Please note that these guides do not constitute legal advice and any information provided in the guides should not be construed as legal advice or legal interpretation. We do not accept any liability for any loss caused by your reliance on this guide.
Buying a horse is a big commitment - financially and timewise. If you're considering buying a horse that you've seen advertised on DoneDeal, please ensure to take the following precautions:
- Make sure you can provide food, companionship, and healthcare for your new horse.
- Check that the breeder's facilities are clean and their animals are alert and healthy.
- Make sure the horse has a valid passport.
- Get written agreement that purchase is subject to a satisfactory examination by your vet within 48 hours of purchase.
- Check the ISPCA website for more information about owning a horse, here are some general tips.
What you need to know about buying a horse/cob/pony
Do your research
Get advice from someone you can trust who has experience in buying a horse or pony
Have a good idea of what you are looking for before you go to the seller’s premises
Always go to the seller’s premises when viewing, do not meet elsewhere
What’s in the ad?
What is your price limit? Remember, sellers are often seasoned dealers so be sure not to be swayed on price
Is there a price on the ad, if not be sure to ask what approximate price the seller is looking for as this will eliminate any time-wasting for both parties
Phone beforehand and ask any questions that are not covered in the ad
Cut down on time-wasting
Arrange a suitable time to go to the seller’s premises to see the animal to help with your buying decision
Try not to waste each other's time – if the animal is unsuitable do not be afraid to say so, there are plenty more equines for sale
Viewing the animal
If you are buying a pony for a child, make sure to bring the child with you when viewing
It would be advisable for the horse/pony to be ridden as a trial when you see it, this is always at your own risk, so be sure to bring your safety gear (helmet, back protector, boots etc)
What is the horse for?
What has the animal done – what level of equestrian discipline will you be partaking in – showjumping, eventing, hunting or simply hacking for leisure – there are usually videos and photos to backup a horse’s competition/activity record
If the horse/pony is for leisure riding, make sure it is quiet and experienced, in other words, not a young and inexperienced animal
What is your level of riding experience? Do not bite off more than you can chew by buying an impressive horse that may be too much for you as a leisure rider
Condition of animal
Is the horse well looked after? Has it been vaccinated? Does it look healthy? Has it been wormed regularly (this is very important in equines)? Read our guide to horse health.
Make sure the animal has an Identification Document/Passport book. These are now a legal requirement in horse ownership. If the horse has no ‘book’ it is possible to get one from Horse Sport Ireland but will be an additional expense for you after purchase
Make sure you fill out the Transfer of Ownership form (available to download for free on www.horsesportireland.ie) but the transferral costs will need to be covered by you as the new owner
Expenses
Horses and ponies (cobs are small horses or large ponies) are expensive to keep
Before you purchase make sure you have somewhere to keep the animal. In summer months they can live outdoors but in the winter months horses need to be stabled at night in cold weather
Facilities
Do you have your own field and a stable? If not, livery (keeping the horse at a yard) can cost from €70 per week (known as DIY livery where you must muck out and feed the horse) rising to €100-120 per week for full livery (where the livery yard looks after the horse in full)
If you have your own facilities remember you will also have to pay for bedding (straw/shavings) €10-20 per bale lasting about a fortnight, hay/haylage €20-30 for a round bale lasting approx. 4 weeks for one horse and horse food €10-15 for 20kg bag lasting for 1-2 weeks for one horse, as well as shoeing of the horse every 6-8 weeks by a farrier (€50-€70 for every set of 4 shoes)
Transport
You will also have to transport the horse from A to B, so you will need a horsebox (see our transport section)
Veterinary
Horses will sometimes need veterinary attention which can range from simple vaccinations to more serious assessments of lameness or ill health for example
Before purchasing the horse may need a full veterinary examination which costs approximately €100
A full veterinary is only necessary if the horse is to be used in competition and needs to be sold on again at a later stage
Ponies and cobs for leisure riding will generally not need to be examined before purchasing
Read our guide to horse health
Equipment
For leisure riding, you will need the basic riding equipment of a helmet, back protector, riding gloves and jodhpurs as well as tack for your horse – bridle and saddle – and a headcollar and leadrope for daily handling. You will also need indoor and outdoor rugs for your horse to keep it clean and warm
Time
You will need to allocate daily hours to look after and /or exercise your horse – allow 2 to 3 hours every day for mucking out, exercising and feeding regime
Remember, once you own a horse they have to be looked after every day (unless at grass in the summer months). Horses are creatures of habit and only benefit from a structured routine
A horse can live up to 25 years old and far beyond in many cases. Be prepared for many years of looking after your equine. Afterall, they will depend on you, as their new owner.
