While you’re out looking for horses, even though you might not be a billionaire in the business of horse riding, read through the local papers in your breed and/or professional magazines. Check the classified advertisements on general horse portals and also the selling pages of breeders companies. It will reveal a lot of how much you can plan to spend on the horse you want.
5 Things You Need To Check Out
So, before you start buying a horse, there are a few things you need to check out.
1. Look For a Horse Passport
It all seems so straightforward, doesn’t it? Despite this, many of us simply take the A5 paper we’re handed as being for our horse. Check the markings page and make sure the type and year match the purchaser’s description. In this case, if the vendor is from another country, you can use the best human translation service to help you out with documentation. Horses with white are simple to spot, however, if the animal doesn’t have much white, look at the swirls! On the horse drawing, it is indicated with an X. If you have any doubts about the markings, have the chip verified.
2. Competition Record
Check the horse’s record if it has participated in BSJA, or BE. Don’t accept the seller’s word for it. Find out why there have been any gaps in contests; it may be an indication that the animal has also been injured and has been off work. Similarly, if there is indeed a noticeable decline in performance, inquire about it with the vendor; it could even be due to illness.
3. Do Some Research
Always check with your local riding club for information. Good ponies and horses are frequently accompanied by excellent references from users who are related to the animal; if people are unwilling to provide a recommendation, this may be a red flag. However, if the vendor has a special localization service, people will be familiar with his selling process, and you can ask around. Consider asking the vendor whether you can reach any original owners of the animal — their personal information will be available in the passports under the section for former occupants.
4. Veterinary Check
Did you also know you have the option of seeing the animal’s past veterinary records? You could either ask the vendor to have their vet provide it to you immediately, or you can ask them to grant their vet permission to communicate with you. Veterinarians are required to reveal any information they have on the horse if the vendor has granted permission. If the seller refuses, there’s a good possibility they hide something.
1. Ask for Coggins Test
A Coggins test is a simple blood test used to detect Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a deadly illness characterized by infested insects. If you want to trade, transfer, or sell a horse you may need to show that it is free of EIA, depending on the location. There seem to be currently no treatments or vaccines available for EIA, and horses that test positive must be euthanized or placed in lifetime isolation. Before purchasing your horse, make sure it has passed a Coggins test.
So, this checklist is essential for buying a horse, no matter if it is for your burn, or you want to start a horse riding business. However, make sure you provide proper information, and enough data before deciding which horse to buy.Â
Summary
Being in a rush when shopping for a horse may be the worst move you could do. Making a hurried decision, not considering all of your choices, or “acting with your instinct” are all ways to end up disappointed. Your perfect horse will almost definitely find you if you think properly, enlist the support of a skilled trainer or pal, and have an open attitude. You want the process of adding a new horse to your barn to be as seamless as possible, so you better:
- Ask around
- Look for Coggins test
- Request veterinary check
- Look if there is a competition record
- And if the horse has a passport.
BIO:
Merissa Moore is a content creator, strategist, and analyst. She enjoys undertaking research on a variety of topics and presenting her vast knowledge to the public. In her spare time, she enjoys going on vacations and discovering new countries.
