There are thousands of horses for sale, and every seller will tell you something different. One horse may be advertised as a “bombproof beginner horse,” another as a “great family horse,” and another as a “quiet, finished horse.” But what do those descriptions actually mean? The most important thing to understand as a first-time buyer is this:

You are not simply shopping for a horse you like. You are shopping for a horse that is appropriate for you.

The right horse is one whose temperament, training, experience, physical condition and personality match your riding ability, goals and confidence level.

Start With Yourself, Not the Horse

Before looking at horses online, take an honest look at yourself and ask:

• How long have I been riding?
• Am I truly a beginner, or am I an experienced rider who is new to horse ownership?
• Am I comfortable catching, leading, grooming, saddling, and handling a horse on the ground?
• Can I recognize when a horse is nervous, uncomfortable, or becoming difficult to handle?
• Do I know how to safely trailer a horse?
• Am I comfortable riding outside of an arena?
• What do I want to do with my horse?
• How often do I realistically plan to ride?
• Will I be keeping the horse at a boarding facility or at home?
• Will I have someone experienced available to help me?

These questions matter because the right horse for one person may be completely wrong for another. A horse that is perfect for an experienced rider may be too much horse for a beginner. Likewise, a very quiet horse may be exactly what a new rider needs while they build confidence.

Don’t Buy a Horse Based Only on Looks

This may be one of the hardest lessons for a new buyer. You may fall in love with a beautiful horse immediately. Maybe it has the perfect color, a beautiful face, impressive movement, or is the exact breed you always wanted. Those things are wonderful — but they should not be the deciding factors. A horse can be beautiful and still be completely wrong for you. When looking at a horse, consider:

• Temperament – Is the horse generally calm and predictable, or does it tend to be reactive?
• Training – What does the horse actually know? How consistently has it been ridden?
• Experience – Has it trail ridden? Shown? Worked cattle? Been around traffic? Gone to new places? Been ridden by children or beginners?
• Soundness – Is the horse physically capable of doing what you want to do?
• Age – Is the horse’s age appropriate for your experience and goals?
• Maintenance – Does the horse require ongoing medications, injections, special shoeing, special feeding or other care?
• Personality – Does the horse’s personality fit yours?

The prettiest horse in the sale barn is not necessarily the safest or most appropriate horse for a first-time owner.

Don’t Let the Seller Do All the Talking

When you are looking at a horse, ask questions:

• How long have you owned the horse?
• Why are you selling the horse?
• Who has been riding the horse?
• How often is it ridden?
• Has it been ridden by beginners?
• Has it been ridden outside the arena?
• How does it behave when it is alone?
• How does it behave with other horses?
• Does it load easily?
• Does it stand tied?
• Is it easy to catch?
• Does it stand for the farrier?
• Does it stand for the veterinarian?
• Does it have any history of bucking, rearing, bolting, kicking or biting?
• Has it ever injured a rider?
• Does it have any medical issues?
• Does it require regular medications or injections?
• Has it had any previous injuries?
• What type of farrier care does it require?
• What type of feed does it receive?
• What is the horse currently being used for?
• And perhaps one of the most important:
• What would you consider this horse’s weaknesses?

A seller who can honestly discuss both the horse’s strengths and weaknesses may give you much more useful information than someone who tells you the horse is perfect.

Watch the Horse Before You Ride

If possible, arrive before the horse is caught and prepared to ride. Watch how the horse behaves in the stall or pasture.

• How does it react when someone approaches?
• Is it easy to catch?
• Does it stand quietly?
• Does it become nervous when being groomed?
• Does it tolerate having its feet handled?
• Does it stand quietly while being saddled?

These observations can tell you a lot. Remember, however, that a horse can behave differently in different environments. A horse that is quiet at home may behave differently at a new facility. That is why seeing the horse in multiple situations is valuable.

Never Buy a Horse You Have Only Seen Someone Else Ride

This is an important rule for first-time buyers. Watching the seller ride a horse can be helpful, but it does not tell you how the horse will behave when you ride it. The horse may respond differently to your balance, cues, confidence and riding ability. Ideally, the seller or experienced rider should ride the horse first. This allows you to observe its movement and behavior. Then, if the horse appears appropriate and you have the necessary experience and supervision, you should have the opportunity to ride it yourself. If you are a true beginner, do not get on a horse simply because the seller tells you it is safe. Have your instructor, trainer or experienced horse professional involved.

