Horse – What you need to know

Being a horse owner is a joy, and the time and effort that you put in really does reap the rewards. Now you have made the decision to go further and purchase a horse, we will take a look at a few things you need to consider before you receive delivery.

Get advice

If this is your first horse purchase then our advice is, get some help. A horse is a huge financial investment, not to mention emotional and so research is key. Find out from your local stables or livery where they purchased their horses from and if they can offer any recommendations.

Breed and temperament

If this is your first horse then temperament is key, you want to look for a horse who is calm and gentle, choosing an ex-racehorse although may seem exciting, will be more of a challenge for a inexperienced horse owner. Take a look at our guide to horse breeds here. The age of the horse is also important, the younger the horse the more training required so again for a first-time purchase, an older horse may suit your needs better.

Don't buy unseen

This is not a purchase you want to make without seeing them first. Go and visit the horse where it is currently residing and take it out for a ride, so you can see for yourself what they are like and how well they are looked after. It may also be worth paying a vet to do a quick health check so you know exactly what you are dealing with.

Check the horse's history

All horses now require a valid horse passport which records their bloodline, physical description, height, sex, colour and any identifying markings. The owner of the horse will have this information as it has been a legal requirement since 2005 and should be kept with the horse at all times. To find out even more about your horse, contact the society who issued the passport, as they may hold more information on the horse's parents -- with some bloodlines stretching back hundreds of years!

Check horse's identity

It has been a legal requirement since October 2020 for all horses to be microchipped. This can be easily checked by a vet with a handheld scanner and so when your vet does a quick health check, ask them to also confirm the horse's identity matches those on the documents.

Livery stables

This I'm sure goes without saying, but before you commit to buying a horse, you need to know where it will live. If you don't have room at home then a livery stable is a great choice, particularly if this is your first horse. There are varying services available and the price for these will vary too. Visit a few within close distance to your home so you can visit your horse daily and make sure you are happy with the facilities on offer as well as the cost, before committing to your equine friend.

Sources:

thehorse.com & equesure.co.uk