Growing up we just looked in the local ag paper at what backyard donkeys fold were selling. Then we started competing in the low cal riding club and met some local trainers and then they knew horses for sale all over. Then there came the internet. So, I'm now an adult and hoping to get back to it. I'm on the other side of the country and know zero about the equine industry/barrel trainers out here. Which brought me to my current question. 

hiw do you go about getting your next mount? Do you just google watch the sale pages? Do you follow behind a certain trainer and always buy their horses? Do you follow a certain breeder/ranch and only buy their stock? Do you put feelers out with friends and see what you find?? 

I know what we've always done but just thought it would be a fun post

I follow blood lines. 

I buy weanling or yearlings. 

I am getting old enough now I am just going to raise my own for a small hobby. 

Facebook groups and/or sales posts shared by local horse friends/trainers.

By word of mouth.

I dont trust what strangers have to say, Have friends tell friends to keep a look out for what you are wanting in a mount, stay away from horse traders unless you know of friends that know one that has a good reputation. 

Futurity sales for prospects will bring out the best of the best.  

Word of mouth for finished horses.

The best horse I own I bought when I wasn't even looking.  I heard through a friend that another friend "might" sell a horse to the right home that sounded like a perfect fit.  Called her on Tuesday, drove 6.5 hours on Thursday, rode him and bought him. 

My other horse came with the husband LOL.  It was his head horse, that I took over and trained for barrels, but is now MY head horse.

Both of my husband's heel horses came from the same guy.  He's bought several from or through him over the years (including the one I stole) and he's always treated him right.  He's not a "horse trader" per se, but does buy/sell/broker a few.  They are always either personal horses or horses he knows well.  Not random horses Joe Bob hauled in and dumped out in the middle of the night that he's ridden once to make a video.  They may cost a little more on the front end, but when you figure in the time/money you would spend driving all over looking at several differnt horses until you find the right one it's usually cheaper in the long run.  Fuel and time are expensive.  Same guy has also sold a few for us.

We have bought two "Facebook" horses.  One we still have and was a steal.  The other one we got hosed on, even with a vet check (their vet--lesson learned).  

I have raised my own for years. It is NOT for everyone and takes a long time to get them to the point they are running and doing well. I just like to see my bsbies be successful. 

I have a certain sire I buy his colts.  BUT if I am looking for anything else, I come right here to BHW. 

Since you mentioned having moved and not knowing people, I'll throw out there my favorite tip for getting to know good people.  Volunteer to help.  Horse people always need help with events.  We are always begging for volunteers.  The best people are also volunteering, imo. That will give you people to ask to keep an eye out.

As for buying horses, I've gotten great deals buying from total strangers clear across the country (granted, I buy broodmares and studs, not performance horses) and gotten completely screwed by dear friends.  It's a crap shoot.  Get a vet check and ask a lot of questions - those are the mistakes I made when I ended up with a horse that didn't work out.

I dont know anyone. It's a whole new world and ideally I'd like to ride before I buy. Luckily we never got hosed bad on our performance horses but I've seen and heard the horror stories. I think I'll look into the volunteering at shows idea. Foot in the door, right?! Thanks for the thought!

Be very careful because there are LOTS of scammers out there. I know someone who did get scammed recently.  They take your money then come up with all kinds of excuses that you cant get the horse.  They are arranging transport, their trailer has problems and have to borrow one, the horse hasn't been brought to their house.  Then you never see your money again.  Just be careful.  I would say local is best.  Also, went to a sale with nice horses,  there was a guy there that had 6 horses that he was going to bid on vet checked before the sale.  Two were sound.  

I bought my first barrel horse from his breeder. She trained him and did a wonderful job. Not only did she train him on the pattern, she did alot of outside riding as well which I think thats very important. Pasture riding, trail riding , working cattle, etc. That makes a well rounded horse. I started my own breeding program and only rode what I bred .I know the horse, their personality, how they were raised and they NEVER were drugged. I suggest going to a respectable breeder who breeds the pedigree you like. A breeder " an honest one" can tell you everything about the horse your interested in regardless of it's age. Sales, not for me. To many liars and scammers.

Facebook or people I know. If it's a FB contact, I will go full FBI before I even go see the horse. If we have mutual friends, I will ask for thoughts on the horse and the human selling it. I have been blessed that I met an AMAZING breeder via Facebook that my last two prospects have come from. We are friends now and will be buying babies from her for forever if I can! They are raised how I like, even if she sends them to the track they get treated like horses. She has a great program.

I think it depends on what you are looking for but finding someone that raises them in a way that fits your program is important! Now finished horses that's different but that's what I like to do for prospects. I don't think I have purchased a finished horse since 2010. I have go the prospect and DIY route. lol  

I also go full FBI!   Everyone likes to put everything on social media.

I trust no one. I had a friend flat out lie to me about one.. like, absolutely lie... not just withhold information but make up a **** story. 

Its got to were no one is trustworthy anymore, times has really changed, hard to trust anyone.. So sad its come to this to where you cant even trust a friend

I buy mine specifically from the breeder, I bought 2 from her and love them. I've bought 2 off facebook groups

I've bought my last 2 horses through Facebook. However, it has either been people I have known, or at least friend vouching for them. It's a shady, shady world and it's more important for me to trust the person I am buying from.

Im currently looking for what some would call a "unicorn" and let me tell you its tough. I lost my good gelding end of december and im trying to find something broke for my mom and its a losing battle. My hair is shedding bad from searching and looking. But i dont know where else to look besides fb and word of mouth 

I bought my kiddos horse from a very close family friend.  My up and coming horse actually found me.  I woke up one morning to a dozen notifications on my phone from my cameras.  Looked at the videos to see a horse walking down my driveway lol.  Eventually found the owner who lived approximately five miles from me and bought the horse from him that day.