5 Things to Consider When Buying a Horse

So you’re thinking of buying a horse. Whether you are buying a horse for your child or you are an avid rider yourself, buying a horse is a commitment. Before you buy a horse, consider these five things first.

1. Cost

Horses are expensive. Not just the initial cost of buying a horse, but also the upkeep that comes with having a horse and sustaining it. With horses, you have to buy food, water, shelter, medication, and tools. You also have to take into account the coast of boarding and paying someone to take care of the horse in case you go out of town. There are also vet bills to consider as horses tend to need to be seen by the veterinarian frequently.

2. Intended Use

What are your goals for your horse? Are you planning on competing with your horse? Depending on your needs, you should decide on what type of horse you want and its temperament. By going into the horse buying process with a clear understanding of your needs, it will make searching for a horse that matches you much easier.

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3. Experience

Be honest with yourself about your level of experience. A common mistake that first-time horse buyers make is buying a horse that is hard for them to handle. Always make sure that the horse matches the rider.

4. Space

Horses require plenty of room to exercise and play. The general consensus is that a horse needs around one acre to roam. You should also have shelter for the horse to go to on hot days or when the weather is bad.

5. Time

Do you have the time that it takes to raise a horse? If you are planning on keeping the horse on your own property, you will need to feed and care for it at least twice a day. Your horse also needs regular exercise and time to play, which you will be responsible for giving to them. Remember that a horse is a living creature that you must invest time in to care for and sustain.

Besides what we have discussed here, there is a range of other things to consider before buying a horse. Obviously, buying a horse is a large time commitment as a horse may live for 20-30 years. Before you commit to horse ownership, it is important that you seriously consider all of the factors involved in buying a horse so that you can give a horse a happy and long life.