So, you think you’ve found a horse you want to buy. You’ve gone through all the appropriate steps. You’ve talked to his owner about his ability and temperament, observed his ground manners, and have watched him move in the pasture or on a lunge line.  You’ve watched the owner or another rider ride the horse, and have brought along a knowledgeable friend for a second opinion. What’s next? Well, if you still think the horse is a good prospect, it’s time for you to ride the horse!

Riding the horse will basically confirm your impression of it. While you watched the horse being ridden by someone else, you should have noted the horse’s attitude, the quality of its gaits, and how it behaves in general under saddle. Now it’s time to decide whether what you’ve seen is what you’ll get.

The first rule of the ridden trial is to be fair to the horse! Give him every opportunity to succeed by dressing properly (no flapping coats, for example) and ensuring that he is properly tacked up (double-check his girth and the stirrups). If you have brought others along with you—especially if they are children or adults not used to horses—instruct them how to behave around horses so they don’t upset the horse.

Once you have mounted the horse, don’t ask for too much too soon. Sit there for a second and get comfortable. Then calmly ask the horse to walk. Spend a little time in the walk getting a sense of the horse’s feel. When you are relaxed—and when you get the sense that the horse has also relaxed—ask him to trot and then canter.

It is important that you ask for some circles and transitions in all three gaits. The circles and transitions will give you a better feel of the horse and you’ll know whether or not he is right for you. It’s often difficult to put into words why we do or don’t like the “feel” of a horse—but you’ll know.

Don’t expect the horse to go as well as it did when his previous owner rode him for you. Be fair! It takes some time to build rapport with a horse, and that rapport will have a big effect on how you and your horse work together. That being said, the ridden trial should give you a good idea of whether or not the horse is suitable.

If you are happy with the way things have gone in the ring, ask the owner if you can take the horse out on the road. You may go alone or with another rider, although if you go with another rider you need to make sure that the horse will indeed go out alone. A good way to do this is to ask your horse to walk past the stable entrance upon return home, while allowing the other horse to go in. A horse who is willing to go out alone won’t put up much of  fuss before walking by.

Never buy a horse without a ridden trial! No matter how good he looks on paper or with another rider astride, you won’t really know whether he suits you until you take him for a spin.