What you need to know about buying a horsebox
Do your research
There are many types of horseboxes for sale, so make sure you know what you are looking for
Will you be using the horsebox frequently or just occasionally, maybe you have a friend with a horsebox that you can borrow (See our equine notice board)
Types of horseboxes
There are horseboxes that carry two horses (double horseboxes), horseboxes that carry one horse (single horseboxes) and there are many different sizes of horse lorries which carry anything from three to six or more horses/ponies
What’s in the ad?
What is your price limit? Remember, sellers are often seasoned dealers so be sure not to be swayed on price
Is there a price on the ad, if not be sure to ask what approximate price the seller is looking for as this will eliminate any time-wasting for both parties
Phone beforehand and ask any questions that are not covered in the ad
Does the ad have good quality photos of the horsebox – if not ask plenty of questions when arranging a viewing time
Seek advice
Ask someone experienced for advice and bring them along when viewing the item
Do you have your towing licence? This is a legal requirement in Ireland when towing certain weights
Arranging to view the horsebox
Always arrange to meet the seller at their own premises when viewing the horsebox
Ask plenty of questions about the horsebox – what age is it? Did they own it from new? Where did they purchase it? Try to make sure that the seller is trustworthy by asking them a number of questions
All modern horseboxes have identity codes on their tow bar/hitch area so check that this has not been tampered with
What to look out for
Is the horsebox in good condition?
Are its tyres in good order?
Most horseboxes have rubber matting on the floor – is this in good condition?
Check both inside and outside for any damage or to make sure that it has its partition (in a double horsebox) and the front and rear bars for transporting the horses
What you need to know about horse driving equipment
Seek advice
What do you want to buy? There are many types of driving equipment
Seek advice from someone you can trust and bring them along when viewing the equipment
What are you looking for?
There are a number of types of driving carriages which can be pulled by a horse
There are traditional traps and carts (usually wooden with wooden-spoked wheels) that can carry approximately four people
There are also more lightweight ‘sulkies’ for trotting races. These tend to be made of a lightweight metal with two rubber tyred, spoked wheels and generally carry one person
What’s in the ad?
What is your price limit? Remember, sellers are often seasoned dealers so be sure not to be swayed on price
Is there a price on the ad, if not be sure to ask what approximate price the seller is looking for as this will eliminate any time-wasting for both parties
Phone beforehand and ask any questions that are not covered in the ad
Tack
For horse drawn activities, you will need a different tack from riding tack.
You will need tack specifically designed for horse-drawn activities – a blinkered bridle with a driving bit and long reins, a collar, a straddle and hames for attaching the shafts of the drawn vehicle to the horse
Horse-drawn activities and carriage driving need a strong level of expertise and should not be attempted without prior knowledge or under supervision of a knowledgeable carriage driving individual
What’s in the ad?
What is your price limit? Remember, sellers are often seasoned dealers so be sure not to be swayed on price
Is there a price on the ad, if not be sure to ask what approximate price the seller is looking for as this will eliminate any time-wasting for both parties
Phone beforehand and ask any questions that are not covered in the ad
Photos and videos
Are there good quality photos and/or videos in the advertisement?
Ask any questions that are not answered in the ad when you phone to arrange a viewing time
Be aware
Who are you buying from? Are they trustworthy?
Arrange to view the horse-drawn vehicle at the seller’s premises
If there are horses there, are they healthy and in good condition
The use of lightweight trotting sulkies on roads is highly dangerous and the ISPCA is working to introduce bye-laws under the Control of Horses Act to combat this
What you need to know about buying equestrian equipment
What type of equipment?
