Buying a Horse: How to Look Beyond the Pretty Picture

I've watched people fall in love with a horse before they've even put a halter on him.

Sometimes it's the color. Sometimes it's the movement. Sometimes it's a video of him sliding to a stop or loping around an arena like he was born to do it. Sometimes it's the story behind the horse that gets us. Maybe he was rescued. Maybe he has an impressive show record. Maybe he's exactly the breed, height, or color we've always wanted.

And sometimes, by the time we actually get there to try the horse, we've already bought him in our head.

That's a dangerous place to start a horse purchase.

Because once you've decided you love a horse, it becomes surprisingly easy to explain away the things that don't fit. You start thinking, I can work with that. Or He'll probably settle down once he gets home. Or That's not really a big deal.

I've been there myself.

When you're buying a horse, the goal isn't simply to find a horse you like. It's to determine whether the horse standing in front of you is actually a good match for you, your experience, your goals, and the life you intend to have together.

That's a very different process.

Start With the Job

Before you start scrolling through horse ads, figure out what you actually want to do with your horse. This sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how often people start with the horse instead of starting with the job.

Do you want to trail ride?

Compete in barrels?

Ride endurance?

Show?

Take lessons?

Have a horse your children can ride?

Spend weekends exploring trails?

Maybe you want a horse that can do a little bit of everything.

Those goals matter because they help determine what you're looking for.

If endurance riding is your goal, you may want to start your search by learning about breeds that have historically been developed for stamina and distance. Arabians are an obvious breed to consider, and Thoroughbreds can also make excellent endurance horses.

If barrel racing is your dream, Quarter Horses are an obvious place to start because of the athleticism, acceleration, agility, and build commonly found within the breed.

If trail riding is what you really want, your priorities may be completely different. You might care more about a calm, steady temperament, sure-footedness, and a comfortable ride than explosive speed. Gaited breeds can also be worth considering if you plan to spend long hours in the saddle and value a naturally comfortable gait.

None of this means a particular breed guarantees a particular ability. Horses are individuals, and there are always exceptions. It simply means that your intended job should influence where you begin your search.

The same is true of conformation.

You're not looking for the horse that simply looks the prettiest standing in a pasture. You're looking for a horse whose physical structure is appropriate for the work you expect him to do.

A horse that will spend hours covering miles of trail has different physical demands than a horse expected to make fast turns around barrels. A jumping horse has different physical demands than a horse whose primary job is carrying a child around the arena.

So before you decide that you need a black horse, a palomino, a Quarter Horse, a certain height, or a particular body type, ask yourself a much more important question:

What am I asking this horse to do?

Once you know that, you can start figuring out what kind of horse is most likely to be successful at the job.

And yes, if he's black, too, that's a bonus.

Be Honest About the Rider's Experience

The other half of the equation is you.

Not the rider you hope to become.

Not the rider you were twenty years ago.

Not the rider you think you'll be after you take a few more lessons.

The rider you are today.

This can be a difficult question to answer honestly because most of us want to believe we're more capable than we actually are. That's not arrogance. It's human nature.

But your horse doesn't care what you intend to be able to handle.

If you are nervous when a horse spooks, you need to account for that.

If you've never dealt with a horse who bucks, bolts, rears, or becomes reactive, that matters.

If you don't know how to recognize the difference between a horse who is confused, frightened, in pain, frustrated, or simply being naughty, that matters too.

And if you've only ever ridden finished horses, buying a young or green horse because you plan to “learn together” may not be the best place to start.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to learn and grow with your horse. That's one of the wonderful things about horsemanship.

But your horse should have enough experience and stability to support your learning rather than requiring you to already have skills you haven't developed yet.

The right horse should challenge you enough to help you grow without putting you in situations you're not prepared to handle.

Don't Fall in Love Before You Get There

This one is easier said than done.

You've found the horse online. You've watched the videos. You've looked at the pictures approximately 400 times. You've already named him in your phone.

I get it.

But try to walk into the first meeting with an open mind.

Before you touch the horse, watch him.

What is he doing in his stall or pasture?

Does he seem relaxed? Nervous? Curious? Aggressive? Shut down?

