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  Discussion on Horse Sales on Internet
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Posted on Monday, Nov 1, 1999 - 5:06 pm:

I'm very close to buying a horse that I found on the Net. I know this can be very risky buying a horse 1,100 away and not seeing/riding the animal first. Any advice/suggestions on legalities and how to insure the animal is being accurately presented? What if you have the horse shipped and he turns out to be very different from what you thought he was? help!

Posted on Monday, Nov 1, 1999 - 7:45 pm:

I just went through this with a friend on a Stud colt. As a weanling, riding wasen't an issue, but soundness was. We contacted an independant vet and paid him to vet check on the colt. Well we got what we expected, a little ruffeled from the 1200 mile trip but well worth the money. Looking back had I been paying for a "proven" horse under saddle and was not able to pay an INDEPENDANT and trusted trainer to evaluate the horse under saddle than I would have opted to take a red-eye flight to ride the horse myself because it would be MUCH cheaper for a $300 plane ticket than to try to sue someone across state lines. We also had a lawyer draw up the sale agreement and only paid half down and gave the balance to our shipper who was not about to load a lame or ugly horse. I would also want to see extensive DATED video of the horse under saddle. If they wont provide this then I would hold high suspect.
Good luck let us know how it turns out.
-Emily

Posted on Monday, Nov 1, 1999 - 8:33 pm:

Nothing will replace seeing a horse in person, but a good and honest video should help a great deal. Enlist someone who knows horses very well and particularly this breed. Ask the owner to take a video and specify what you want to see. Since I have mostly young stock, the videos get quickly outdated, but it's not so hard to take a new one. You are not paying an arm and a leg for this horse; yet, you should at least have an independent vet take a good look at the horse, if you can't make it out there. I don't believe there are standard contracts, but you should have something in writing. The horse is yours once it steps on the trailer, unless otherwise specified in the contract. Make sure to ask if the horse is trained to trailer, so he won't flip out and get hurt.
If you are very uncomfortable with this situation, buy a horse in drivable distance. There are tons around.

Good luck,
Sabine

Posted on Monday, Mar 13, 2000 - 4:39 pm:

Thinking of buying a horse on the web, Has any one ever delt with a horse broker and not the owners? I am dealing with one right now that does not let you negociate with the owners themselves, how do you know all your imformation or requests are getting to the owners and is there any
advise you can give me with dealing with this, We really like the mare but she diffinatly has confirmation problems and training issues and the dealer doesn't want to hear it, It seems as if she is treating me like I do not know anything about horses. Are there any suggestions out there on handleing this situation.
Thanks Sandy

Posted on Monday, Mar 13, 2000 - 6:14 pm:

Sandy:

Although irrelevant in principle, it might depend a little bit of what kind of a horse it is as in expensive, breed, etc.
A broker represents the seller and should be in close, honest contact with the buyer. If they do not answer your questions to your satisfaction, there isn't much you can do about it. If I were you, I'd walk away from it telling the broker exactly what I thought of her and her attitude-- in a factual manner of course. Too bad for the horse which might have gotten to a good new home. On the other hand, if the mare has
conformation and training problems, why do you want to bother in the first place? Concerning the training problem, you would want to know everything there is to know about the mare. This is a buyer's market, and if you were to buy a horse from me, I would give you all the information I could possibly give you, as well as videos, etc. After all, I want to sell the horse, lol. Also, if I thought the horse you are interested in isn't right for you, I would advise you on same.
Remember that the broker gets a commission and sometimes from both parties, so that makes the horse even more expensive.
As far as I know, there is no profession as a horse dealer/broker with the exception that in N.Y. state you have to have some sort of a liscence and pay taxes on any income.
If you want, I may be able to refer you to someone who would be more honest. The only advice I can give you here is to just forget about the mare.
Sabine

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 14, 2000 - 1:13 am:

Don't deal with anyone who is not treating you with respect. I've found that a person who will not honestly answer all your questions or who is trying to keep you from speaking with anyone who might have important information is most likely not an honest person. I'm sorry there are dishonest people involved in the horse "business," but it's a cross section of society, and there are crooks throughout society. Personally, I'd contact a breeder, not a broker, and buy direct from someone with a good reputation. Ask for references, and if they get offended, move on to someone else. A horse is more than a financial investment to most of us. It is a commitment, emotional and financial. It's difficult and sad to have to part with an animal because it turns out to be unsuitable for you, and even worse when it has been misrepresented. I think everyone else has given excellent advice, by the way!
Nina

Posted on Friday, Oct 13, 2000 - 5:37 pm:

We have bought and sold many of horses over the net. We understand what it means to be honest and to be treated fairly. As mentioned above nothing beats seeing the horse in person. If it is a cost issue think about what it will cost to get stuck with a problem horse. Also have your vet recommend a vet in that area. Check with the vet and make sure it is not the same vet that the farm uses. Make several calls and ask lots of questions over and over if need be. When I buy long distance I almost know the horse before I get there. A gut feeling is very important! GO WITH IT!
Ken and Brenda Artman

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 17, 2000 - 4:34 pm:

Oh yea one more thing I thought of, ask for references. Maybe one is in your area and you could go see the horse and meet in person.
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