A good match is a happy match; choose your equine partner carefully!

photo of Tullula and Aleks by trainer Meisja Wagner

Equine purchases involve a good deal of time, thought, and expense. In the past we’ve offered basic horse buying advice for making a satisfying and legally sound investment, but let’s look at an updated list of tips and red flags in a bit more detail, helping any buyer to find the best fit possible.

First of all, know thyself.

What kind of riding do you want to do AND (this part is important) what can you do right now. You may hope to someday go to the NFR, or jump a Grand Prix course, or enter the Tevis Cup, but if your present-day riding abilities are no where near your dream level, you have no business getting a horse that’s ready for those endeavors today. Be realistic and honest and buy a horse that is really compatible with you at this time.

Ride the horse.

Get on the horse and ride it. Don’t buy a horse because it has a pretty face or you love the color or it seems calm or your grandma had one that looked like it when you were seven. If the horse lives in another state drive there and ride it. If it’s too far to drive, get on a plane and go ride it. If it lives out in a muddy field, take it to a safe, dry place and ride it. Equestrian coach and dressage rider Ellen Walker also advises potential buyers, Take along someone who knows you, and knows more about horses than you do — someone to do a reality check before you buy. If you can’t ride the horse, don’t buy it. Horses are for riding (unless you seriously want to invest in a $500 a month ‘pet’, then by all means go right ahead and buy a horse you haven’t ridden).

Deal with a reputable seller.

Papers can be forged and there’s not a crook alive who’s lacking in creativity. Work with someone who has a reputation for making correct, quality matches and representing horses who legitimately belong on the market. Look at who their friends are. You can tell a lot about a person by the associations they keep. We have some great and highly respected local resources (Kyle Jack McEntire of 3 Circle Barrel Horses. Chance Kendall of CK Performance Horses in Nephi, Todd and Adrienne Smyrl at Rush Valley’s Gemini Farm. to name a few). Do yourself a favor and make use of the best resources available.

Remember that real deals are ALWAYS simple and straight forward.

If the seller brings out a smoke machine, mirrors, introduces a cast of thousands and pulls a rabbit out of a hat, enjoy the show but run from the horse (even if it is your favorite color and reminds you of the best rope horse your dad ever owned). Don’t hand over one thin dime to the seller. Quality, honest, trustworthy people (a) have the horse’s papers, brand inspection or some proof of the horse’s ownership and, if they are not the owner, can produce proof that they are authorized to sell the horse, (b) know, and fully disclose, the horse’s price, history and health to the very best of their ability, and (c) will answer every one of your questions in a direct, simple, no-nonsense manner.

Make a healthy choice.

Health problems become financial problems. If you seriously have more money than you know what to do with and don’t want to donate it to charity, then adopting a horse that has debilitating issues of any kind will help insure that you don’t leave much of an inheritance to anyone. If you want to buy a horse so you can ride it, make sure it’s healthy.

Don’t be stupid.

Crooks believe they’re smarter than anyone, and they assume you, the buyer, are an abject moron. Don’t prove them right. Follow the steps above. Use logic and facts over emotion; don’t be swayed by heart-tugging stories, charm, false friendships or disorienting double talk. Get the papers and bill of sale and brand inspection at the same time you pay for the horse. Never ever EVER pay in cash for any reason; use a traceable form of payment (check, money order, cashiers check).

Be honest with yourself. Work with someone who you’re certain (as much as humanly possible) is being honest with you. Find a healthy horse that is honestly a good match for your riding skills, confidence and goals today. Add those up and you’re likely to ride away with a satisfying experience on an equine partner that you’ll enjoy right now and in the future!