[Kitari]

say you were looking for a horse, and you found this nice one that fit your needs. you talk to the owners ask them questions, like "does he have any vices? bucking? bolting? cribbing? chewing?" ect. and the owners say "no" well you shake hands make the deal and take the horse home only to find out *gasp* he does one of those things! is there anything you can do about it? since they lied to you and you specifically asked? or should you have had it on written document or something?

[cassidy]

when buying a horse there is little youcan do after payment has swapped hands an youhave taken the horse away in a court it wouldnt matter it would be your word against theirs

best thing when having a horse it to try it out first if poss

[Jennie'sPassion]

Which one of those things did he do? I tmight be an easliy fixed problem. He might just be adjusting to a new home. I wouldn't give up on a horse because of a vice. The owner might not have lied to you. Horses do act different around new situations and new people. It is to be expected.

If it is dangerous behavior I would talk to the former owner. Depending on how long you have had the horse at home I would say time and patience will do wonders. Good Luck!

[Kitari]

no this didnt happen i was wondering what you could do if it did

[kewpalace]

Originally Posted by Kitari

take the horse home only to find out *gasp* he does one of those things! is there anything you can do about it?

Train him out of it . . . Usually with buying horses it's buyer beware. Unless, of course, you get some kind of guarantee, which may or may not hold up in court. AND if you go to court, it will likely exceed the value of the horse to pay for an attorney and/or the time you would have to expend to go to small claims. AND if you win in small claims the other side could appeal; if they win the appeal you got nothing but the horse and lost time. If you win, you might to enforce the judgment which could also result in more of your time to do.

[Vix]

I think it depends on the situation and exactly how severe that particular vice is like Jennie was saying. Bucking and bolting can't be pinpointed all the time as a chronic vice because it can happen out of the blue even with the best behaved horses, just depends on the environment and what was there to cause them to do it. One buck doesn't mean it was always a problem. The same goes for chewing, wood chewing is usually a boredom or mineral issue and can be fixed. We can hope that the seller is always being honest, but you in a way have to assume they might not be telling the whole truth, and test out the horse enough to find out for yourself before buying. Whether that means doing a trial with the horse on your property if they'll allow it, or at least spending enough time in making sure you witness those vices if they have them before handing over the cash. Another good bet in buying a horse is to get a pre-purchase exam done.