What is a Reputable Horse Breeder?

Purchasing your ideal horse is a big decision no matter what the breed. You want to be sure that the horse you are investing your money and time into has been bred with the horse's best intentions in mind. This can only come from the breeders dedication, integrity and philosophy towards their breeding practices.

Responsible  breeders exhibit their intentions by focusing on  improving the breed by following set breed standards, general appearance, breed characteristics, temperament and overall health. When breeding a purebred horse, a breeder is not only responsible for producing an animal of quality but, also one that will contribute to the betterment and future survival of the breed.

A reputable breeder will look at each horse as an individual and try to ensure it is matched up with an appropriate owner who has the skill, ability and confidence to become a fitting owner. Both buyer and seller should feel good about the sale. A dedicated breeder  will also show interest "after the sale" by making themselves available to answer questions or provide guidance if required.

Always ask to have the horse ready to see before it has been exercised (lunged, driven, ridden etc.). This way you can see  the horse's behaviour during handling, being tied, tacking up and warming up. If you arrive and notice the horse already saddled, harnessed or has obviously been "worked out" before your visit, make sure you ask why and arrange for a return visit . Sometimes a "drop by" visit is in order to confirm any suspicions.

It is not uncommon for a breeder to check out references on potential owners to ensure they are happy with the prospective owner . It is also important that purchasers do the same. A responsible breeder will not hesitate to provide you with references (i.e. farrier, vet, other breeders and owners). And, no matter who the breeder is, it is always recommended to get a pre-purchase exam done prior to finalizing the sale.

In conclusion, anyone who sells a purebred Canadian horse (or any other breed listed with the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation) that is stated as registered, are required to provide the new owner with the registration papers within six months of the sale. This is law in Canada and is governed under the Animal Pedigree Act .

Buyer Beware - It's Up To You. Take the time to check out your breeder/seller carefully. Horses that end up at commercial brokers and auctions often end up there because the owner can't sell them privately due to various reasons (bad temperament, illness, lack of handling, lameness etc.).  The Canadian Livestock Records Corporation electronic herd book  is a good tool in checking out who breeds Canadian horses and how many brood mares and stallions a breeding operation has. You can also check who the original breeder is, and the pedigree of the horse. The horse world is generally a good one, but those in "the business" can sometimes stoop to low levels. Tranquilizers and pain medications have known to be used by unethical sellers to keep a horse calm or to mask lameness or unsoundness. Only when the sale is finalized and the horse is delivered does the new owner really find out the damaged goods they have been sold.