Buying a horse in Australia or NZ: a step-by-step guide

Buying a horse is exciting, and it's also a long commitment. Horses can live for decades, need daily care and cost money every week. Agriculture Victoria calls buying a horse a big investment of time and money (Agriculture Victoria – basic horse care). Taking it step by step gives you the best chance of finding a horse that suits you – and of that horse having a good home.

Step 1: Are you ready?

Before you start looking, Agriculture Victoria suggests asking yourself honestly (Agriculture Victoria):

• Can you meet all the horse's basic health and welfare needs?
• Do you have enough time? Horses need care every day.
• Can you afford it – including when pasture runs out and you need to buy feed?
• Do you have a suitable property, or access to good agistment, that is safely fenced and close enough to visit daily?
• Can you afford the gear – saddle, saddle cloth, bridle, grooming kit, feed and water containers, riding clothes, helmet and boots – and lessons or club fees?

For a full budget, read the real cost of owning a horse. If you don't have land, see our agistment guide.

Buying for a child?

The RSPCA advises buying as late as possible – once you're certain of the child's (and family's) commitment – and suggests starting with lessons at a reputable riding school or joining a local Pony Club. It also suggests considering sharing or leasing a horse first (RSPCA Knowledgebase). Find riding schools near you on horse.work.

Step 2: Decide what you need

Write down what you want the horse to do and what you can manage:

• Your experience and confidence. First-time owners generally do best with a calm, experienced, well-educated horse – not a young or green one.
• What you'll do. Trail riding, Pony Club, dressage, jumping, campdrafting, endurance, or simply a quiet companion?
• Size. Suited to the rider's height and weight.
• Age. Older, experienced horses are often ideal for novices.
• Where it will live – paddock, stable or agistment – and what that means for the horse's needs.
• Budget – for the purchase, and for ongoing care.

Breed matters less than temperament and training. See horse breeds for an overview.

Step 3: Where to look

• Recommendations from your coach, Pony Club, riding school or local club
• Breed societies and discipline associations
• Reputable dealers and trainers
• Online listings – useful, but be extra careful, and never pay a deposit for a horse you haven't seen

Take a trusted, experienced horse person with you, as Agriculture Victoria recommends (Agriculture Victoria). A coach can assess whether the horse suits you. Find a trainer or coach near you on horse.work.

Step 4: Questions to ask the seller

Ask before you visit, and again in person:

• How long have you owned the horse, and why are you selling?
• What has it been doing? Competition record?
• Any vices – biting, kicking, bucking, rearing, crib-biting, weaving?
• How is it to catch, float, shoe, clip, bathe and worm?
• Is it good with traffic, dogs, other horses and children?
• Any history of injury, illness, lameness, colic or laminitis?
• When were the last vaccinations, dental check, worming (or faecal egg count) and farrier visit?
• Is it registered? Are there papers, microchip or brand records?
• Can my vet examine the horse? Can I take it on trial?

Ask for answers in writing where possible.

Step 5: See and ride the horse

• Arrive early and see the horse caught and tacked up. Is it relaxed? Was it already warmed up when you arrived?
• Watch the seller ride first, then ride yourself.
• Try everything you plan to do – in the arena, outside it, alone and with others.
• Handle the horse on the ground – pick up feet, lead it, groom it, and see it loaded onto a float if possible.
• Look at its overall health and condition – see body condition scoring and signs of a healthy horse.
• Look at conformation – see how to assess a horse's conformation.
• Visit more than once if you can.

A trial period

Agriculture Victoria suggests arranging a trial period before buying to see whether the horse suits you (Agriculture Victoria). Agree in writing who is responsible for the horse, insurance and injuries during the trial.

Step 6: The pre-purchase vet examination

Agriculture Victoria advises having your own vet examine the horse – it can be expensive, but may save you from buying a horse that is unhealthy, lame or unsuitable (Agriculture Victoria). The RSPCA calls a pre-purchase check by an equine vet "absolutely vital", including an assessment of temperament (RSPCA Knowledgebase).

The University of Sydney's equine hospital performs pre-purchase exams in line with Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) guidelines. Depending on the horse's intended use, an exam may include a clinical health check, gait and lameness assessment, X-rays, ultrasound, blood tests, upper airway endoscopy and a reproductive exam (University of Sydney – pre-purchase exams).

Important points:

• Use your own vet, not the seller's.
• Tell the vet what you plan to do with the horse, so they can tailor the exam.
• Be there if you can, and ask questions.
• Understand the limits. The University of Sydney points out that a pre-purchase exam reflects the horse's condition at the time of the exam only, and doesn't guarantee future health, soundness or performance. The decision to buy remains yours (University of Sydney).

See the pre-purchase vet check for more, and find an equine vet near you on horse.work.

Step 7: Paperwork and identification

• A written sale agreement or receipt with the horse's description, price, date and any conditions or warranties agreed.
• Identification. Agriculture Victoria encourages microchipping horses so they (and you) can be identified in an emergency (Agriculture Victoria). Check the microchip number, brands and markings match the papers. See horse identification.
• Registration papers and transfer of ownership, if the horse is registered.
• Health records – vaccinations, worming, dental and farrier history.
• A Property Identification Code (PIC). In Victoria, the property where a horse is kept must have a PIC (Agriculture Victoria – biosecurity). NSW also requires a PIC for properties with horses (NSW Government). Check rules in your state. See horse owner law.
• Insurance, if you want it, arranged before the horse travels. Compare insurance and finance providers on horse.work.

Step 8: Bringing your horse home

• Arrange safe transport – see horse float safety checks, or find horse transport near you.
• Quarantine on arrival. Victoria's Code of Practice recommends keeping a new horse away from the established group for 10–14 days (Code of Practice). Agriculture Victoria recommends at least 10 days (biosecurity). See biosecurity and isolation.
• Keep things the same at first. Ask the seller what the horse has been eating and change feed gradually.
• Introduce new paddock mates carefully, ideally over a fence first.
• Book your farrier, dentist and vet to set up your own records. See equine professionals.

Red flags

• The seller won't allow a vet check or a trial.
• The horse is already tacked up and sweaty when you arrive.
• Vague answers about history, health or vices.
• Pressure to pay a deposit quickly, or a price that seems too good to be true.
• Paperwork that doesn't match the horse.

FAQ

Do I need a vet check before buying a horse?

It's strongly recommended. Agriculture Victoria advises a pre-purchase exam by your own vet (Agriculture Victoria), and the RSPCA calls it vital (RSPCA).

Does a vet check guarantee the horse will stay sound?

No. It reflects the horse at the time of examination only (University of Sydney).

What is the best first horse?

Usually a calm, experienced, well-educated horse that suits your size and goals. Bring an experienced person or coach to help you choose.

Should I lease before I buy?

It's worth considering. The RSPCA suggests sharing or leasing to reduce cost and long-term commitment (RSPCA).

Do I need a PIC to own a horse?

In several states, including Victoria and NSW, the property where the horse is kept needs a PIC (Agriculture Victoria; NSW).