Should I buy this horse?

Question

My aunt and I are looking at horses for my cousin. She rides my horses, my aunt and grandmas horses, takes lessons, been to many shows, etc. She's a great rider and has lots of experience. We found a great horse for her, but he has foot abscess. Should we take a chance on him?

http://dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1092775

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvGFC28C9XQ

The reason we chose him is, we wanted a registered Pinto, a horse that could be registered in Pinto and one thats broke but not started on anything in particular.
She would like to train her horse for pleasure and gaming herself, with help from an instructor and me.

Please don't say not to buy him because of the riders skill level or age or anything. We know better then you if the horse will suit her.

Answer 1

Buyer beware.....just have a Veterinarian check out the over all health of the horse before you sign the final contract to buy him. If the abscessed foot is just a minor problem and can be corrected, then by all means "Buy That Pinto".
PS...that Vet examine should include blood work, to make sure the infection hasn't spread into the horses organs. Sometimes a Vet will want to take xrays....It's worth the price to pay. Think of it like a house inspection, Big investments deserve a little investigation. And a Horse is for keeps!

Answer 2

Sorry, but I see a zillion red flags on this one, and the first couple of them are in the ad.
This horse is NOT suitable as a hunter/jumper or eventing "prospect". He's 15.1h at 3, so won't get any taller than 16 h, at most. His confirmation should tell you that, as it should for his potential as a gymkhana horse. Not enough bone, pasterns too long, and knees too high/hocks too low.
You have no idea how he will do under saddle at the higher gaits. If you have to ask on YA whether you should buy this horse, don't buy him. Find one with a better track record (not a racing track; duh) and more training.
I would never consider a horse with a foot abcess, or a history of one, no matter what age. If this horse has one already and has only been on soft ground, he must have a very thin sole and hoof wall. Not good.
The other factor is why this horse isn't being sold by his owner, rather than this third party? Another reason to be suspicious.
Keep looking, and get the help you need from your cousin's trainer. If your grandma knew much at all, she would know better than to take this horse.
Another thing-- never buy a horse without a vet check which studies all his gaits, x-rays of all four legs and feet, and blood work. I would also expect to get a copy of his immunization records and vet's notes. One can never be too careful.

Answer 3

Don't buy the horse until his abscess is sorted. It usually doesn't take that long if properly looked after. If he has an abscess this must have meant that you haven't ridden him, or riding him was impaired due to his problem. Just the fact that he's for sale with an abscess sounds a bit suspicious as an infected abscess can take months to heal. A friend of mine had a horse who stood on a nail forming an abscess and she ended up being box rested, poulticed and bandaged for something like 3 months (I should know.. I was helping her look after it!) and you don't want this on your hands if you buy it and all goes wrong!
If you really are keen get a vet to check it and see if you can arrange have him on a months "trial" before you buy.

I also have to agree with percheronsgal. His conformation isn't wonderful and he doesn't look like he's matured very well for a 3 year old (again a bit suspicious).
I'm sure you're better off waiting for a completely sound horse with better conformation. Someone said he has good bloodlines but that's absolutely no good if he's not gonna stay sound!

Good luck anyway :)

Answer 4

This guy really seems like a great horse. The only thing I would worry about is the foot abscess. You don't know how much money this problem is going to cost you and it could lead to a whole other string of problems. A horse that has an injury at this young of an age is a bit of a worry. Overall, though, this horse is beautiful, seems a good fit, and I think he would be great for your cousin.

Answer 5

This horse has nice movement in the field and is a fine looking horse. I'd say that you should buy the horse on the contingency that if the abscess does not clear up, or if the horse fails a lameness test after the abscess clears up, you would be able to return the horse for a full refund. Get something like this clause in writing - and be very specific. Abscesses can take months to heal...and you don't want to get stuck with a horse that has reocurring hoof issues....

Answer 6

A foot abscess can be easily fixed with proper care or having a farrier cut it out. At his price and his ability to be registered I would go for it. He is not that great a mover and looks pretty green still but if your cousin can ride well and that is the breed she wants I say go for it! Horses are always teaching us something and this could definately be a good project horse that will end up teaching her a lot of good lessons. Good Luck!

Answer 7

As long as the rider is comfortable enough on a young horse. He is only 120 broke so she may have a problem with that. If you're sure he's suitable for her, I would say go ahead and buy him. Hoof abscess is not the end of the world as long as it's not serious. Many times horses are able to recover just fine.

Answer 8

Personally...I would wait and not buy this one. With the price of horses being so low now a days..you can find a horse for $500 that doesn't have any health problems. I would never buy a horse without riding it first and if you ride this one...how are you going to know if they aren't giving him bute to mask the pain? I say pass this one up.

Edit...just to add one thing...if you all do seriously consider buying this horse...talk to the vet or farrier who has been treating it...ask them what is wrong...it's amazing what someone who has nothing to gain will say. If the people who are selling the horse won't provide you with that info...then absolutely look for a different horse...

Answer 9

How do his feet look overall? Shoes? What type?

I would not pass on an otherwise excellent horse for an abcess, unless I thought it was going to be a chronic problem that would result in long and frequent layups. An abcess is *usually* no big deal, and can be dealt with without involving the vet or farrier, however, there is always an exception to the rule.

Does he currently have an abcess? (Why on earth would he still be being shown to prospective buyers?) Are you able to take him on trial? I think I'd be honest with the buyers and explain what your needs are and what your concerns are with his feet. Ask them if they'd be willing to allow you to take him for a month on trial and then make a decision based on his feet held up. Worst case they tell you 'no' ...

Best of luck.

Answer 10

The foot abcess can clear up quickly as long as you treat it.
He looks like a nice horse, and would be good for gaming, as you said. Pleasure was also mentioned if I remember, and I think he wouldn't be as well suited for this, though you could certainlly work with him on it! He just carries his head quite high and has nice long strides. He looks fairly calm though, for the amount of training! he seems like a great horse, especially for a first horse to train!
Good luck!
(If you do buy him, I'd love to see a video of him with after you've started working with him!)