A Monumental Decision

For me, it was a phone call with my dentist. I couldn’t afford the yearly X-rays they were requiring before I could have a cleaning (I hadn’t had a proper dental cleaning in longer than I care to admit). I started to cry on the phone because they wouldn’t make an exception for me.

When I hung up the phone, I stared at my budget on my computer and thought, “I am 40 years old, what am I doing?” I had no savings, no retirement plan. Thankfully no kids depend on me and my husband, but I am not super healthy. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my 20s and was told I was already halfway to osteoporosis due to low bone density. I haven’t seen a regular doctor since then.

I spent the last several years showing a Gypsy Vanner mare—my heart horse. I loved her more than anything else, except for my husband. My only friends were those I saw at horse shows and events. But all that money, along with Covid and a series of things breaking, including needing to replace all three of our cars, had led to mountains of debt. Those memes weren’t funny anymore—they were heartbreaking and stress-inducing.

It was that day that I made the decision to get out of horses. The amount of money we had invested in a truck and trailer, tack, and the horses themselves was enough to completely pay off all our debt, except for my student loan. But also because—if I was honest with myself—it was very hard on my body and caused a lot of pain.

Saying Goodbye

I feel like there are two types of riders. The ones that ride occasionally for the fun of it. They can ride or not ride; it’s not a big deal. My husband is that type. Then there are the ones where “equestrian” defines who they are. I am in the latter group. Getting out of horses was like removing my identity.

Selling my heart horse meant saying goodbye to my best friend. I cried as if she had died. Non-horse people offered unhelpful statements like, “You’ll get another one someday when money is better.” Only those who have owned a heart horse understand; they are not replaceable.

Months passed and I wasn’t getting better. Tears flowed whenever anything triggered me: a photo, a memory on Facebook, a song we did a freestyle to, or her namesake Disney character on someone else’s feed. Since all my friends were horse people, I was suddenly alone, which didn’t help the depression that was stifling me.

I hit rock bottom when I sent a text to an old high school friend in another state: “I cried most the day, had a fight with the husband, contemplated why I’m even alive, then cried more. Life sucks right now. Selling the horse was the worst … and I have no friends.”

At this point you may be judging me, thinking my reaction was a bit extreme. But when you don’t have friends, and your horse was your sole means of socialization, losing everything at once can have serious effects on your mental health. That’s the spot I was in.

Mini Steps

When you start to think about not living, something needs to change. We had paid off all our debt and took a good look at the budget, deciding how much we wanted to save to finally have a safety net. We decided we could still meet our goals while owning a couple of Miniature Horses to “mow” the pastures and provide me with a horse fix.

I am not going to lie and say it was an overnight fix. It wasn’t, and still isn’t. I haven’t bonded with Argyll—my 2-year-old Mini—like I did with my heart horse. Will I in the future? I hope so. But he provides me with a reason to get outside.

I am taking driving lessons with a lesson Mini to see if my body can handle it. If not, we can do in-hand things like tricks and trail. Showing is still not in the budget, but there are many free things like parades, walks on trails, and even the International Horse Agility Club offers reasonably priced online competition.

As for my heart horse? We still don’t say her name in the house. She has become a proper noun, “Her,” that is implicitly understood.

I still cry sometimes, and I think I always will, but my heart is not heavy as it was. I can walk into the barn and hear whinnies again. I can smell a horse and feel his sweet nose on my face—Argyll loves to give kisses.

I hope those of you in my position take heart. How you interact with horses may change due to finances or getting older, but there is always a way to have them in your life, even if it means volunteering at a riding center or downsizing.

If you need horses in your life, find a way, because they are truly irreplaceable and the world’s best therapy.

This article appeared in the July 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Because virtually every aspect of horse ownership carries some degree of risk, horse owners should consider the possibility that things can sometimes go wrong and lead to legal issues. In most common cases, the horse does not present the only risk: People who will be interacting with him can cause a multitude of problems, which in a worst-case scenario can land you in court as a horse owner.

Our generally optimistic outlook on life with horses is not often eroded by a fear of being sued. Most of us never expect it from loved ones or horsey friends, yet this precise situation happens with some frequency.