There are many types of equestrian equipment for sale
Use the search tool to narrow down what you are looking for on the Done Deal site
What’s in the ad?
What is your price limit? Remember, sellers are often seasoned dealers so be sure not to be swayed on price
Is there a price on the ad, if not be sure to ask what approximate price the seller is looking for as this will eliminate any time-wasting for both parties
Phone beforehand and ask any questions that are not covered in the ad
Safety equipment
If you are buying safety equipment (helmets, back protectors) make sure that they are in good condition and are not too old, preferably under approximately 5 years old as safety standards are constantly evolving in equestrian equipment
If you are buying a riding helmet, in particular, make sure it has not suffered any major impact
Ask the seller how old it is, did they buy it from new?
If it has suffered impact, it may be damaged so will not be safe to use as a safety helmet
Make sure the helmet/back protector is up to safety standards. Is it kitemarked? You will find this inside the helmet, on the label
Make sure that safety equipment is the correct fit or it may not perform properly
Wear and tear
If you are buying a bridle, saddle or leather equipment make sure the items are in good order
Be sure that the items are the correct size for your horse/pony
Have the leather goods been well looked after? Have they been regularly treated with saddle soap or neatsfoot oil? Are there any obvious signs of wear and tear? Is there any obvious cracking of the leather?
Correct fit
With saddles, it is important that they fit your horse correctly so it may be necessary to arrange a fitting by bringing you horse (if this is suitable for you and the seller)
Bridles, martingales, breastplates are generally sized pony, cob and full-size
Make sure that any equestrian clothing fits you properly or if it’s for someone else make sure to bring them along to make sure the item fits
What you need to know about buying horse feed and/or bedding
What are you looking for?
There are many types of feed and bedding for equines
Do your research and ask someone in the know before you go to purchase
Bring someone knowledgeable with you when viewing
Always view the item for sale at the seller’s premises
Horse feed
‘Hard feed’ for horses/ponies - coarse mixes, nuts and cereals (oats, maize, barley etc) can be bought in 20-25 kg bags (approximately €10-15 per bag) or in large bulk orders of varying prices
Horse feed is generally sold at co-ops, farm shops or veterinary premises
What type of feed?
‘Hard’ horse feed ranges in quality, energy and vitamin levels which is detailed on the product’s labeling
Be sure not to overfeed your horse/pony. A leisure/hacking animal will only need a low-energy oat-free 10% protein feed, whereas a competition horse will need a 12-15% protein feed with high energy cereals
It is always important to remember the old equine saying, ‘feed little and often’
Hay
Horses that are stabled or on insufficient grass will need to be fed ‘ad lib’ hay or haylage
A round bale of hay costs €20-25 and will last one horse about 3 to 4 weeks
Square bales of hay cost approximately €3 each and last one horse about 5 days
Haylage and silage
A round bale of haylage costs approximately €25 but because it is a fermented grass wrapped in plastic it needs to be used within one week of opening or it will become moldy and dangerous to ingest
You can purchase small square bales of haylage for approximately €8 which will last one horse about 4 days
When purchasing haylage make sure the outer plastic wrapping has no holes or tears as this causes mold in the haylage
Silage is a further fermented type of forage and costs approximately the same as wrapped haylage, but of the two, haylage is more suited to equine digestion
Bedding
There are many types of bedding for equines – straw, shavings, shredded paper, shredded rubber, rubber matting etc
What are your bedding requirements?
Straw is generally the most economical type of bedding – a round bale will cost €10-15 each depending on how good the autumn harvest has been – a round bale will last one horse approximately two to three weeks
Wood shavings cost approximately €6-8 per square bale but you will need two bales to give a good base. You will need one bale per week per horse
Transportation
As with any feeding/bedding type, when bought in bulk the cheaper it becomes per unit or weight
Some sellers will deliver to your premises in bulk for free or for an extra charge if buying in smaller quantities
Can you transport the feeding or round bales yourself?
Storage
It is very important that hay and straw are stored in a dry area like a shed otherwise they will be affected by bad weather
With wrapped haylage/silage/shavings be sure that there are no holes in the wrapping that may cause mouldiness to develop. They can be stored outside if the wrapping has no holes in it