| In the war between heart and head, too often the | | | | with a buyer who says they can't afford the price. If |
| heart wins. Although amusing, this story is true of many | | | | you need the seller to reduce the price by more than |
| who buy a new horse. Here are a few suggestions to | | | | $500, be up front on the phone before seeing the |
| help you with the buying process. | | | | horse. |
| One day a man passed by a farm and saw a | | | | Be realistic. If you are trying to find a bomb proof pony |
| beautiful horse. Hoping to buy the animal, he said to the | | | | for under $2000 you will probably have to see |
| farmer: "I think your horse looks pretty good, so I'll give | | | | hundreds to find one. And remember, if it looks too |
| you $500 for him." "He doesn't look so good, and he's | | | | good to be true it probably is! |
| not for sale," the farmer said. The man insisted, "I think | | | | VIEWING |
| he looks just fine and I'll up the price to $1,000." "He | | | | Make a list of everything you wish to see the horse do |
| doesn't look so good," the farmer said, "but if you want | | | | (i.e. jumping, schooling, floating, catching, tacking up) and |
| him that much, he's yours." The next day the man | | | | be sure to tell the seller. See the horse in a variety of |
| came back raging mad. He went up to the farmer and | | | | locations as a horse may behave beautifully in familiar |
| yelled, "You sold me a blind horse. You cheated me!" | | | | surroundings, but play up away from home. |
| The farmer calmly replied, "I told you he didn't look so | | | | VET CHECK |
| good, didn't I?" | | | | We cannot stress this point enough - make sure you |
| In the war between heart and head, too often the | | | | get your horse checked by a veterinarian! Vets know |
| heart wins. Although amusing, this story is true of many | | | | what to look for and provide an objective point of |
| who buy a new horse. Here are a few suggestions to | | | | view; emotional purchases can be disastrous. Choose |
| help you with the buying process. | | | | a vet who regularly does checks for the purpose of |
| BE HONEST! | | | | sale as vets who don't can be overly critical. |
| Be honest with yourself. If you are not confident, take | | | | Unfortunately, drugging horses for sale has become a |
| a more experienced friend or instructor to put the | | | | problem in recent years, so a vet check is an excellent |
| horse through its paces. | | | | investment. |
| Explain to the seller your own equestrian experience. If | | | | BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL |
| you have had lessons at a riding school for 10 years, | | | | Be punctual, polite and respectful (this horse is |
| this does not make you an experienced horse owner. | | | | someones pride and joy). If the horse is not right for |
| HAVE A BUDGET | | | | you, tell the seller quickly and politely. And remember, |
| Think seriously about your budget before contacting | | | | the seller also needs to think you're right for their horse. |
| the seller. It is frustrating for the seller to spend hours | | | | |