Step 8: Make an Offer or Politely Decline

If the evaluation and PPE have gone well, it is time to make an offer on the horse. Some sellers will be inflexible on price, while others may be willing to negotiate. Depending on the findings in the PPE, you may be able to negotiate a price decrease.

Some sellers may be open to allowing your program to have a trial period of 7-90 days with the horse. This would allow you to determine if the horse is truly the right fit, though there is a risk for both parties. If the buyer and seller agree on a trial period, it is essential to have appropriate legal documents in place that dictate what you can do with the horse, who pays expenses, and what happens if the horse is injured, falls ill, or dies. It is better to be overly proactive in the contract than to run into legal trouble when something goes wrong.