Tips for First horse + Horse shopping/buying

Backstory; Due to a million and one reasons I'm not leasing a horse this year. For the second year in a row. I've never owned a horse, ridden for around 7 years but have not a whole lot of experience in owning a horse care. I've been to every barn within 30 minutes of my house and none of them have worked out for me. My current barn I've been at for a couple years constantly causes issues and I'm pretty much done dealing with it.

That being said, I'm looking into buying my own horse. I'm not going to buy on impulse, but I'm looking for the right horse to buy and call mine. I'd very much appreciate any buying tips, as well as care tips/links/websites/whatever. I do not want to run into this blind, and want to get information together to start this journey on the right foot.

Thank you anyone who throws some information out there, or even stories of your first horse c:

My advice to you is a couple things:

 1) Have someone you trust to come with you to evaluate your horse prospects (a trainer/someone of that position would be best).
2)Be honest with yourself about your riding ability/goals for what you would like to accomplish
3)ALWAYS DO A PREPURCHASE/WELLNESS EXAM!!!
      -I ended up with a Cushing's horse because I neglected this step (needless to say my parents aren't very happy).Although my mare is the love of my life, I've been paying more than I thought I would for meds.
4) Plan for the initial purchase price to be the initial investment

However, as you said in your backstory, you don't want to be dealing with barn drama. If you end up boarding your horse (not sure what you are considering), you will always encounter the barn drama. And unfortunately, it never goes away.

**DISCLAMER: Just advice based on my experience, may not be true in all horse buying scenarios*****

I agree with what MythicalSis said. PPEs are very important. I got lucky with my horse, but I got him from a well-respected rescue that keeps good records on all of their horses.

Just because people and places like this exist, always run fast from sellers that refuse to let you on property, refuse to show you new pictures of the horse, refuse to let you use your own veterinarian for a PPE, refuse to let you use your own shipper, etc. Those are all BIG red flags. There's one place in Kentucky that does all of this (plus starves their horses until death), and it's difficult to get them shut down because Kentucky animal welfare laws are garbage... Just a warning.

If your gut tells you "no," listen to it.

If this is a horse you plan on riding, insist on riding the horse first.  One of my friends recently bought a horse and fell in love with him based off of his video.  Horses in videos and pictures are always made to look their best.  (Tail extensions, posed just right, etc.) and it can be difficult to see any vices or issues this way.  My friend pretty much was only able to go and pick up her horse to bring him home.  No one rode him for her and she didn't ride him herself.  He was thin and did not look like the same horse in the video.  Thankfully, he rides well enough but I can definitely tell she's not as impressed with him as she initially was.  He's also extremely pushy and constantly kicks his stall and makes a ton of noise.  

tldr; Always insist on seeing the horse/riding them/etc BEFORE you buy.  (Don't rely on videos/pictures)


Also, as mentioned, always take someone else with you for a second opinion and don't be pressured into buying a horse right away.  No matter how good of a deal they make you.  And don't buy the first horse you fall in love with, take a look at a few and if it's meant to be that horse will be ready for you when you come back.  I would also ask if they are willing to take the horse back if things don't work out or if they'll do a 30 day trial period sort of thing as well.

Disclaimer:  I'm no professional, all advice is based on experience/information gathered from others.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

@MythicalSis ;; Yeah, I'm aware Barn drama is everywhere. I'm pretty good with it. Just all the barns I went to didn't work out.
Barn 1 ; 2 years I rode for her I was NEVER off the leadline.

Barn 2 ; Snotty Dressage trainer was trying to make me ride a horse with a giant open bleeding wound under the girth

Barn 3 ; Trainer treated me like garbage, and the horse she made me work with tried to kill me a good 4 times. Mostly slamming me into the wall {I was like 15, now I'd be OK with a horse like this} Plus I was allergic to the indoor arena sand and I wasn;t allowed to ride outside.

Barn 4 ; Never shows up for lessons, When I lease a horse constantly takes it / uses it on my lease days. Sends every horse I like away, Tells me she got a horse I would like, Not even close to a horse I would like. Lots of drug problems at this barn too. Horses are skinny, not well cared for.

@Vos ; Rescues are a 100% No-No for me. Every rescue within a reasonable distance of me has been not so great. Most wont adopt out to first time horse owners besides un-rideable horses.

@Chesire ; I really like the idea of a 30 day or similar trial. I know a few barns in my area that drug horses before viewings OR they work them so tired they can't act up. So a trial would help show the horse true to itself.

In what world would it ever be acceptable to ride a horse that slaves people into walls.... moreover, how can a person call themself a professional that puts their students on such a horse....

As people have mentioned, riding a horse is always a good thing. Better yet, having a very knowledgeable trainer/horse person with you is even better. Repurchases are *always* a good idea too because your vet will be able to offer a more objective view and statements of facts that will help you make a decision on whether or not you want to buy the horse.

