Buying a Horse

Buying a horse can be an exciting step for riders, and one which can equally be a difficult path to navigate.  BHS Senior Eventing Coach Johanna McDonald has supported riders for many years to find the right horse.

Horses are dependants, and an enormous responsibility. Taking the care to find the right horse is most important to avoid making costly mistakes. When you view a horse for the first time, the industry is such that a buyer is pressed to make up their mind after just one viewing, or the buyer can often face the horse being sold from under them if they take time to consider.  The hard reality for buyers is that they can waste a lot of time, and lose out by taking it slow.

When you are committing a large sum of money into what seems like the unknown – of course a buyers instinct is to be cautious. This is where an impartial, qualified professional can provide clarity and advice to support good decisions, and avoid making costly ones.

Johanna can help buyers be better informed before they attend viewings – about themselves as owners, as riders, and of course in regard to what type of horse will suit short and longer term needs.

The process starts with assessing a rider’s abilities in and out of the saddle. Johanna can attend sales viewings, and provide that much needed support when a buyer sits on a strange horse in front of a seller for the first time .

Johanna can also advise on horse sales adverts, lead discussions with sellers, including price negotiation, and provide on-going post sale support where required.

Email johannamcdonald@reinandshine.co.uk If you are interested in support.

Not every buyer knows the right questions to ask, or has an in-depth knowledge of conformation, and equine musculature development.

Not every buyer is ready to speak with confidence to sellers about soundness, and look at horse’s potential (or lack of). Having an impartial qualified professional to support you, and to answer your questions at every stage of horse buying can save you time, money and heartache.

Many liveries at the Rein & Shine Equestrian Centre have benefitted from such bespoke support to find their first, or next horse.