The Most Important Things To Consider When Buying A Horse
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The Most Important Things To Consider When Buying A Horse

Buying a horse is, for many equestrians, a considerable leap from simply enjoying horses to becoming a fully committed horse owner. This blog shares the most important things you need to consider when buying a horse.

Can I Afford It?

Reviewing your finances is one of the most important things to consider when buying a horse. As all horse owners will tell you, buying a horse is an expense, but only the start. However, the ongoing cost of horse ownership is a hugely important factor. You will need to pay monthly fees such as farrier, livery or if you are on DIY, stabling, bedding, feed and hay. You’re fortunate if your horse only ever has to see the vet for their vaccinations! Vet bills can reach thousands of pounds, so horse insurance is another recommended cost. Extras such as physio, lessons, competition entry fees and supplements all add up, so do your calculations before taking the plunge on this long-term commitment. Getting a sharer to help with costs is an option, but if your horse is injured for an extended time, you will still have to pay the bills, but your sharer won’t continue paying if they cannot ride.

Is This Horse Right For Me?

Always take someone experienced along with you when viewing horses. It is easy to get carried away and fall in love with a beautiful horse without thinking about the practicalities. If you are more novice or looking for a horse you can compete or have fun on, you might want to consider an older horse with more experience rather than a younger horse that will require more time, guidance and education. Decide what you want before you start browsing horses for sale.

Do I Need To Get A Sales Vetting?

Having your horse vetted is an essential aspect when buying a horse. Depending on the level of insurance cover and the horse’s value, some insurance companies require multiple X-rays and a more thorough vetting examination. Speak to your insurance company to ask what is necessary so that if your horse passes the vetting, you won’t have any issues getting insurance cover. Having your prospective equine friend vetted will enable you to make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with the purchase or not, depending on the findings and report.

Where Will I Keep My New Horse?

There are many different ways you can keep your new horse. You can choose from a broad spectrum of options from the elite full livery option (where your horse will be ridden and every aspect of their care catered for) or at the lower scale, DIY (where you do everything yourself from mucking out, feeding, turning out your horse etc.). Prices vary dependent on the facilities, level of care and geographical location. You need to consider your budget. Some riding schools do offer cheaper livery options by using your horse in the riding school for lessons. However, this is not always a suitable option if you wish to ride regularly or your horse does not have the temperament to cope with different riders.

Ultimately, horse ownership is a big financial and time commitment, but if you love horses and have always dreamt of owning your own, then in our opinion, it’s worth every second and every penny!

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