C
Yes, shopping for a horse can be enjoyable. It can even
be free of anxiety and stress and is always informative.
Following are a few tips and more.
If you're ready to go shopping, you've decided what
you want to accomplish with your horse. Pleasure and trail
riding maybe your goal, or you may be more interested in
showing. Perhaps dressage and jumping challenges you or
you're eager to compete in gymkhana. You have narrowed
your shopping to one or two breed types based on your
riding goals and personal preference.
Contact the association/registry for the breed or breeds
you're interested in. Most are generous with information
about the horse, breeders, trainers and shows. Videos are
often available, and many associations have lists of horses
offered "for sale."
Most breeds have one or more magazines written exclu-
sively about them. Read these. Check both articles and ads.
Check other horse publications, i.e. Horse Illustrated, Horse
and Rider, Equus, Western Horseman and others in the local
supermarket and feed stores. Many of these magazines
feature one horse breed each month, and you may find
yours. You'll definitely find a lot of good useful information
Fair Prices on
ellres
e Brakes
°Batteries
eTune-ups
eFull Service
Oil Chanses
on horse care, training and
showing.
Study conformation so
you can select the horse with
the physical characteristics
to give you the performance
you want. Principles of Con-
formationAnalysis, Volumes
I and II, by Deb Bennett,
Ph.D. are an excellent refer-
ence for every horse person.
The small paperbacks are
only $7.95. Learn as much
as you can about the breed.
Know the most desirable
characteristics, color and so
on. It's exciting to discover
new information about the
the whole truth read...
horse of your dreams, and even the most experienced will
find new ways to look at the horse.
Go to horse shows. If you can, attend shows specific to
your breed. Then attend an all-breed show to compare
performance. Shows are fun. It's thrilling to see the horses
perform, and provides a great opportunity to meet horse
people. Most are delighted to answer questions about their
horse and the breed in general. When a particular horse
catches your eye, ask about its bloodlines. Ask who the
breeder is. Always ask for recommendations.
Make a list of farms you can visit who specialize in the
breed you want. Go meet horses and the people who raise
them.
There are many advantages to buying from a breeding
farm. You can view the facility and judge the care the horse
has received. A horse bred, born and raised with optimum
care has a head start to reaching its full potential.
A breeding facility also gives you the opportunity to
meet the family. Often, you can meet both parents and
sometimes even a grandparent of the horse. You can also
look at siblings. If you like the family, you're on the right
track.
Many times you can meet the trainer and caretakers.
You can glean some valuable information about a horse's
temperament from people who clean stalls and groom and
exercise the horses. The trainer is a gold mine of informa-
tion, but remember he/she works for the owner. You can get
a lot of valid information about horses who interest you
without compromising the trainer's loyalty.
Owners. Do they live on the'premises? Do they super-
vise the care and training of the horses? Do they ride? Are
they comfortable with and knowledgeable about the ani-
mals?
Does the breeder show the horses? Remember proof is
in performance, not a piece of paper. How does the barn rate
in competition? Ask about those ribbons. Was it a local,
regional, state or national show. How many horses were in
the class? If the horse is a pleasure/trail horse, how often is
it ridden outside the arena? Where? What kind of trails?
How far?
Good breeders are proud
of their horses and will usu-
ally have a handler show the
animal under saddle. If
you're buying a saddle horse,
they will encourage you to
ride, but only after someone
at the facility has ridden first.
Reputable breeders will
be able to give you refer-
ences: the names of the asso-
ciations/registries where
In-Depth Factual
Coverage of the
issues that
affect you
and your
family
In Nye
County.
they are members, names and contact information for former
buyers. The name of their veterinarian and farrier.
Four months ago, I purchased my first Peruvian an 11-
month old colt. I was ignorant about the breed and horse
trading in general. Following none of the above advise, I
made an emotional decision. As a result, I've had an expen-
sive education in addition to bearing the embarrassment of
being a fool.
Since, I have joined The Peruvian Paso Horse Registry
of North America (PPHRNA) and obtained volumes of
information from them. I also subscribe to four publications
which feature the Peruvian horse and have made a consid-
erable investment in books and tapes. All help me as I try to
be a responsible handler for my horse, Zapata. Most of all,
I am better prepared as I venture out to buy my second
Peruvian.
In contrast to my first experience, I am really enjoying
shopping for my future horse. I recently made two trips to
Santa Maria, Calif., where I had the opportunity to meet
breeders and to be a guest at a Peruvian show and sale
followed by a delightful Santa Maria BBQ. I met a number
of aficionados, owners, breeders and a well known trainer
from Peru. All were gracious and eager to share information
about the special breed they love.
During both trips I spent a full day just looking at and
photographing Peruvian Paso horses. In an unhurried atmo-
sphere, accompanied by a friend who has expert horse
knowledge, I observed the horses. When I expressed an
interest, I was able to see them move and where appropriate
view them under saddle.
The day of the show and sale, I became better ac-
quainted with people I had met during my two looking days.
I met new people. Some were satisfied buyers who turned
out to be excellent references.
Several breeders furnished printed sales lists describing
the horse, usually accompanied by a photo and a price list.
Never, was there any pressure to "buy now" or make a
decision on the spot.
I don't want to waste my expensive education, so I am
determined to force myself to be patient and make the best
informed decision possible. But, to be truly honest, I saw so
many beautiful, outstanding animals it's difficult to decide.
Price is certainly a factor, but I want to buy the best horse I
can afford. And, good sense or not, I'll have to have that
feeling deep in my gut that says, "Yes, this is the horse."
The photographs are a great help. I pour over the ones
of the couple of horses I most admire. I continue to learn as
I view them running free in pasture, on the lead and under
saddle. I'm planning to attend a few more shows and meet
more of these people who have so far been so gracious.
I can hardly believe it. I'm shopping for a horse, and I' m
enjoying it.
ILIP Serving all of Pahrump, ye, _
New Hours
Tues, Wed. & Thurs .... 9a.m. to 7p.m.
• Friday ................ 9a.m. to 5p.m.
• Saturday .............. lla.m, to 5p.m.
• Closed Sunday & Monday •
ii , 1
FOR SALE-
Trainer German
Baca shows
"Chacota," a four
year old mare, to a
propective buyer at
C & H Peruvians in
Santa Maria, CA.
photo by
Patti Babcock
