From where to look to how to survive once in the salering, this complete guide helps to explain how to go about buying a horse at auction
Buying & selling advice
Go straight to buying and selling advice from Horse & Hound
If you are involved in equestrian sport, at some point you are likely to need to buy and/or sell a horse, horsebox, trailer or other item of equestrian equipment. Horse & Hound is here to help make your experience as smooth as possible with expert advice on how to avoid potential pitfalls.
Whether it’s avoiding the clever scammers who may target you, or how to advertise your horse to ensure a quick and hassle-free sale, Horse & Hound’s experts have been in the buying and selling business for decades. They know how to spot a real bargain from a potential money pit and can help you to buy the right one.
As well as our ultimate guide to buying a horse, we offer tips on what to do if your horse fails the vet and things to look out for when buying a second-hand horsebox.
‘A good one is priceless’: what makes a perfect first pony?
Money can buy most things — but it’s not the primary consideration when seeking the perfect first pony. We suss out what to look for in a four-legged gem
Avoiding online scams: advice for buyers
If you're looking to buy a horse, horsebox, kit or clothing, find out how you can protect yourself from the most common scams
Avoiding online scams: advice for sellers
If you selling a horse, horsebox, tack or items of clothing, then read our helpful guide to avoid some of the most common scams found online
How to protect yourself from online scams
Online scammers are getting more and more convincing, so H&H offers expert tips to help you protect yourself
Court case thrown out after livery falls off horse that yard owner advised her not to buy
A yard owner who faced a six-figure personal injury claim after accepting £30 from a novice rider to help her shop for a horse has had the case against her dismissed
How a registered blind rider found her dream horse
Finding your dream horse can be a daunting challenge for any rider. But what about if you are registered as blind?
How to buy a showjumper: top riders’ tips
When you're looking to buy a showjumper it's easy to get lost among the endless lists of adverts promising the next jumping superstar, so H&H helps you sort out the wheat from the chaff
How do you find the perfect Pony Club pony?
Rarer than rubies, more valuable per ounce than gold, as sought after as truffles, the Pony Club gem is top of every mother’s wish list. But how do you go about finding one?
‘How is he going to understand me, I don’t speak Dutch?’ — and other bizarre questions asked when selling a horse
When we asked you what the strangest questions you had been asked when selling your horse, we were inundated with replies
10 reasons why buying a new horse might be the most stressful thing ever
Horse shopping should be fun… But but it can also considerably raise your blood pressure. Here's why...
6 horses you’ll come across when you’re looking to buy
It’s a well-known fact that when you’re looking to buy a horse, you’ll have to kiss a lot of frogs before you finally find your prince. It’s just like dating or buying a house – what sounds great on paper is often very different in reality! And chances are you’ll…
5 things to consider before buying a horse abroad
What do you need to consider before making that all important purchase abroad?
Pre-purchase vet exam: what to expect and how to get the most out of one *H&H VIP*
Buyers frustrated by a lack of answers may be missing the point of the pre-purchase exam, believes Malcolm Morley MRCVS. Andrea Oakes finds out what’s fair to expect, and how to unlock its potential
On the hunt for the perfect family horse? Here’s what you need to look for
A good family horse is as precious as gold dust. Take a look at our demanding checklist to keep in mind on your hunt for the perfect one
Horse adverts: what they say versus what they really mean
Here's our helpful translation of what commonly used terminology actually means in horses for sale adverts …
The (painful) hunt for the perfect pony: ‘I could see the frozen look on my daughter’s face’
Six months after her search for the perfect pony began, Kate Flynn's daughter tries a "push button" pony that she struggles to stop...
The (painful) hunt for the perfect pony: ‘We were heading straight into the spider’s web’
Having looked at 10 ponies already on the hunt for the perfect one, Kate Flynn is used to disappointment — but the pony not being there at all, took even her by surprise...
The (painful) hunt for the perfect pony: ‘The pony was reliable — at knocking poles down’
With a bottle of wine in hand, finding a perfect-looking pony online was strangely easy for Kate Flynn — until she arrvied at the yard to try it
The (painful) diary of the hunt for the perfect pony: ‘Give ’er a boot t’getter gooin’
The next stop on Kate Flynn's hunt for the perfect pony for her daughter is a promising-looking New Forest, but its reluctance to go forwards proves problematic...