There’s no such thing as a free or cheap horse.
While being at different boarding facilities throughout my life I’ve watched people buy that $500 (or whatever ridiculously low price you want to fill in here) horse. They were going to turn that project horse into their dream horse or sell the horse for “a lot more” than what they paid for it. This wasn’t just amateurs, but trainers as well. And honestly, I’ve done it too. That’s how I was able to afford to ride while still supporting my retired show horse. Buying cheap horses can seem more like a rescue situation than anything else. Here are 5 things to consider when purchasing that cheap horse or even taking on the “free” horse. By the way, there’s no such thing as a free horse, and here is why. . .
1. What kind of medical care is this horse going to need?
Most of the time, these horses haven’t had the best medical care. They will probably need updated vaccines. Their hooves are probably a wreck, and they will need to have their teeth done as well. Those are just the basics. Does the horse have other special medical needs? Are they underweight? It should be a slow process of putting weight back on a horse.
2. How much training is this horse going to need before I feel safe around it?
Just like their medical care, they are usually lacking in training as well. This means even basic training. I’ve been at barns that had 10 year olds that weren’t even cross tie broke. You could hardly lead them. Sometimes it takes more time and training than you anticipated. Do you have the knowledge and ability to train this horse? If you need to pay for the training, that is more money spent on the cheap or “free” horse.
3. Do I have the time for this horse?
Adulting is hard. It seems as though there is never enough time to squeeze everything in. It takes a long time for horses to come around to humans if they haven’t been handled much. Some of these horses are fearful of humans. If you only have an hour twice a week to give to this horse, then you are probably better off buying something that is trained.
4. Am I willing to let this horse go to a different home if things don’t work out between us?
I think professionals are more likely to let horses go if they’ve tried their best, and it just isn’t working. This is the hardest for many amateurs to do. I hear it all the time, “ I’ve got so much money into this horse.” Well guess what? Sometimes it’s better to cut your losses and move on.
5. Is my boarding facility willing to take on this horse as a boarder?
This is a good question to ask the owner or manager of your facility. These cheap horses can require someone that is willing to deal with young or green horse behaviors. Sometimes these horses can be destructive. Some facilities may require a quarantine period. Quarantine board can be more expensive than regular or standard board as well.
After saying all of this, sometimes it does work out. I’ve bought a few cheap horses, and they have turned out to be some of the most amazing horses I’ve owned. They also ended up costing me more time and money than I had anticipated. It is important to think about those 5 questions and really be honest with yourself.
If you are considering purchasing a horse, check out the following article: Specific Questions for Honest Answers When Horse Shopping