Also, pay attention to the horse's history if the owner offers it. If a price on a "great horse" is too good to be true, it probably is. Don't ever buy a horse based on color....   >.<    

Best of luck!

I've never heard of so much barn drama before.. I've ridden at numerous stables and worked/interned at a bunch more and I've never been treated like that..

Tips for buying horses from my experience that would work for you is you need to take the horse on a 30 day trial! As it's been brought up, drugging is a huge problem in the industry. As long as you can find a horse that seems to fit your needs and they allow you to try them out for a little bit, you should be just fine. Just make sure a contract is written up to protect you and the seller. 

make sure you have someone experienced and who knows your riding ability and what you're looking for come with you.

get a vetting/pre-purchase exam (I think that's what they're called in the states?) done. I know you can also request bloods to be taken at a vetting if you use a 5 stage vetting, and if you suspect the horse was drugged if you do purchase it, they can be tested (at least in the UK). Vetting will also show up any soundness issues or other issues with the horse. Some are minor, for example I know someone who has bought a horse that jumps up to 1m30 but would have failed a vetting due to a minor wind issue - apparently sometimes he faintly whistles, but it's very minor and was only noticed as previous owner also has racehorses so was very on top of any issues any horses had. New owner hasn't heard this wind issue at all yet. Similarly, a horse can fail for something like a sarcoid, even if the sarcoid isn't in a place where it would make it unrideable and hasn't changed in size for years - if the horse fails, it's up to you to decide to purchase it or not and if you do purchase a horse that's failed due to a minor injury, you would be able to ask for money off due to said issue (at least that's how it is in the UK)

make sure you buy something that has good ground manners. as long as you know the basics of horse care, and how to feed/water/muck out/groom/tack up etc. the rest will come as you go. Things like what rug/blanket to use, how and when to worm, when to call a vet (although that one is usually pretty obvious), how to treat minor injuries all come as you go along, that said there are LOADS of horse care manuals - I know you're in the US, but the BHS Stage 1 book is a good one, but keep in mind it's British and a lot of it is very 'regulation' but it gives a good basic guide on doing things.

Don't buy a horse which has potential to do things unless you're sure you would be able to ride it to that potential - for a first horse you're better getting something that's a little bit more been there, done that. It doesn't have to be an old horse or a schoolmaster, because there are plenty of 7-12 year olds out there who've done a bit of competing and have been there, done that experience without being older or schoolmaster types.

Also, don't buy a horse just on looks or because you like the breed. I've seen so many people buy a horse on looks and because when they rode it they were able to ask for w/t/c. It doesn't mean they could necessarily ride it, or that they were the best rider for that horse, if that makes sense. You don't want to be overhorsed.

Be careful buying from dealers/people who make buying and selling horses their business. Sometimes they may not have had the horse in for more than a week, some of them can lie and embellish horses achievements, and as some have a quick turn around, and behavioural issues may not present while the dealer has them (or they may try and cover them up). Also be wary of horses who are underweight/lack condition when you try them, as some horses are kept skinnier to stop them being as fiery/fiesty. That said, some horses are just very hard to keep weight on especially over winter. 

I would also work out what vices/conditions would be a complete no for you, and what would be acceptable. Something like cribbing or wind sucking might be a no for some people, but not for others (do keep in mind some boarding places don't like cribbers/windsuckers as they can damage doors too). Similarly some people wouldn't buy a horse with sweet itch whilst someone else may not see this as as big a red flag if they have facilities suited to managing the condition and the horse is otherwise what they're after. If you're going to insure your new horse, also be aware they may have exclusions if the horse already has a few known medical conditions.

Hope that doesn't scare you off! asking for a trial or loan to buy situation is often one of the best ways to work things out, and a genuine owner shouldn't have anything to hide. Don't be afraid to ask any and all questions you can think of, and if you don't like an answer, don't seem to get an answer for the question you asked or something doesn't seem right, it would draw a red flag for me. There are lots of genuine sellers out there who will be open and honest about the horse they're selling. You are far better to go and try 100 horses and not buy a single one, but come away with a good idea of what you liked and didn't like about those 100 horses and a better idea of what you're after, than to rush into it and buy the first one you see. I would also recommend trying the horse twice before you buy (although if you're able to take it on a trial/loan to buy you may only need to try it once before the trial/loan starts anyway) and if you do trial/take a loan to buy out on the horse make sure you have a contract thats clear and signed so you don't end up having to buy a horse that had an undisclosed lameness issue before the trial started that the owner now expects you to pay for, or something similar.

L@Nebula ;; Honestly it's terrible. Both on ground and in saddle being slammed around wasn't appreciated. I know history is a big thing with horses, because even small things can lead to bigger issues. 

@styxx ;; Well, in eastern CT this is how it is. Just settle for the barn that's the least bad for you. And contract is going to be  a 100% requirement for me. Just with everything I've been through, I have to be sure.

