Horse Purchase Guide Part I

Questions #1, 2, 3.

Question #1.

The first question we need to answer is:

• Owner’s name, phone number and asking price for the horse. If you are answering an ad be it online or otherwise, generally the price will be listed. Verify this price because of the potential for error. Sometimes you may find an owner that has become anxious to sell and has lowered the price since the ad was published. The reverse is also true. A breeder/trainer may have raised the price as the horse has gotten older or has had additional training.

Question #2.

The next question is:

• How old is the horse, what is its date of birth? Is it a mare, gelding or stallion? Age of the animal is always a factor in determining the price. Is the horse young, old, mature etc. Generally horses are considered in their prime from about 5 – 6 to 10-12. Older horses are considered better for beginners because some are characterized as “Dead Broke” or “Bomb-proof”. But let the buyer beware, there is no such thing as “Bomb-proof” etc. Horses that are dead broke are generally half dead. Sex is another important consideration. Most experts agree that geldings are calmer, mares may be difficult during their heat cycle and stallions should be left for breeders and expert trainers.

Question #3.

Next question:

• Height and weight. The average pleasure/recreational horse today is approximately 15 H.H. = Hands high. A hand is 4 inches. Therefore a 15 H.H. horse is 15 x 4 = 60″ tall as measured on a flat-level surface. A tape or yard stick looking tool is used to measure. It is placed along side a front leg and measured from the ground to the highest point of the withers. When the size of the horse is .1, .2 or.3 you add an inch. For example = 15.2 H.H. horse is 15 x 4 = 60 + 2 inches = 62 inches. There is no such thing as a 15.4 H.H. horse, as that would actually be a 16.0 H.H. A horse less than 14.2 hands is considered a pony by definition. Most often weight is a personal preference issue but horses can be too fat or too thin. (See our Horse Condition Chart in the Horse Care Menu) Some breeds have a tendency to be thinner. Others are naturally built to be husky.

Now you have the first 3 questions you are going to ask each and every owner you talk to in your search for the horse that fits your needs.

1. Owners name/asking price/phone number.
2. Age / D.O.B. / Sex
3. Height/ Weight