Lori Warren was 16 years old when she first decided to buy a horse on her own. She planned to show it in 4-H and on the Quarter horse circuit.
The horse was three years old, had shown in two futurities, and came with a pretty good pedigree. It also displayed good natural ability and a good demeanor.
The price: $4,500 (U.S.)
“It was probably the biggest sum of money I’d spent on anything prior to that,” said Warren, Alberta Agriculture’s horse specialist, who recently moved to Canada from Kentucky. “It instilled in me the need to make the right choice.”
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There is much to think about when buying a horse for the first time. Before dialing up those numbers in the classifieds or dropping in on horse ranches, do some homework.
Horse specialists advise prospective buyers to research the cost of owning a horse before they start shopping.
“You need to have it in your mind that the cheapest part is the purchase price,” said Les Burwash, Alberta Agriculture’s manager of horse programs.
“Maintenance of the horse always exceeds the price of the horse.”
First things first
Anyone scanning the classified ads of The Western Producer will note that horse prices often start at $1,500 and increase from there.
Even if you have your own pasture, Burwash said you should budget $1,000 a year for a horse’s upkeep. That will go toward feed, minor veterinary bills, farrier services and other maintenance costs. Paying to board a horse will push the annual tally of expenses higher.
Oh, and don’t forget the cost of a saddle, saddle blanket, bridle and all the other accessories needed to groom and ride a horse.
Once all the math is done, ask yourself what kind of horse you want and how you plan to use it.
Do you want a mare or a gelding? Does breed matter to you? What size of horse is appropriate? What about age? Are you fussy about color?
While Burwash scratches stallions off the list of candidates, he believes mares and geldings share similar footing as prospects for first-time buyers wanting a horse for pleasure riding.
He doesn’t get hung up on breeds, either.
“In my mind we look for the right horse. Forget breeds altogether.”
There are people who would argue that point. They consider certain breeds more even-tempered than others.
John Miller, owner of the Miller Quarter Horse Ranch at High River, Alta., said temperament often is influenced by bloodlines more than it is by the breed. But in the next breath, he might also tell you that Quarter horses and Appaloosas are two of the more docile breeds.
As for gender, he thinks geldings, on average, are more likely to have an even temperament than mares.
“That’s just my opinion and everybody has his own.”
If the horse is for a young or novice rider, age should be a consideration. Like people, horses tend to lose some of their vim and vigor as they age.
“In general, I’m thinking of a horse that’s at least five years old,” Burwash said, noting that horses much older than that can still make good candidates.
“On the top end, if the horse is sound and everything, I’m not concerned.”
Temperament matters
Consider the temperament of the horse and its level of training.
Miller said he will turn away prospective customers rather than sell them a horse that is not suited to their level of riding experience.
“It doesn’t bother me at all to say, ‘No, I don’t think this is the right horse for you.’ It might irritate some people, but it’s a hell of a lot better than having a wreck.”
When it comes to searching for a horse, consider enlisting help from someone with good horse sense.
“It’s always good to get three or four prospects in mind before you make the purchase,” said Warren.
She recommends making at least two or three visits to study a good prospect.
If you are a novice rider, tell the owner. In those situations, it likely is best to let the owner or trainer demonstrate the horse’s abilities, especially during the first visit.
Take notes, in your mind or on paper, during the demonstration. Is the horse easy to catch? Is it easy to saddle? What about the owner? Is she or he uneasy or overly cautious when approaching or working with the horse?
During the second or third visit, arrive on short notice. That could give you a chance to spot things, such as lameness, that could have been hidden during the first visit. It might also offer a chance to see the owner bringing the horse in off pasture.
“If the owner is really serious about selling the horse, they should be willing to show it any time,” Warren said. “If they really act put out by you showing up that way, I would suggest going somewhere else.”
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. And be specific.
What kind of training does the horse have? Does it have vices? Does it bite or kick? Does it rear?
All horses can bite or kick, said Warren, but some will do it as habit.
Has the horse had any medical problems such as lameness? Has it had regular farrier work? What about vaccinations?
Once you have chosen a horse, you might want to have it examined by a veterinarian, said Warren.
A vet working on your behalf can offer a good idea of whether the horse is sound of body.
“First horses don’t need to be super expensive,” said Burwash. “They just need to be safe and useful.”
When closing the sale, consider a contract. Include the names of the people involved, contact information, the selling price and a good description of the horse.
You might also consider asking the owner about a warranty on the horse’s health and training.
And this last piece of advice might be one of the most important of all: Get riding lessons, said Burwash. It’s money well spent.
“It’s amazing how much more enjoyable a ride is when you know what you’re doing.”
