Buying a horse pls help!

Question

I'm going to be buying a horse soon and I saw an ad in the paper for a 17yr old registered QH mare that is 'very gentle and well trained', which is exactly what I am looking for. I would call, but the only thing is I have to pay for her myself, and I don't have a job yet (I have applied at a few places and am still applying) and I am only 13. I will be able to buy her in about 3 mnths, 4 at most. Should I call and explain the situation, or leave it and call when I have the money?

Answer 1

I would call and talk to the owner. See if you could ride the horse a few times before you bring up paying for her. For all you know right now, this horse could be absolutely terrible for you. After you ride a few times, and if you like this mare, talk to the owner about your payment situation. The owner may be able to make a deal with you about the payments. You may be able to make monthly or bi-weekly installments until the horse is paid off.

Answer 2

I would call now. If you wait to long the horse might be gone, if you explain your situation they might be able to hold off. You might have to give them a deposit so they hold the horse but at least you will have the horse your looking for.

Good Luck

Answer 3

It's going to be really hard for you to find a job at 13. Where i live you must be 15 years old to get a job. I'm also trying to buy a horse and i would suggest that you call the owner and explain the situation.

Answer 4

I would call now. If you wait too long the mare will most likely already be sold.

Answer 5

I know I am going against the grain here but I would not contact the owner.  When we have horses for sale (we as in most horse owners), we get a lot of calls and emails from people who tell us they can't afford the horse but would like to buy him or her anyway and would we take a lower price or hold off on selling.  We sell our horses for a reason and don't want to wait to sell it later.  If someone comes to me who would make an appropriate home for the horse and has the money to buy, we sell, regardless of who is waiting.  It basically the nature of sales... not just horse sales.

The only exception I would make is to someone who gave me half down up front and set a date by which they guarantee the balance or they lose their down payment.  I know it sounds harsh but once you've been stung, you don't want to do it again.

Answer 6

if you wait until you have the money then the horse might be sold by then- if i were you i would call them and tell them your situation and maybe they'll save the horse for you.

Answer 7

Call and explain the situation. If they are nice people they will understand and maybe let you pay in payments.

But if they don't seem very nice to you, just wait till you have the money.

Answer 8

call now and try working out a payment plan so you can pay them as you earn money- this will make the deal more attractive.  If you wait she will most likely already be sold.

Answer 9

definately call now. thts what i did... Im 14 and getting my first horse too, and i told the owners of the horses tht i was interested in, tht i couldnt see or buy them untill next month, but if they would email or call if there were any other serious offers...

good luck!!

oh and where did you apply? i cant seem to find a job at this age :(

Answer 10

If I were you, I would think twice about buying a horse that is already 17. When they are at this age, a lot of times they start to have joint problems and need special feed like Senior grain. This is very expensive. My twin bought a 17 year old pony for her little boy. He barely got to ride her a year. The pony has a bad knee that my sister wasn't aware of. She paid $1700 for this pony and now she can not even be ridden. If I were you, I would buy a horse more in the 10 or 12 year old range. There are a lot of horses out there that are gentle. They don't need to be old to be gentle. Save up and get a horse that you will get to ride for many years. Don't get one that will have a lot of problems that can come with older aged horses. As far as a payment plan, unless you are dealing with family, I would just wait until you have the money saved up.

Answer 11

The horse sounds great for a first time rider if she is what they say she is. The first horse I rode was a 19 year old gentle Arab.

If your only 13 I don't know many people that would hire that young... Do you have a work permit yet? Do you know your hourly wage and have you figured out the hours you would have to work to get the money to pay for the horse?

Remember the purchase of the horse is the cheapest thing about owning a horse. Now you have to worry about keeping up with lessons or even maybe some training and then feeding the horse, farrier, vetting including shots and worming. Then all of the tack: Saddle, Bridle, Bit, Halter, Lead etc. etc. Have you calculated everything, you're going to need the supplies as soon as you get the horse.

I am 18 years old and with my hourly wage I would have to work over 25 hours a week for three months to just be able to buy a horse never mind caring for it or affording board.

I have enough trouble paying for lessons and affording to put money away and pay for college.

Maybe you could do a full lease so if the horse gets sick you wouldn't have any big costs. You would still get to continue lessons as often as you used to and do everything you would as if you owned it. You might even have the chance to buy the horse after the lease is up when you have the money saved up.