@meine ;;  don't worry, you didn't scare me off, lols. I'm planning to get a horse in the 7-13 range probably, I don't have the experience to deal with a spunky youngster! Minor vet failing probably won't be an issue for me, as I don't show or do much hard riding. I'm searching for a pleasure horse who can take an occasional day of low jumping. (Literally just tiny x-rails) 
The biggest issue im running into is I don't really have an experienced horse person to go around with me to look. The barn I'm "currently" at has a rap sheet a mile long, and anyone in the area won't sell to someone associated with them.

Also, I have 0 experience with feed and horses. I've never fed or dealt with the feeding of them, so that's something I have to look into as well ;p

dreamhorse.com is a good place to find horses, I would recommend choosing "Show video ads only" and "show picture ads only" because this shows you ads with videos and pictures of the horse.

Hi there! As an experienced horseman with 10+ years of experience in the business, I've got a few tips from both a buyer and seller perspective. I've sold a few horses, and I've bought a few, as well. I currently have five horses, just sold an older mare, and just purchased a yearling as a my new show prospect. I show AQHA/APHA/Pinto, and have been riding/owning/around horses for nearly 18 years. 

1. Keep an open mind. Don't go to the sale interview with super high expectations or low expectations. Horses have off days. If it seems like the horse is completely different than originally described, cross that one off your list. 

1-a: I saw you said you'd be looking in the 7-13 range. If you're a beginner horse owner, I'd actually try 10-17. There is absolutely nothing wrong with casually riding an older horse. My gelding is 16, is 1100 lbs, and works like a freight train on a new set of tracks. Don't shy at an older horse. I can't say that enough, especially for a beginner. The mare I recently sold is 27 (yep, you heard me right!) and she was too much for some of the prospected buyers to handle! She's going home with one of my lesson girls, and I'm ecstatic I'll be able to keep up with her and see how loved she is for the rest of her life. 

2. Be sure to ask if the horse would be suitable for what you want, your level of experience, and if it has experience doing what you want to do. Do this before the sales interview. It's never wrong to ask questions, and if the seller gets annoyed, it isn't worth your time. That being said, pay attention to the ad. When I sell a horse, I try to put all the information in the ad, regardless of good or bad. The mare I recently sold required joint maintenance and is a bit of a harder keeper if you're not careful. You bet that was in her ad! 

3. Pre-purchase exams are going to be on your dollar, but they're worth it. Only do this if you're 100% certain you're interested in actually purchasing the horse, and know that the exam is never, ever, ever, ever going to come back 100% clean. That being said, don't be totally disgruntled if the vet calls for some arthritis, stiffness, or a slightly odd angle in a leg x-ray (if you do x-rays). Have a trusted professional with you to watch the exam or go over the exam results. 

4. Don't purchase on looks. Imagine the horse as a scraggly looking sun-faded bay with choppy, dry hair, and absolutely no white. Do you still want it? Good! That means you're looking at the horse's talent and personality, and not how pretty a dappled buckskin tobiano with two blue eyes is! 

5. A trial is fine, but you may be hard pressed to find a seller in that area willing to do a 30 day trial. That's a long time to hold onto payment in case you change your mind. I'd request a week to two weeks, and spend that time getting to know your horse, and riding your new horse to make sure everything is A-OK and how you want it. 

6. Be honest with yourself. If the horse seems out of your league, don't purchase it. Be confident in your ability, but don't over estimate what you can handle. If you get something that needs a job and requires riding or heavy work 4-5 times a week but really only have the time to ride 3 times a week, then that's probably not the horse for you. 

7. Finally, don't let it stress you out too much. Finding the right horse is a long, tedious, and disappointing journey that may take a few months. It's hard finding the right horse, and it may take some time. Just be patient! 

As for feeding/care, that's dependent on the horse's needs. With my five, they're on a grass/alfalfa mixture and a single scoop of grain a day, which each horse getting different grain because they all have different needs. Having a horse is very expensive, but it's a chosen lifestyle and requires dedication! My horses are shiny, fit and in good weight and spirits. They get daily turn out, 100% access to fresh, cold water, and "play" time at least once a week where I turn my herd all out together to interact and be social with one another. I live in Michigan, and hay prices around here are on average $4 a bale. Just be prepared for the extra cost of feed and care if you have to board at a place that requires you to buy your own food :) 

I hope you have a great time finding your own horse! Feel free to post pictures of prospective buys! 

My three main tips from past experiences...

1. Bring knowledgeable people with you. I brought 4 just to be sure!

2. DO NOT BUY THE FIRST HORSE YOU SEE! (unless you're absolutely positive of course). I bought my first mare out of sympathy and ended up with a permanently lame horse.

3. Go see the horse(s) more than once. I recommend at least 2-3 times. Make sure they allow you to catch the horse, lead it, saddle it, groom it, etc. You need to see how that horse will first act around you. Over the course of three days, do everything you can with it.