If you are going to buy a horse or pony, remember that you are taking on a significant responsibility. There is a lot of knowledge, time, and money required to maintain a horse. You will have to groom, exercise, feed, and care for your horse, or pay someone else to do it. It will take time to travel to and from the stable, if you cant keep your horse or pony on your own property. Also, costs of horse ownership are high and include shelter, food, medical care, riding equipment, riding lessons, and shoeing.

Why Buy A Horse or Pony?
The first step in buying a horse is to determine why you are buying it. Is it for your child to ride or the whole family to enjoy? Take some riding lessons beforehand. A stable will be only too happy to let you feed, water, and brush horses, as well as muck out the stalls, for practice. This will give you some idea of what is involved in horse ownership and help you to decide if you are buying for the right reason.

Plan Ahead
Learn how to assess a horses age and health condition or hire someone to help you.

Before buying a horse or pony, decide where you will keep the animal and how much it will cost if a stable is involved. Livery fees can rapidly add up to more than the horses purchase price. If you are going to keep the horse on your property, be sure you have met any local regulations and have an adequate stable, including heat for those bitter winter months.

You may need riding lessons and will have to ride in an indoor arena during the winter. This costs quite a bit.

Be sure you know how and what to feed your horse.

Research equine illnesses and their symptoms so you will know when veterinary care is required.

Be sure someone is available to shoe your horse.

What Kind of Horse or Pony Should You Buy?
Buy a horse that suits the personality, experience, and style of the person who will ride it. Nervous riders need a calm horse. Children need a pony that will not bolt. An experienced rider will want a horse that responds quickly to commands. A horse that has some training is pretty much essential for a first time buyer.

Decide if you want to ride on level ground, learn to jump, or go hunting, trail riding, or show the horse.

Where to Buy a Horse or Pony
In some cases you can look for a horse at a stable where you already ride or consult a riding instructor. classifieds.co.uk has many horses and foals on offer from reputable horse breeders and private sellers who may have a suitable animal for you or may be able to refer you to someone who does. Do bear in mind that if you buy from a private owner, you have little recourse if issues occur at a later stage.

Checking the Horse
Before you buy a horse, you should consult a knowledgeable owner or trainer. Take this person with you to observe the horse, preferably outdoors in sunlight. Does it look hangdog? Does it prance or shy away while being saddled? Does it seem nervous or antsy? Does it kick or try to bite? Unless you are a seasoned owner and are prepared to do some serious training, dont buy a horse with bad habits like these.

Always ask the owner to ride the horse first. Watch closely. It shouldnt dance, toss its head, or fight the bit. It should walk, trot, and canter smoothly. Having observed the horse, if you feel comfortable with its behaviour and your riding skills are up to it, you can then ride it. Observe its behaviour again and give various commands as you ride.

Try to arrange a seven to ten day trial period before finalising your purchase. Have the animal checked by a vet before purchasing it. The vet will check its:
  • age
  • general condition, including alertness, eyes, ears, heart, lungs, digestive system
  • skin and coat
  • musculoskeletal system legs, conformation, feet, shoes
  • body for parasites.
Conclusion
Remember, a horse or pony is a living being whose life is in your hands. The costs of horse ownership are significant so be sure that you can meet this financial commitment on an ongoing basis. Also be sure that you have the time to care for your horse properly. Once you have found the right animal, you should enjoy a long and incredibly rewarding partnership.


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Classified Ad Results  ( 1 to 10 of 50 ads found )
12 May 2008
Gorgeous hackney x new forest gelding, 2 in may, bay, 2 white socks, will mature around 15, need handling but not nasty, can catch, lead,getting used to grooming, for sale as havent the time to devote to him, will make a smashing animal £650. .
£650
SO40
09 May 2008
1 stunning black & white 2yr old filly to make 13. 2, 1 super black 3yr old 13hands, 1 lovely bay roan 13. 3 all by cocky smith breeding of southport - very well bred, all passported and vacinnated, all been backed, would make super ride and drive show cobs breeder sadly giv. .
£3,000
BB5
08 May 2008
I am looking for grazing for my gelding preferably with a shelter. in mansfield or surrounding areas, thanx. .
NG18
07 May 2008
B reg ford iveco,carries 4 horses,living area with cooker,grill and sink,sleeps 4 or use as extra storage,seating area with cupboard space,comes with accessories i bought for it,must be viewed to be appreciated,no tax or mot but engine starts to drive away,bought as project but . .
£1,500
WF17
4 years old registered fell pony 13 2hds broke to ride jumps very well scholed pony will go to the top ,already won at shows county level, selling due to having back injury, lovely home require d for this beauty. tack if required. .
£3,000
BB5
05 May 2008
Indy was born 2nd june07, he is dark bay and will mature to 16hh he has a great nature and a real easy outlook to life, iv added some baby pic so you can see his dam.
£950
KA11
Tommy coloured colt born 15th may 07, tommy will mature to 16. 2hh, he will excel in any sphere espeacily dressage with his lovely paces, tommy is well handled and has a great outlook to life.
£1,800
KA11
03 May 2008
Harry is a fantastic pony,he is steel grey with black legs and a dorsal stripe with faint dappled on belly,a real head turner,100% all ways,great in stable and comes on call in field,great with kids,traffic,dentist,vets and blacksmith,vaccinated,passported,microchiped and wormed. .
£1,400
WF17
Superb homebred colt (due to be castrated next week). well grown with fabulous limbs and huge straight movement, sire blue horizon id x part tb mare. would make fantastic show / hunt / event horse. very well marked with a fabulous head. elegible for chaps registration, will make. .
£1,500
S44
Genuine homebred, totally unspoilt 2yr old colt by blue horizon ex tb mare. well grown with quality limbs and huge free straight movement. would make a very good show / hunt / event / jumping horse. elegible chaps registration. he is booked in to be castrated next week. wonderfu. .
£1,500
S44
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