Change is in the Air
Finding the right horse is an exciting but often challenging process. With rising prices and the risk of making an uninformed choice, navigating this journey without guidance can feel overwhelming. There are many factors to consider—your goals, the horse’s training, temperament, and long-term suitability—which is why I’m making a change to how I help people find a new horse.
This new approach is designed to provide expertise, structure, and support every step of the way. Beyond simply finding a match, this is an opportunity to clarify your goals and ensure your decision aligns with your future vision. While the process often takes three to four months, with patience and careful consideration, you can make a confident, informed choice and build a lasting partnership with your new horse.
What’s Changing
Traditionally, trainers or buyer’s representatives receive a commission from the seller, typically 10% of the horse’s sale price. In some cases, this commission is split between two trainers—one representing the buyer and the other representing the seller. While this practice is common, it ties the representative’s income to the sale, potentially creating a conflict of interest.
To ensure my advice is unbiased and aligned with your best interests, I’m transitioning a professional service model. Like an attorney, I’m compensated for the time and expertise I dedicate to your search. This approach allows me to focus on helping you find a horse that meets your needs and goals—not external financial arrangements.
Why This Matters
By removing commission-based compensation, I can provide unbiased, professional support that prioritizes your needs. My role is to advocate for the horse-human relationship and guide you toward a fulfilling, realistic, and successful partnership.
Together, we’ll find the right horse for your current abilities, goals, and aspirations.
What to Expect
1. Pre-Search Consultation
We’ll begin with a detailed conversation to understand your specific goals, needs, and preferences. This consultation will cover:
Your plans and goals for your new horse.
Activities you enjoy or prefer to avoid.
Skills or training your horse should have.
Your budget for a new horse.
The care environment for the horse (e.g., full-time training, part-time training, or at- home care).
Cost: Invoiced at $80 per hour (or partial hour, billed in 15-minute increments).
2. Horse Search
Using my professional network and expertise, I will:
Search for horses that meet your specific criteria.
Review available show records and health histories.
Watch videos and evaluate each horse’s suitability.
Contact trainers or owners for additional insights.
Cost: Invoiced monthly at $80 per hour (or partial hour, billed in 15-minute increments). Details of conversations, dates included on invoice.
3. In-Person Horse Evaluations
I’ll coordinate opportunities to trial the horse, allowing both you and me to evaluate its potential. Trials can be conducted together or separately, depending on location and scheduling. For in-person evaluations and trials, clients are responsible for reimbursing travel-related expenses.
Cost: If the prospective horse is being evaluated at a location where I am already present, you will only be invoiced for the time it takes to ride and evaluate the horse at the standard rate of $80 per hour or partial hour. If traveling to try one horse or a few horses for you exclusively, you will be charged at the rate of $350 per day for in-person evaluations and trials specific to one client, plus travel expenses.
The $350 per day rate for in-person evaluations and trials reflects the personalized, dedicated nature of this service. When I travel to evaluate a horse or horses on your behalf, I am committing my time, expertise, and focus exclusively to your needs. This rate accounts for:
Time Commitment: Evaluating horses in person requires a significant time investment, including travel to and from the location, time spent at the facility, discussions with the owner or other professional and detailed assessment of the horse’s handling, riding, and suitability for your goals.
Expertise: My professional knowledge and experience are brought to bear during these evaluations, providing you with a thorough and accurate assessment of the horse’s potential to meet your specific requirements.
Thorough Evaluation: The in-person trial is an opportunity to assess not only the horse’s skills and behavior but also how it interacts with its environment and its compatibility with your intended use.
Exclusivity: Because these trips are dedicated solely to you, they ensure undivided attention and focus. This level of personalized service is critical in making informed decisions about such an important investment.
Travel Costs and Time Away: This rate helps offset the time away from other clients and services offered at my facility.
4. Pre-Purchase Evaluation Coordination
To ensure a well-informed decision, I will:
Arrange a pre-purchase veterinary exam with the seller.
Provide recommendations based on my research and observations prior to the vet check.
Coordinate additional specialist evaluations if needed for added assurance. Cost: Included in remote service rates of $80 per hour (or partial hour, billed in 15-
minute increments).
5. TransitionPlan
Once the purchase is finalized, I’ll develop a transition plan to help integrate your new horse into its environment. This ensures you’re set up for a successful partnership from the start.
Billing and Payment
Clients are billed monthly, with an itemized summary of completed work to ensure full transparency and accountability. The total cost for my services typically ranges between $2,500 and $5,000, depending on the time required to find your approved horse, as well as associated travel and in-person horse evaluations. Finding your dream horse— especially one that feels like a Unicorn—may take more time and thus cost more due to the extra research and effort required to find the perfect match.
My goal isn’t to sell you on this program—it’s either for you or it’s not. The goal is to be transparent and to represent riders who prefer this approach to the best of my ability, backed by a track record of sound advice and proven matches.
To help offset this expense, I will make every effort to negotiate a price reduction on the horse you choose. For clients engaged in this program, I will not accept commission payments from the seller in addition to your payment for my services. This ensures my loyalty and focus remain solely on representing your best interests.
Keep in Mind
Finding the right horse is a complex process involving two sentient beings, each with unique traits. While I strive to find a horse that meets your needs, it’s important to understand that a perfect match may not check every box. You ultimately decide what's best for you.
Please keep in mind:
A horse’s behavior and performance can evolve based on training, environment, and the rider relationship.
Despite careful research, some details about a horse’s history, health, or training may not be fully verifiable.
The final decision and responsibility for the purchase rest with the buyer. My role is to guide and support you in making the best decision.
A horse’s health or soundness may change over time despite a thorough pre- purchase evaluation. Ongoing care is essential for long-term well-being.
I will update you regularly on potential matches and ensure all travel expenses for in- person evaluations are pre-approved by you.
Thank you for trusting me to guide you in finding a meaningful and rewarding partnership with your new horse.
How to Get Started
Getting started is easy! Simply submit a question to request a time to connect. We’ll schedule a convenient time to meet online or by phone.
During our initial conversation, I can answer any questions you have about the process and learn more about what you’re looking for. If we both agree to move forward, we’ll schedule your first consultation call to dive deeper into your goals and needs.
I look forward to helping you find the right horse!
Shannon Pigott
P.S. Be sure to read a few stories in this Blog that may resonate with your experiences or inspire thoughts about the value of having an advocate in your corner.