Questions to Ask as You Shop for a Horse

Buying a horse is a big deal. It’s a process that deserves and needs some thought and preparation. When you set off on your horse-shopping adventure, arm yourself with the following questions for the seller:

• How much are you asking for the horse? Is this price negotiable?

• How old is the horse?

• How big is the horse? (How many hands?)

• What is the horse’s gender and size?

• In which discipline is the horse ridden?

• Has the horse ever had professional training?

• Is the horse suitable for a beginning rider?

• Is the horse suitable for children (if you have kids who will ride the horse)?

• Does the horse load into a trailer?

• Does the horse have any bad habits such as cribbing (biting a fence while sucking in air), weaving (shifting back and forth repeatedly from front leg to front leg), or pulling back when tied?

• Does the horse have any medical problems or a history of medical problems like colic, lameness, or allergies?

• Why are you selling the horse?