I will be buying a horse and everything that goes with it somewhere in the northern california area sometime in the next two or three months? Just like everyone else, I hate being taken advantage of but I'm sure that people will be able to tell that I'm naive when it comes to horses. Are there any common scams I should be aware of as I embark on this mini-journey of becoming a horse owner?

Take someone along that really knows horses. I mean you could easily miss a horse that is off in the backend and that will cause you trouble.

Get referrals from friends who have horses. There are alot of good breeders and brokers but there are some that just turn horses for a living. And they are coming in from everywhere.

Granted different parts of the country get better return. But if someone tells you a horse is great and just what you want. Tell them to ride it first. or your friend.

Check the horse if it is sweaty before you get there. They have lunged that horse into the ground. You buy it and when you get it home it might just be rodeo stock!

Anyway hope that helps I could ramble. But we will see what everyone else says.

Definately take someone who Knows horses (trainer etc.). Also line up a couple of horses that you like try them out ride them, spend time with them. If you can take the one you like best for a trial period that's great to. But the BIGGEST piece of advice I can give you is get a good vet lined up that is of Your choosing. Then once you find a horse you like have some type of Pre-Purchase Exam done. These exams can start out pretty basic from just a basic lameness exam to a full nose to tail exam with xrays. Depending on what you are looking to spend on the horse can help you determine what you may want to spend with the vet. Talk with your vet and see what they say. I would at least suggest a good exam of the horse with a lameness exam. Then if you decide this is the horse for you have the vet pull blood to store for a month. Your vet can see things that even a trainer may miss, they can also check the horse for old surgery scars, check the mouth and see what condition the horses teeth are in. Pulling the blood protects both the buyer and seller of the horse. THis way if you get the horse home and a couple of days later the horse goes lame or becomes crazy (so to speak) you can run the sample and test for drugs.

I have seen a lot of clients buy their first horse get it home and then have a vet look at it. Then the vet finds something wrong and it ends up costing the new owner $$$$ to fix the problem if it is fixable at all.

I would also try to stay away from horses traders.

I would say look for a more seasoned horse (older). For a first horse I would try to stay away from the younger ones. Look for something 8-10 years and up.
Horses live a long time with proper care. I lost a 30year old last year which I rode the weekend prior to him leaving us, and I still ride my 27year old 3 days a week out on the trails.
You want your first horse to be fun and to be able to enjoy it, So get a good vet and a knowledgable person lined up before you go out looking. There are a lot of horses out there to choose from so take your time and don't let the seller push you into things.

Good Luck and Happy Horse Hunting.

Just another thought and it depends on the state, I believe......

I know in Oregon you can check with the local animal control and find out if the seller has a file with them. And when I mean file, I mean that they have gotten actual citations. If they have been in trouble with animal control, then they are probaly not the best ones to buy from (or sell to either).

Jax