Leasing horses is ultimately more affordable.

But if you must buy, look at the feet. Feet = Soundness.

Feet should be similar in size and angle. They will never be exactly the same. Beware Hi-Lo feet (one large low angled foot, one small upright foot). They seem to go lame the most. Some feet may look the same, but sometimes a foot has a low angle on one foot and dish on the other foot, which makes the angles look similar. Check for dishes and differences in heel length.

Watching from the front (or rear), Feet should travel fairly straight and land fairly flat. Feet that land too far outside the body or land hard from outside heel to inside heel go lame often.

When the foot bears weight, the pastern/fetlock should sink right between the bulbs. If it sinks far to the inside of the body, it will go lame eventually.

Each of these ideas relate to the other. If you find one, you usually find the other. A horse that lands flat, travels straight, and has similar feet equals a symmetrical body. You will ride better, you saddles will fit better, you will have fewer Vet bills. Don't buy horse that is already in wedges and eggbar shoes. Natural Balance shoes and frog support pads on often used on horses that are perfectly sound, but be suspicious of ANYTHING outside a normal shoeing.

Always get a Vet check, even on a free horse. Sometimes Farriers see things that Vets don't, So if you have a knowledgeable farrier, get his opinion if he is willing.

Keep in mind no horse is perfect. A good mind and willing temperament are important too.

My trainer would never buy a horse w/o a two week, at her farm test. You need enough time to figure out what the horse's personality is like, and to see how he/she adjusts to a new place and new people. Some horses react very differently away from their long-time home. I leased my horse for some time before buying her. I also heartily recommend a full vet check.

Great advice. Thanks all. In addition, do you have any good web sites that you recommend for looking? I've seen dreamhorse.com. Any others for people "in the know?"

Dreamhorse is a good site, that's where I found my TB x Appy.
General health and fitness is the first thing to look at, including the feet. But I think everyone has said that by now.
My first horse turned out to be a rescue case. The only reason we got him is because I 'clicked' with him, and he's turned out to be a sweet, smart, and willing horse.
My second horse was a barrel racer = hyped up nervous run run run go go go. I got him because we 'clicked'. He went from not standing still under saddle, to stopping and taking a nap.
Having said that, my advice is to make sure that you click with the horse. If everything about the horse looks good, but you just don't feel right around him, I would say keep looking.

It's been said that people don't pick thier horse, the horses pick their people. It's been true with both of mine. Trust your gut, and good luck.

The only way to be really sure (as possible) when buying a horse is find the one that interests you then have your own vet (not theirs) properly go over the horse. It is well worth the expense. Even after having my own horse for over 15 years and working with them today I would still have a horse I wanted to buy vetted out by a large animal vet I trust. Hope this helps!

OK. I found a horse I'm interested in.
www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php

Unfortunately, he is about 100 miles away and isn't really old enough to ride yet.

What would you suggest in this case?

I agree with everyone on the checks. I especially agree about rescuing. There are so many animals in the world, we don't need to be breeding more while others (who are perfectly good animals) starve! A place that lists all the rescues near you is petfinder.com There are a lot of rescues listed on that site! Good luck!

hey girl, this was my job for a long time...send me an email at strutyournastystuff@gmail.com, and i can send you a form i used to use to help find horses for people. i love love love looking and would be happy to have a look for you (for free of course). and tell you how not to get screwed!