Purchasing Tips -- So You Want A Paso Fino!
by Lynn Gallup

• Goals. First make a list of all the traits you are looking for in a Paso Fino in the order of importance to you.
  
• Breed Phenotype and Gait. Learn about the Paso Fino type and its various gaits: fino, corto, and largo.
  
• Way of Going. Study the different styles or way of going of Paso Finos gaits.
  • Classic Fino -- low shuffling movement vs. more upward dancing execution
  • Performance -- classic/contemporary vs. old-style
  • Pleasure -- show vs. country
  • On either side of the true Paso Fino gait is the trocha (diagonal) and pace (lateral).
  It can be helpful to study videos from shows and farms. Remember, a Paso Fino is a gaited breed, but that some Paso Finos have a more natural even four beat gait than others.
  
• Disposition. A horse that is beautiful with great bloodlines that is unwilling and nervous will probably be less than satisfying to own in the long run unless you're simply looking for an expensive pasture ornament or have experience with handling that type of disposition.
  
• Soundness. Be sure the horse is healthy and functionally sound for its desired purpose.
  
• Price. Consider what your needs and goals are for your desired Paso Fino, and what price you can expect to spend to help get a compatible match and a good market value looking back over your original list of desired traits for your Paso Fino. If you're looking to spend only a certain amount, realize what that amount will buy and will you be satisfied? You may wish to widen your price range to acquire your desired horse, or see if the seller is negotiable on price.
  
• Other Factors. What factors dictate prices of Paso Finos? Age, sex, bloodlines, show and breeding potential, gait style, training level, size, disposition, color, and market availability; region of the country should be considered. You will have shipping costs in addition to purchase price.
  
• Expert Consultation. When purchasing a horse, it also makes good sense to deal with a reputable, experienced breeder or seller who will be in business tomorrow if you have a question, whether it be from a large or small farm. Do they guarantee gait and health? If you aren't sure about your decision, bring along someone more knowledgeable, and seek out impartial opinions. It is wise to see a copy of the horse's registration paper to see who the actual recorded owner is. Is it the person trying to sell you the horse, or is it a trainer, farm manager, or a sales agent who may be collecting a commission? This will give you an idea of how well and how long the person actually knows the horse and its health, behavior, and training history. You might want to consult with someone with more experience to evaluate a video of the horse for you. Go to Top of Page

Top Ten Pitfalls Buyers Make --
The Responsible Relationship Between Buyer and Seller

1. Falling In Love At First Sight -- The Emotional Buyer.
   Remember: Reality sets in after the honeymoon. While your prospective buyer "oooohs and aaahs over this equine beauty (beauty is in the eye of the beholder), telling the seller "this is the horse for them". The seller needs to take it several steps farther ... does this horse fit their previously announced needs? Are their undisclosed soundness or disposition defects that would make this horse unsuitable for the buyer who may have special needs? Will this horse fit the future needs of the buyer, or will the buyer end up selling it and getting another?
   
2. Looking At Horses The Buyer Can't Afford.
   Remember: A seller should not show the buyer a horse and get them all excited about it, knowing they can't afford it. Does the buyer have a tight spending budget or can they allocate more for the right horse? Does the buyer intend to board or care for it themselves? The buyer needs to take into consideration the upkeep costs of normal horse care if they are on a budget and/or financing a horse purchase to know what they can afford to spend. The new horse deserves and requires proper care and feed, as well as routine farrier and veterinary services.
   
3. Buying In The Wrong "Neighborhood".
   Remember: Analyze your search criteria and look in the regions and farms that promote that type of horse. If you want a pleasure horse, would you go to a farm promoting fino horses and get a mediocre fino horse that did not meet that farm's criteria. Go to a farm that proudly promotes pleasure horses and recognizes the criteria that it takes to make a good pleasure horse.
4. Not Asking For A Pre-Inspection Exam By A Professional Prior to The Sale.
   Remember: The seller should suggest to the buyer to consider a pre-purchase exam by a veterinarian to cover any possible concerns. This way the buyer will know prior to obtaining the horse any pre-existing soundness problems. A responsible breeder and seller should have complete health and veterinary records for any horse for sale.
   
