Buying Your First Horse

By Samantha Johnson And Daniel Johnson
Published on August 20, 2020
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Before buying a horse, make sure you ride the horse in the way that you're planning to use him.
Before buying a horse, make sure you ride the horse in the way that you're planning to use him.
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“How to Raise Horses,” by Samantha Johnson and Daniel Johnson, is a great resource for all things horses, from buying your first horse to breeding and showing.
“How to Raise Horses,” by Samantha Johnson and Daniel Johnson, is a great resource for all things horses, from buying your first horse to breeding and showing.

Want to raise a healthy, happy horse, but don’t know where to begin? Samantha Johnson and Daniel Johnson provide an essential primer of horse ownership in How to Raise Horses (Voyageur Press, 2011), explaining things for beginner and veteran horse owners. This excerpt, which provides information on  the best approaches to buying a new horse, is from Chapter 2, “Choosing Your Horse.”

Buying Your First Horse from a Breeder

If you’re in the market for a Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, or Arabian, you should have no trouble locating a reputable breeder within a reasonable distance of your location. However, if you’re in the market for something a little less common you may have to do a bit of detective work to find the breeder you’re looking for.

The best place to start is with the breed’s association. Many association websites have breeder listings compiled by state so you can quickly locate those closest to you. Otherwise, a quick phone call to the association office can put you in touch with breeders in your area who may have something to offer. An Internet search can also uncover information on local breeders. Simply type in the breed of your choice, followed by the state where you live.

In the case of a rare or unusual breed, it’s very possible that you won’t be able to locate a breeder in your backyard. Obviously, it’s easier if you can go directly to the breeder’s farm and look over his or her stock in person, but if the breeder is across the country, you will have to either shop by video or arrange a visit. This may seem more complicated than necessary, but it is a viable option for people who are interested in particular breeds, specific bloodlines, or something they are unable to find in their area.

By buying from a breeder, you will have access to information about the horse’s sire, dam, siblings, previous history, as well as specific information about the individual you are purchasing, such as “horses from this line tend to mature quickly” or “this mare’s foals are the sweetest.” This type of valuable information is typically unavailable when you are purchasing from a backyard owner, from a sale barn, or through an auction.

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