mares because they can be more consistent and quieter. While mares may seem more elegant, they can more excitable and exhibit dramatic changes in behavior when in heat. The option to breed is the main advantage of owning a mare; her traits and temperament becomes important factors in the selection process. New owners are discouraged from owning stallions since they can be difficult, and even dangerous, to manage.


Where to Buy Your Horse

There are a number of options in buying a horse. You can buy from an auction, private breeder, a dealer or rescue organization. Although Model was a rescue horse, many professionals recommend the purchase of your first horse from a breeder.

Breeders are in business to produce a quality horse and have a satisfied customer. They know that “word of mouth” is often their best marketing channel, and they will work with you to help you select the horse that is best for you. You might find that their prices tend to be higher than other channels, but the personalized attention they provide and their knowledge of the horse can be invaluable. A disadvantage is the age of their available stock. Most of the horses are young, under the age of three, and have not received the training needed.

Another alternative is to buy your horse from a private individual. There may be any number of reasons why the horse is for sale, however like the breeder, the private seller may know more history about the horse and the extent of its training. The classifies in the newspaper may be a good start to locating persons who have a horse for sale. You can then make arrangements to visit the location of the horse and assess it in its home environment.



Dealers
Greater caution may be warranted in buying a horse from a dealer rather than a private party. Your level of knowledge about horses will determine the level of risk you assume is buying from a dealer. There are many dealers who are honest and who value their reputation, but the burden is still on you to be able to see through the hype and make an informed decision. Keep in mind that dealers are in business to make a profit, so as a buyer, beware. Ask for and check references. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the dealer. If an offer is “too good to be true”, it probably isn’t that good of a deal in the long run.


Auctions
Auctions tend to be riskier than the other sources discussed. Many times, there is only a short period in which you can observe and evaluate a horse before the bidding starts. Most of the time you are buying the horse “as is” with no guarantees as to the health of the horse or its history. If not careful, you can be the highest bidder on a horse with serious health or emotional problems.

Rescue Organizations

Adopting a horse through a rescue organization poses the greatest risk. These horses fall along a sprectrum of reasons for rescue. Some are given away because of a changes in the life of the owner: divorce, illness, financial difficulties. Others are brought into rescue by law enforcement officers reporting to cases of animal abuse or neglect. Some horses have seriouss emotional or physical issues that will require extensive retraining and rehabilitation. Extreme caution must be exercise when considing adoption of a rescue horse. It is so easy to empathize with the flight of these horses and make an emotional decision. If the decision proves to be a wrong one, the result is a lose-lose situation for both you and the horse. If you decide to adopt- research, research, research. Check who has ownership of the horse, you or the adoption organization. What other restrictions might be defined in the contract? Some agencies restrict you from selling or breeding. You are making a long-term commitment to give a horse a second chance. Be sure that you understand that will be demanded of you.

Many of these horses are rescue from abused and neglected situations and hold strong fear and distrust for humans. .

You have options regarding what type of horse to buy and where to buy your horse. Rasheeda found a horse that she really loves and has developed a strong bond with. It could have been a different outcome. Having a plan to follow in purchasing your horse will minimize the risk of buying a horse that is not conducive to your needs. Do your homework before making a decision.