Welcome to Blue Collar Horse Sense

As a buyer you spend countless hours picking the right prospect, hiring a vet, and coordinating hauling, yet too often many skip the conversation about insurance. Whether it’s a $5,000 gelding or a $50,000 show horse, covering your investment is smart planning. This guide lays out the basics so you know what to ask, what to expect, and how to get your horse covered the right way.

Why Insurance Matters

When money changes hands, the horse is yours. If something happens in transit or right after delivery, you're the one responsible, financially and otherwise. Insurance fills that gap. It gives you peace of mind when you can’t be there to protect your horse yourself.

We've seen it all: hauling accidents, colic during the first week, pasture injuries on day one. Insurance doesn’t erase bad luck, but it can keep it from turning into a financial disaster.

Types Of Insurance

Here’s a breakdown of the main types buyers consider:
 

• Full Mortality — Think of it like life insurance. If the horse dies due to illness, injury, or accident, you're covered up to the insured value.
   
• Major Medical — Helps cover vet bills due to illness or injury. Usually added on to mortality coverage.
   
• Loss of Use — For high-dollar performance horses, this can help if the horse becomes permanently unrideable.
   

When To Bind Coverage

Coverage should begin as soon as the horse is officially yours. That means before it steps on the trailer - not after it arrives.

Most providers can bind a policy the same day with the right info:

• Horse's name, age, breed, use, and purchase price
   
• Buyer and seller details
   
• Vet records or recent PPE results (depending on value)
   

Talk to an agent before the sale is final so you’re ready to hit the go button once the money is sent.

Cost Breakdown

Pricing depends on the horse’s value, age, and the type of coverage. Here’s a general idea:

• Mortality — Around 2.5% to 4% of the horse's value per year
   
• Major Medical — Flat fee added on top (typically $300 to $600 per year)
   

Who We Use For Our Personal Horses

We work closely with Markel Horse Insurance, one of the most respected names in the equine world. They offer reliable, customizable policies for performance horses, family horses, and everything in between.

Our go-to agent is Frank Costantini, Markel’s Senior Director of Western Disciplines. Frank has decades of experience in both the show pen and the insurance office. He’s a former president of the National Reining Horse Association and an accomplished owner of elite level performance horses. He brings real-world insight into what buyers and riders actually need.

When you purchase a horse from Blue Collar Horse Co, we’ll connect you directly with Frank. He can have your horse insured and your policy bound the moment the deal is done = no waiting, no guessing.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Waiting too long — Bind the policy before the horse leaves the seller.
   
• Underinsuring — Insure for what the horse is worth, not what you wish you paid.
   
• Ignoring exclusions — Not all colic surgeries or pre-existing conditions are covered. Ask questions and read the fine print.
   

Insurance isn’t about fear. It’s about being smart and prepared. Whether this is your first horse or your tenth, don’t skip this step. Ask questions. Talk to a real agent. And if you’re buying from us, we’ll make sure you have a direct line to someone who knows the ropes.

If you're ready to protect your new partner, we’ll help you get it done right.

 Buying a horse online can either go smooth—or go sideways.
At Blue Collar Horse Co, we do this every day, and we know the stakes. This real-world guide walks you through the process step-by-step: how to spot a good horse, get the right videos, line up a vet check, handle the hauling, and protect yourself with a solid contract. No hype. No guesswork. Just what works. 

Don’t Get Bucked: A Real-World Guide to Buying Horses Online

Buying a horse online can go smooth—or go sideways. At Blue Collar Horse Co, we sell to folks across the country, many of whom buy sight unseen. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the flat-out crooked. This guide is built to help you avoid the wrecks, cut through the nonsense, and make a decision you won’t regret.

1. Know What You Want—And Be Honest About It

Before you start scrolling listings, be real with yourself. What kind of horse do you need—not just want? Think about your riding goals (reining, ranch, trail), your budget, your experience level, and how much time you actually have to ride. Don’t shop for a Ferrari if you need a ranch truck.

2. Where to Look for Horses Online

There’s no shortage of places to find horses for sale:

Sites like EquineNow, DreamHorse, Ranch World Ads

Facebook groups and pages for your discipline

Reputable trainer and breeder websites (like ours)

Just be sharp—scammers are everywhere. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

3. Ask for Good Videos—Not Just Glamour Shots

Still photos don’t cut it—and slick, over-edited clips don’t help either. Ask for a single, uncut video that shows the horse from start to finish: . No cuts, no music, no dramatic editing. Just the horse, in real time, doing real work. If a seller won’t provide that, ask why—and trust your gut.

4. Get a Pre-Purchase Exam (PPE)

Don’t skip the vet check. A PPE might cost you a few hundred bucks, but it could save you thousands. Choose your own vet or ask for a trusted one—someone who comes recommended or has no direct stake in the sale. Get:

Physical exam

Flexions

X-rays if it's a high-dollar or performance prospect

Then talk it through with your own vet and make a call that fits your goals, your budget, and the kind of work the horse will be doing. Expecting a flawless PPE is like expecting a ranch horse to stay spotless—every horse, just like every person, has something. What matters is whether that "something" is manageable, makes sense for your program, and fits within the level of maintenance you’re willing to take on.

5. Line Up a Hauler You Can Trust

Once the deal’s done, you’ll need a way to get your horse home. Don’t just pick the cheapest hauler—look for experience, proper insurance, and clear communication. Ask:

How often do they stop?

Do they offer box stalls or slants?

Can they give you updates on the road?

We’re happy to recommend haulers we trust and use for our own horses.

6. Put It in Writing—Every Time

Always get a written bill of sale. No handshake deals. Your contract should cover:

Full description of the horse

Buyer/seller names and contact info

Sale price and terms (deposit, balance, etc.)

Whether it’s sold “as is” or with any guarantees

At Blue Collar Horse Co, we use a standard contract for every deal—because it protects everyone.

Buying a horse online doesn't have to be risky. With clear expectations, solid communication, and a little common sense, you can end up with the right horse—not just a pretty picture. If you’ve got questions, we’re happy to help you navigate it. We’ve done it hundreds of times, and we’ll shoot you straight every step of the way.