Buying a Horse at Auction

Use caution when buying a horse at auction. While there are some good consignment horse auction, a general horse auction may attract horses possibly have problems thus leading them to be sold.

Ideally, you will be able to complete a pre-purchase exam. If so, you could check for problems, deformities and other issues that you'll want to be aware of.

Start your inspection at the nose all the way to the tail, and look for swelling or noticeably warm spots. Run your hand down all the legs (if the horse will not let you, consider this as a caution to consider) comparing the appearance and the feel of them to each other. You might find a bowed tendon or a fluid filled knee which may be an indication of arthritis. Try flexing the joints if you can - if they are arthritic, they will not flex very well.

The general body condition can be another indicator (good, fair or poor), including hair coat (sleek and shiny or dull), foot quality (well trimmed or chipped and cracked) and attitude (friendly and alert or shy and not interested). These are indicators of how the horse has been treated and what their comfort level is.

Movement, such as walking, trotting and cantering, is also important. Does the horse seem to move smoothly and alert? What about breathing - anything not sound normal? Watch someone ride the horse, or you even ride the horse, to get a feel of how the horse handles and if you are comfortable riding.

Wherever you buy a horse from, be sure to take your time and ask plenty of questions. If you are looking at a horse and something isn't feeling right to you, stop there and take your horse search to another one or another location.