Let the adventure begin – it's time to buy a horse! The excitement is palpable. But before rushing headlong into buying the first shiny pony you see, every new horse owner should ask themselves a few important questions.
Not only does a horse cost a considerable amount of money to purchase, but you also have to budget a hefty monthly sum for its care.
The purchase price varies depending on the discipline, i.e. what you plan to do with your horse. Do you want to start competing? In show jumping or dressage? Is western riding what you have in mind? Perhaps you are a fan of endurance riding or love carriage driving? Or would you like to ride your horse through the forest? Should the horse be suitable for children? Would you like to breed with it? Or, or, or.
Perhaps you would like to import a horse because you particularly like a breed from another country? If so, please bear in mind the potentially long transport route and import costs. These are additional costs on top of the purchase price.
Here is a brief summary of the costs to be taken into account when buying a horse or in your monthly expenses.
Directly upon purchase (one-time):
Ongoing costs thereafter:
The purchase examination (AKU) is always carried out by a veterinarian. Depending on the client's wishes, this can be more or less extensive. This means that it is determined whether a horse will only be clinically examined or whether X-rays of the horse's joints will also be taken. The scope of the X-rays also varies. A horse that is to be used for competitive sport will probably require more than the standard X-rays (currently 18 images including the knees). A horse that is being purchased for leisure riding certainly does not necessarily require such extensive X-rays. However, each client decides for themselves, as they are ultimately responsible for the costs of the AKU. Sometimes, the seller is the client for the AKU and therefore covers the costs. In other cases, both parties agree on the scope of the examination and share the costs. With young horses, it is important to know that the horse is still growing and its bones are still changing.
The small AKU / clinical examination:
Condition check
Movement and turning on firm ground
Bending test
This provocation test is used to examine the four limbs in detail. The extreme flexion of the legs before the horse trots forward makes underlying problems more clearly visible.
The comprehensive AKU:
The comprehensive AKU includes the entire clinical examination of the small AKU. In addition, 18 X-ray images are normally taken in standard projections. Upon request, the scope of the X-ray examination can be expanded, for example, if the back is also to be examined.
If desired, the purchase examination can also be extended to include further examinations. These include laboratory tests, such as doping tests or tests for genetic defects, but also ultrasound examinations, endoscopy, or examination of the reproductive tract in broodmares or stallions.
Once everything is clear, the buyer and seller have agreed, and the results of the purchase examination are satisfactory, the question of transport arises. Will you pick up your horse yourself or will it be delivered to you? If your horse is coming from abroad, you will need to obtain the correct paperwork and consider the following aspects for import:
Perhaps the most important thing here is to take your time and draw up a purchase agreement, preferably together with the seller. You can simply adapt a standard contract, which you can obtain from the FN (German Equestrian Federation), to suit your needs.
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