Adoptions | Auctions | Classifieds
Horses for Sale
Horses for sale. Interested in buying or adopting a horse? No matter where you live in the United States, thousands of horses are available for sale or adoption.
Avoid Scams
How to avoid being the victim of a scam as a horse buyer or horse seller. Buyers and sellers will very likely receive offers that are scams. Beware, the danger is real, and steps should be taken to protect yourself from the possibility of fraud.
Buyer Overpayment
The buyer sends some form of payment to the seller that is more than the price of the horse. The payment is a counterfeited check, cashier’s check, or money order. Before the bad check clears the seller’s bank, the buyer requests that the seller send the overpayment to a third party. This is often to a shipping company or agent. The original payment is fraud, and the seller is out of overpayment.
How to prevent Buyer Overpayment
Allow all checks to clear your bank before you allow the horse to leave your control. Never accept any payment over the price of the horse. And never send money to any third party.
Always have Possession Before Paying.
There are all kinds of bait-and-switch scams, including paying for shipping upfront and never seeing the horse. Or the horse you are sent is not what you thought you bought. Never pay for a horse until it is on your lot or in your trailer and determined to be in good condition. Payments may be made in escrow and not disbursed until the horse is in your possession.
Escrow Accounts
Consider using an escrow firm to complete the transaction when shopping for your next horse. You can find an escrow company online, or your attorney may suggest one. Compared to the risk of getting scammed, the escrow fee is usually $250 or 1% of the sales price if over $25,000.
Bill of Sale
A Bill of Sale for a horse is a legal document proving ownership and spelling out the conditions of the sale. Therefore, it makes sense to use a professionally prepared bill of sale to assure the legality of the transaction. Record the bill of sale at your county courthouse, providing a paper trail of ownership.
Finding Your Horse
Horse Sales at Horse Shows in the United States
Highly attended horse shows draw thousands of sport horses each year from all over the world. Moreover, many of these horses are offered for sale, with horse sales taking place during or after the horse show.
Horse shows provide the perfect opportunity to view horses in action and to acquire a show horse with an acceptable training level.
Sport Horses and Dressage Horses
The Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, features many of the world’s top jumping horses. Similarly, the Global Dressage Festival attracts top-level riders and horses. Horse owners and trainers often look to sell some of their horses at these events.
HITS Ocala attracts many of the country’s top hunter/jumpers to its twelve-week winter circuit. Therefore, many owners bring horses to sell at this show.
The World Equestrian Center in Ocala attracts top shows and promises to bring even more available jumping and dressage horses to Florida.
Available Horses by Discipline
You will find horses with all training levels and disciplines, including:
- All-Around,
- Barrel Racing,
- Breeding,
- Bucking Bronc, Calf Roping, Competitive Trail, Cutting, Draft, Dressage, Driving, Equitation. Endurance Riding, English Pleasure, Eventing, Field Trial, Five-Gaited, Fox Hunting, Gaited, Halter, Harness, Hunter Hack, Hunter Under Saddle, Jumping, Mounted Shooting, Park, Pleasure Driving, Pole Bending, Polo, Racing, Ranch Work, Reining, Rodeo, Roping, Show, Team Penning, Team Roping, Trail, Western Pleasure, Working Cattle, Working Hunter, and Youth.
Off-The-Track-Thoroughbreds (OTTB)
Retired racehorse programs offer adoption programs for racehorses that don’t cut it as racehorses. However, many of these horses are found to be suitable for the rigors of a jumping career or even work as cutting horses.
Classified Ad Sources for Horses for Sale
Find thousands of horses offered for sale on one of many equestrian classified websites or Facebook pages. The most dependable sites are listed here, and you can find anything from pasture companion horses to highly trained performance horses.
Equine Classifieds
Online classifieds let you see various horses with pictures, bios, the sale price, and seller comments. Sort by location, breed, skill, age, and more. Reviewing all the sites to see which is best for you and has the best information is useful.
Several horse rescue and rehabilitation organizations in Florida offer OTTB horses. Realistically, some are suited for second lives in the show ring or just as general-use horses. These horses are available for modest rehoming fees and are trained as everyday horses by removing unwanted racehorse behavior. We list those organizations offering these horses in the directory.
MyHorseForSale.com is the #1 most trusted equine classifieds online. Trust is an important word in horse trading.
DreamHorse.com has listed over 2 million horses online since 1998.
EquineNow.com Offers horse auctions in addition to classified ads for sale horses.
Equine.com is one of the oldest horse sales websites. Fortunately, it has always been dependable in quality listings.
HorseWeb.com is the world’s first and oldest online internet classifieds of horses for sale since 1995.
Horsefinders.com brings thousands of horses for sale under one easy-to-use website. Worth a look.
MatchnRide offers sport horse sales – Dressage, Hunter, Jumper, and Eventing horses.
Horse Clicks.com: Browse horse breeds such as Quarter Horse, Tennessee Walker, Paint, Thoroughbreds, and more.
Horse Pre-Purchase Exams
When purchasing a horse at almost any level, it pays to have an equine veterinarian do a pre-purchase exam to assure the horse’s soundness and suitability. Also, the buyer or an agent should be present at the exam to address any questions and concerns in person.
