Have you ever bought a foal from a breeder far from home? UPDATE PG 2

[Chicken Fruit]

I bought a friesian foal and I am getting really cheesed off that I never get ANY updates on the baby. She's still on her dam, and a good 12 hours from my house, and I havent gotten any pictures since her birth, and no updates except from one in july stating "she's doing great"

Come to find out, just today a friend of mine who bought another foal from the same breeder got news that her foal 4 months old "was found laying dead in the field". This was a perfectly healthy foal in a controlled environment, just dropped dead. She also got no updates about her foal either.

I just dont know if maybe we're expecting too much to think we should get updates and pictures once in a while. Does that seem unreasonable?

have you bought a foal from a breeder and found that this is the way it is? Minimal contact and no pictures or information? Should we expect to go from birth to delivery at 4-5 months old without any updates?

 

[Chick_a_dee]

It's not unreasonable to expect updates and photos once in a while. We breed dogs and as a rule to any buyer who reserves ahead of time we send out updates at least twice a month until they can go home, for some people, the updates are weekly.

 

[JessHall]

I do not think it's right but sometimes this is just the way it goes. It's unfortunate but I think that a lot of breeders and trainers have "better" things to do than to take pics and call all their clients. I've been on your end a few times and I find that it's best to call weekly, TAKE LOTS OF NOTES (who you spoke to, date, progress of the horse, etc.) and I'd go there about once a month if at all possible. 12 hours is a LONG way though. Do you know anyone in the area that would pop in for you? I find that it keeps them on their toes when you pop in to see your horse.
Did your friend ever find out how the foal died?
Good luck!

 

[austin12895]

If I were you I would be doing anything and everything I can to get into contact with the breeder. It seems kinda fishy to me. I love friesians and I know that they are very expensive, so I would make sure that im really getting wut im paying for by taking the 12 hour drive to see it.

Do you have there number that you would be able to call them? I had a very bad experience with selling a horse over the internet and becasue of that I will NEVER buy or sell a horse on the internet again. Its just to risky.

Hope you get an update soon on the little foal and praying it doesnt turn out to be a situation like your friends. good luck!

 

[georgialee]

I would contact the breeder right away and let them know what you expect/want (in a nice way). I'm about to buy a horse in AZ and I would probably cancel the sale if she never updated me.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

I have alarm bells going off all over just reading your post. Years ago, I bought my beloved Paso Fino mare based on her photo & pedigree from a farm in Wisconsin (I'm in Louisiana)-- BUT! we had been to that farm & looked at their horses & studs & they were on top of things with phone calls up until she shipped out & after she got here, just to followup & be sure everythign was all right. This was before the days of email. She was in foal to their chief sire & delivered a beautiful healthy foal.

About 5 years ago i was on the end of a puppy gone wrong deal, the breeder led me on to believe we were getting a female puppy from her championship litter, and exactly what you are describing happened--very little info, one set of email pics of the litter when they were first born, no phone calls returned, very little info given out-- finally the weekend we were supposed to go pick up our puppy--AFTER we had taken time off from work & booked hotel reservations -- then she backed out of the deal. i was beyond heartbroken & furious. (Fairy tale ending: another breeder heard about my situation & was so upset about what happened she offered me one of her pups--so we ended up w/the most precious little girl in the world after all!)

You go find out what's going on with your foal!

 

[Chicken Fruit]

I do have a contract with her, and I am protected in it. She technically is in violation of that contract on two of three unrelated issues. She's a small breeder, there were only four foals born this year, and me and the other buyer who's foal died were the only buyers. She did just move t oa HUGE ASS facility... but still. Its not like she's got a dozen clients chasing her around. We did spend 500 dollars to go out and see the animals, and my baby. She forgot we were coming and wasnt even there, we had to call and wait for her to show up. And then she had other people there to look at her house to rent it as she was trying to move to that new facility.

I am just disgusted with this whole thing. Part of me just wants to get out of the contract and try to get my purchase price back (7500) but I dont know how I could go about that without taking her to court on the violations and hope that theyre big enough to win my case....

She has given me the new address, but not her new cell phone number, its on her website but she just never seems to answer it. She does eventually call back, but I havent called her enough foir her to call me back. She's onlycalled the other buyer back a few times.

 

[onthespot]

i would bail on that deal ASAP. Tell her exactly why. Give her one week to get you current photos and rectify her lapses on the contract or give a full refund. Let her know a failure to comply will result in a civil suit to recoup losses.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

I was just wondering the other day about your foal!!!!

Sorry to hear this...

A large breeding/training facility can get easily swamped...however, they should be at least giving you updates and returning your calls within at least a week IMO, especially if you have already paid for the foal. What I would do is contact them tell them how I feel and that I am ready to try and pull out of this deal. Let her know exactly what your expectations are now and that you are very frustrated and dis-satisfied with the way you are being dealt with. Make it plain and clear and give her the idea that you are not going to be ignored or walked all over either....Be nice but be VERY FIRM. Unless it is in the contract that she is to give you updates ever so often then you really are at the mercy of 'when they have the time' but like I said, someone paying that much for a foal should get a response within a week and an update for any info that you might be wanting...even if it is a new picture...IMO

How old is the foal now? Aren't they to release her to you at 4 months?

 

[lorieMN]

yes they may be busy,,but its just good business practice to keep the costumer happy..and that should be at least twice a month photos and a short message,,I am sure she was easy to get ahold of when it came to paying for the foal..and was always happy to hear from you when taking your money..