A myriad of hazardous situations involving horses can result in a lawsuit, most too complicated to resolve without an experienced attorney. Yet we offer horseback rides to family members, casually board horses on our properties for extra income, and lend our trailers to friends.

The following should not constitute legal advice—always consult an attorney for that—but these five topics are designed to give you an idea of the common areas of conflict that crop up in horse legal issues and court cases.

1. Buying and Selling

Far too many horse buyers are more emotional than careful when buying a horse, and thus they are amazingly cavalier about documenting the transaction. They fall in love with a horse, sometimes by merely looking at it online, and purchase it sight unseen.

Most buyers and sellers jot a few words on paper about the exchange of money and consider that sufficient to change ownership. It may be for some, but protection in a dispute about ownership is better ensured with a detailed and thorough contract that you can easily find if needed.

If presenting a contract—or signing one already drawn up—seems beyond the needs of the average horse owner, consider how many horse buyers wait for registration papers that never arrive, take possession of an injured horse upon delivery, or discover their new performance horse has a periodic lameness issue related to a previous case of laminitis that the seller neglected to disclose.

Sometimes the seller insists on a “right of first refusal” (see below), yet the buyer sells the horse without informing the former owner. What is the recourse when a sale is made on a proverbial handshake deal?

If hiring an attorney to draw up the specifics of a sale seems like overkill, at least consider using one of the many online equine sales contracts that provide a good starting point for buyers and sellers. Specific details or modifications can be added by either party to strengthen its viability, should a dispute arise.

2. Boarding

Most boarding stable owners are careful enough to require signed documentation from boarders limiting the business’s risk of liability in the event of an accident involving a boarder or their horse. That document typically outlines the rules established by the stable for everything from turning off arena lights to requiring all one-day riders or those test-riding a horse for possible purchase to sign a legal liability waiver.

High-profile boarding stable owners don’t rely on loosely worded boarding contracts with one-size-fits-all contractual language, because they know the cost of an attorney is minuscule compared to a judgment against them in a personal injury lawsuit.

More casual horse boarding operations would be wise to follow suit. Non-paying boarders or those routinely late with payments often present a problem that ends up with the horse as the only bargaining chip. In these situations, frustrated stable owners sometimes overstep legal boundaries.

“Declaring the stable to be the owner of the horse and selling it without following the law or putting the horse in the stable’s lesson program may not be legal,” says Julie Fershtman, a national trial lawyer, legal consultant, and author of two award-winning editions of Equine Law and Horse Sense. Fershtman is widely considered one of the top equine attorneys in the U.S.

“Stable owners of all types and sizes should be aware of their state agister’s lien statutes that give them a security interest in the horse that allows them to enforce the lien after a specified period of time has passed and the stable has performed specific procedures,” she says.

Boarding contracts typically include the Equine Liability Law for the state, and stable owners are also required in many states to post signs in the most visible barn areas to remind everyone of the inherent risk associated with horse activities. Copies of equine activity liability releases (sometimes referred to as waivers) should be on-site, signed and dated by non-boarders.

Some horse owners mistakenly believe equine liability waivers are not successfully defended in court, when the reverse is true. Even so, an equine liability release does not guarantee the stable cannot be held liable for any accident. For instance, a lawsuit can be brought by a boarder who can prove the stable owner has been negligent by failing to perform reasonable measures to protect the safety of boarders and their horses.

“Many in the horse industry misunderstand equine activity liability laws, currently found in 48 states, and wrongly assume that these are ‘zero liability’ laws,” says Fershtman.

“That is not true. Although many of these laws limit the basis for a claim or lawsuit, they typically allow for the possibility of certain types of claims to be brought.”

Horse owners sometimes view boarding contracts as routine paperwork that protects the rights of the stable owner, yet these signed agreements are often relied upon by both parties when a dispute arises.

3. Leasing or Share Boarding

While an arrangement for leasing a horse can be a win-win for both parties, the best way to make sure everyone is on the same page is to write down the terms, fees and exclusions, and require each party to read and sign the contract. Without a written reminder, the lessee may believe her payments are for the purchase of the horse rather than its temporary use.

That’s merely one of many disagreements that can arise when time passes and memories fail. A written contract can include standard terms, such as duration of the lease, payment schedule, which days are assigned to each rider, and who is authorized to ride the horse.

