Buying a horse is something many people dream about. However, when it comes to actually choosing which horse to purchase and spending the money, the process resembles a nightmare. 

If you’ve never owned or bought a horse, you could do that with a little bit of help. In this article, we’ll share 4 important tips with you that will help you buy the perfect horse for your needs. 

If you utilize the knowledge we give you, you’ll end up with a beautiful animal in your possession for years to come!

1. Decide What You Want to Do with It

Before you even start looking for a horse, you should have a clear idea of what you want to do with the horse you’re buying. Do you want to have a pet to walk around your property freely? Do you plan to ride it yourself? Do you intend to let your children or grandchildren ride it as well?

Depending on how you answer these questions, the image of your ideal horse will change. Thus, think deeply and thoroughly before taking the second step.

2. Look at the Horse In-Hand and Ridden

The most important tip anyone can give you when buying a horse is not to do it remotely. You can buy electrical appliances online, but you can’t buy a horse over the Internet. Well, you can, but it’s not a sage decision. 

You need to be able to see the horse move before you break the bank and buy it. Ask to see the horse move in-hand and request to see it ridden. 

During this test, you should pay attention to how it moves, how it interacts with its rider and other horses around it, and look for any red flags.

3. Ride the Horse Yourself

Next, if you like what you see, ask to ride the horse yourself. You should never buy a horse without riding it first. You probably wouldn’t buy a car without giving it a spin, right?

Notice how the horse behaves when you climb onto it. Does it stay relaxed or does it tense up? Is this a process that requires four other people holding it down or can you do it yourself?

Make sure to ride it in a variety of ways, both quickly and slowly. If there’s a chance that the horse will throw you off, walk away.

4. Research Its Breeding

You might think that you’ve found the perfect horse for you, but you should wait a bit more before spending the money. 

Make sure to research its breeding and find out who its parents and grandparents were. The horse you’re looking at might look perfect, but perhaps its ancestors had certain genetic predispositions that might render your animal sick and useless.