Horses for sale are growing in number, mainly due to the present problems in the economy.
A lot of people are giving their animals away just to avoid paying their upkeep.
Many shelters have to turn horses away.
Expensive animals are selling for a small portion of the price they once commanded.
Horses are available in every breed, riding discipline and price level.
Owning a horse should be considered a long-term investment.
Buyers should be careful when making this type of investment.
There are many factors to consider before purchasing.
There are a variety of different sources a person can utilise to find the right horse.
A potential buyer should decide specifically what he or she intends to use the horse for.
This streamlines the purchase process, making it easier to select the right animal.
Most horses cannot be utilized for all purposes, simply because they lack the training.
Their body type may only be suited for specific uses.
For example, a draft horse would not be effective at herding cattle.
A thoroughbred racehorse fresh from the race track would not make a good child's horse.
There are a multitude of resources for finding a horse.
Many websites exist that list horses for sale, across riding disciplines, by breed, and by geographic location.
Most of these sites reach a worldwide pool of buyers and sellers.
Most sites allow the seller to upload photos, which really helps the buyer narrow down the list of possible candidates for purchase.
The potential buyer can usually sort prospects by price, breed or riding discipline.
This is an excellent way to find horses quickly, do preliminary research on just what is available, as well as determine corresponding price ranges.
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.
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.
Thorough research is recommended before making a purchase.
Multiple resources should be utilized in the search process.
A large selection of information and resources is available.
A search is usually more expansive when looking for animals needed for the most competitive activities.