Warning to horseowners as rogue buyers from Africa target online advertisers via email.
Vendors advertising their horses over the Internet are being targeted in what appears to be a further twist in a series of Nigerian financial scams that have taken in hundreds of unsuspecting investors all over the world in recent years. more...

I’m in the market for my first horse. I’ve seen people at my barn buy horses, and they always have a veterinarian check the horse over before making the purchase. What exactly does the veterinarian check for and why is this so important? For the sake of space and the amount of information available on this topic, this article will deal with the private sale of horses. The term more...

Caveat emptor — let the buyer beware — is more appropriate for buying horses than almost any other purchase. As well as the difficulty of assessing whether the horse suits you and your purpose, a small proportion of unscrupulous vendors use "scams" to bump up prices and pass on unsuitable or downright dangerous animals. more...

Where do the top dressage riders go to buy their international prospects?
Although British buyers may be reluctant to buy from domestic dealers, abroad it is another matter, and many of the British use European "agents" to find quality horses.
Buying a horse this way can be painless, especially for the first-time buyer more...

What does former top event rider, Karen Dixon look for when shopping for her ideal horse?
When looking for a horse with potential, three-day eventer Karen Dixon has a clear picture of the type she hopes to buy. "I'm looking for a quality short-coupled horse which moves well and has a bit of character," she says. "I like to find a fun person I can get on with and don't mind more...

What does Tim Stockdale look for when shopping for his ideal horse?
Show jumper Tim Stockdale looks for a horse that, on first impression, is pleasing to the eye, appears capable of doing the job and has good athletic confirmation. Tim likes to see a horse in it's own box first. "I want to see him in his own more...

The dam is at least as important as the sire when it comes to breeding good foals so follow Horse & Hound's expert advice to ensure you buy the right mare first time. more...

Owning a horse can be a big investment in time, money and emotion. Unfortunately, horses seldom come with a money-back guarantee. That’s why it is so important to investigate the horse’s overall health and condition through a purchase exam conducted by an equine veterinarian more...

The experience can be "trial without error" when you're honest about what you want, you take your time, and you know when, why, and how to say "no, thanks," says Holly Hugo-Vidal.
Trying a horse that's for sale can be nerve-wracking. If you've misstated your ability, goals, or price range, he could turn out to be wrong before you put a leg over him. On the other hand, he could be perfect more...

I am contacted on a daily basis by people who have bought a horse and for a number of reasons, it isn’t suitable, because either the horse has an inherent vice or has been misdescribed by the seller. Generally people are not aware of the legal options open to them and really want to know where they stand. Your legal rights will depend on whether you have bought the horse from a dealer or someone selling privately. I have tried in this article to give you a snapshot of the law covering the sale and purchase of horses but please remember every case will turn on its own facts and if in doubt take specialist legal advice. more...

The British Horse Society (BHS) strongly advises horse owners, and those contemplating having a horse on loan or by lease, never to do so without a written agreement. Loaning or leasing a horse often appears to be an attractive solution, both for the owner who may not have enough time to look after the horse but does not want to sell it, and for those looking for a horse without the capital required for initial purchase. more...

Advice on choosing the perfect photograph to help sell your horse quickly to the right home
Including a photograph when advertising your horse will increase the likelihood of you making a quick sale because more...

Ask yourself the following questions before you go shopping: Can you financially support a horse?
Be brutally honest with yourself about what else you'll still want to do, such as take an annual holiday. Do your sums and don't think you can sort it all out later. It would be heartbreaking to fall in love with a horse, only to be forced to give him up further down the line. Remember that the yearly cost of upkeep can be as much as Ł5,000. more...

Whether a horse is purchased for personal or business reasons, ownership represents a significant investment of time, money and resources. While no one likes to think about the potential for tragedy, horses seem to be prone to illness, accidents and injury. Should some peril befall your horse more...

I am a first time horse buyer who had a difficult experience. I am trying to find out if what happened to me is normal and to be expected or not. Here’s what happened: I was attempting to buy a young quarter horse. My trainer and I had both ridden the horse and thought that he was a good prospect. A price was agreed upon and the seller stated that there was no problem with having a pre-purchase done. She asked me to notify her when I had a date and time. I had to call over a dozen vets to find one willing to travel to the buyer’s barn and with time to do a pre-purchase. more...

Syndication agreements are contractual agreements setting out the arrangements between a group of people who have pooled their resources to acquire a horse. Syndication agreements are commonly used by groups of people wishing to purchase a stallion for breeding purposes. The concept however is readily applicable to horses being acquired for other purposes – and indeed a syndicate may form to lease a horse for a period (for competition purposes) as well as forming for the outright purchase of a horse. more...

How do you write a classified advertisement that will bring the buyers flocking to see your horse?
Simplicity is the key to writing a classified advertisement to sell a horse both online or in a magazine, but don't be tempted to leave out essential information to make the advert cheaper. more...