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This is the year! After years of lessons on various horses, saving your pennies and researching for months on “what to expect”, you have decided you will be bringing home a new family member. You most likely have volunteered at some local horse rescues, toured boarding facilities, and talked to trainers, friends and family members about your exciting new adventure. It is official: you’re ready to take the big leap into horse ownership.
As a first timer you start commenting “more Info plz” on facebook posts with a pretty horse photo that could be a good fit for you. You request videos from sellers and ask questions trying to understand the lingo written in online ads. You start searching databases for horses with specific colors and your preference of gender. The process quickly becomes overwhelming and defeating as the horse of your dreams is sold before you can even connect with the seller. You might even send a small deposit to someone on facebook only to figure out it was a scam. During your search for the perfect horse you might start watching online auctions to see if that might be the best avenue to purchase the horse of your dreams.
Before you send money to the facebook scammer, or place the bid on an online auction site and enter the world of horse traders and rescue groups, you need an agent.
As a seller I strongly suggest for all first time horse buyers to get an “agent”. Someone to help you throughout the process before starting your search for your first horse. Without someone assisting you in this process, I can guarantee you will waste your time, money and become annoyed by how difficult it can be to find your new equine partner. This “Agent” can be an experienced trainer, a good friend that owns horses, a family member, or anyone that has purchased an equine in the past 3 years. The competent person you hire as your agent should act as your translator during the purchasing process. This person can define terms used in the horse ad, help you see quirks in the videos provided, ensure all the proper paperwork is in order, and help you understand what has been written in the vet inspection. Just like your real estate agent when you purchase a home, this person should be a resource, not the one saying yes or no, or providing unsolicited advice.
Your agent is there to assist and guide you in the process and ensure you have a seamless transaction. Having an agent on your team will save everyone time, making you the quick and uncomplicated buyer that will get you a discount during the negotiations process.
Your agent ideally will have access to a horse trailer to help with transport. If you don’t have access to a trailer, ask the seller if you could work out transport with them prior to negotiating the price or visiting.
Having all these things in order acts like your pre-approval letter when you go to purchase a horse, it shows the seller you are prepared to make a purchase if the horse fits your needs and wants. As a first time home- or horse buyer you’re not the ideal client for any seller as there tends to be an extra level of communication needed during the process. Your agent is going to help you get in the barn door so you can find your equine partner.
Purchasing your first horse should be exciting, fun and an overall enjoyable process. You can go forward in the process alone but I would highly recommend reaching out to a licensed vet to ensure your horse is as advertised and will be physically able to fit your needs.
Once I quit fighting with him and began rewarding his efforts to respond to my cues, he became extremely willing to do what I was asking. The fight and confusion just seemed to melt away.
– Mark Rashid
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