More detailed contracts can define liability issues, who is responsible for veterinary and farrier care, and whether the lessee has the option to buy the horse during or at the end of the lease. The more specific the contract, the greater the chance of a positive outcome.

4. Trailering

When you own a horse trailer, you can count on someone eventually asking to borrow it, use it in an emergency, or asking you to transport a horse in your trailer for a fee.

In these situations, you need to be aware of what your insurance policy will or will not cover. Those who assume their homeowner’s policy or car insurance will pay an accident claim involving a horse trailer and someone else’s property can live to regret it.

For example, a policy may cover personal use of your truck and trailer, yet consider you a commercial entity if you were paid to transport someone else’s horse. Unfortunately, insurance companies look for holes in your policy that allow them to deny claims. This is why policy holders never want to hear their insurance agent say, “read the fine print” after something goes wrong.

5. Insurance

Commercial horse businesses generally carry extensive insurance because their liability is multiplied by buildings, equipment, employees, boarders and visitors. Always know what your insurance specifically covers before you need it.

Trainers and riding instructors should be especially careful since they are on the “front lines” with more hands-on responsibility for clients and horses. Many carry umbrella policies that cover general liability insurance plus added coverage for care, custody, and control of their clients’ horses. The facility where training and riding instruction is conducted does not typically carry coverage that indemnifies trainers and riding instructors.

Horse owners and those in the horse industry shouldn’t live in continual fear of being sued, but we do live in a litigious society. Covering all bases with solid, detailed contracts, hiring a lawyer to handle complicated but common legal issues, and buying insurance specific to your horse activities is the best way to protect your assets.

This article about common legal issues in the horse world appeared in the May 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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The decision to sell a horse can be a difficult one, part of which is making sure that your horse reaches a safe landing spot. But there are steps you can take to make sure that happens so you can rest easy knowing your horse is in responsible care.

Teach Essential Skills

Possessing a basic set of skills can create a greater likelihood that your horse will enjoy a wonderful new home, even if his next stop isn’t his permanent one.

The Basic Behaviors Profile, created by The Right Horse Initiative, was developed with the idea that the key to a successful placement for a horse in transition is matching the right horse to the right person. Because it assesses such skills as catching, haltering, leading, and tying, it can be used by any horse owner or potential horse owner as one of several tools in evaluating a prospective new horse.

“The Basic Behaviors Profile gives great confidence to the potential adopter or buyer of the animal that the seller really knows and understands that horse,” says Emily Weiss, Ph.D., vice president of ASPCA Equine Welfare. The ASPCA is the parent organization of The Right Horse Initiative.

While not all-inclusive, the BBP covers the following skills:

◆ Can the horse be approached when loose in turnout?
◆ Is he calm when haltered?
◆ Does he lead, turn, stop, and back?
◆ Can he be led through a gate?
◆ Can he stand calmly tied?
◆ Does he move his hindquarters away from pressure of the hand?
◆ Does he stand calmly while his body is brushed or while his legs are sprayed with water?
◆ Does he allow all feet to be picked up and stand calmly while each foot is held?
◆ Does he stand calmly for: blanket/fly sheet, oral administration of fluid from a syringe or tube, rectal temperature, fly spray?
◆ Does he calmly load and trailer?

When in place, these behaviors help to reduce risk during interactions between horses and humans while on the ground. While the lack of a skill should not automatically disqualify a horse from consideration, it can indicate an area in which a horse needs more work. The profile is key, because within its framework it provides a clear definition of calm exhibition of behaviors. To ensure a reasonable opportunity for success, it also specifies ideal locations for where the assessment should be performed.

Jen Roytz is executive director of the Retired Racehorse Project, an industry partner of The Right Horse Initiative. Roytz further expands on those simple skills.

“By putting a basic foundation of skills on a horse, such as teaching him to stand at a mounting block or in cross-ties, or to walk, trot, and canter without getting too quick or behind the leg, [you] will make a horse more marketable and essentially more appealing to potential buyers or adopters,” says Roytz. “To me, it’s like an insurance policy for that horse. In addition, if the horse isn’t in regular work, that is an investment of time, skill, and money the potential buyer/adopter will have to invest in the horse beyond the purchase price.”

