Finding the right horse is fulfilling a lifelong dream at any age. Knowing from my own experience of having a love of horses that started young and has never changed, whenever you acquire the right horse, it is a dream come true. Getting that first horse seemed like it would never happen. From a toddler saying hoyie (hoy-ee) as one of my first spoken words until the day Sheba (my first horse) come off the trailer, 10 years old is a life time to a young person. Owning a horse changes your life at any age and you need to be positive, you are ready for what could be a 20-30 year (the lifespan of the horse) experience you will never forget.

Horses are magnificent animals and companions. The wrong horse can be a nightmare to own while the right horse can be a great pleasure. The right horse will be your best friend and companion through some of the best adventures you ever thought possible. Finding that friend is the road to fulfilling the dream. The dream horse is out there and this is where the expert can help you along this journey.

Recently, the Georgia, Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin discussed the research needed before purchasing a horse. “All too often first-time buyers do not realize the cost and time required for maintaining a horse,” said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin, “and some horses eventually are neglected or abandoned by their owners because they cannot afford to care for them. I urge first-time buyers to make sure they can provide the time, effort, and resources needed to properly care for a horse they purchase.”You are ready to own your dream horse, thought about all the pros and cons, and you are totally ready for this adventure into the world of horse ownership. The following tips are to help you find the right horse:

• What kind/breed/type of horse are you looking for
• The discipline you will ride this horse
• Will the horse be for show, pleasure or competition
• What is the level in which you ride: novice, intermediate or advanced
• What is your budget for the horse, now and for upkeep
• Would you consider a lease
• Look to hiring an expert to help in your search
  • A wise investment – guidance to the perfect horse
  • This expert can help match you with the perfect horse

A horse can be found, all the formats available range from:

• Local paper
• Local Tack Store bulletin board
• Sales Paper for horses
• Internet
• Auctions
• Private Sales

Prior to visiting the horse of your dreams, ask questions. An expert keeps a “buyer’s checklist” that runs through their minds daily:

First:

• Find out the date foaled, sex, color and height.
• Is the horse registered?
• Do you have the original registration papers?
• Is the person with the horse the registered owner?
• How is the horse's health?
• Does he or has he had any specific health problems?
• How would you describe the horse's temperament?
• What is the horse's training history?
• Can the horse be loaded into a trailer?
• What has the horse been doing recently? (specific disciplines)
• Is the horse kept mostly in a stall or pasture?
• Does the horse have any bad habits or vices?
• Has the horse spent much time with other horses, or mostly alone?
• Who owned the horse before you?
• If I come out to see the horse, do you have somewhere where I can ride? If not, are you willing to take the horse somewhere where I can ride the horse or have someone demonstrate riding the horse?
• Can a vet check the horse out before I make my final purchase decision?

Second, visit the horse:

• Does the horse's overall appearance look healthy?
  
• Do you notice any soundness problems?
• Do you sense an attraction to the horse? Remember it will become part of your family.
• Do you like the overall appearance of the horse (color, head, and expression)?
• Do you sense anger, pain, fear, lethargy or sedation?
• How is the horse's conformation relative to the purpose you have for purchasing it. If you're an inexperienced person, have an experienced horseperson evaluate the horse for you.

Next, evaluate the horse's performance:

• Standing tied
• Walk, trot, stop, backing up
• Round pen longing
• Saddling and bridling
• Have the handler show you how it performs if you are purchasing for a specific discipline.

Last, ride the horse:

• Try all of the above yourself with the owner/handler present. Be sure to use the proper protective gear.
• Be sure to try out the horse for the specific discipline for which you are buying the horse.
• If you don't feel comfortable doing this, look for another horse. This is the first step in your relationship with the horse.

This is not to say that it is not possible to take in all the advice you can find and then walk into a barn or farm or drive by a field and have a “love at first sight” experience. This horse may not be anything you planned on, not the breed, color, sex or anywhere close to the image in your mind. There is an inexplicable bond that can’t be explained between humans and horses. When this happens and you are determined to move forward – make sure you are willing to do what ever it takes to make both yourself and the horse proud.

The dream horse has been found, you are ready to buy, don’t forget the pre-purchase exam. A veterinary can help make an informed decision on the actual and soundness of the horse. Even if you know the person you are buying the horse from and the assurance in the purchase agreement, hire your veterinarian or an impartial veterinarian, should there be a distance between you and the horse, to do the exam. The American Veterinarian Medial Association (www.avma.org) can assist you in locating a veterinarian in the area of the horse’s location.

The pre-purchase exam will comprise of a complete physical exam which includes: eyes, mouth, teeth, heart, body condition, reproductive exam, physical history, vaccination history, worming history. A soundness exam, where by watching the horse in motion or even by taking radiographs, a potential athletic compromise or current lameness is ruled out. Of course, the condition of the horse should be balanced against its age and intended use.

Now, you are purchasing your horse, the next question – to insure or not to insure. The question is answered this way; can you easily afford to replace your horse should an unforeseen catastrophe occur. Some insurance companies allow the horse owner to set the replacement value. With the changing economy, insurance companies are looking to the expert certified appraisers to set the market value of the horse purchased. Certified appraisers are experts in the equine market place. They can assist you with not only the assessment or report needed for the insurance companies, but all phases of the equine industry.

Experts can help you every step of the way to becoming a horse owner. The cost for an expert is minimal considering a lifetime with the horse of your dreams. When you are ready to find the horse, the experts are ready to assist you.