How to Purchase a Horse With Minimal Risk and Cost

During times of economic downturn (or really anytime you're willing to be resourceful), people who own horses often are looking for an opportunity to sell their horse if they can find a buyer at a fair price. This creates a "buyer's market." These same people, in many cases, are willing to look at alternatives to paying the high cost of boarding, feeding, ferrier, veterinarian and training. Of course, if you have money to burn and the required facilities and staffing, you can own all the best horses you want for bargain prices. But if you are an average person looking for a horse to ride and train now and perhaps own later, you might attempt to negotiate a "free lease" where you take over ownership with an option to buy, relieving the owner of expenses while you enjoy the benefits of ownership with minimal investment and the time to observe and get to know the horse without having to pay in advance.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Locate a farm in the country that is underused. There are many people who love horses and have plenty of land, barns and even stables and knowledge of horses, but have none or fewer than they can easily accommodate.

2. Get rapport with these people and gradually negotiate an arrangement where you can use their facility to board a horse for very little money. Many stables will charge $500 or more a month to board your horse, and they may require a certain amount of training packaged with the board. You should be able to board a horse for as little as $150 a month in some farms that have sufficient pastures so the horses there can primarily feed on grass. Make sure they have plentiful and excellent water before considering any such arrangement.

3. Offer your services to train the horses they currently board. You might be surprised how many farms board horses but have no qualified riders to keep their horses in shape. You can often trade some portion of the board for riding.

4. Look for horses that are for sale. Browse various horse-for-sale sites on the Internet. Look for animals that appeal to you. Also, attend horse shows and talk with people there---you'll be amazed how much information you can gather from talking to people at shows. Horse people are very down to earth, friendly and willing to share information. Find one or more horses you like and start a dialogue with their owners (and check around to see what others know as well).

5. Arrange a visit to get acquainted with the horse. If possible, spend some time riding as well. Make sure you are interested, even excited, about this horse before making any kind of an offer.

6. Offer to board the horse for free for an indefinite trial period with an option to buy. Make sure the owner is more interested in a good home for her horse than in actually collecting money. Make sure the horse is not completely out of reach for you financially in case you develop such a strong affinity for it you can't pass up on the option when the owner calls it in.

7. Agree to pay for all food and the farrier, but make sure she agrees to pay the veterinary bills. Also, be certain you are not expected to take out an insurance policy on the horse.

8. Once the horse is delivered to his new home under your care, arrange for a veterinary examination to determine his health and identify any problems. You will need to pay for this visit.