Buying your first horse isn't an impulse purchase. You're not just buying an animal — horses live 20 to 30 years. It's a commitment for a long time. This guide walks through what to do — and what you're better off skipping.
Before You Start Looking
Make three decisions first:
1. Where will the horse be kept? Boarding, taking over a half-board share, or your own stable — decide this before you start looking. A horse that doesn't fit its housing situation becomes a problem on day one.
2. What do you want to do with it? Recreational riding, dressage, show jumping, eventing, driving, all-round? The right first choice already takes this into account. A specialist 12-year-old show jumper that you want to teach dressage becomes an endless struggle.
3. What's your realistic budget? Don't just budget for the purchase itself (see what riding costs). Also plan for €1,000–€2,000 in reserve for unexpected veterinary costs in year one.
Where to Look
| Channel | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Established dealer stable | Guarantee, right of exchange, often a test ride | Higher price |
| Private seller | Lower price, often more information about the horse's history | No guarantee, risk of hidden defects |
| Auction (KWPN, ELITE) | Pre-vetted horses, so you can see what everyone else is bidding | Fast pace, no chance for an extended test ride |
| Online platforms (Marktplaats, Horseman, Equinity) | Large selection | Lots of scams and misrepresentation — always visit in person |
For your first horse: start with a reputable dealer stable or through your own instructor. Buying privately requires experience you don't have yet.
The Test Ride
Arrange at least two test rides, on different days:
- First ride: have the seller ride the horse first. Watch whether it accepts tacking up calmly, whether it's easy to mount, whether the basic gaits are correct. Then you — at least 30 minutes, all three gaits, possibly a small jump.
- Second ride: bring your instructor or an experienced rider. Have them watch and ride the horse too. A second pair of eyes catches what you miss in your own enthusiasm.
What you're testing:
- Mounting and dismounting, without pushing or pulling
- Responds to leg aids, not just the whip
- Standing still in the arena and outside
- Riding away from a group without tension
- Reaction to unexpected stimuli (a rattling door, a noise)
Red flags: the seller doesn't want you to come back a second time, the horse is only calm after a sedative injection or heavy lungeing, no medical records available, the price feels too good to be true.
The Pre-Purchase Vetting
Mandatory for any purchase above €5,000. Recommended for any purchase above €2,500. What exactly happens during the vetting and how to read the results is covered in the guide on the pre-purchase vetting.
| Type of vetting | Cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical (basic) | €250–€400 | Heart, lungs, hooves, mouth, eyes, pressure points, lameness exam |
| Clinical + X-rays | €500–€800 | The above + X-rays of legs and hooves |
| Extensive + ultrasound + blood | €800–€1,400 | The above + tendon ultrasound + blood test for doping/sedation |
Important: choose a veterinarian that you pay and who serves your interests. A seller who proposes "their" veterinarian and pays for the vetting is a red flag. If in doubt, get a second opinion from an independent clinic.
An extensive vetting can reveal osteoarthritis (OCD), tendon damage, a heart murmur, eye problems, or lameness that you can't see yet but that shows up on X-rays. A missed OCD finding can later cost you €3,000–€8,000 in surgery, or significantly shorten the horse's sporting career.
The Purchase Contract
Always put the purchase in writing. Include:
- Identification: name, registration number, chip ID, age, sex, breed
- Purchase price and payment terms
- Date of transfer
- Seller's statement on health and behavior
- Cooling-off period / exchange clause (1-4 weeks at a dealer stable — always ask about this)
- Who pays for the vetting and interim care
- If something turns out to be wrong that the seller didn't disclose, you can file a complaint: up to 6 months with a private individual, up to 12 months with a dealer.
Not sure about legal clauses? The Sectorraad Paarden (the Dutch horse industry trade association) and KNHS (the Dutch equestrian federation) offer template contracts you can adapt.
Beginner Mistakes
- Choosing a horse that's too young or too inexperienced. A 4-year-old isn't a partner for a first-time horse owner — both need guidance from an experienced instructor. Start with an 8-14-year-old schoolmaster that has already been through the competition classes.
- Falling in love during the test ride. Before viewings, write down three hard criteria (e.g., "must be 17+ years old, no history of lameness, calm in the stable and on the road"). Stick to them.
- Skipping the pre-purchase vetting to save money. This is the most expensive false economy in the horse world. €500 now vs. €5,000 later.
- Not bringing an instructor. You're not experienced enough to buy on your own. A good instructor costs you an hour and saves you years of misery.
After the Purchase
A new environment is stressful for a horse. Plan for the first month:
- No competitions, just loosening-up work and walking
- The same people around the horse
- Switch feed gradually (ask for the old feeding schedule)
- Schedule deworming and a dental check for week 2-3
Give the horse — and yourself — time. A well-bought first horse means years of enjoyment instead of years of regret.
See also: What riding costs — a cost overview · Auction prices in the Market Monitor · Glossary: pre-purchase vetting, studbook, boarding · Level: considering your own horse