How to choose and buy a horse

Equine vet Liam Kearns of the Three Counties Equine Hospital, Tewkesbury, was a key speaker at the recent BEVA Trust horse owners day. Here, he discusses how to choose and buy a horse.

Having made the decision that you have the time, money and experience to own a horse, the next step is to find your ideal equine partner.

Engaging a knowledgeable person or horse trainer will be the first useful step. The next decision is to decide on what level of work the horse will do. This will depend on your experience and also your aspirations.

In whatever discipline you want to engage, the most important requirement will be the horses’ temperament. The type of horse you buy may be guided by the discipline, eg Anglo Arab or Arab for endurance riding, Irish Draught cross Thoroughbred for show jumping or hunting, Warmblood for dressage.

Another important decision will be how you plan to keep your horse. Will it be in a livery yard with limited periods of turn out? Do you work long hours and expect the horse to be exercised from a turn out situation?

The next step is to decide where to purchase. The first option may be word of mouth. If you are looking for a pony club mount the local DC or Pony Club Chief Instructor may know what is available.

You may decide to attend a public auction. Here you will have limited time to make your decision and limited contact with the prospective purchase.

You must read the conditions of sale in detail and take advice on terminology used in the catalogue description, eg If a horse is described as being ‘green’ it should be capable of being ridden by a competent rider at slow paces in open country. Where a horse is described as being ‘not suitable for a novice’ it usually means that.

Local papers and the equestrian press could be another port of call. It may be worth placing a wanted ad because this will mean you will have written out in detail what your requirements are and many good partnerships have been formed in this way. Ask people in your locality to recommend a reputable dealer and do not be afraid to use them.

Their living depends on their reputation and you have more rights of redress than when purchasing from a private individual. Give the dealer a decent description of your own ability and what you wish to purchase. Be modest and honest.

Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware) applies in cases of private sale. The private seller is responsible only for what he states in his original description or in answer to your specific questions. The dealer on the other hand is at all times implying that his goods are of saleable quality and fit for purpose. This is so even in cases where the dealer may not have known that the horse had certain defects.

The next step is responding to the advert with the initial phone call and vital information should be gathered at this time. Do not be embarrassed to ask questions and be specific.

Make a note of the answers given and the name of the person who gives you the answers. An unscrupulous vendor may avoid searching questions by having calls taken by a junior member of staff. Is the horse in full work at present? Be wary of buying a horse just back from a lay off, as it may conceal a chronic problem.

Does the horse have a passport? Ask what type of passport the horse holds as this may help with documentary evidence of age. Is the horse currently insured and are there any exclusions on the insurance? Is the horse good in traffic and good to box, shoe and clip? Does the horse have any stable vices? Has the horse ever shown evidence of sweet itch, laminitis or head shaking?

Has the horse got form, eg British Eventing points, BSJA winnings etc. Has the horse ever shown a tendency to buck or rear? Having garnered as much information as possible and discussed it with your adviser, the next step is to go and examine the horse.

Although good conformation is important for higher levels of competition there are many weaknesses which are acceptable. A more critical eye will be needed if purchasing a mare with a view to future breeding or a horse for the show ring.

A curb will be a deterrent in the latter but in most cases will not affect performance. Badly deformed limbs or ‘back at the knee’ conformation may be frowned upon. Poor foot shape, eg weak flat heels would also have a negative influence.

The temperament will outweigh many other factors so use the opportunity to see the horse in his stable, pick up his feet, ask to see him load, being tacked up and watch his response around other horses.

See the horse ridden by someone else before riding yourself. Try to ride the horse in as many environments as possible: on the road, open fields and in an arena. Ask if the horse has already been exercised that day.

Try to arrange to take the horse to another venue, eg cross country course. Although it is not recommended for a novice to buy a horse from public auction, there is an advantage in observing the horse’s behaviour in strange surroundings.

If a height specification is important, eg 148 cm jumping pony, it needs to be ascertained that the horse has a JMB measurement certificate. If not it should be agreed that one be obtained prior to the purchase going ahead.

Stable vices will devalue a horse. These include crib biting, wind sucking, box walking and weaving. Many horse auctions list these as causes for return to vendor unless declared in the catalogue. Many livery yard owners will not tolerate a horse with a stable vice in their yard but on the other hand a horse with proven form might be forgiven a vice if it was reflected in the purchase price.

Finally some do’s and don’ts on choosing and buying a horse:

• Expect to put time and effort into your purchase.
• Don’t depend on being able to re-train unless you are experienced.
• Avoid a horse just back in work from a long lay off.
• Don’t be embarrassed to ask searching questions and record the answers, and preferably get the vendor to sign for those answers.
• Beware of the word ‘potential’ in many cases this means a gamble.
• Try and see the horse at least twice if practical.

Liam Kearns, MVB MRCVS

(Farmer’s Guardian Equestrian Feature, 12 April 2007)