Horseback Riding - Horse Riding Lesson

TIPS FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS

PURCHASING HORSES FOR BEGINNING RIDERS

Doug Householder
Extension Horse Specialist
Department of Animal Science
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas 77843

Even though it's early Fall many persons will soon be considering purchasing a horse as a Christmas gift for a child, spouse or relative. While facilities, equipment, feeding, health, management, and riding plans are important, selection of the proper horse is most critical to the success of a rider's program. Below are some of the questions most commonly asked by persons who will be purchasing a horse, for the first time, for a beginning rider.

1. Do I need help? Yes. Identify a knowledgeable person (CEA, 4-H leader, horsemen, trainer), who can help you

locate and evaluate several horses and ultimately purchase a horse to meet your specific objectives. Since there are so many factors to consider, an experienced professional can be a great help.

How soon can I find a horse? Time required to purchase a horse varies depending on time to spend looking, availability of horses, skill in evaluating prospects, etc. Don't feel forced into purchasing a horse before Dec. 25 if you're not sure you are making the correct decision. A good horse purchased Feb 1 is a better, long term Christmas gift than a poor horse in the barn Christmas morning.

3. Where do I find horses? Good sources of horses are sales, individual owners and especially professional trainers that specialize in and have a reputation for selling riding horses. Often these trainers can help you think through your objectives as you look at different horses. Trainers will either have several horses, of various price ranges, in their barns or will know the whereabouts of other horses that will fit your needs. Video tapes of horses can be sent to prospective customers, for their evaluation, to save travel time and expense. If the video looks promising, go look at the horse.

4. What breed do I purchase? Purchase a breed of stock type, hunter type or saddle type like the horses owned by people with whom you will ride and/or compete.

5. Do I purchase a grade or registered horse? A grade horse could certainly fit a beginner rider's program and many beginners start on grade horses. Registration papers show proof of parentage, age, record of ownership, recorded show record and increase resale value. Registered horses will cost a little more than grade horses; however, considering the benefits, the additional money spent is well worth it.

6. Do I buy a mare, stallion or gelding? Geldings, due to their more consistent behavior are preferred by most riders. Some mares can be erratic in their behavior. Trying to ride pregnant mares and especially mares with suckling foals is a real problem, therefore, beginning riders shouldn't mix breeding and riding programs. Stallion should not be ridden by a beginning rider.

7. How old a horse do I buy? Horses are trained as 2 and 3-year-olds and if well trained, cared for and managed, can be ridden till they are over 20 years of age. Beginning riders need to develop rider skills; therefore, they need to ride horses that are already trained and "solid". The practice of purchasing a young horse for a young rider, so "they can grow up to-ether", doesn't work and can be dangerous to horse and rider. Don't be afraid to purchase a 10-12 or 15 year old horse if he is sound, solid, and has a known history. In fact, these horses, "whose odometers have rolled over a couple times" are preferred for beginning riders.

8. What about a horse's past record? Check out a horse's past history if possible. Who trained the horse? Who owned the horse? What did they do with him? How successful were they? Call past owners and visit with them. Obviously this will be much easier with a registered horse whose past owners are listed on the registration papers. The check may be nearly impossible on a grade horse.

9. What about a horses conformation? This is where help will be necessary. Evaluate a horse's conformation on balance, structural correctness, muscling and soundness of travel. Quality (or prettiness) is important, but should never take precedence over safety, training and soundness.

10. What about a horse's training? Again, for a first time buyer, help is essential here in evaluating a horse. When checking out a horse, check him out pre-ride and during a ride. Safety is the most important consideration. Pre ride, evaluate the horse when he is being caught, haltered, tied , bridled, saddled, etc. The horse should be quiet, relaxed and obedient. When being ridden the horse should not flip his head or chew on the bit. He should have solid basic training and quietly walk, trot and lope (on the correct lead) in circles or in a straight line, plus stop, back and sidepass on cue, More advanced maneuvers (spinning, lead change, etc.) indicate a higher degree of training in the horse. Buyers should always ride a potential purchase to see if the horse performs close to as well for you as he does for the present owner.

11. What other questions do I ask? Ask if the horse is "guaranteed sound", if he has any bad habits (kicks other horses, hauls poorly, etc.), if he has a current negative Coggins certification (against EIA), if his registration papers are current, etc.

12. How much will a horse cost me? The horse industry doesn't make a blue book for horses like the auto industry has for cars or trucks. Like shopping for an auto; however, the more ideal features the horse has, the higher the price. The salvage value of a 1000 lb. horse is $500-$600. An Extension Service Horseowners Survey (1991) reported that over 70% of riding horses purchased in 1991 were purchased for under $2,000. While riding horses can be purchased for $750-$1000, expect to pay $1500 and up for an older, sound, solid, broke horse that will be safe for a beginner to ride.

Once a good solid horse is purchased, contact your CEA and/or local 4-H Horse Club Leader and get involved in a continuing adult or 4-H youth educational program. Horse magazines, video tapes, publications, clinics, etc. can help you learn more about caring for and riding your horse. Hopefully this brief information will be helpful to beginning buyers as they shop for a solid, safe, well broke horse that will fit a loved one. Good luck, Merry Christmas and see you on the trail!

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