When looking at advertisements for hunter jumper horses for sale, give careful consideration to the type of horse you wish to buy. Quality horses of this type are expensive. It may be difficult to recoup your purchase money if you find you have bought an unsuitable mount.

Perhaps you are hoping to show your new mount. If so, there are certain criteria you will be looking for. Classes for these horses may be held on the flat and/or over obstacles. The former will require a handsome, well-conformed horse. His ability to jump will not be so critical. If you wish to enter classes which test the entrants over obstacles, your horse will need to be both well-conformed and able to jump well.

The conformation of a horse is very important. If he is not well put together, he will not be able to perform to the best of his ability. Horsemen speak of good horses as having 'a leg at each corner'. This means he stands squarely and in a balanced manner. He should have an attractive head with large eyes, a broad forehead and preferably a straight or concave profile.

There should be a nice arch to the neck. A sloping shoulder and well-defined wither are preferable. A horse with a straight shoulder will have a short, choppy stride and will be uncomfortable to ride. Strong, muscular hindquarters enable the horse to jump well. A back that is too long will be weak. A broad chest allows plenty of room for the heart and lungs. Well-sprung ribs are important too.

A horse with faulty legs will never succeed in the show-ring. The legs should be straight. The bone must be hard and strong with no blemishes such as splints or spavins. The hooves should not point in or out. The front hooves are often more oval in shape than the back hooves but each pair must be matching. Sloping pasterns are important as they take the shock of landing after a jump.

When you inspect a horse that is for sale, firstly view him from all angles. Have him walked and trotted away from and towards you. He should travel in a straight line without throwing the legs out to the side. Watch the horse from the side too. That way, you will be able to tell if he is stepping short with one leg. A horse that moves well will use his hindquarters properly will overstep the imprints of the front hooves.

If you are satisfied with your inspection, you should now have the animal ridden by the owner. Before saddling up, pick up each of the horse's hooves. He should allow this without fuss. Saddling and bridling should be done with the horse remaining calm. He must be easy to mount. If necessary, ask to see the horse jump.

If you are happy that you will be able to control the horse, you will want to ride it yourself. Walk for a while to accustom yourself to its action. Its footfalls should feel regular beneath you and you should feel happy with its obedience. When inspecting hunter jumper horses for sale, remember that colour is the least important consideration.