Pre-Purchase Exam Details
The equine pre-purchase examination is a veterinarian’s evaluation of the horse to discover any problems that might affect the horse’s current or future performance and health. Most veterinarians check the heart, lungs, eyes, conformation, skin, teeth, legs, and feet during equine pre-purchase exams.
After the initial exam, the horse’s gaits are evaluated (in hand, under saddle, or both) before flexion tests are performed to identify any areas of soreness. Also, the buyers should obtain a detailed medical history from the seller, including any radiographs, ultrasounds, vaccinations, dental records, lameness, joint injections, illnesses, etc.
Results of the Pre-Purchase Exam
Equine veterinarians do not pass or fail a horse in a pre-purchase exam. The pre-purchase exam provides information to the buyer about the horse’s condition. Ultimately, it is up to the buyer to decide whether or not to purchase the horse. Using the information gathered, pre-purchase exams have saved many horse buyers much heartache and financial distress.
Also, If the buyer is comfortable with the examination findings up to this point, further diagnostics can be pursued.
Optional Pre-Purchase Exam Tests
Radiographs
Radiographs are recommended to check for bony abnormalities, particularly for potential problem areas identified during the exam. Furthermore, a full set of radiographs is always recommended and will provide a baseline should any issues arise.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound can be performed on any old injuries or thickened tendons. Additionally, laboratory testing can be performed, most commonly general health screening and toxicology (drug testing for any painkillers, sedatives, or other medications). Also, the buyer is sent the final report when all lab and x-ray results are complete.
Buying from Horse Breeders
You also have the opportunity to buy horses directly from horse breeders. Specifically, horse breeds available include Miniature Horses, Ponies, Arabians, Morgans, Frisians, Quarter Horses, Warmbloods Gypsy Varner, Lusitano, Thoroughbreds, Connemaras, Paso Finos, Percheron, Paints, Shires, Trakehner, Norwegian Fjord Horses, Oldenburgs, Mustangs, and more.
Kentucky, Texas, New York, and Florida have numerous horse breeders, including Thoroughbred racehorse and sport horse breeders. Our list below includes a variety of horse sellers offering different breeds and finish levels. Also, the description indicates the type of horses they breed.
Horse Auctions Online
Racehorse auctions are held in Florida and Kentucky each year at Ocala Breeders Sales (OBS) and Keeneland in Lexington, KY, including seasoned race horses, unraced two-year-olds, and yearlings. Check out the auction calendar. Conveniently, both offer online bidding.
Ocala Horse Sale holds period auctions for all types of consignment horses, and sale horses can be viewed online, and online bidding is available.
Big Sky Horse Auctions and Sales online auctions.
Bloodstock Auction operates similarly to a ‘traditional’ auction by advertising set sale dates, taking listings, and generating an auction catalog upon which registered buyers may bid. Specifically, the only difference is that our auctions use a ‘Virtual Sales Ring’ online.
HorseBid.com is America’s premier online horse auction, your trusted source for buying top-quality horses.
Equineline.com offers registered thoroughbreds and quarter horses at auction.
Internet Horse Auctions specializing in sport horses and thoroughbreds.
Horse Adoption
Horses are available for adoption at the sites listed below. Significantly, these sites allow you to search by breed, age, location, etc. Be sure to check out the organization that is offering rescue horses. Determine what kind of care and training the horses have received. Unfortunately, some rescue horses may not have received any training or been properly cared for. Accordingly, this can present additional training and health issues for the new owners.
Equestrian rescue operations are always looking for potential horse adopters, but at the same time will want to qualify the adopters. Qualification of an adopter may vary among the rescue organizations, but at a very minimum, here is an example of the Humane Society questionnaire.
A great place to start is A Home for Every Horse. Particularly, this site lists horse rescue operations listed by state and city. Publication on this list recognizes the organization as being a legitimate rescue organization.
ASPCA Right Horse This site shows pictures of horses and details about horses available for adoption throughout the United States.
EquineNow.com Rescue Horses Most adoption horses listed here are non-riding or companion horses.
Equine.com Rescue Horses Horses are available for adoption through the A Home for Every Horse program and can be listed for free on Equine.com.
Habitat for Horses A horse adopted from Habitat for Horses comes with an honest assessment that includes pros and cons. Fortunately, they do a thorough job.
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation: Adopt a retired racehorse at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Unquestionably, a rehoming fee helps ensure the Foundation can continue operations and discourages those looking to resell horses. Retiring thoroughbred horses are evaluated by licensed rescue organizations and are deemed suitable for adoption in terms of health and temperament. Particularly, designated horses can be rehomed to qualified adopters at a small fee. Rescue organizations depend on donations and volunteers to perform their valuable work.
Horse Ownership
Horse ownership can be a rewarding experience for those passionate about horses. Therefore, they are willing to take the time and effort to care for them. Owning a horse requires significant time and money but can also be a source of great joy and satisfaction.
Furthermore, when it comes to horse ownership, there are several things that you should consider before making a purchase.
Feeding, health, and grooming are also important aspects of horse ownership1. Accordingly, you should learn about these topics to keep your horse healthy and happy. Horses have been a part of human history for thousands of years and are an important part of our lives today.
If you’re considering horse ownership, it’s important to do your research. However, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort required to care for your horse properly, owning one can be an incredibly rewarding experience.