Registration for All

Beyond skills, for some prospective buyers, an individual horse’s registration status may play an important role when deciding whether to purchase him. Feeling connected to a greater organization and the ability to show and participate in that organization’s programs are all part of the bigger picture. In the past, particularly for those horses with unknown backgrounds, registration wasn’t always possible. But times are changing.

The Right Horse Initiative industry partner, the Pinto Horse Association of America, Inc. (PtHA), now makes enjoying the benefits of horse registration available to all horses, regardless of background. Emily Wolf, corporate partner and special events coordinator with the PtHA, helps explain the program, also available on the association’s website.

The organization maintains multiple registries, most notably the Color and the Solid registries. Horses registered with the Color Registry must meet the association’s white marking requirements, with underlying pink skin in the qualifying zone requirement, but do not have to be of documented parentage. These horses may also hold dual registration with an approved outcross breed. Certain characteristics, however, such as those associated with Appaloosas, are excluded from registration in the Color Registry. But non-characteristic Appaloosas with qualifying, eligible white may be registered in the Color Registry, according to Wolf.

Like the Color Registry, the Solid Registry accepts horses without documented parentage. Horses registered in this division do not meet the Color Registry requirements. Characteristic Appaloosa horses and colored POAs can also be registered here.

Almost any non-colored horse fits into the Solid Registry, and the registration process for both divisions is easy. Simply fill out the Solid Registry form and submit the required paperwork and fees. While membership is not required to register a horse with the association, an additional fee is assessed to non-members.

Registered horses and current members can enjoy full privileges, including showing and participation in the organization’s Select Opportunities and Rewards (SOAR) program. SOAR includes opportunities to earn prizes for time spent riding, driving, or working in-hand with your registered horse.

By necessity, other registries have stricter requirements, but still work with owners in support of registration. For example, Debbie Fuentes, registrar and senior director of Registry Services with the Arabian Horse Association (AHA), says that a key area of focus is keeping registration and transfer fees affordable to encourage current owners to register their horses and new owners to transfer ownership.

The AHA also works in partnership with owners to bring lapsed registration papers current. Registration allows owners to join the horse with his history, along with the ability to participate in shows and other incentive programs, such as the AHA’s Frequent Rider Program.

Regardless of your chosen registry, deciding to register a horse can also be an invaluable way to keep track of his show record, especially when he competes in a breed association’s recognized events. It’s a relatively inexpensive option that improves a horse’s overall marketability.

Keeping in Touch

Beyond training and registration, there are other steps you can take to ensure that your horse lands in the best possible situation.

◆ Recordkeeping: Keeping updated records on vaccination, deworming, dental exams, hoof care, and other health issues can help a potential buyer feel safe in the knowledge you are being transparent and that the animal has been well taken care of and is, therefore, a sound investment of their time and money.

◆ Microchips: Another industry partner of The Right Horse Initiative, Microchip ID Equine, is a company that allows you to attach your contact information to an individual horse. This provides a safety net for a previous owner to purchase a horse, should he end up in an auction-type situation that may lead to the horse being purchased by a kill pen buyer. (For more on microchipping, see “Chips Ahoy!” in the Nov./Dec. 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated). However, it’s worth noting that if a buyer plans to compete with the horse at sanctioned shows, they should check with their discipline governing bodies to see what microchips are accepted so as to avoid inserting multiple chips.

◆ Minimum sale price: Weiss recommends doing your research and setting a price for the animal that is above the current meat price, therefore discouraging potential kill pen buyers from considering the animal for purchase.

While it’s important not to make the sale of a horse so difficult that a potential buyer chooses to pass on a horse and continue their search, Weiss recommends these additional approaches when feasible.

◆ Right of first refusal agreement: Sometimes even the best situations just don’t work out. Having a formal right of first refusal agreement in place so that you can have the option to buy the horse back should he come up for sale under his new owner can help ensure that he finds a safe landing.

◆ Keeping track of your horse once he’s sold: One thing you can do is ensure your continued availability to answer questions should the horse develop a training problem, or even simply check in at regular intervals post-sale. Or you can ask the new owner to share pictures via email or social media so that you can keep track of his progress. While it can be rewarding to watch success stories unfold, it can also provide a window of opportunity for you to reach out should something go wrong.

