Is there anything more complex than shopping for your next horse? In the words of Chris Traeger from Parks and Rec, horse shopping is “literally, a never ending roller coaster of emotions.”
Between the ups and downs and all the in betweens, it is easy to get caught up in the process. Sometimes, shopping for your dream horse feels more like a nightmare. We reached out to our friends across the globe and asked them to sum up their thoughts on horse shopping in one sentence.
Some of their responses are constructive, others are sage pieces of advice, and the rest….well….they definitely sum up our thoughts as well. Check out what our friends had to share!
On the Budget
“I definitely shop with champagne taste on a beer budget.”
“Never EVER look at the horses outside of your budget.”
“Addictive, expensive and may impair ability to use common sense.”
“You don’t need that, you don’t need that! *Proceeds to buy one of every color*”
“Is it supposed to have that many zeros or is that some kind of sick typo?”
Regarding Significant Others/Spouses
“My husband’s worst nightmare.”
“I’m surprised my boyfriend is still with me after it.”
“Buy another bay….he won’t notice.”
Photo by Alissa King / JN
On Finding “The One”
“If the first horse feels right, buy it!”
“A good horse is never a bad color.”
“Buy the horse that suits your needs now, not one that suits your dreams later.”
“See 125, ride 20, buy 1!”
Photo by Alissa King / JN
The Emotional Weight of Horse Shopping
“Like speed dating but at the end of the date, you get married.”
“Gruel-citing!!! Both grueling and exciting.”
“The right horse will just speak to you, don’t over complicate things.”
“Tiresome, but worth the effort.”
“Don’t get too caught up in the vetting, lots of horses have successful careers when properly rehabbed.”
What are your thoughts on horse shopping? We would love to hear them and to soak up all the advice you might have.
Go Jumping!