Finding Your “Dream Horse”

By Kenneth Levy (as previously published in the USDF Connection Magazine November 2022)

Every rider has an image of their “Dream Horse”. But sometimes the horse we dream of
is not the horse we really need.

The horse shopping process is exciting, but the landscape is littered with potential “land
mines” The following are some tips to help you avoid costly and potential painful
mistakes:

• Be honest about your riding ability. Ask a professional instructor (ideally one who
  is USDF Certified) for an assessment of your riding and horsemanship skills.
  Find one who is not just trying to sell you a horse. A reputable instructor’s input
  can save you time, effort and ultimately money. It may even help keep you safe
  by steering you away from purchasing or even trying out an unsuitable horse.
  Wanting and being able to acquire a horse with amazing gaits or a high-level
  show record may be great, however, if you can’t ride a horse with huge gaits, or
  one that is very sensitive, you might end up with a less-than-optimal outcome
  (including potential injury to you or the horse).
• Be honest about the amount of time you have to dedicate to your horse hobby. I
  have had clients promise to take multiple lessons and ride their new horses 5 or
  more times per week. But soon work, family or other obligations intervene, the
  rides dwindle and the shine of harmony between horse and rider begins to show
  tarnish.
• Be realistic about your riding goals. A new student once told me that she wanted
  to be a serious rider and potentially quality her new horse for the USDF Region 2
  Championships. The woman, who was in her early forties, had just purchased an
  off-the-track Thoroughbred with 90 days of retraining. Her previous riding
  experience was as a hunter/jumper rider when she was a teenager. I outlined a
  training and lesson program to help her achieve her objectives over the next 6,
  12, and 24 months. Shocked, the woman replied that she had neither the time
  nor the funds for such a program, but she could come out once per week for
  lessons. This is another clear example where the purchase of a horse with the
  right temperament, training and experience would have been a better choice. By
  reviewing your riding goals and current skill set with your trainer or coach and
  matching them with a new equine partner you may prevent disappointments after
  the purchase. Another thing to accept is that our equine partners do NOT have a
  calendar, timeline, or goals like we do. We must be willing to adapt our plans
  based on how quickly our new horse develops.
• Learn the horse market (evaluate different breeds, prices, and where they are
  available). A person’s “Dream Horse” may be a sound five-year-old warmblood
  trained to second level, with FEI potential, that a novice rider can enjoy safely in
  the ring and on trails. But such a horse will most likely command a high price or
  be located on a different continent. You may be able to find your “Dream Horse”
  at a price you can afford, but more likely you will have to decide what trade-offs
  (such as breed, age, training, ring experience, etc.) you are willing to make. Keep
  in mind that a young, green horse may be more affordable up front, but you will
  need to pay for the training one way or the other, either as part of the horse’s
  purchase price or in training bills and lesson fees after you get the horse home.
• Learn the total cost of buying and owning a horse. Novice buyers may be
  surprised at the cost of such things as travel, flights, hotels, and meals, shipping
  expenses (especially if the horse is overseas), trainer’s fees to accompany you
  on shopping excursions, the cost of the pre-purchase exam (PPE), and the
  trainer’s commission if they helped find the horse for you (often 10 to 20% of the
  purchase price). Pull together a complete list of expenses and add them to the
  purchase price and match it against what you are willing to spend on your new
  “Dream Horse”.

When going to evaluate a prospect, especially if you are an amateur rider, it is wise to
take a professional along. First, have the seller or the seller’s representative ride the
horse, then have your trainer ride. If all goes well and your trainer agrees that you
should try the horse, then it’s your turn in the saddle. After you ride, take some time to
sit down with your trainer and discuss your experience. If you determine that the horse
is one that you are interested in pursuing, that’s great. If not, reach back out to the seller
and thank them for the opportunity to evaluate their horse but that you will be passing.
Never burn your bridges. If you do decide to move forward with the purchase, it is
important to negotiate price before you take the next step. Buying a new horse can be
an emotional decision, and sometimes it is difficult not to make emotional buying
decisions. That is why I recommend that you and your trainer first come to an
agreement on what you are willing to spend and then let them negotiate the price. Your
trainer is your fiscal fiduciary and should be negotiating with your best financial interest
in mind. You must be willing to walk away if the price is not right.

Selecting the right horse is important not only for you and your family but also for the
horse. Take your time in making this very important decision. Consider the following:

• Use as many resources as you can.
• Investigate performance claims made by the seller.
• Before you and your trainer travel to see and potentially ride the prospect horse,
  request and carefully review with your trainer videos of the horse being
  considered. They should be able to successfully perform at the level claimed. All
  too often horses advertised online claim to be at a specific level, yet they only
  show walk, trot and canter in a ring. A horse claimed to be successfully showing
  at second level should be able to demonstrate shoulder-in, travers, medium
  paces, etc. Third level horses must show clean flying changes (horses claimed to
  be third level often have late behind changes, thus the real reason they are being
  sold). Don’t inherit problems if you can avoid them.
• Utilize sources such as USDFSCORES.COM to validate level and test
  performance (if shown at USDF/USEF recognized competitions).
• Have the sales contract evaluated by an attorney familiar with the equine market.
  The contract should have protection clauses for you, the buyer, should things go
  terribly wrong. The contract should have disclosure by the seller of all previous
  injuries, illnesses. Plus, a disclosure of all or any medications/supplements that
  the horse is currently taking. To validate this the buyer should have the
  Veterinarian performing the PPE draw blood specifically to be tested for
  substances that can mask soundness issues. The contract should clearly state
  that if substances are found that are not disclosed, the buyer may invalidate the
  purchase and receive a full refund of the down payment (often 10% of the
  purchase price).

Few things make an equestrian happier than finding the right partner and building that
special relationship with a horse. Good luck in your search for your “Dream Horse”

Kenneth Levy is a USEF “R” Dressage Judge, USDF Certified Instructor and USEF Silver Level Para-
Dressage Coach. He and his wife own and operate Legacy Farm Dressage in Noblesville, Indiana