When shopping for a horse, people need to remember the principle “caveat emptor,” which is Latin for “buyer beware.” After all, although many sellers are honest, others are quite dishonest; and dishonest sellers have no qualms whatsoever about misrepresenting whatever it is they have to sell, horses included. Then again, people in the market for a good, reliable, healthy, well-trained horse can greatly increase their chances of finding the right horse if they keep certain guidelines in mind.
The Average Cost of Buying a Horse
Horses like anything else sell for different prices. How much a seller will ask for a particular horse, though, depends upon several factors:
- Breeding: A registered purebred animal is worth more, at least price wise, than an animal of uncertain or mixed lineage.
- Age: A younger horse usually, though not always, will cost more than one of advanced age.
- Training: An unbroken horse will normally cost less than a well-trained horse.
- Conformation and appearance: A good-looking, well-proportioned horse will cost more than one that isn’t especially handsome or well proportioned.
- Performance ability: A horse that has proven its ability, for instance, in dressage, cutting, or jumping, will cost more than a horse that has yet to demonstrate its ability.
- Temperament: An easy going, well-mannered horse will sell for a higher price than one that’s temperamental and difficult to handle. (Edwards, 1991)
The Best Place to Buy a Good Horse
Regarding where to purchase a horse, there are several options available: buying at an auction, buying from a dealer or horse trader, buying from a current owner, or buying from a breeder. Each option is viable, but buyers need to consider the advantages and disadvantages associated with each before deciding which is best option for them personally.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Horse at Auction
The advantage of this option is that, if a reputable auctioneer conducts the sale, buyers are usually protected under the “conditions of sale,” although they should study the document closely and read the fine print. The disadvantage of buying a horse at an auction is that it usually isn’t possible for buyers either to examine the horse closely or to ride it themselves and see just how well trained and tractable the animal is when a novice instead of a professional rider is in the saddle.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Horse from a Dealer
Some people earn a sizable income buying and selling horses. In fact, some dealers are professional horse traders. It’s what they do, and they’re good at it. There are several advantages to buying from a dealer:
- Buyers can examine the horse closely.
- Buyers can handle the horse and gauge its temperament.
- Buyers can observe the horse being ridden.
- Buyers can ride the horse themselves.
On the other hand, there are some disadvantages associated with buying from a dealer. For one, since dealers are professional horse traders and first and foremost salespeople, many will say whatever it takes to close the deal. Additionally, some of the horses offered for sale might have behavioral or even health problems, which is why their original owners sold them to the dealer in the first place. Such problems, however, might not become evident until the buyer gets the horse home and spends some time with it. Granted, many dealers are reputable and, therefore, guarantee customer satisfaction; but some dealers might refuse to buy back the animal, so the new owner is left with a horse that’s unsuitable and, for them, difficult to sell.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Horse From an Owner
If people buy a horse from its owner, they can handle the horse, examine it, ride it, and ask the owner questions about its health, habits, diet, or vices, etc. On the other hand, the owner may not be truthful and may knowingly misrepresent the horse. In fact, some owners have been known to tranquilize a horse so it will behave for a potential buyer, and the unsuspecting buyer then purchases a horse that is unmanageable or perhaps even dangerous. This is why it’s best for buyers not to make hasty decisions when purchasing from someone whom they do not know.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a Horse From a Breeder
Breeders really know their horses. They know the animals’ behavior, mannerisms, habits, and vices. But then, breeders should know their horses since they’ve handled the animals since birth. Additionally, breeders have a reputation to uphold, so they usually guarantee the quality and training of their horses, just as they guarantee “money back” if a buyer is dissatisfied. On the other hand, there is one disadvantage to going this route: Since these individuals are breeders, their horses tend to be purebred registered animals and, therefore, the prices might be prohibitive for many buyers.
In summary, regardless of where they ultimately decide to purchase, it’s possible for buyers to find healthy, well-trained horses for reasonable prices if they take their time, shop around, ask questions, avoid hasty decisions, and, last but not least, never forget the principle of “buyer beware.”
Readers who enjoyed this article might also enjoy reading “Amazing Facts About Horses” and “Wild Horses of the American West.”
Source:
Edwards, E. (1991) The Ultimate Horse Book. New York: Dorling Kindersley, Inc.
Carol Rzadkiewicz - Carol Rzadkiewicz has taught college English for over 14 years and is the author of three published novels and numerous short stories.