Bring Someone Who Knows Horses

If you have never bought a horse before, you should not have to figure everything out by yourself. Bring someone who understands horses and can look at the situation objectively.  When you are excited about a horse, it is easy to overlook things. A knowledgeable person may notice:

• Subtle lameness
• Poor conformation
• Behavioral concerns
• Training problems
• Unrealistic claims from a seller
• Signs of pain or discomfort
• Maintenance requirements
• Issues that may become expensive later

You may be thinking, “I love this horse!” Your trainer may be thinking, “This horse is too much for this rider.” That conversation can save you from making a very expensive and potentially dangerous mistake.

A Pre-Purchase Veterinary Exam Is Not Optional

One of the biggest mistakes a new horse owner can make is skipping a pre-purchase examination because the horse “looks healthy.” A horse can look perfectly healthy and still have an issue that affects its ability to perform the job you want it to do. A veterinarian can perform an examination and, depending on the situation, may recommend additional diagnostics. The level of examination should depend on the horse, its age, intended use, history and purchase price. Be especially cautious if a seller tells you, “You don’t need a vet. The horse is perfectly healthy.” You are the buyer and you should be comfortable having your own veterinarian examine the horse before purchasing.

Understand the Difference Between a Deal and a Cheap Horse

The purchase price is only one part of owning a horse. Before buying, consider:

A $5,000 horse that requires significant ongoing medical care may cost far more than a $10,000 horse that is healthy and appropriate for your needs.

This doesn’t mean an older or maintenance horse is automatically a bad purchase. It means you need to understand what you are buying and what it will realistically cost to maintain that horse.

Don’t Be Afraid of an Older Horse

First-time buyers sometimes assume they need a young horse because they want many years together. But younger does not necessarily mean better. For a beginner, an experienced older horse may be an excellent option because it may have years of experience dealing with different riders, environments and situations. The goal should be to find the horse that is appropriate for your experience and intended use.

Take Your Time

Buying a horse should not be an impulse purchase. You may see a horse online that seems perfect and drive several hours to see it, then fall in love with it immediately. That is exactly when you need to slow down. A horse is a long-term commitment, and know it is okay to walk away and that there will always be another horse.

The Right Horse May Not Be the Horse You Originally Imagined

• Maybe you always dreamed of owning a young Quarter Horse.
• Maybe you wanted a particular color.
• Maybe you wanted a mare.
• Maybe you wanted a horse that could do everything.

After working with a trainer and looking at several horses, you may discover that the horse that fits you best is completely different from what you originally pictured. That is okay. Your first horse is not supposed to fulfill every dream at once. Your first horse should give you the opportunity to learn, gain confidence, become a better horse owner, and enjoy your time with horses.

The Beginner’s Horse-Buying Checklist

Before purchasing, ask yourself:

• Is this horse appropriate for my riding ability?
• Has this horse successfully carried riders with an experience level similar to mine?
• Do I feel safe and comfortable around this horse?
• Can I handle this horse safely on the ground?
• Have I personally ridden the horse, when appropriate?
• Has an experienced trainer or horse professional evaluated the horse?
• Have I asked about behavioral issues?
• Have I asked about medical and maintenance history?
• Have I had a pre-purchase veterinary examination?
• Can I afford the horse’s purchase price and ongoing expenses?
• Does the horse fit the activities I want to do?
• Am I making this decision because the horse is right for me or because I have fallen in love with how the horse looks?

If you cannot confidently answer these questions, take a step back before purchasing.

The Most Important Thing to Remember

Buying your first horse should not be about finding the most impressive horse, the prettiest horse or even the cheapest horse. It should be about finding the right partner for your current ability and your goals. A good first horse should allow you to learn without constantly putting you in situations you are not prepared to handle. It should help you build confidence, develop your horsemanship skills, and enjoy horse ownership. And perhaps the best advice for a first-time buyer is simple:

Do not buy the horse you hope you will eventually be good enough to ride. Buy the horse that is right for the rider you are today — and will help you become the rider you want to be tomorrow.

A knowledgeable trainer, instructor, veterinarian and experienced horse person can be invaluable throughout the process. There is no shame in asking for help. In fact, knowing when to ask for help may be one of the most important skills you develop as a horse owner.