“The option to buy that horse back, and then staying in touch, is imperative,” Weiss says. “When that horse sells five or six years down the road, [the new owner] may not remember there is a contract they were supposed to honor. Staying in touch is important from that perspective. Relationships are vital.”

One of the many benefits of adopting a horse is the relationships built and support systems established between the adoption organization and the adopter, which will ensure your adopted horse always has a safe place to land. The same guardrails can also be applied whenever a horse is sold.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that you reap the satisfaction of watching your sales horse enjoy a good life beyond the one he once enjoyed with you.

This article about safe landings for horses appeared in the January/February 2022 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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But sometimes, when the shine wears off and you’ve settled into your normal routine, you realize that perfect-for-you horse is no longer the steed of your dreams. How do you come to terms with selling a horse you waited so long to find?

Hindsight 20/20

Samantha Whited was a barrel racer looking for the perfect horse to take her to the next level when she came across an ad that made her heart skip a beat: A gorgeous, jet-black Quarter Horse gelding, Dash, who was also a finished barrel horse.

Whited bought the gelding, excited for all the adventures she was planning with her new partner. A lifelong horsewoman, she wasn’t just interested in the accolades the two could rack up; she also loved spending time with Dash and creating a partnership and connection. Though they were the perfect fit on the ground, the translation of that trust to under-saddle work just never came, no matter how hard Whited tried.

For seven years, she tried, trained, struggled and experimented with Dash to find something that would make the two of them click. She even went on a TV show with the gelding seeking the root cause of their issues. But nothing worked.

“I loved that horse and he loved me—we had an amazing relationship out of the saddle,” says Whited. But after years of riding him, she knew something had to give. “I finally realized that this was an incredible horse that I was holding back from reaching his full potential. So the decision was made to let him move on to a more confident and better-suited rider for his ultimate success.”

Once the decision was made that it was time to consider selling her horse, there was no relief—just sadness. One thing that helped assuage Whited’s anxiety about finding Dash a good home was placing him on a lease-to-own trial.

“This made me feel like I had control if things didn’t work out,” she explains.

This arrangement comforted her; she knew she was sending her beloved friend to someone who would watch over his wellbeing. Whited remains in contact with Dash’s new owner.

“He seems so happy with a person better suited to his natural demeanor,” she reports.
Looking back, Whited says she should have made the decision to sell Dash much earlier, but admitting her “dream horse” wasn’t for her took a lot longer to work through.

“Selling a horse is a responsibility I don’t take lightly, but if you can put the horse in someone else’s hands where things fit more naturally, everyone is happier in the end—especially the horse,” she concludes.

Soundness Challenges

Growing up in a decidedly non-horsey family, Lydia Davis took every opportunity she could to ride, finally purchasing her first horse during her senior year of college.

“I was pretty particular about what I was looking for,” Davis explains. “I was specifically seeking a young, registered Quarter Horse with no pre-existing injuries.”

Davis ended up purchasing Invy’s Little Star in 2011, with hopes that they could dabble in everything from western events and trail riding to eventing.

“I wanted to learn with her,” Davis explains.

After a decade together, however, Davis’s dreams of having a horse to go on adventures with were coming to a halt, as Invy was having ongoing soundness issues. Working in the nonprofit world, Davis’s ability to afford intense management strategies was limited.

“Ultimately, I decided that I needed to rehome her because her soundness issues were becoming too financially costly to manage and were inhibiting her from performing physically at the level I sought.”

It’s important to note that Invy stayed sound in lighter work and enjoyed having a job. The decision to find her a more suitable home wasn’t one Davis took lightly; she considered selling the mare for over four years before finally making the decision that was best for both of them.

“Although she was (and still is) a very special horse to me, our paths were simply moving in different directions,” Davis explains.

Davis enlisted the services of the Re-Ride Quarter Horse Adoption Program, which placed Invy with the Miami University equestrian program in Oxford, Ohio.

“Once I ultimately decided to part with Invy, it was certainly heartbreaking, but there was a sense of peace about the decision as well,” Davis shares. “I had wrestled with what to do and wondered what the best decision for her was for so long that making a decision—albeit a really tough one—brought me solace.”

Davis remains in contact with the staff at Miami and is updated regularly on how the mare is doing.

