Be a Smart Horse Buyer: A Guide to Avoiding Common Mistakes and Finding the Right Horse for You

Starting with the premise that no horse is perfect, this fact-filled manual to horse buying teaches what vices and problems an owner can and cannot live with. Topics include internet shopping, buying for a child, auction sales, and how to evaluate videos, along with helpful insights on evaluating conformation and athletic ability. Readers are walked through the entire process, starting with a determination of what kind of horse to buy, how to find it, when to get help from a pro, and the red-flags that mean walking away from a particular horse or seller. Whether a seasoned horseman or an amateur, horse buying is made exciting and fun—and a lot less frustrating—with this handy resource from one of America’s top trainers.

Bob Avila is a premier horse trainer who has bought, sold, and trained hundreds of horses and is one of the top money-earning riders in America. He lives in Temecula, California. Sue M. Copeland is an editor for Horse & Rider magazine. She lives in Richmond, Texas.