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Buying a Horse? Beginners Beware! By Bob Jeffreys

Bob Jeffreys John Lyons Certified Horse Trainer

They Said Anyone Could Ride Him!

Many years ago I bought a horse that no one else seemed to want. They called him "yesterday's goods", too hot to handle, too small and not very athletic. Translation: all used up at the very old age of 5 years. He only traveled at two gaits, walk and gallop. He was only 14.3 hands and didn't want to pick up the left lead. From my point of view, these were mostly positives. 5 years old is a great age - movement is essential for teaming, short horses are easy to mount on the trail and leads are usually an easy fix on a sound horse. I'd found the proverbial diamond in the rough.
He was one of the best horses I have ever had. I kept him for almost ten years before selling him to my best friend when my young horses were consuming all my time.
This great story is, unfortunately, the exception, not than the rule.

When you start looking for a horse to buy, remember that there is always a reason why a horse is for sale. It could just be that someone goes off to school, retires and moves away, or a breeder needs to sell stock to survive, etc., but often it's for negative reasons. Perhaps the horse is dangerous, i.e. it rears, it bucks, it bolts, it won't move, it won't stop, it's afraid of everything. You may be tempted by a low initial purchase price; sometimes horses are even free (adoption horses come to mind), but the ultimate price you pay in order to bring those horses along may actually be quite high. Remember the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is".
It's not just the training time and costs that I'm referring to. When horses have acquired and have practiced bad habits, or have been taught to fear or mistrust humans, they are not "cured" overnight. This takes time and patience, not only from the trainer, but from the owner as well.
A horse with any or all of these problems could cost you several months and several thousand dollars to "fix". In the meantime, you may be at risk of injury when handling or riding these horses. Even if you don't get hurt, but are constantly in fear of being hurt, you are obviously not enjoying such a horse. No matter what we wish to do with our horses, I presume that we would all like to enjoy them. So just a few words of advice to consider when buying your next mount:

1. Always see the horse in person; please don't buy on a video alone.

2. Watch the owner or seller ride the horse before you do. This way you should get to see the horse perform at its current "best" level.

3. If the seller or owner refuses to ride the horse, this should send you a warning. Only ride this horse if your insurance premium is fully paid.

4. If you're not experienced with horses, bring your favorite trainer along to get their assessment of the horse. Don't use one of the barn mavens who offer their "expert" advice for free. (Remember free advice is only worth what you paid for it.)

5. Have a vet check the horse's eyes, lungs and soundness (at least with a flex test) if you don't know the horse or the seller. If they fail the flex test, move on. If they pass, but your vet suggests x-rays or further testing and you like the horse, do what he or she suggests; it could save you a lot of money later. Also tell your vet what you plan to do with the horse.

6. Don't buy for color or height; buy for temperament and ability in your chosen horseback riding activity.

7. Make an appointment at a fixed time to see the horse, but arrive about one hour earlier. It's always a good idea to see the horse caught, groomed, saddled, bridled etc. If the horse required 30 minutes to catch and 30 minutes more on the lunge line in order to stop bucking and calm down, this horse may not be for you.

8. If you are a beginner or an inexperienced rider, look for a horse that's a bit older, a horse that's been there, done that, and can actually help you along. Young or untrained horses are not for beginners. Spending a few dollars more for the horse that you can start riding and enjoying immediately, one that is sound, willing, well trained and just fun to be around is a true bargain.

If as you read this you're already in the position of having acquired a horse with some problems, your situation is certainly not hopeless. Just realize that you'll need to find a trainer that you're comfortable with and be prepared to spend the money, time and personal effort required for you to learn and to teach your horse properly.
Safe riding! Bob Jeffreys

Bob Jeffreys, clinician, expo presenter, horse trainer, teacher, a 1996 John Lyons Certified Trainer and author of Its All About Breakthroughs! is the founder of the "Partnership Training for Horse & Rider" system. .
Visit www.bobJeffreys.com to sign up for his free monthly E-newsletter and to get more information about his nationwide clinics, Trainer Education Programs and products.

Contact: Bob Jeffreys
168 Tamms Road
Middletown, New York 10941
Phone: 845- 692-7478
Email: bob@bobjeffreys.com
Website: www.bobjeffreys.com/

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