When buying a horse the first question you need to ask yourself is: what do I want from a horse? Do I want to compete or just have for hacking? It is important to ensure that the horse will best suit your needs.
You also need to consider if a former racehorse is right for you. Please look at the RoR website care and training section for more information to help you decide if this is the right option for you.
If you are purchasing direct from a racing yard, please refer to the RoR website sourcing options section for more advice. Depending on the individual circumstances, the horse:
- May or may not have had a let-down period – he may still be racing fit and so have a lean appearance due to toned muscle as opposed to carrying any excess fat.
- May be recovering from an injury or still require a further rest period or need specific rehab.
- May or may not have undergone any retraining.
- There may or may not be a fee applied to the horse.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Useful questions to ask a seller
- How long have you had the horse?
- Why are you selling the horse?
- Has the horse had any soundness issues?
- Will the horse do the job that I require?
- What is the horse’s experience?
- How does the horse cope under pressure?
- Can you explain the horse’s temperament?
- When were the horse’s teeth, drench and feet completed?
- Is the horse easy to catch, worm and shoe?
- Are there any behavioral issues that I should be aware of?