How does he respond to people walking around him?

Does he pin his ears when someone approaches?

Does he move away?

Does he investigate?

None of these observations automatically make a horse good or bad. You're simply gathering information.

And that is what buying a horse should be:

Gathering information.

Not finding reasons to justify the horse you already decided you want.

Watch Someone Else Handle Him

One of the most valuable things you can do is watch someone who knows the horse handle him before you take over.

Watch him being caught.

Watch him being haltered.

Watch him lead.

Watch him stand tied.

Watch him groomed.

Watch his feet being picked up.

Watch him being saddled and bridled.

Pay attention to how the horse responds when something doesn't go perfectly.

Does he stand quietly?

Does he become anxious?

Does he move around?

Does he threaten?

Does the handler seem comfortable, or do they look like they're constantly managing the horse?

And watch the handler, too.

Sometimes the person handling the horse has developed a very specific routine for managing a behavior that they consider completely normal.

You might hear, “Oh, he always does that.”

That's information.

The fact that something is normal for the current owner doesn't necessarily mean it is something you want to live with.

Watch Someone Else Ride

If you're considering buying a riding horse, I strongly recommend watching someone else ride him before you get on.

Watch more than whether he can walk, trot, lope, stop, and turn.

Watch the relationship between the horse and rider.

Does the rider have to constantly correct him?

Does the horse seem relaxed?

Does he respond willingly?

How does he react when something changes?

What happens when another horse passes?

What happens when the rider asks for something he doesn't understand?

What happens when he gets nervous?

And then ask yourself one of the most important questions you can ask during a horse trial:

Could I ride this horse the way this rider is riding him?

That's a much more useful question than whether the horse can perform a particular maneuver.

A highly skilled rider may be able to make a difficult horse look easy.

That doesn't necessarily mean the horse will be easy for you.

Ride the Horse for the Job You Actually Want

This is where a lot of horse evaluations fall short.

If you're buying a trail horse, don't make your entire decision based on twenty minutes in a quiet arena.

If you're buying a barrel horse, you should see how he behaves around barrels.

If you're buying a horse for your child, your child needs to be part of the evaluation.

If you're buying an endurance prospect, think about whether the horse is physically and mentally suited to the demands of long-distance work.

You want to see the horse doing something that resembles the job you're hiring him to do.

A horse can be perfectly behaved in one environment and completely different somewhere else.

The quiet arena might not tell you what happens when you leave the property.

The familiar trail might not tell you what happens at a busy show.

The experienced adult rider might not tell you what happens when a less experienced child gets in the saddle.

The goal isn't to put the horse in increasingly difficult situations just to see what happens.

The goal is to gather enough information to determine whether the horse's current abilities and temperament match what you need.

Ask the Uncomfortable Questions

If you're buying a horse, ask about the things you don't want to hear about.

Has he ever bucked?

Has he ever reared?

Has he ever bolted?

Has he ever kicked?

Has he ever bitten?

Has he ever refused to load?

Has he ever been difficult to catch?

Has he ever had a significant injury?

Has he ever had behavioral problems?

Has he ever been returned?

Why are you selling him?

How long have you owned him?

Why hasn't he been ridden recently?

What happens when he's scared?

What happens when he's frustrated?

What happens when he's separated from other horses?

And don't just listen to the answer.

Listen to how the answer is given.

There's a big difference between someone saying, “Yes, he bucked when we first got him, but we've spent the last two years working through it and here's exactly what happened,” and someone who seems reluctant to answer basic questions.

Honesty doesn't mean the horse has to have a perfect history.

In fact, I would much rather hear an honest description of a horse's flaws than a long list of reasons why a horse is supposedly perfect.

There is no perfect horse.

There are only horses that may or may not be right for you.

Don't Let the Sad Story Make the Decision

This one is especially important for people like me.

I love a rescue horse.

I love a horse with a story.

I love the idea of giving a horse a second chance and watching him become confident and happy.

But a horse having a difficult past does not automatically mean that you are the person who should help him through it.

Sometimes the horse needs a more experienced rider.

Sometimes he needs a professional trainer.

Sometimes he needs a quieter environment.

