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Step 1
Review the Thoroughbred's lineage carefully before buying it. If you see that the horse has been bred significantly through the same line over multiple generations, you might be dealing with inbreeding, which can lead to serious health defects.
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Step 2
Look under the Thoroughbred's top lip to see if he has been tattooed. A tattoo is an alphanumeric code that is used to register a horse with the Jockey Club and will allow you to find out if the horse has ever raced or been involved in a serious accident.
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Step 3
Watch the horse move in the pasture or on the lunge line to get a feel for his gaits. Does he have long, sweeping strides or are they short and choppy? Does he show any signs of lameness? Does he lift his knees when he jumps? These are all important characteristics of a Thoroughbred.
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Step 4
Ask the current owner whether or not he has been trained in your chosen equestrian sport. For example, if you want to pursue 3-Day Eventing, you'll want to buy a Thoroughbred who has had at least some training in dressage, stadium jumping and cross-country jumping.
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Step 5
Find out how well the horse eats. Some Thoroughbreds are "hard keepers", which means that they don't eat regularly and have trouble maintaining their weight. This is a problem that you probably don't want to purchase.
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Step 6
Ride the horse at least three times before making your decision. A Thoroughbred can be either comfortable or uncomfortable, depending on the way he is built.
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Step 7
Take the horse on a trail ride or on a gallop in the field. Some Thoroughbreds are difficult to control and might give you problems outside the arena. It is always important to choose a horse you will enjoy riding.
