1) Because my little daughter wants a horse! - This is not a good reason to buy a horse. Children have a hard time taking the responsibility for a pet, and a horse is large and requires a lot of commitment. If your child wants a horse, you should look into local stables that provide riding lessons or leasing opportunities.

2) Because I have the land anyway, so I might as well! - Horses require a lot more work than just turning them out on your land. They require feeding at least once or twice a day, cleaning, care, veterinarian and farrier care. Their bills are quite a bit more expensive than most pets. It's important to know horses well before buying so that you are able to recognize early indicators of illness.

3) Because I owned them as a kid and want to get back into them - There are many ways to get back into horses again before making the actual purchase. You can volunteer at a riding stable, lease a horse, take riding lessons, work at a therapeutic riding center, or work at a stable as a groom. These are better options when you're trying to get back into the life of horses again.

4) Because they're a good babysitter - Horses are large animals, and therefore are dangerous. They require constant parental supervision and are the exact opposite of a babysitter.

1) How old of a horse do I want? - If this is your first horse, buy one that is at least 10 years old. Do not buy a horse because you want to "learn alongside it". This can result in injuries and damage to you and the horse.

2) What breed do you want? - Depending what you want to do, different breeds can be better for different disciplines. If you're looking to do Western Pleasure, buying a nice stock horse like a Quarter Horse, Paint, or Arabian is a good idea. If you're looking for a jumper, a common breed is a Thoroughbred or a Warmblood of some type.

3) What disposition are you looking for? - Do you want something nice and calm that you can relax with? Are you looking for a hotter horse with more stamina and energy? How much time do you have to exercise?

4) What is the minimum training level you need? - Are you wanting a 4th Level Dressage horse, or a trail prospect? Do you need a horse that can jump at least 3 feet?

5) Who will be riding this horse? - Consider all of your friends and family who may be riding your new horse. If you're looking to teach your 5 year old how to ride, it's probably not a good idea to buy an 18+ hand Clydesdale. Likewise, if your husband is 400 pounds and wants to ride as well, you shouldn't purchase a pony.

- What is out there? What kind of horses are selling well?
- What are the prices like?
- Have you seen a particular horse up for a long time?
- Is there anyone selling a lot of horses? Perhaps that is a red flag (or perhaps not, they could be a breeder.)

You will also want to research things ahead of time about the horse's future care. What is the best vet in your area? What about farrier? Do you own a trailer or will you need to rent one to transport your horse? What vaccinations will your horse need to move into it's new home? These are important questions that you should have the answer to before purchasing a new horse.

1) How old is the horse?
2) What can you tell me about the horse's history?
3) Is the horse registered?
4) What vices does the horse have? (Biting, kicking, rearing, etc.)
5) Does the horse load into a trailer? Does he/she clip and tie?
6) Is the horse spooky?
7) Will the horse cross water?
8) Has the horse ever shown?
9) Does the horse wear shoes? How does it stand for the farrier?
10) Any health/hoof problems?
11) What size saddle does the horse use?
12) Does the horse have any allergies?

It is a good idea to bring a list of questions with you when you go to see a horse that you might potentially buy so that you don't forget a question.

• Make sure to ALWAYS get a veterinarian to do a pre-purchase exam. If you are looking for a show or breeding stock animal, get X-rays in addition. A pre-purchase exam will reveal any lameness, will test the horse for drugs that could conceal pain, check their eyesight, teeth, back, etc. for problems that could save you heartbreak and money down the line.

• You will need to know where you will be keeping your horse. There are many boarding stables located around the city. Keep a list of requirements and use it to decide where you are going to board. Do you need a stall or pasture? Do you need lighting at night? Do you want a bathroom facility and lounge? How much are you able to spend per month? These are questions you will want to ask any potential boarding facility.