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Bargain Horses--Are They Really A Bargain?

© Lori Hall-McNary

Like weeds in a flowerbed, advertisements for free or cheap horses seem to be sprouting everywhere; the paper, flyers at tack shops, horse trader magazines. Horse lovers buy these bargain horses without a thought of the horse's history. These potential pleasure horse owners are eager to provide the bargain horse a home. Unfortunately far too many times when the new owners get old Happylegs home they discover the horse is dead lame or has become a psychopath.

The initial cost of a horse is the least of a potential horse owner's worries. In most cases a first time horse owner will spend more money on tack and horse equipment, feed and board, and vet care in the first year then the purchase price of the equine.

Treat bargain or free horses as if you were spending a fortune. The old adage "If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is." Applies. A seller is not going to unload a level three dressage horse for $500 unless there's a problem (the horse could be dead lame, currently masked by drugs).

A great kid's horse is worth its weight in gold. No one is going to offer it for free unless it has a Dr. Jkyell and Mr. Hyde personality. Disguised psycho horses can act perfect until you tie them to a hitching post. Next thing you know J & H horse has reared and flipped himself over. Once the lead rope is broken the horse is heading for the hills or worse charges your child with barred teeth.

Save you and your family heartache, research that advertised so-called bargain horse.

Questions to Ask a Seller on the Phone:

1. Why are they selling the horse? If they answer they have too many horses. Ask why they chose to sell this horse.

2. How long have they owned the horse? Many owners can point to a problem horse.

3. Who rides the horse now? If no one rides the horse now why not? This could be a potential problem horse.

4. What kind of ground manners does the horse have? If the seller answers "good." A one-word answer can mean the seller is being evasive. Ask to explain in details (does it clip, trailer, lead, round pen, lunge, tie)

5. Age, breed, professional training? Older horse (20 plus) will need more health care maintenance. Hotbloods (Thoroughbreds and Arabians) need experienced riders-not a good choice for the family's first horse.

6. Does the horse trailer quietly, tie to a hitching post, and lead quietly? If the seller answers no to any of the questions keep looking.

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