So many times you hear take a friend with you when buying a horse, right? Well I'm here to tell you be careful of the friend you take. Yes, friends can be a great resource but your horse friend will need more knowledge than just being a beginner – here is why.

Even if your friend has been around horses for a few years you need to make sure they know how to handle a horse safely and that they know how to ride properly. A friend that has been around horses for years but has never ridden is not going to be able to properly help you access the horse when it comes to riding.

A lady that I know who is an advanced beginner rider was looking for a new show horse. She searched and searched asking friends, looking at the classifieds online, in the newspaper and she looked on YouTube. After several months of looking she grew impatient. A friend she knows who has not ridden much at all told her about a horse she found on YouTube. This friend of hers convinced her to purchase this horse. And, the horse she purchased was several states away. What a mistake this turned out to be.

Getting the horse home
After getting the horse home she discovered that the horse needed a lot more training. She decided to send him to a trainer. After a few months at the trainer’s barn they took him to a show. The horse was scared to death. The owner was not able to ride him because he was so spooky and nervous, The owner is now back to square one and will not able to show for that year. Her dreams of showing were shattered.

Here is the lesson: With the amount of money the owner invested in her horse, the cost of transportation plus the cost of several months of training, she would have been better off investing in a horse that was a proven show horse.

It is well worth it to take a friend or professional trainer with you when searching for a horse because in the long run, it can save you time and money. Make sure the person going with you is experienced in handling and riding horses. You are better off investing more money into a horse that fits your needs. Do your homework and become an educated and wise buyer.