What is the best way to find a horse?

Question

HI! There are some really good websites on the internet that have horses for sale. And sometimes there are auctions with really great horses. But people are always telling me that looking on the internet and going to auctions are not the best ways to find a horse. Is this true???? or is it better to find a horse thru connections (like thru friends and peers)?

Answer 1

Internet is OK for window shopping, I have bought a few ive seen online but I wouldnt recomend internet buying for someone that doesnt know exactly what they are looking for. You might travel a long way to look at a total dud for you.

Same with auctions but with auctions your typically going to see two kinds of auctions, Sluaghter auctions or High end auctions. Sluaghter auctions might make you feel good but you a very high risk of getting a very disturbed horse, The high end might be out of your price range.

Best way look at local barns, breeders, post on feed and tack store bullitin boards. When you find a couple locals that interest you take a trainer to look it over, trainer is good for picking a horse tht matches you, After you decide Either have a vet come check it out/ or transport it to the vet before finalizing the sale. If it gets a trainers seal of approval and healthy vet check, you got yourself a horse.
The farther you go from your stompin grounds the more it will cost you with the vet and trainer.

Answer 2

We bought two of our three horses by finding them on the internet, and the other horse we bought at an auction. We paid $115 for him, and have raised him to be a very calm, gentle, affectionate horse. We just started training him, and he has not offered to buck, act up, spook, run away, or balk. The ones we found on the internet are also fine horses. One was owned and ridden by a five year old girl who wanted to start barrel racing. This mare is really gentle, a great trail horse, but doesn't have the speed and arena presence the girl wanted. Our other mare we bought online was unbroke, but she is coming along nicely as well. She had good bloodlines, we visited with the owner, observed her movement, and liked her calm and willing attitude, so we bought her.

Those who say you need experience to buy from the internet or auctions are correct, though. If you aren't a trainer yourself, take a trainer with you. Ask the owner to ride the horse while you watch, and then you ride it or have the trainer ride it. Watch for correct movement in all gaits, good conformation (not too long of pasterns, short back in comparison to length of underside, good shoulder, neck ties in high and clean, etc.). You can learn a lot just by attending an auction with an experienced horse person and having them tell you about the conformation of each horse. You'll learn what to look for.

Anyway, I like the internet because you can shop around before going to look, and then you can look before actually buying. Gives you the chance to make up your mind and know what you're getting. My favorite sites are Equine.com, Liverystable.net, and Dreamhorse.com. Good luck!

Answer 3

Well it really depends. Looking online gives you a huge variety and you can type in exactly what you are looking for. The downside is however you are not as familiar with the horse. WHen you find a horse through friends you may know the horse a lot better and know his "little quirks" but you also may have less of a selection of horses to choose from. I got my horse from looking online, but my sister found her perfect horse right down the road at a local barn! we have used both ways and have had successes. I will also say that we looked online and purchased horses that we found online and only rode once or twice and DID NOT have a good match, so just be careful either way.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

GeriGeri said it all. Unless you know what you are doing, you can end up with a bad deal. I take a trainer with me anytime I purchase a horse. I have had 3. A trained eye can spot minor problems that can be major later. Like a slight favoring of one foot or problems with the horse's conformation that an amteur would miss. It is a good idea to request that the horse not be tied or saddled when you arrive. That way you can see how easy it is to catch the horse , how well he stands still, or how he takes the bit. Always have the owner ride first. If the owner won't ride the horse, walk away.

Answer 5

well

when you go to the auctions, it can be dangerous because you dont know what the horse is like untill you ride it out in the back paddock when its yours, and it can be very dangerous, because they could be green, could of been abused and scared, or not even broken in and you dont know, so that can be very dangerous, but dont get me wrong, there are HEAPS of great horses at the auctions, Heaps, im going there when i get my 2nd horse.
the internet, yeh, its alright through the internet, just as long as you get contact with the people, and make sure they arnt scamming you, trust me, it does happen, but other than that, you should be able to go and have a look at the horse, and ride it, and yeh, but make sure you look at different horses instead of finding one, looking at it, and buying it, because you will most probebly find a better one for cheaper, so keep your options open.

yeh through connetions is good, because you can trust the person and they can help you with the horse.
another good thing is, you could go to a riding school, and ask them if they lease out horses, witch they most probebly would, the ones i know do, and you can lease them out, and stuff and buy them, or you could call up someone that has a horse you want to buy, and ask them if you could lease it for a few months.

hope my info helped
=]=]

xoxoequiridahoxox

Answer 6

No to internet and no to auctions unless you are an "expert". Horses at auctions can be drugged and you think they're docile...or they can be sick or lame and you'd never know because they've been medicated to hide it.

The best way to find a horse is to pay someone who you trust, who is knowledgeable in the field, to come with you and evaluate a horse you may be interested in. When you are reasonablly sure, get a vet check. The money you shell out will be worth its weight in gold.

If you are new to horses, I suggest finding a reputable breeder and/or ranch that is in the business of selling horses. Ask for references and then get your "expert" to check them out for you. You may pay more in the beginning but horses all cost the same once you have them "in your hands". In fact, an auction horse or internet purchase could mean that you end up paying more in the end for a horse that turned out to be sick... Or you could pay dearly, with your life or someone elses, if the horse turned out to be dangerous.

Horse purchasing takes time and knowledge. Don't do it alone unless you know what you are doing.

Answer 7

There are tons of ways to find horses; just make sure you have it vetted out, that you are happy w/the person you are buying from (are they honest, farm taken care of, horses in good shape?). If you get a bad feeling about the person or horse, then don;t buy!

Answer 8

my sister fond her horse on the internet thet she bought that horse and that is literly the best be havd horse i ever seen :) but no mater ware you find your horse go and test ride it and groom it befor you by it and if your young then make shor somwon rides the horse befor you and if the owner is alredy riding it DONT get on just say you desided you dont like it or something but dont get on.
I hav a horse and so do my mom and sister.
My sister and my mom fond thar horses on the internet.
I got my Haflinger Pony from somewon my frend told me about.

Some websites you can go on are these ones.
Equine.com
Equinehits.com
Horsetopia.com
Dreamhorse.com
Horseville.com
and auctions can be good but you cant ride the horse befor so alot of the time it can be a good idea.
:) :)

:) :) :) :) :) GOOD LUCK :) :) :) :)

Answer 9

Driving. Reading. And searching on the internet.

Answer 10

we have bought both our horses at auction and both are wonderful good luck and trust your heart