[angels3]

its time for me to start looking for a horse but I don't know were to look. I went to an auction a few weeks ago with my friend but I am kind of wary of buying a horse at an auction cause its pretty much a gamble. but then again i don't want to spend twice as much on a horse that I could of bought at the auction at half the price. and to add to the frustration my friend says that it would be better to get the horse at an auction but my ex trainer says to go to private sales any advice would be great

[Haas Horse Farm]

The problem is you can find junk at either place and can find a great horse at either place. How well do you know horses? Do you know how to spot signs of illness or a horse being drugged? (It can happen at a private sale easier than it can at an auction... many drugs are added via the feed daily... so be sure to check out their feeding program and look around.)

Bottom line.... DO NOT RESCUE SOMETHING.... I know someone is going to bash me for that BUT seriously make a list and know exactly what you want in a horse and do not settle. When you settle you will not be absolutely happy and in todays market it is always cheaper to buy then it is to sell one. It is your money so get the very most for your dollar value. You can find a broke horse that meets your needs with papers as cheap or cheaper than one without papers. Check it out... there are unbroke grade horses with injuries selling for $1800 to $2250 on this very board in the rescue section. Then go look at the horses listed for sale for the same money with papers that are broke to ride and doing something and do not have issues.

What part of the country do you live in? Have you checked locally? Have you put up wanted signs at your local feed store? Make your list and think really hard about what you want. Then make a flyer and post it. You will be surprised at what someone is willing to give you or sell cheap. Just because it is cheap does not mean it is a rescue. In my above statement about a rescue I am talking about a horse that is old and sick and has no future... so some younger horse between the ages of 5 and 12 that will vet sound but has just not been fed properly.

Some must do when you go look at a horse at a private sale. Handle it. Lead it. Load it. Tie it up like you would at home and groom it thoroughly. Be sure to clean all four feet. Also be sure to check the teeth and see if the teeth age agrees with the papers and the markings match the papers. Then ride it.

If you are truly interested in the horse tell them you have to think about it. Then come back about five minutes later and say you forgot to ask a question and ask them about their wormer or shots or coggins or who the farrier or vet is that they use. Then ask them about a two or three day trial or taking the horse out on a trail ride with them. Seeing how the react when you come back and what their answers are will tell you a lot about the horse and the people. Also seeing what they have done with the horse while you were gone.

Buying at a sale.... get there early and watch the horses coming in the check in. Go to the sale several times so without buying so you can learn who the trader buyers are and the good sellers. Get to know the vets and the check in people. You can learn a lot about horses at sales and what people will do to sell them. The one that always makes me laugh is the people who say they have had the horse for years but the horse is being sold with two transfers and the coggins is dated a month or so back on sale day and done by a vet that works at a sale in another part of the state. Also the horse is all slick and braided and they claim they ride it all the time on the road but you check out the feet and the horse is not shod and the toes are super long, etc. If the horse had been ridden very much on a road barefoot you can tell it would be lame for sure. Just be sure that all the things add up. Ask about vetting, farrier work, type of riding.... and do ask point blank why the horse is at the sale. Ask them what vices the horse has. Does it crib or wind suck or weave. If it is a gelding ask them how often they clean it's sheath. If it is a mare ask about breeding and if it has been pastured with any stallions young or old. Ask them about being mareish when she is in heat. Ask them about how she foals and if she is a good milker.

During the sale you only have to be the last bid so do not jump in the front. Know how the bidding is so you do not get missed if you are truly interested. If they did not have the papers before the sale walk up to the edge of the ring and ask to see the papers and the transfer so you can see if the sellers name is the person who you spoke to. Ask if the person selling the horse will guarantee the horse sound. If it is a mare if they will guarantee the horse breeding sound. Also re-ask about cribbing if it is a gelding.

Good luck. Good horses can be found but you have to willing to pass on a whole lot to find the right ones.

PS The only horse I am really sorry I bought was purchased at a private sale and the lady flat lied to me. I have bought a bunch of great horses at auctions.

[sarahhowen]

Buying at an auction is great IF you know what you are looking for and also know the signs to pick out the "dud" ones, We have brought horses both privately and also through the sales and the best one that I have brought was through the sales and also the cheepest. If buying at an auction we tend to look at the horses and shortlist a few that we like to look of, and when it comes to the bidding time we have a dealer that we know only buys decent horses and if one of the shortlisted horses is being bid on by him then we tend to go for it. Generally the dealers all talk among themselves before the auction about what the horses are really like, its not a foolproof method but it has always worked for us. If you are not confident about doing this then I would suggest looking for a private sale, as if you buy incorrectly at the sales then you could be stuck with a horse that is not ridable or even worse you could hurt yourself with it - What is the saying.........buy cheap buy twice.............?. Sorry that probably hasn't helped much has it????

[Haas Horse Farm]

Originally Posted by sarahhowen

If you are not confident about doing this then I would suggest looking for a private sale, as if you buy incorrectly at the sales then you could be stuck with a horse that is not ridable or even worse you could hurt yourself with it - What is the saying.........buy cheap buy twice.............?

This can just as easily happen at a private sale. If you do not know horses make a friend with someone that does. Someone with a good reputation that hangs their shingle out so to speak... meaning they would not want a bad sale to haunt them. Seriously attend several sales before you buy. Really learn what is out there.

[2manypetz]

what are you looking for and where and how much? I know of several nice horses, and have a couple of my own for sale, but not all are beginner safe.

[tomiscowgirl]

My mom and I hadn't had any experience buying horses when I got my first horse. So we had my riding instructor help us find a good horse for me since she does have alot of experience buying horses. She found us a great horse at the private sales for a low price! My advice would be to have someone who has alot of experience buying horses help you look for a good horse at a fair price.
tomiscowgirl

[angels3]

I'm looking for a at least 16.3 hand TB or something close to it. I want to maybe do some eventing. Is that to much to ask for at an auction. I also live in Pennsylvania

[2manypetz]

Hmmm sorry cant help you out we just have a TWH and a STB in the 15.2 hand range for sale. Around here all we seem to have go though the auctions are QHs. There are some Amish sales that have drafts and STBs. There is a TB race track aorund here and I know that when they are done with them they practically give them away, but, they need retrained. Good luck, somehting will come uip. I know wome one posted on here a bunch of horses for sale and adoption out east, maybe they will have something that will fit the bill!

[Xiphias]

I would take a trainer, or knowledgable person to look at private horses for sale....I know too many people who bought horses at auction, that were drugged....and turned out to be dangerous....if a private seller is serious about selling, they will let you and your trainer/vet, come several times with you, watch you ride the horses, video tape the horse...even some will let you take it on a trial....it they are really serious, and honest about the horse that they are selling...

Cathy

[Dancers Mom]

Why dont't you try Canter? It is a thorougbred rescue in Pennsylvania. I think it would be great to rescue from them and give a OTTB a new life. I would take someone with you though. I have a rescued OTTB mare and she is healthy and beautiful.

http://www.canterusa.org/pennsylvania/horselistings.htm