How to Choose the Right Horse at Auction

How to Choose the Right Horse at Auction

It is an interesting experience to buy a horse at an auction if you are planning to use it for competitions, agriculture, or pleasure riding. However, when going through the horse auctions, one has to be very careful if he or she wants to get a good bargain. This guide will make you familiar with the most vital factors that you should consider as you aim to select the best horse at auction events such as those conducted through the internet.

1. Understand the Auction Process

There are always defined practices in regards to each auction. As you go into the live horse bid or the online form of the horse auction, it is important that you get well acquainted with the auction process. You should also ensure that you research the schedule of the auction and that you are fully familiar with the terms of sale and of payment that will have to be made when engaging in the auction.

2. Assessing Horse Quality

The most essential action that defines the essence of your auction mode is the evaluation of the horses for sale. Expect animals to show good health and to be free from diseases.

For example, look at clear eyes, clean limbs, and general wakefulness. While previewing, it is essential to focus on the manner in which the horse is walking or moving. Are they friendly and easy to approach by handlers? These observations are crucial particularly in sales involving thoroughbreds where character and fitness for purpose are relevant.

Horse AUCTION ride along ~ How I decide which ones to BUY ~ IT is HARD!

3. Research and Preparation

Before going to the auction ring make sure that you identify with some horses for sale and understand some facts about them. All credible auctions, including equine online auctions, offer selling catalogs with all the horses’ pedigree, health records, and performance history available to bidders. Utilize this information to make your short list of horses that possess all the qualities that you are looking for.

4. Set a Budget

Evaluating horse auctions is one of the most significant factors that have to be put into consideration when attending the auctions. Always bear in mind the actual price that you are paying for a stock does not end with the buying price. The costs involved include veterinary fees, transport, training and maintenance fees among others. Determine your intended budget to prevent ‘ bid trigger’ and be held down by it when bidding.

5. Seek Professional Advice

For first-time attendees of horse auctions, getting the assistance of horse experts is something that can be beneficial. They can go with you to the auction and advise you on the best horse to choose. Some things are apparent to a professional but not easily noticeable by a layman and this makes them very useful during the bidding process.

6. Final Considerations

If you are to buy a horse in an auction, the most important rule is to always look for one that you are willing to commit to for a long period. It is equally important to select a horse that suits your riding ability and training or riding objectives.  For those in search of particular breeds, or specialized genetically superior horses, it may be advantageous to travel to horse auctions all over the United States. It’s advisable to expect for the next horse auctions to increase the field of opportunities.

 

Getting the right horse is not just the success of bidding at the auction sale. It is about the selection process for identifying a horse with which one can build the kind of partnership that is going to complement one’s lifestyle and, if applicable, riding ambition. If you ensure that you are ready for it both in terms of time and resources, keep your budget well defined and get the right recommendations then you are on the right track of successfully buying something that brings happiness for several years in terms of companionship.