PERHAPS your horse has served you well for years and is retiring. Maybe it has picked up a career-ending injury or, in many cases, the horse has reached the limit of its ability and no longer meets the needs of the rider.

Whatever the reason, the advancing rider will face a number of occasions in their riding career when they need to upgrade their horse, or may want to add a second horse to their string. In this article we will be taking a look at the important factors that should be considered when buying your next horse.

Before looking at a prospective horse, the rider needs to ask two important ‘spending’ questions:

1. The obvious one is financial - how much do you want to spend?

2. The second is one of time. How much time can you afford to invest in this horse?

Both answers must be taken together as part of the search parameters, long before you can reach a purchase decision.

INVESTMENT

Looking at the time investment first, we can ask two further questions:

1. Do you need a horse that is ready to perform immediately at your level?

Or

2. Do you have a few months (or even a year) to invest in a younger horse that you will school and mould to suit your riding style and needs? Obviously a younger horse is going to require less financial outlay initially, but the balance will be paid for by your time. An experienced horse that is ready to jump comes at a premium price.

When it comes to the financial investment, it would be recommended that you look at horses up to 20% over your budget. Most sellers expect some negotiation on the price of the horse, so there could be up to 20% to be saved on the asking price, which will then bring the final offer back to your budget and hopefully you will have bought the best horse for your money.

THE HORSE

When looking at a horse, it very much depends on what your ambitions are. Are you happy at the level you are at currently, are you looking to progress and move up the ranks or are you looking at producing a horse from scratch?

If you are looking to progress, at the very least, you are looking for a horse with the proven capability to perform at least one level above your current competition class. This means that you can build a relationship with the horse while it is still in its comfort zone.

The horse should ideally have the ability to take you to the level at which you ultimately intend to compete. If the horse has been competing, the horse’s performance history should be verifiable. This information should be available from the national affiliate, such as Show Jumping Ireland, Eventing Ireland or Dressage Ireland. International results can usually be sourced on the FEI website.

Breeding is another important factor, especially when purchasing a young horse who hasn’t proven themselves at the level you aspire to compete at. Make sure you do your research and look at the performance records of the sire, dam and any siblings the horse has.

However, there will always be good horses who may not have a traceable line.

TEMPERAMENT

No matter what level you are looking to compete at, safety and temperament must come first. You must be comfortable and confident when riding and handling the horse. Plus, a horse with a good temperament will be easier to handle in training and especially on show day.

After you look at the horse’s ability and temperament, next you are looking at any vices the horse may have, and their behaviour traits – both in the stable and in training/competition.

Some behaviour patterns can be changed, but that will of course depend on the time you have available to address them.

TRYING OUT THE HORSE

There is no magical formula or ratio to arrive at the perfect size horse for you - the only question is whether you feel comfortable on the horse. A comfortable rider who has confidence in their horse is a far better fit than a metrically measured match.

A couple of practical things that should be checked when you arrange to try out a horse. Firstly, what tack the horse usually wears, and if the owner uses different tack for a show compared to when they are at home.

It is recommended that you ride the horse at least twice, with one of those trials away from the horse’s home. This will give you an insight into how the horse reacts in different environments.

There are a number of things to look for in the model of the horse and its anatomy, both in hand and under saddle. First of all, you are looking for a horse that is equal in trot in hand and under saddle, ie you are looking for consistent energy and elevation in its movement.

The pose when jumping should be neat and contained with good bascule. Also, when halted, the horse should have a square halt with both hips even in height.

Some additional information you should seek from the owner or trainer is what type of work the horse usually gets, what feed he gets, and how the horse reacts to time off. You should also inquire about shoeing, history of lameness and has he been treated before. Previous owners are listed in the animal’s passport, together with medical stamps of veterinary treatment. These stamps will give an important insight into the horse’s previous medical history and vaccination record which may influence your buying decision.

FINAL DECISION

Your coach should be involved throughout the buying process – from searching, viewing and trying out a new horse, through to the final purchase decision.

Always have the horse vetted prior to committing to purchase and it is advisable to have the horse X-rayed to rule out any ailments or underlying conditions. Bloods should also be taken by the vet carrying out the pre-purchase examination to rule out any illegal medicines.

It may also be a possibility to take the horse on trial for an agreed period of time. This would be an ideal way of getting to know the personality and ability of the horse before you take ownership.

Ultimately the rider should be looking for a horse with the right attitude, a willing temperament, scope, athleticism and ride-ability. The fit between horse and rider on those categories will create a winning combination. Just remember a horse that is jumping at top level with a professional rider may not always suit an amateur or less experienced rider without professional help. As the mantra goes, “a good horse makes a good rider, and a good rider makes a good horse”.

Web: jagequestrian.com

JAG EQUESTRIAN

Located at Winterdown Farm in Co Kildare, JAG Equestrian Ltd, formerly known as Kildare International, was created to provide a superior level of coaching and equestrian facilities to athletes who are determined to progress in their given discipline of equestrian sport.

JAG Equestrian is owned by Julieann Gaffney, a professional equestrian Level 2 Coach and qualified course designer. Julieann’s passion for horses and competition began at just four years of age, with Julieann clocking up many placings at the Dublin Horse Show in competitions such as Equitation, Working Hunter, 148 Pony Championships, Young Rider Championships and Senior Championships.

Some of Julieann’s most notable horses include Zigali PS who she produced up until the age of eight before being sold to Ger O’Neill. Zigali PS has since been ridden by Olympic gold medallist Eric Lamaze who claimed many Nations Cup wins and 5* Grand Prix wins with Zigali PS as a 10-year-ol and Eric Van Der Vleuten who is currently riding the horse.

As a foal, CSF Supernova was bought by Julieann’s father Liam Gaffney. Julieann produced CSF Supernova who was Reserve Champion at the 5* Dublin Horse Show following an outstanding display of control and performance during the opening rounds.

While most people would associate Julieann with sport horses, few people know that she also held a jockey’s licence and had a second place finish at the Punchestown Festival.