Selling a Horse: The Hardest Choice of All

Unfortunately, some perfect horse finds turn into nightmares. Horses can become so quirky—or outright dangerous—that rehoming them would be too fraught with danger for both the horse and his new owner.

These horses can be the ultimate test of a horse owner’s mental fortitude. Though making the decision to rehome a horse can be stressful, making the decision to euthanize one instead of selling or rehoming brings with it an intense rollercoaster of emotions.

Often horse owners in this situation beat themselves up, wondering what they could have done differently or what other methods exist to try to “fix” the horse.

Hannah Smith grew up spending hours on end at the farm where she took lessons. A true barn rat, she particularly enjoyed shadowing the veterinarians and farriers who came to the farm.

“I’m thankful they actually let me be annoying because they nurtured my love for horse health early on,” says Smith, who obtained an equine science degree and is now an assistant broodmare manager on a prominent Thoroughbred breeding farm.

Once settled on the farm, a coworker told her about a retired racehorse named Heavy in need of a job. Having broken and trained multiple horses, Hannah was excited to get back in the saddle with one of her own.

At first, Smith enjoyed working with the gelding, beginning to teach him the ropes of his new career as a jumper. He was kind, sweet and willing. She became more enamored with his personality during every ride.

“When things went wrong, it took me by surprise,” she explains. “During a routine mounting, something we had done a million times before with no problems, Heavy lost his mind.” With one leg in the stirrup and no way to scramble aboard or dismount rapidly, the event landed Smith in the emergency room with a fractured neck and back (C2 and L1), a potentially devastating injury.

“I’m lucky to be walking, much less riding again,” says Smith. “I was baffled by what happened. While I was recovering for three months, Heavy sat in a field. When I was cleared by my doctors, I decided to completely start him over to see if I had missed a step and if that was causing the issues. We started with groundwork and then prepared to transition to riding again. Up to that point, everything had gone perfectly; he was a gentleman for each of our sessions.

“But the second my foot went in the stirrup to mount the first time, I saw his eye change. I will never forget the feeling of being 9 feet in the air and thinking, ‘You got lucky once, you won’t get lucky again,’ and thinking this was where it ended for me,” she says. That time, Smith was hospitalized with a broken pelvis.

Searching for Answers

“I had him scoped and evaluated by vets and he was deemed healthy and happy—multiple times,” she says. The clean bill of health left Smith with no explanation of why Heavy would explode when she went to mount. Broken once again, Smith was left disheartened and confused. She began weighing her options.

“How could I live with myself if I sold him, even with everything fully disclosed, and he hurt someone else with no warning?” she asks.

Not everyone has the financial means to turn out a horse for the next 20 years, and there was no guarantee that whatever Heavy was experiencing wouldn’t eventually trickle down into behavior issues on the ground.

“I spent six months pondering the decision I ultimately made,” Smith says. “After consulting with multiple vets, my trainer and many friends I trusted, I made the gut-wrenching decision to put him down. While it took six months to decide, it took six seconds to see the relief in his eye and feel the weight literally lift off my shoulders. It wasn’t easy, but I loved that horse and I wanted him to always be safe and loved.”

For Smith, it was the right decision.

“It’s not an easy situation, but what is best for the horse will always be the right answer,” she says. Smith feels the decision to euthanize a horse is complicated, and because everyone’s situation is different, there’s not one right answer.

Likewise, selling a horse you thought was Mr. Right can be deeply distressing; it can feel like all of your dreams are lost and make you question your abilities, both as a rider and an owner. But horse owners are a tenacious bunch. Concluding that a new home or euthanasia is best for the horse can feel like admitting defeat, but it’s important to remember it isn’t. You’re offering the horse a great kindness by finding the best situation for his physical and emotional needs.

This article about selling your “perfect” horse appeared in the July 2021 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Cultural stigma leads us to believe that horse sellers are not trustworthy, but if you ask anyone who has sold a horse, they will tell you that horse buyers come with their own individual set of quirks. And yet we can all agree that faux pas and faux news just lead to bad sales and ruined horses.

But all of this can (and should) be avoided because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: a good home for the horse, a good future for the rider, and a quick and seamless sale for the seller. Here are some dos and don’ts that can be followed to ensure success of all.

Advice for Horse Buyers

Do: Be Honest.

