Sadly, people have been finding stakes-winning racehorses in kill pens and at low end auctions for over 20 years. It isn't new. In fact, it's possibly happening less now than it used to be, because of new rules and awareness.
Nice horses can be found free or nearly with some time if you have good references and can accept some limitations, and not-nice horses always. Of course, a horse is a long-term money sink, so it's more important that the horse suits your needs and fits your personality and expectations than that the purchase price is right. Even at the cheapest boarding rates, you'll spend a few thousand dollars a year on upkeep.
Nice horses can be found free or nearly with some time if you have good references and can accept some limitations, and not-nice horses always. Of course, a horse is a long-term money sink, so it's more important that the horse suits your needs and fits your personality and expectations than that the purchase price is right. Even at the cheapest boarding rates, you'll spend a few thousand dollars a year on upkeep.
