Buying a new horse is a huge commitment and you might find yourself unsure of where to begin. Here is some guidance to get you started in the process.
1. Confirm your criteria
Having a clear idea of what you’re looking for before you begin will help to focus your search, but don’t be too tied into specifics. Factors you may want to consider are likely to be the horse’s age, breed, colour, sex and perhaps, where the horse is currently based. However, please do keep an open mind, often a horse that sits outside of these factors can end up being your dream horse.
Don’t be tempted to over horse yourself. Remember, it’s you that will be riding and handling this horse the majority of the time, so you must feel confident that the one you purchase is the right partner.
A younger horse may seem ideal because you’ll have many years together, but they may be green and more challenging as a result. Older horses are likely to be more experienced but may need to begin slowing down sooner.
2. Can you commit the time?
There’s nothing more rewarding than caring for a horse, but it will require a lot of your time. Before getting any further along the line, carefully consider how you will adapt your daily routine to this new commitment.
We’re not wishing time away, but it’s important to think ahead to the winter and how you would manage with shorter days. If you’re unsure, have a test run with a loan horse which will allow you the opportunity to have your own horse with slightly less commitment.
3. Yard research
Do you have somewhere in mind to keep the horse? Does this yard have space? Some yards require you to reserve a stable and pay a deposit to secure the spot so make sure you have thought ahead to where the horse will be kept should you be successful in finding your next four-legged friend.
It’s also worth spending some time thinking about what type of livery might be best suited to you. Grass/DIY are inevitably the cheapest options, but considering part livery may be worthwhile to share the responsibility throughout the week, for example. We have created a livery guide for weighing up the available options.
4. Finalising the figures
Probably the biggest commitment when purchasing a horse is not actually the cost of the horse itself, but the ongoing cost. It’s no secret that keeping a horse isn’t cheap, so it’s a decision that can’t be rushed into. Vet bills, livery, shoeing, horse insurance, feed, bedding are just some of the costs you’ll need to consider.
Why not try writing up a budget based on your circumstances? You can then use it to determine whether ongoing costs will be affordable. If you’re unsure, there are other options like horse-sharing.
If you’re planning to get the horse vetted prior to purchase, this is another cost to factor in. If you’re undecided on whether you plan to have the potential horse vetted and you are wanting to insure the horse, it may be worth factoring in that a vetting may be needed by the insurance company. It depends on both the value of the horse and the cover you are looking for. For instance, at KBIS, we don’t require a vetting unless the horse is valued £10,000 or more (unless you have loss of use cover). If you’re not sure whether a vetting would be required (and you’ve already read our post on ‘Do I need a vetting to insure my horse?’) then call us on 0345 230 2323 and we’ll be happy to discuss this with you to clarify.
5. Bring a plus one
If you’re new to the game (or even if you’re not), ask a trusted person with a good knowledge of horses to come with you. They will pick up things that you may not, and they may think of some good topics to ask the vendor questions about that you don’t think of.
As good horses are often sold through word of mouth, it would be beneficial to let any experienced equestrian friends know that you’re thinking of buying.
6. Read the paperwork
The documentation of your potential horse will provide you with a wealth information, the most basic confirming the age, breed, and previous owners. It may sound obvious, but make sure the horse you’re buying matches the papers.
Look at the whorls marked as ‘X’ on the drawings of the horse and check the records of the latest owner. If you have any doubts, then ask for the microchip to be scanned.
You should also feel comfortable to ask to check the horse’s veterinary records: are all vaccinations are up to date? Are there any previous injuries or medicated joints? When insuring the horse, remember any pre-existing conditions will be excluded from the policy. As long as you are aware of any ongoing treatment/maintenance the horse may require, you can prepare yourself for any risk and cost involved before you commit.
7. Get to know each other
Before making a final decision, spend some time visiting the horse. This will give you time to get to know the horse and observe them being handled in various settings, such as being caught and led in from the field, in the stable, tacking up, being groomed, etc.
It’s also advisable to see the horse exercising in different places. This could include open fields, the arena, and on the road. How does he react to traffic? How is he in another horse’s company? Take time to really think about what you will want to do with your horse and try to get a feel for each scenario. You could potentially ask about whether it’s possible to have a horse on a trial period in order for you to confirm how you get on at what would be the horse’s new home.
Naturally, there are some things you will have to take the vendor’s word on, as it’s not possible to recreate every single situation. Have a conversation about what happens if the horse is not suitable or doesn’t settle and get a purchase agreement confirming the outcome in writing. This may be necessary to fall back on if things don’t turn out as you hope. It’s also worth seeing if you can get references for the horse from other people that may have seen it out and about.
From the point of view of someone selling the horse, however, it’s important not to waste a seller’s time. If the horse is not for you, be honest. They may have a queue of other interested parties, and they will thank you for being decisive, allowing them to reach out to these people quickly.
8. To own or to loan
Loaning may be an option if you aren’t 100% sure on whether now is the time to buy your own horse.
Some people prefer to loan because the option is then there to give the horse back if circumstances change. However, when loaning there may be certain restrictions put in place by the loan agreement, such as being unable to compete for example.
Other things to consider are loan with a view to buy agreements, where you can really get to know the horse before you purchase. This means at the end of an agreed period you will have a choice to buy the horse.
Typically, there are less horses available for loan than there are for sale, but it may be an option worth considering if the right horse becomes available.
9. Consider rehoming
Another option to consider, for someone who has experience with horses, is rehoming a rescue horse. Each year, equine rescue charities take in a huge number of horses and ponies.
There are lots of benefits to rehoming a horse. With charities like the RSPCA or BlueCross, you can be reassured you will be getting an honest history. You will be individually matched to your horse by experts, and all the necessary health and training assessments will have been made.
It’s also much cheaper initially than purchasing a new horse and if your circumstances were to change, most charities will help you to rehome the horse again.
Some horses and ponies that need rehoming may have needed a lot of rehabilitation. For this reason, they aren’t always suitable for first-time horse owners. Some charities will assess the decision based on practical horse care experience and qualifications in stable management, so it’s worth contacting some local to you if rehoming is of interest to you.
10. Buying unseen
Whilst not for everyone, there are some success stories for buying unseen. However, checking the legitimacy of the sale is crucial.
What’s the next step? If you go ahead and purchase your new partner in crime firstly, congratulations! Secondly, if you’re looking to insure him, don’t delay. Find out why in our article when is best to insure?.