Be honest with the seller, your trainer, and also yourself. Don’t tell the seller that your budget is triple your maximum amount. Don’t tell your trainer that your goal is Advanced-level eventing if you’re still learning two-point. Don’t tell yourself that you want to retrain a green horse if you know you can only get to the barn once a week.

I’ve watched many people overestimate their ability and come try a horse that I would have never matched them with if honesty was at the forefront of the conversation. And that benefits no one, especially not the horse.

Don’t: Make Assumptions.

Don’t assume that because you are searching for an off-the-track Thoroughbred that it will be high-strung. Don’t assume that because you are getting a draft cross that it will be sound. Don’t assume that because you are buying from an Olympian that the horse will be trained. We all know the cardinal rule about assumptions.

Do: Your Homework.

Google the person who is selling and read the reviews. Whether that is simply by looking over their Facebook page or going as far as the Better Business Bureau, you can find a lot on the world wide web these days. A dishonest seller will have a trail, and you can find it.

Don’t: Be Obnoxious.

While knowledge is power, plenty of information can be gathered without harassing the seller. Pay attention to the details within the ad. If it says the horse is green broke, don’t call to see if it would be a good match for your child moving up from a pony. If it says the horse was born in 2014, do not ask its age. And if it says that the horse is priced “in the mid five figures” (aka $40,000-$60,000) and your budget is $5,000, don’t ask anything at all.

Do: Be Timely.

If a horse appears too good to be true, then book that plane ticket because other buyers are thinking the same thing. Well-advertised, athletic horses usually sell quickly, and you will need to promptly contact that seller, schedule a trial ride, and get out to see him. In the meantime, if you truly believe the horse will be a good fit, start investigating nearby veterinarians and getting your funds in order. It wouldn’t even be a bad idea to start looking into shipping.

Don’t: Drag Your Feet.

Once you have tried the horse and fallen in love, let the seller know of your interest quickly. Promptly schedule the veterinary pre-purchase exam, promptly review the exam’s findings, and promptly make your decision.

Until your name is on the contract and money is exchanged, you do not own the horse. Many times, sales fall apart for no known reason, and because of that, sellers can (and will) continue showing the horse to other buyers until that paperwork is finalized. Ethically, a pre-purchase exam holds the horse for a few days. But legally, sellers like me have to look out for both our own and the horse’s best interests. And that can mean the horse gets sold to someone else if you drag your feet.

Do: A pre-purchase examination (PPE)

Preferably the pre-purchase exam should be done with a veterinarian you or your own personal veterinarian trust. Gain as much information as you can afford and use that information in your purchasing decision.

Don’t: Pass/Fail a Horse.

A PPE is an awesome tool that gives you a baseline and can detect any serious injuries. What it cannot do is predict the future. Make sure that the veterinarian who is doing the PPE is trustworthy, but also make sure that you understand the process. PPEs don’t end with an A or an F, and there are plenty of grades in between.

Advice for Horse Sellers

Do: Be Honest.

Just like the buyer, honesty is the best policy. Honesty in the horse’s sanity, ability, soundness and desires. I have found that while brutal honesty may scare away the tire-kickers, it doesn’t scare away the perfect fit. Dishonesty is almost always discovered during the trial ride, PPE, or within the first few weeks, but in a world where all you have to show for yourself are your horses and your reputation, honesty can go a long way.

Don’t: Do Anything You’re Not Comfortable With.

I like to say that my gut instinct is my best tool for horse sales. If you don’t think the rider should jump during the trial ride, say so. If you don’t feel comfortable doing a trial, don’t do one. If you don’t feel absolutely thrilled with the match, even though the buyer is offering you full price, don’t sell the horse. This is a high-liability field, and protecting yourself is key. If your gut instinct is telling you something is wrong, trust it.

Do: Advertise Well.

So often I see sellers of nice horses wondering why they’re not getting any interest, and I can immediately point to their advertisement. I have found the horse is only 75 percent of the equation, and the advertisement is the other 25 percent.

Hire a professional photographer and get clear images of the horse’s conformation. It also helps to show the horse doing the job stated in the ad. Enlist a friend to get clean video of the horse: one with good lighting, good footing, and in landscape mode using the zoom feature.

