Horse buying guide

Contacting the private seller or trader with horses for sale

Before purchasing a horse or pony you need to think carefully of any requirements. Along with ensuring that you can easily afford financially the food, stabling and veterinary bills for treatment and care should it arise. Looking after a horse or pony is very rewarding, but can also be very time consuming and it’s important you have the available leisure time for this commitment.

1) When contacting the seller it’s wise to ask their address details and conduct some background research to check that their location information is genuine.

2) If they are a listed trader ask for references of people who have previously purchased horses or ponies in the past and contact them directly asking for feedback.

3) Their are many honest genuine trade and private sellers on the site however if an offers seems to good to be true treat it with suspicion. Especially if the seller appears evasive or pushy, make sure you conduct some research. Create a check list before viewing a horse, if it’s your first time purchasing a horse ask your equine friends for help. Ensure you create a full comprehensive checklis to make sure all important questions are asked during or before visiting the seller. Always request pictures and videos before viewing. Depending on what kind of discipline when purchasing a horse, always ask for the horse’s show name, BSJA number and BE number, then you can check the horse records.

4) It can be costly, however we strongly recommend requesting an impartial equine vet to be present during the sale they can medically assess the animal. Then advise you professionally prior to any sale transaction taking place. If you want to insure your horse most insurance companies ask for 2 or 5 stages of vetting for purchases over £ 5000, with most insurers requesting a 5 stages vetting for purchases over £ 10000 and they will usually request X-rays too. If you purchase a horse in your own local area ask your own vet to do the vetting, if its far away do some research and ask equine friends if they can recommend a vet. REMEMBER NEVER USE THE SELLERS OWN VET!

5) Make sure you don’t forget to purchase a suitable horse or pony insurance policy to be immediately activated on completion of the sale. A good comprehensive policy can help in avoiding any nasty surprises with expensive veterinary costs.

6) Before viewing an horse or pony contact the seller and ask them to produce documentation including proof of ownership along with any official pedigree ancestry paperwork if applicable. It’s also wise to ask them for any veterinary treatment records, so you can make an informed judgement on the current health of the animal.

7) If you have never owned an horse before speak to a local stable and assess the costs for feeding, cleaning and looking after the horse or pony. Speak with owners to gain their knowledge and experience.

8) Before choosing a horse or pony assess who will be riding the animal to determine the average height that you require. This can especially important if multiple riders are planning to ride the horse or pony.

9) Think carefully on what disciplines you require when choosing a horse or pony. Alternatively if you are unsure you may wish to buy an All-rounder.

10) If you are a novice rider ask the seller if the horse or pony is fully trained. Before transferring any money during the sale, ride the horse or pony to ensure you are comfortable. If you are a novice rider, take a more experienced rider with you when viewing the horse, so he/she can ride the horse too. Request videos of the horse working, and pass them on to your instructor to have a look at. It can also be a good idea to ask your instructor to attend the viewing if possible for their professional impartial opinion.

11) Usually all horses or ponies are registered and it’s possible to trace their history via impartial Equestrian organisations who keep records. It’s always worth spending time to check any facts or documents provided by the seller correspond to this information.

Remember protecting you from fraudulent sellers is our responsibility. If you incur any suspicious activity with a sellers behaviour please report it immediately and contact Customer Services.