The search process for buying a horse.

My daughter and I have searched for two horses so far.  Looking back at the process we have learned a lot.  We have had two past leasers look for horses also and have learned a lot from them.

Here are a few of the things we look for the and a little bit of the process.

We first look at ads on the internet, the paper, at our boarding facility or by word of mouth.  Facebook is playing a bigger role in this and the paper less.  Ads on Craigslist, other websites and at boarding facilities are a big one for us as we can see the picture and read the description.  Word of mouth is nice, but you have to have pen and paper or else be given a flyer with the information.

K and I look at the cost first.  Both times we bought we had a budget.  The next thing we looked at was age.  We did not want a old horse.  A old horse would require more care than riding.  Besides the cost, there is the question of how long before the horse will die.  We also didn't want a young horse.  A young horse means training.  Training before we can ride.  A young horse means more energy and not as calm.  Since we were new to this, we wanted a horse that had been around different environments and ridden a lot.  The third factor is size.  Since K was young and I am a short person, a tall horse would not work for us.  But, since K would grow, we didn't want a short one either.

Now, I bet some of you are thinking what about the temperament of the horse.  YES.  That is very important.  No description or picture is going to tell us that.  If the first three factors get a yes vote, we than call the owner and set a time to come meet the horse.  We both also ride the horse.  That is when we get a feel for the temperament and personality of the horse.  If K and I still love that horse and the looks, we ride that horse again.  In the mean time, we set up an appointment to have a independent vet do a pre-purchase exam.

If after all of this goes well, we offer the owner a price.  We come to a agreed price and get the horse to our boarding facility.

Even after all of this, there is no guarantees that the horse will stay healthy and injury free.  Also, no guarantees that the horse will act the same way, ride the same way and that a bond will form.  But, hopefully by seeing the horse a couple of times, asking the owner what the horse likes and dislikes, and having a exam; you have a good starting point.  We have also learned that the horse will go through a transition and its mood will change with the new place, people and herd.

K and I formed a great friendship while taking lesson with a instructor/trainer Dee.  Dee has taught us so much about having horses.  We are still learning every month something new.  It is a fun experience.  Dee taught us how to discern people's  helpful ideas.  What is good and makes sense we keep in our memory and what is not we discard.

We are passing this information on to other people including Sally.  Some of it she has learned and kept, others she has disregarded.    I know that some day here soon Dinah will no longer be with us, and want to begin this journey again of finding a new horse.