The rule of thumb is that videos should be no longer than two minutes and include all three gaits. If you find yourself fast-forwarding at any point, the buyers have already clicked off. Showcase the horse to the best of your ability and use the photos and video to do so.

Don’t: Overprice.

An overpriced horse does nothing but limit profit. Time is money, and board is expensive. While it’s bothersome to hear that you could have gotten another thousand or two, selling quickly to a good home is the goal. Assess the horse realistically, price accordingly, and adjust when necessary.

Do: Have A Strong Contract.

The contract is all that you have beyond your word. Realize that you didn’t go to law school, and seek out legal advice. Learn your state’s equine laws and use them to your benefit. And when in doubt, ask other professional horse sellers for their assistance.

With each sale, contracts are amended, and with each amendment, the contract gets stronger. Use that strong contract. (See “Top 6 Mistakes” for more advice from a vet.)

Don’t: Accept Checks.

One of the greatest things I was taught is to trust no one. Money wire, cashier’s checks, or cash are acceptable forms of payment; personal checks are not. And don’t let the horse leave your property until the actual money is in your hand or in your account.

Buying and selling horses doesn’t have to be an exasperating process, and by following these simple rules and educating yourself for future success, it can be an exhilarating one. Listen, learn, and then get out there and have fun. Find the excitement and minimize the exhaustion. Happy horse hunting!

This article originally appeared in the May 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post The Dos and Don’ts of Buying and Selling Horses appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

I feel that investigating a buyer is often overlooked. A seller trusts that the buyer does, in fact, have the experience and skills they state, and that the intended purpose they declared for the horse is genuine. However, what happens when the buyer isn’t being honest—intentionally or not? This can have a major impact on the future welfare of the horse in question, as well as your reputation as a seller.

1. Not taking at least two trial rides.

The top mistake to avoid when buying or selling a horse is not taking at least two trial rides. We all know that horses have good days and bad days. Buyers, you want to be sure you are OK with both before purchase. Sellers, you want to make sure the potential buyer can handle the naughty days.

2. Embellishing riding skills.

Buyers, if a horse is advertised as needing a professional program or requiring an intermediate rider, and you cannot actually provide these things, then don’t say that you can. Be honest with yourself and only express interest in horses advertised for your skill set, no matter how stunning the horse may be.

Sellers, if your horse has a tendency to spook, then disclose this information in the beginning. Be honest about your horse’s strengths and weaknesses to prevent disappointment and potential injury.

3. Not involving a trainer.

As a buyer, your trainer knows your riding abilities the best, and will be able to assess whether a particular horse is or is not appropriate for your skill set.

As a seller, this will help prevent a potential buyer from purchasing your horse and being disappointed if he is more than they can handle, or if he doesn’t have the talent their riding aspirations require.

4. Skipping the pre-purchase examination (PPE).

Yes, a horse is always sound the day before he’s lame, but a complete exam can uncover potential problems before they become an issue. For buyers, a pre-purchase exam can also help prepare you for managing any existing issues. You want to know what you are buying before the sale is final.

For sellers, a PPE provides all of the information to your buyer up front, preventing them from coming back later with accusations that you sold an unsound horse, or stating that they didn’t know about an existing issue.

5. Not investigating where the horse will be going.

Buyers, be honest about the husbandry situation you can provide, as well as if you have the time and finances to provide what that particular horse needs.

Sellers, get references from others in the horse industry that know the potential buyer. Make sure that they have the skills and the means to properly care for the horse. The welfare of the horse is always top priority, so make sure he will be happy in his new home.

6. Not using a purchase agreement.

The last mistake that can be avoided when buying or selling a horse is not using a purchase agreement. The particular terms can be flexible, as long as both parties are in agreement and understand what they mean. Should anything happen after the sale, both the buyer and seller will be thankful to have a signed agreement.

I have unfortunately had to see what happens when these mistakes are made. I can’t tell you how heartbreaking it is to have a horse returned to you, months later, in very poor condition. Buyers will make excuses, blaming you and blaming the horse, when in reality it was their own lack of experience that led to the issues.

Don’t let it be the horse that suffers due to lack of diligence on either side of the transaction.

This article originally appeared in the May 2019 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Top 6 Mistakes to Avoid in Buying or Selling a Horse appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.