American Event Rider Caroline Martin sells a lot of horses.
When the Advanced level rider isn’t out competing, she’s helping pair riders with the horses of their dreams. Her busy sales program helped 100 horses find homes in just 22 months.
When evaluating horses for her own use or to sell to a possible client, Caroline says she wants to see the horse enjoying its job.
“I want them to have a good worth ethic and really enjoy it,” said Caroline, who rides in Ecogold saddle pads.
Are you in the market for a new equine partner? Here are some of Caroline’s tips.
Figure Out Your Budget
“Be super honest,” Caroline says about your budget. “There’s a big difference in a $20,000 horse and a $100,000 horse.”
Caroline imports a lot of sales prospects from Europe. The cost of importing quality horses is steep, and that’s generally reflected in the sales price.
“There’s this myth that sellers jack up the prices when the horses land in America and that is just not true,” she explained. “Sometimes we vet 10 horses a month and they might all fail. We spend thousands evaluating these horses. And the flights to get horses overseas have gone up crazy amounts since Brexit.”
Once you know what you’re able to spend, a trainer or sales agent can help pinpoint prospects that are realistic for you.
Be Open Minded
While it’s good going into the buying process having an idea of what you want, Caroline said buyers should try to have an open mind, too. She says she sees buyers all the time that know they want a gelding over a mare, or they’re looking for a horse of a specific color.
“I’ve had clients turn horses away because they don’t like the color,” Caroline described. “They could be a perfect fit in every other way. It’s just silly. It’s an animal, you can’t put them in this perfect little box.”
It’s also important to be realistic about your needs. Everyone may want a horse with the potential to be the winner, but “the horse that gets a 20 in dressage usually is not the easiest to ride,” Caroline said.
“Some horses might not have the most upper level potential, but they may be quiet and safe,” she said.
Go With Who You Know
There are plenty of resources out there to browse horses offered for sale. But Caroline recommends sticking with the people you know to help you find a suitable horse.
“I recommend people work with their trainers or other professionals they know,” she said. “Everyone wants to save every dollar when it comes to buying a horse. But that 10 percent commission cost is buying you a wealth of knowledge. These people have developed relationships with breeders and sellers over the years.”
She added: “They understand what it takes to find the right fit.”
What To Look For In A Video
It’s important to remember that sales videos often show the horse going at their best, Caroline warns.
“If they don’t catch your eye right away, move on,” she said about watching videos. “I like to see a nice canter and to see videos of the horse competing.”
Generally she wants to see a horse do a complete round, not just a line or two of fences.
“Another thing to look for is if the horse has a rail, see how it reacts to the next fence,” Caroline offered.
When You Find ‘The One’
Sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs – or sit on a lot of horses – before you know you’ve found the one. But Caroline says it should be clear right away.
“When I get on a horse, I want to feel like I can go jump anything out in the field, like I’m invincible,” she explained. “And I want to feel like I don’t want to get off. I want to be like a kid on Christmas Day – and can’t wait to ride again.”
It takes time to form a partnership with any horse, Caroline said, but the excitement of the possibilities should be almost immediate.
Caroline Martin shared her horse buying and selling advice at a live event in the Ecogold Riders Facebook Group. Don’t miss out next time, join our group here.
