So you want to buy a horse. Congrats, that’s exactly what we’re talking about! Now, let’s be honest, buying a horse is a lot of commitment. You’re going to need a place to keep it, feed it, and clean up after it. If you want to be able to ride it, you’re going to need to learn how to properly groom it. That’s a lot of responsibility, and a lot of work! But if owning a horse is what you truly want, then you need to make sure you do your research and find the best possible deal. It won’t do you any good to buy a sick or unpredictable horse from a greedy dealer if you’re just getting started in the sport.
Fortunately for you, we’re professional horse people and know exactly how to buy a healthy, well-bred horse at a good price. We’re more than happy to share with you the tricks of the trade so you can get your dream horse without paying too much. Here’s how to make a good deal with a horse dealer.
Do Your Research
Before you make any kind of move, be sure to do enough research on the breed, genetics, and health of the particular horse you’re considering buying. Some breeds, such as the quarter horse, are extremely hardy and well-suited for the sport, while others, like the Appaloosa, are known for their delicate dispositions and must be handled with care. Regardless of what type of horse you’re looking for, be sure to do your research before making a purchase. You don’t want to buy a horse that was raised with limited exercise and fed a low-nutrition diet because it’s on sale or has some other kind of medical condition that you don’t know about.
It’s also important to look into the different types of horses available for purchase. You might want to consider looking into a traditional horse, a Dutch horse, or a palomino because they are easy to handle and have the perfect temperament for learning how to ride. Don’t expect the seller to tell you what type of rider they are or if they’re trained or not. Most likely, they don’t know either so it’s up to you to do your research and find out for yourself before making a decision.
Bid In Advance
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to bid in advance for the horse you want. This will not only ensure that you get what you want at the right price but will also help you negotiate the best possible deal. Horses are a highly-priced commodity because there’s so much demand for them. It’s best to put in the time and energy to find the best possible price before you make a deal because you’ll most likely end up having to haggle over the price once the deal is done.
Know Your Limitations
It’s important to remember that even though you might be able to ride a horse today, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to ride it forever. Just because you can ride a horse today, it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to deal with injuries or sickness that might arise in the future. Know your limitations so you don’t buy a horse that you can’t handle financially or personally. This is especially important if you’re buying a horse as an investment since you might not be able to ride it for a long time due to illness or injury.
Be Confident
This is important for any type of negotiation, but especially when buying a horse. It’s a good idea to walk confidently into the horse dealer’s office with your head held high. If the seller feels insecure or anxious, it might be the case that they won’t offer you the best possible price since they feel like they’re not able to negotiate as easily. Be confident and assertive, but also polite and respectful.
Take Your Time
Horses are a significant investment, which is why it’s important to take the time to find the best possible price. Even though you might have already found the horse you want, there’s still more than one willing to trade for it. Just because they have the same horse as you want, it doesn’t mean they’re the best possible owner for it. Take the time to find the best possible deal before making a decision.
Know Your Rights
It’s important to remember that you’re not obligated to buy a horse from the seller even if you’ve already made a deal. You have the right to walk away from the deal without having to pay for the horse. It’s also important to remember that even though you had to haggle over the price, that’s not a bad thing. There’s a reason why they call it haggling, and it’s not because it’s mean. Haggling is a normal part of the negotiation process, and it means both parties came away with a good deal. You can’t always expect to get what you want without any haggling, it just depends on how skilled you are at negotiating and how much you want what you want.
Follow Up
After you’ve made the deal, it’s important to follow up with the seller to make sure everything is going smoothly. Some of the things you’ll want to check include making sure the horse is delivered to your address on time, that they’re healthy, and that they’ve adjusted to their new home. It’s also a good idea to call the vet and make sure the horse is healthy enough to be ridden before you let anyone else ride it. If any part of the deal seems off, it’s important to come back and renegotiate. Sometimes it takes just a little bit of ingenuity to make sure everyone comes away happy. But at the end of the day, you came together because you wanted to make a good deal and the seller did, too.
If you want to buy a horse, but don’t want to go through all of that hassle and expense, you can always try selling your own horse. Not all horse dealers will be as willing to work with you, so be sure to do your research and find one that is. And if you want to find the best possible price, be sure to follow our tips above so you can make a good deal and enjoy your new companion for many years to come.