Equine professionals who frequent horse sales and auctions probably have a significant background in some area of horse production or performance. But, even potential horse buyers and sellers with no background in horsemanship or equine science can avail themselves of some horse sales and auctions key terms to properly prepare for a sale.

Many horse auctioneers are fast talkers, but the majority of the action at horse sales and auctions takes place well before the four-legged sale lot enters the ring. Beat the gavel and make sure you're getting what you pay for -- or listing in consignment horse sales locally -- using horse sales and auctions key terms.

1. List or purchase a horse for sale on consignment with a full understanding of the sale and purchase terms you'll face.

2. Attend a special horse sale -- a racehorse auction or quarter horse sale, for instance -- armed with specific knowledge pertaining to that type of sale.

3. Do some independent footwork and research before bidding in online horse auctions.

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List or purchase from professional horse auctioneers that offer tips and tools

You may be able to find consignment horse sales locally, but you run the risk of buying unproven stock. On the other side of the gavel, you could leave the sale with the same horseflesh you brought to sell. Unregistered horses sell relatively well, depending on the current livestock market, at local consignment horse auctions. If you are looking to complete a transaction involving a quality, registered or even prize-winning horse, go with the red-carpet professionals who've made horse sales their forte.

I recommend: First and foremost, study the buyer's glossary provided by Barretts Equine Limited. Whether buying or selling, take a hint from Professional Auction Services or Equisearch.com to augment your auction prep.

Exhibit a strong showing at racing horse sales and other special horse auctions

Race horse sale companies are among the best in the auction business, but aside from the luxury and showmanship of a racehorse auction, buyers and sellers prepare for months to make high-dollar transactions. The same is true for any high-end paint horses for sale, a championship Quarter Horse sale, proven lineage Arabian horses for sale, or winning Western athletes, such as barrel horses, for sale.

I recommend: Any racehorse auction worth its salt will post the entire sale catalog online, months before the sale, and Keenland Thoroughbred Racing and Sales is no exception. Read the catalogs, research the pedigrees and review the American Association of Equine Practitioners' (AAEP) standards for medication use in horses put up for sale. Know your rights before you suspect doping to mask chronic injury or a nasty temperament.

Approach online horse auctions warily, and do your homework

Internet horse auctions for quality stock aren't all that common, but you can find some respectable bloodlines through ranch-specific broodstock and yearling sales, some of which even include horses that have been 'started' under saddle. The key to doing the right research is in understanding the structure of an equine pedigree. Pick your breed or sport, find the bloodlines you want, and comb through the pedigrees of sale horses to find the right combination of ancestors before you bid. Or, start your own bloodlines with online horse auctions for wild horses and burros from the untamed American West.

I recommend: Learn the basics about pedigrees from Pedigreequery.com. View a sample catalog-style Quarterhorse pedigree through Equineline. Find out how you can save a wild mustang through the U.S. Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Internet Adoption Program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Online horse auctions present challenges for buyers who want pre-sale veterinary exams, but they don't preclude medical advice. Find an AAEP vet near the horse you're considering, arrange the exam -- which should include a battery of blood tests, vaccination verifications, X-rays, lameness and breathing tests -- pay your bill and get your report. The vet should consider you the client, and should give you a thorough report to help you decide whether or not to bid.

Search for the perfect horse through horse sales and auctions. Horse auctions, which are held in a variety of schedules all across the nation, can help you locate the specific breed you're searching for at a price you'll be happy with. In addition, auction houses often allow you to preview the stock in advance.

Take advantage of consignment sales and racehorse auctions. Consignment sales will vary each time you look at the available inventory and online horse auctions allow you to view horses from the comfort of your own home.

1. Look for companies with trained horse auctioneers.

2. Peruse horse sale lists online.

3. Find a horse for sale via consignment programs.

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Consider specialty sport horse or racehorse auctions

When you're looking at horse sales and auctions, start your search at a racehorse auction house specializing in the type of animal you're searching for. If you're looking for a barrel horse, for example, focus on sport horse sales.