Sometimes he needs a completely different job.

And sometimes you simply aren't equipped to give him what he needs.

That doesn't mean you don't care.

In fact, recognizing that can be an incredibly responsible act of horsemanship.

You don't have to prove that you can save a horse.

You have to decide whether you can provide the horse with a good home and a successful partnership.

Bring Someone Who Doesn't Love the Horse Yet

If you can, bring an experienced horse person or trainer with you.

Ideally, bring someone who isn't emotionally invested in the horse.

Because once you've fallen in love, objectivity gets really difficult.

You start saying things like:

He's just nervous.

I can work with that.

He'll settle down.

I don't mind that.

I can fix that.

He's perfect otherwise.

A knowledgeable person who isn't emotionally attached to the outcome may notice something you don't.

They may also see something positive that you overlooked.

That's the point.

They're not there to make the decision for you. They're there to help you see the horse clearly.

Get a Pre-Purchase Exam

If you're making a significant investment in a horse, talk to your veterinarian about a pre-purchase examination.

A pre-purchase exam isn't a crystal ball, and it doesn't guarantee that a horse will never become injured or sick.

What it can do is give you additional information about the horse's current health and soundness so you can make a more informed decision.

The scope of the examination can also vary depending on the horse, the intended use, the value of the horse, and your veterinarian's recommendations.

And remember: the purpose of a pre-purchase exam isn't necessarily to find a horse with absolutely nothing wrong with him.

The purpose is to understand what you're buying and decide whether the horse's current condition is appropriate for what you intend to ask him to do. Keep in mind, just because you find old injuries, it doesn't mean that it hurts him. I know what would show up on a pre-purchase exam if someone did one on me, but it doesn't mean that I can't run a half marathon pain free, or sit in the saddle for 6 hours with no issues. So take everything that you learn and use it as a gauge, but also, pay attention to what the horse is telling you hurts or doesn't bother him.

Be Willing to Walk Away

This might be the hardest part.

Sometimes you will find a horse you absolutely love.

And sometimes, after you gather all the information, you will realize that he's not the right horse for you.

Walk away.

There will be another horse.

I promise.

There will always be another beautiful horse. Another flashy horse. Another horse with a great story. Another horse with incredible potential. Another horse in your favorite color.

You do not have to make a bad decision simply because you are afraid you won't find another horse you love.

The horse market will always have another horse.

What you don't want is to spend the next ten years trying to make the wrong horse fit your life.

The Horse Doesn't Have to Be Perfect

After everything I've said, I want to make one thing very clear.

I'm not suggesting that you should search for a horse with absolutely no flaws.

That horse probably doesn't exist.

Every horse has quirks. Every horse has preferences. Every horse has things that will require you to learn, adapt, and grow.

The question isn't whether the horse has flaws.

The question is whether those flaws are things you can safely and reasonably live with.

A horse might be terrible at standing still for a bath but wonderful on the trail.

Another might be a little pushy on the ground but incredibly dependable under saddle.

Another might be an amazing competitor but completely unsuitable for a beginner.

Context matters.

A horse isn't good or bad simply because he has a particular behavior.

You have to look at the whole picture.

Look for the Horse You Don't Have to Convince Yourself to Buy

I think that's probably the biggest lesson I've learned from buying, training, rescuing, and living with horses.

The right horse won't necessarily be the one that makes your heart beat the fastest.

Sometimes the right horse is the one that makes you feel like you can finally take a breath.

He's the horse whose temperament fits yours.

His abilities fit your goals.

His physical characteristics fit the work you want to do.

His training fits your experience.

His needs fit what you can realistically provide.

And when you put all of that together, you don't have to spend the entire drive home convincing yourself that all the red flags really aren't that important.

You can simply say:

This horse makes sense for me.

That's what you're looking for.

Not the prettiest horse.

Not the most expensive horse.

Not the most accomplished horse.

Not even necessarily the horse you've always dreamed about.

You're looking for the horse that gives both of you the best chance of succeeding together.

Because buying a horse isn't just about finding an animal you love.

You're choosing a partner.

And the best horse isn't necessarily the one you can't walk away from.

Sometimes, it's the one you don't have to.