For the parents of many young horse riders who have just embarked on their school holidays, it is now the traditional time to be embarking on the time consuming act of major purchases such as saddles, riding tack and, oh yes, horses and ponies.

With summer breaks in full swing, many will take this opportunity to get out and about to view horses and with this in mind it is as well to remember a few key pointers for horse buying as advised by the British Horse Society (BHS).

Along with financial buying tips, such as establishing whether the price includes riding tack and rugs, the advice extends to really good tips for trying out the animal.

A BHS welfare expert suggests that trying out the horse more than once is probably the most important action buyers should take.

"Not only try the horse more than once but try it in as many situations as you can," he advises. "If you want to hack it take it out on the road, if you want to jump make sure you try it over some poles. "A horse that goes perfectly on the first time of being ridden may be completely different the second time for no other reason than the weather being a bit windy."

Once the horse is bought, major purchases of items like saddles and riding tack can then be considered with the new horse in mind.