I recommend: Professional Auction Services, Inc. is an auction house that specializes in race and sport horses. In business since 1978, these horse auctioneers are registered with the Packers and Stockyards Administration. Robertsons Horse Sale, Inc. hosts monthly auctions on horses and tack, making it easier for you to find exactly what you need.

Check out online horse auctions

You can find any type of horse for sale in any location by looking at companies who specialize in online horse sales. Look for photographs, videos and health certificates before you commit to anything.

I recommend: Horsefinders.com is an online listing service dedicated to helping you find the perfect horse for your situation. Horsesales.com has a marketing program specifically designed to help you find your perfect horse or to sell your horse online quickly and safely.

Review consignment horse sales locally or nationally

Purchasing horses through consignment can help you find a horse that's well behaved and trained, typically by the facility that's offering the consignment sale. Consignment horse sales are typically arranged for those who can no longer afford to board and care for the horse, making it easier for you to find a high quality animal for a great price.

I recommend: Billings Livestock Commission provides you with a comprehensive list of horses for sale by consignment including pictures and pedigrees. Barnes Paddock prides itself in giving potential buyers an honest view of the horses available for purchase through their consignment program. You can find everything from Arabian horses for sale to paint horses for sale via consignment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you're dealing with reputable people when looking for a horse for sale on the Internet. Take advantage of sites that have information on how to avoid being scammed.

When it comes to horse sales and auctions, the landscape changes almost daily and depends largely on several factors. Keep yourself informed of changes in the horse market by staying on top of any horse-related legislation, livestock market prices in general, and the cost of feed, so that when you find the perfect horse for sale, you can bid with confidence.

Specifically, to stay current with horse sales and auctions news and trends, you'll need to get your info from reliable resources within the industry. The best places to start, depending on the market in which you'll be shopping, are:

1. Racehorse auction experts with the connections to get the latest news and share tips and trends with buyers -- and sellers -- alike;

2. Pros at consignment horse sales, locally held in conjunction with other livestock auctions or on a rotating schedule at a local cattle sale barn and,

3. Various online horse auctions that have been around awhile, especially those that offer breed-specific and discipline-specific search options or Internet proxy bidding at live sales.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Turn a pretty penny with news from race horse sale companies, blogs and newsletters

One of the fastest-growing trends in racing horse sales is 'pinhooking.' This involves buying a horse for quick resale to turn a profit -- 'flipping' a horse, instead of a house, but without all the renovation. It does take quite a bit of research, however, and a working knowledge of racehorse pedigrees and current racing news to perform a successful pinhook.

I recommend: Sign up for RSS feeds and keep up with Thoroughbred racing auction news and blogs from OneFastHorse.com and the news site at Keeneland Thoroughbred Racing and Sales.

Bid on horses for sale in Texas or elsewhere, and shop smart

You can find specific breed sales that may yield the perfect equine purchase, but you would be wise to do your homework before bidding. Make sure you vie for hoofed friends that aren't stolen property, and make sure the auctions you attend are run by reputable professionals.

I recommend: Thoroughly vet your auction selections, then go a step further and check the Stolen Horse International website to make sure you aren't buying a "hot" horse. To find the best upcoming Quarter Horse sale, paint horses for sale, or sport horse sales, check the Professional Auction Services recommendations before bidding.

Keep on top of online horse sale news, tips and trends

Although most online horse sales are private treaty -- usually a classified advertisement listing a set price -- many top horse auctioneers keep their auction catalogs online for preview. Just a few live auctions allow online bidders to join the sale via streaming video feeds. While you're browsing, keep in mind that some catalogs feature horses for sale, while others feature stallions whose breeding services are up for bid.

I recommend: View the latest catalogs in advance for online equine auctions at HorsesOnly.com, or keep up with auction news anytime at the EquineAuctions.com home page. Scroll down for live and interactive auction news.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In recent years, many barrel horses for sale in online private-treaty classifieds and live auctions have been listed as 'green' or 'unproven.' Often, this means the horse may be only for very experienced riders, or it may even be a retired racehorse. Race horses placed on a barrel circuit carry their own challenges, so be sure you keep up with sale listing terminology to help you better understand when you're getting a 'trainer's dream.' Beware that this terminology could compare to a 'handyman's special' in real estate; most likely, the horse will need a lot of work.