Dear Horse Buyer.....

[bufforp89]

This thread makes me feel really lucky I ended up with the two horses I did. The original price was $300 for an older appy mare but the owners were so impressed that I brought a vet and trainer and stopped in unannounced several times that they gave her to me for free and I got her pasture mate as well, a 7 y/o greenbroke appy mare who has a long career as a trail horse ahead of her.

I was also lucky enough to get a few bales of hay and a bag of grain that they had been feeding so their feed stayed the same while I gradually switched it over. The only thing I feel bad about is taking them from the lush 6 acre pasture that they were on and putting them on an acre lot that is pretty much dry....gotta get some more fence up!!!

 

[19hhbelgian]

It's honestly a shame people are so dishonest. I'm currently in search of good homes for quite a few of my horses. They are cheap, but not free. I tell it like it is with my horses, but I find that people just don't believe anything anymore because of the dealers and dishonest "horse" people out there, plus they want to take you for every penny they can. I'm working to feed my animals right now, and simply cannot get a break. Despite the "auction prices", and honest description of the horses, people still complain. My thinking is "Fine, go to the auction, save maybe $50 bucks, and get a horse you cannot have vetted, and honestly know nothing about.". In the meantime I still have sound healthy horses, that I always make perfectly clear are more than welcome to be vetted since I do not hide anything. I just don't get it... Sorry for the mini-rant...

 

[geebs]

Lamenitis can causes by heat and stress.... overfeeding or hard changes... in feed and situation can bring on a case...One can road founder a horse also.. Maybe the horse was prone to it and the keep was different than the horse is used to... That is not the sellers fault... Anyone can give a horse laminitis without proper knowledge of horses...It is a shame that the ppl on here are not more knowledgeable about it. It is preventable and is commonly caused by overgraining... My guess and only a guess would be just that... feed overload on a horse not used to it.. Upside.. It is completely healable and manageable... This is likely a case of seller beware.

Good topic op. I always recommend buying the horses feed and knowing the regiment before purchasing a horse or any other animal for that matter.

 

[Avalon1984]

I agree with you geebs. I did have an old mare come down with founder late last year but we caught it fast enough and with emergency treatment she never retained permanent damage. It is just so important to do your homework when purchasing horses. I am currently selling a colt and you wouldn't believe some of the expectations/ false assumptions people have. I had a lady offer half of my asking price and I had to explain to her why some horses, though more expensive than others, may actually also be better than the cheap ones. Not always...but usually you get what you pay for.

 

[geebs]

I am an expert and even when things look as grim as can be... Horses have an amazing ability to survive. I have healed many cases with even coffin bone protrusion. THis is the dead end (or used to be). I have had horses with so little hoof integrity that you would think that they wouldn't make it and yet they do. It is preventable most of the time.... not always as in the case with Cushings. However being away of a horses needs will greatly improve prospective new owners chances of not making this error. I agree with Welsummerschick and I am glad she posted this... It is dear to my heart... Understanding any animal and it's nature is the key to it's happy life... like anything a manual would be helpful.

 

[duckluck]

A cheap or free horse is seldom cheap and never free. Though on the part about the seller's feed and using it for a week, sometimes one doesn't have a choice...years ago I bought a horse from someone whose hay was all mold, and they were feeding oats that were crud...no way that was coming into my barn! Sometimes you have to pay your money and take your chances if the familiar stuff is really bad!