5. Choosing The Wrong Horse.
   Remember: Choosing and purchasing the wrong horse can cost the buyer thousands of dollars over the years. There are many horses for sale on the market. How is an inexperienced buyer going to choose? With the help of a good professional or knowledgeable experienced owner for guidance, the buyer should be able to sort through the numbers. Ask for advice throughout the process the search and purchase process. It may cost the inexperienced buyer for professional guidance, but it will be financially advantageous than after purchasing finding out that the horse is not the horse you wanted or that it will not meet your needs.
   
6. Not Insuring Your New Equine Investment.
   Remember: Consider whether you need to protect your equine investment prior to closing the sale. Can you afford to lose the money invested if the horse does not perform up to the purpose desired or dies? There are many equine insurance options to consider: mortality, medical, fertility, live foal, etc. An insurance exam is different than a pre-purchase exam; both are performed by a licensed veterinarian.
   
7. Not Doing Your Homework When Buying A New Horse.
   Remember: Even a new horse with a seller's warranty is not a guarantee for the buyer. The buyer should be prepared to know the breeder's/seller's reputation and how long he/she has been in business in that area. Is the business moved every few years possibly due to poor client relationships starting new someplace else. Are there client references available? Check them out. Don't be timid --talk to other buyers of their horses and ask how available the seller was after the sale to answer questions and resolve any problems regarding any guarantees. Does the seller offer any extras after the sale? We assume the seller will meet certain standards, but what if anything do they offer above the call of duty? A good salesman will be proud to tell you any extras they offer as part of the sale. Is the paperwork in proper order for the buyer, such as registration papers and breeder's certificates with owner's signatures in place, stallion report filed, bill of sale with any terms spelled out, and health records available. Another reason to check your seller's reputation has to do with what happens to he buyer's deposit or payment, before the horse is delivered and new ownership is officially transferred with the breed association office. The breed association office is usually available to confirm official ownership and that all paperwork on that horse is in order.
   
8. Not Being Decisive.
   Remember: You may never find the "perfect" horse. However, once you have found your best option, be prepared to make an offer or close the deal. If a buyer continually loses out on several opportunities because of indecisiveness, he needs help to decide. Is this the fifth time the buyer is looking at a horse and still not made an offer to the now irritated seller? To help, the buyer needs to write down their requirements on paper. If the buyer can't decide among their choices, they can write pros and cons of each horse to see if one horse outweighs the others. An expert's appraisal or veterinarian exam may relieve some of the buyer's anxiety even though it will incur additional costs.
   
9. Buying A Horse That Will Be Difficult To Resell.
   Remember: You can change some things about the horse as with environment and training, but a horse with poor conformation can not have its form. Form to function applies. Buyers need to take into consideration how this horse will appear to their potential buyers in the future. Poor conformation affects how the horse moves and performs, now and in the future, which can lead to unsoundness. Too often it seems, people buy a horse because they desire a certain size and color without looking at the individual horse's conformation. Additionally, if a buyer is purchasing a "fixer-upper", a "distress sale", "needs more training"; they may be buying more than they bargained for. After investing much time and money in the horse, when the buyer tries to resell, they may be stuck and forced to sell at a loss. Evaluate thoroughly the potential horse and your reasoning for purchase.
   
10. Choosing The Wrong Buyer's Agent.
    Remember: A good agent can "make the deal", but a bad agent can "break" the deal. A good buyer's (or even seller's) agent takes on the role of protector, inspector, and informer; therefore helping the buyer to avoid making many of these "pitfall" mistakes. This agent will keep the emotional buyer in check while they investigate further. A good agent will call in a veterinarian or expert when needed. A good agent will listen to his buyer about what he feels comfortable in spending instead of assuming he wants to spend the entire 30% of his monthly gross income! A good agent will stay with the buyer throughout the purchase process: making an offer to closing the deal to the delivery of the horse to a satisfied new owner. As with any horse purchase, resell should always be a consideration. The buyer's agent should make sure the investment is sound without any obstacles that would limit the buyer's ability to sell in a timely and profitable manner if desired.

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