Owning a horse is a BIG responsibility. You have to have enough money to pay for the board, vet and farrier visits, and equipment. You also have to visit your horse a lot (at least three days a week). I've prepared a list of things you'll need to ask the seller before you buy a horse, supplies you'll need, what you should look for when buying a horse.

Questions you should ask the seller

1. What are this horse's vices (bad habits)?
2. What are this horse's specialties?
3. Does this horse trailer nicely? Clip? Bathe?
4. How old is this horse?
5. What breed is this horse?
6. How tall is this horse?
7. Does this horse need a beginner, intermediate or advanced rider?
8. Has this horse shown before?
9. Has this horse ever coliced or had any serious injuries and/or illnesses?
10. Is this horse in good health, or does he/she get sick a lot?
11. Is this horse registered? (if you want a registered horse) If not, does he have any medical history records?
12. What are his bloodlines? (if you want a horse with certain bloodlines)
11. How are his legs? (lame, arthritis, etc.)
12. How much does this horse cost?
13. Is this horse good with children?
14. Has this horse ever been abused?

Supplies You'll Need

Here's a list of supplies you'll need before you purchase a horse.
NOTE**Don't get any riding tack before you get a horse. It might not fit the horse you buy.

1. medium & soft bristle brushes
2. Hoofpick
3. Fly spray (unless it's winter)
4. Curry comb
5. Hair brush/comb
6. Rags
7. Shampoo
8. Bath scrubber
9. Wraps
10. Wound ointment
11. Halter (leather is preferable because it can break away if it gets stuck on something)
12. Lead line (A stud chain is preferable)
13. A vet
14. A farrier
15. A boarding facility
16. Equine feed, hay and bedding (if you're not boarding)

What You Should Look For

Here's a list of what you should look for in the horse you may want to buy.

1. Look at the legs first. They're the most important part of the horse! They should not feel hot or swollen. There shouldn't be any splints, swelling, or defects (like cow hocked or pigeon toed). If there's any scars, ask what they are from.
2. Look at the horse's conformation. (If you're not sure how, bring a horse knowledgeable person along with you.) Is the horse appropriate for what you'll be using him for? Ex. Reiners need strong back legs and backs, western pleasure horses need low set necks and short cannon bones, etc.
3. Is the horse a nice height for you?
4. Is the horse gentle enough for your skill level?
5. Is the horse skinny or fat? (if so, you'll need a few months to fix these problems.)
6. Is the horse weak? (Again, you'll need months to fix this problem.)
7. Is the horse to young/old? If you want to show, don't buy a 14-year old horse. If you want a pasture buddy, don't buy a 7-year old horse (unless he cannot be ridden due to injury).

Other Important Info

Before you buy your horse, get him vet checked. A vet check is when the vet comes and gives your horse a physical to check for conformation defects, soundness, diseases, and other possible problems. Make sure you explain to your farrier what you intend to use the horse for.

When you bring your new horse home, don't put him in his stall right away. Instead, walk him around the barn area. Don't let him visit any horses though (in case he carries a flu virus, for example). Also, don't turn your horse out in the pasture the first 5-7 days. Quarantine him during this first week and deworm him right away. You may want to bathe him some time during the first week, but don't do it the first day you bring him home. Just let him relax the first two days or so.

So when you add it all up, how much does it cost to own a horse? Lets find out!
Scenario: "Tina" wants to buy a registered Quarter horse anywhere from age 5 to 13 to do 4-H and open shows with. She wants him to be able to do very basic show level western and English (because she'll work on training him better) and wants to board him at a barn with average care (stalls cleaned 6x's/week, turnout, feed, indoor arena & washrack).