Buying a horse is a significant investment, both financially and emotionally. It’s crucial to know what to look for to ensure you’re making a wise decision. Unfortunately, not all information available online is helpful, as one of our readers found out. So, today, we’re diving deep into the red flags you should be aware of when buying a horse. We’ll use Luci, a lesson horse, as an example to guide you through the process.
Timing is Everything
When you go to look at a horse for the first time, always arrive at least 20-30 minutes early. This gives you a chance to observe what the owner or trainer is doing with the horse before you get there. Ideally, you want to see the horse in its natural state, either in the stall or out in the pasture, and preferably dirty. This ensures that the horse hasn’t been prepped in a way that might mask its true behavior or condition.
Body Language and Physical Signs
Ears and Eyes
Pay close attention to the horse’s ears and eyes. They should be alert and responsive to their surroundings. Dull ears could be a sign of sedation or health issues like ulcers.
Feet and Legs
Watch how the horse stands and moves. If the horse shifts its weight or steps forward with one foot while standing, it could indicate soreness. Also, observe how the horse turns; any awkwardness could be a sign of underlying issues like navicular disease. Always pay close attention to how the horse moves, there are many conditions that effect movement. In the blog, Flaws and Conditions and Their Impact on Equine Movement, I go over many of the conditions.
Coat and Skin
The direction of the hair and its overall condition can tell you a lot. If the hair is lying in different directions, it could indicate a health issue. Sporadic long hairs could be a sign of parasites.
Mouth and Teeth
Rub your hand gently along the side of the horse’s mouth. Any reaction could indicate dental issues, which could be a significant red flag if the owner claims recent dental work. A poor body score can indicate teeth problems and many other things. Understanding the 9 Equine Body Scores, will give you insight into conditions that can cause a horse to have a low, or high, body score.
Additional Checks
Hoof Condition
Look for a slight dish at the bottom of the hoof and avoid hooves with bulges at the point of the frog, which could indicate laminitis.
Scars and Spots
White spots on the withers could indicate past saddle fit issues, and scars on the inside of the hock could suggest the horse had its leg caught in a fence at some point.
Behavior
If the horse shows any signs of discomfort or aggression when you touch it, consider it a red flag. This could indicate either pain or behavioral issues.
Vet Checks: Yay or Nay?
Many people swear by vet checks, but they can sometimes be misleading. Vets will often find something wrong as a liability cover, so don’t be surprised if minor issues are flagged. However, you should be knowledgeable enough to anticipate what a vet might find.
Conclusion
Buying a horse is not a decision to be taken lightly. Knowing what red flags to look for can save you from making a costly mistake. Always trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to walk away if you encounter too many red flags. In my video play list, Horse Evaluations, I am evaluating new horses that come in for training. Watching how I evaluate these horses will help you to pick up on things that you probably would have missed.
Before going to see and out of state horse or shipping one in from out of state you should read this article about Equine Disease Reporting Requirements Across The United States.
If you’ve had an experience where the horse you bought wasn’t what you expected, share your story in the comments below. Your experience could help someone else make a better-informed decision. Whether you are buying or selling a horse, the video A Complete Guide to Crafting an Outstanding Horse Sale Video will help in your journey.
All of the valuable information I have learned through 25+ years of horse training and showing, I share with you to help you to improve your equestrian knowledge. Thank You.