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Discussion on Purchasing a horse from the internet..I NEED advise please?!
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 3, 2001 - 7:11 am:
I have been in the process of purchasing a horse (from the internet) that I have only seen in photos, and videos. Has anyone ever done this, and what did you learn? The horse is a 5yr old Appendix QTR mare. (a cross-the-country transaction). I viewed many photos, asked a million questions, then viewed a short video, got prices on hauling. I liked everything I saw, so I requested a longer, more detail video, and scheduled a pre-vet examine for 1 week from today. I should have the new video by then. I really like this horse at this point. If the vet-check goes well, I plan to send a deposit on the horse. The next trailor leaves that area around mid-march. Am I doing this correctly, and what do I need to do now? Should I have a legal contract? What if i send the deposit, and something happens to the horse in the next month..how much of a deposit is fair? Who is responsible for the horse during hauling...do I own her at that point? I'm sure I have many other questions, but this is a start. Please share some good advise, and any experiences with me.
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 3, 2001 - 10:49 am:
I think you need to fly out there and try out this horse yourself and be there for the vet exam if possible. Yes I think a contract makes sense but the other questions you have are best aimed at a lawyer familiar with the laws in the state you are purchasing the horse in. We hava a sample Bill of Sale at Equine Business and Law: Legal Articles and Forums. Also on that page are discussions and articles on buying and selling horses.
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 3, 2001 - 12:06 pm:
I agree that you need to go out to see her if at all possible. 3 years ago I bought a Paint/Arab 3 year old off the internet and shipped her from Idaho to Texas. While she is (finally) turning out to be a great horse, she will be hunter/dressage instead of western as I wanted. I don't believe the seller misrepresented her in any way but with only 45 days training I obviously misinterpreted her way of going to be western. And yes I had a video under saddle, a vet check and a professional trainers opinion of the video. The point I'm trying to make is even if everything is on the up and up the horse just may not suit you in person.
The mare I bought had also never been away from home and had some major adjustment/trust issues.
Good luck, I know its exciting when you've found the right horse.
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 4, 2001 - 3:29 am:
I also agree you need to go to see this horse. We have four paints (one yearling and three are two years old) that we found over the net that will be here in spring. This was a first for us too. But the woman that we got our girls from has really help us. One thing is with her you must get horse insurance on them and a legal contract. Because we all know how things can happen. We went with Wilkins insurance, they have been very easy to talk with and have answer any questions we have had.
If you are going to have the horse stay at that farm till the next truck leaves, you need to know how much they will charge for board. You should have that in the contract as well as any other care that she will/may need while she is in their care(vet, turnout, feed, ect).
If you are going to have your horse hauled professionally it will be that company that will be responsible for her. But make sure you read their contract very carful so you know what they will and will not cover.
PLEASE go to see her first you never know how she really is till you are around her yourself.
Maybe make it a long weekend where you and her can spend time one on one. It will be worth it in the long run.
Best of luck to you and your new horse, Kristi
P.S. The number of Wilkins is 1-800-826-9441 if you would like to talk to them.
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Posted on Thursday, Feb 8, 2001 - 5:39 pm:
I bought my first horse over the net, and even went to see him and ride him before I bought him. We had a nice ride, and we went thru all the things you've mentioned as well...videos, pictures, numerous conversations, etc. before I went out there. The biggest mistake I made was not going to go see him more than once! Even though I had gone out there and rode the horse, he turned out to be very misrepresented, and I was in WAY over my head when I got him home. To make a much longer story short, the best thing to do would be to go see this horse in person, and spend several days with her....visiting and riding, etc. just to make sure she's everything you want her to be!
In terms of hauling, etc., I think that can vary depending on the terms YOU put together when you purchase the horse. But make sure you have everything in writing before you give them all your money and the mare is shipped. I think most hauling companies carry their own insurance as well. And if you need extra reassurances, put them in your sale contract!
This said, I don't mean to sound harsh and skeptical. I made a big mistake by only going and seeing this horse once, and it turned into a whole legal battle. So you can understand if I'm a little wary. I found there were LOTS of nice horses in my local area....and found one I love that I went to see 3 times before I bought him.  Good Luck!
Daisy
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Posted on Friday, Feb 9, 2001 - 11:49 am:
Of course, hiring an independent vet for the vetting is very important. I think seeing the horse is important, too. I'd want to observe its nature, ride it myself, see how we interacted, got along and how it responds to a bit of "pressure." (I really want to know if the horse is likely to rear if someone gets a little ham-fisted.) I want to see the owner ride the horse, tack it up, load it on a trailer, etc. I want to see how the animal was kept, the size of the herd, whether it is nappy or not ... all sorts of observations that work best in the flesh.
A signed agreement/bill of sale, also.
Daisy - I've seen some horses REALLY change their temperment in a new environment - the pressures of the herd, new routines, change of food, farrier, tack, etc. can all make a difference in behavior. It is quite possible, this horse would have been "changed" no matter how it was bought.
In general though, I think it is helpful to "buy horses you know" if at all possible. Seeing a horse in local competitions, watching one in a barn, whatever - seeing it work day to day really does help match a horse and rider. Knowing what it is trained to do and what it is actually used for - all important criteria in selecting an riding partner.
Long distance purchases (whether by phone, mail or internet) do limit the information you can gather. For young stock, it may not matter much - for older, experienced horses the details could be very important.
A lot depends on what the horse is costing and what you can afford to lose ...
Cheers.
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Posted on Friday, Feb 9, 2001 - 12:04 pm:
Chris, you bring up a very good point....and one that I would hope would apply in most cases, however, in this situation, I know I just didn't try the horse enough. I think I would've seen more of the things that surfaced once we got him home if I had taken less from the word of someone I didn't know (beyond our dealings with this horse), and visited him more and done more things with him.
Do you remember my "Half on and won't go further in" posting on trailer loading? Well, that was this horse, and I was assured that this horse loaded easily and even bought my brand new Sundowner trailer FROM THEM, on their recommendation of what this horse was used to. But he didnt load! (I eventually hired a John Lyons trainer to come teach him how to get on the trailer, and even then, he was VERY difficult to get on. And these people told me he loaded with no problem...I want to know how they got him on the trailer to be delivered to me!) At any rate, this was only the tip of the iceberg with the things I assumed he knew, and the people I bought him from inferred he knew, but he didn't know. But like I said before, I dont blame these things on that poor horse, I only blame them on me not investigating further when the horse was stabled too far away for me to "justify" making more than one trip. And for being a little too naive and trusting.
Ah well. Only my experience. I would just do things a little differently if I bought a horse over the net again.....
Daisy
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Posted on Friday, Feb 9, 2001 - 12:37 pm:
Daisy,
Gosh is sure sounds like you got stung. What's that old saying - "Too late I am too smart" or something ... Some how it seems like horses attract a real undesireable element that takes advantage of folks whenever possible. Over the years I have heard more horror stories. Of course, I've heard ones about used cars, too. Maybe we need a "horse mechanic" ...
The other thought I had was that people doing long distance sales are less likely to rely on needing a good local reputation, repeat business and word of mouth. And, if it is an individual selling an animal long distance, ther may be a reason the locals are passing on it ...
Daisy - I hope you get your situation sorted out fairly.
Cheers.
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