The number of horses for sale has grown in size, largely due to economic slow down. Owners simply cannot afford to keep these expensive animals. Many horses end up in shelters simply because their owners can no longer afford to keep them. Even high-priced and well-trained show horses are selling for a small amount of what they used to sell for.
Horses in every breed, and trained for any riding style, can easily be found. Price levels vary widely as well. Individuals must still be very cautious when purchasing this type of animal. It is an investment of sorts. Numerous issues should be considered during the decision process. In addition, many different sales sources are available to assist the buyer in finding the right horse.
The first step is to make a decision on how the horse will be used. Decide what type of riding will be focused on, whether it is recreational riding, hunters, showjumping, endurance riding, dressage or three-day eventing. This helps to narrow down the search, enabling a buyer to successfully and efficiently find the right horse.
There is a huge variety of resources available to buyers for locating a suitable horse. A large amount of websites specialize in listing sale horses for any riding discipline, all breeds and locations. Sellers can upload photos on the site. The buyer can usually sort sales lists by price, breed, or geographic location. Most show sale horses all over the world.
Other more conventional methods include contacting breeders or trainers, or talking to breed associations. There is an association for almost every breed in existence. Individual sellers still advertise in conventional classified advertisements, especially if these ads are in horse magazines. Auctions are places where animals can be purchased quickly and at a low price. One should be an experienced horse person to ensure that the right animal is successfully chosen.
Regardless of the method of locating a prospect, it is very important to ride or at least visit the horse multiple times. This provides a better understanding of the horse’s temperament and level of training. Get a second opinion. Bring a trusted friend, colleague or trainer to see the horse. If possible, have this individual ride the horse as well. Trainers usually charge a small commission if a horse is purchased. The cost is well worth it to ensure that a suitable mount is identified.
Veterinary examinations are usually recommended. However the effectiveness of such an examination is somewhat controversial. Nevertheless, a complete stress test should be conducted. This helps to identify lameness issues. Some people believe that x-rays should be included in the exam, to thoroughly screen for any lameness issues. On the other hand, x-rays in older horses will usually show some sort of bone abnormality that may or may not cause lameness in the future.
A pre-purchase veterinary exam is recommended. This should include a complete stress test to rule out lameness. Some people like to have x-rays taken, but the efficacy of performing such a procedure is somewhat questionable. Certain individuals feel that x-rays are necessary to determine if there are any developing leg abnormalities. Others feel x-rays may falsely reveal issues that really are not problems.
-
About the Author:
Many horses for sale are available in every breed, riding discipline and expense level. Check out our great online guide on horse sales.
Article Source
