Top Five Reasons Not to Buy a Horse at An Auction
Friday June 30, 2006
Horse auctions can be pretty exciting to watch. You'll see a variety of horses and it can be very educational, and sometimes sadly, eye opening. Why not buy your first horse at an auction? After all, there's a good selection and the prices can be tempting. I've bought several horses at auction, either for myself, or to sell to a better home. An experienced horseperson might be able to pick up a good deal. But Top Five Reasons Not to Buy a Horse at An Auction explains why horse auctions might not be the best place to buy your first horse. (The photo is of "Autumn" a TB mare I bought at auction and sold to an experienced young woman who rode her hunter-jumper. The bidding was between and me and the meat dealer.)
Comments
I think sometimes buying a horse from a auction or a stable that resells horses can be a very dangerous and costly endever. My son and his wife bought a horse from Roman Forest Stables in New Caney Texas and was assured that the horse had been at the stable for 30 days and had been ridden and tested and was a kid friendly horse, they payed $1200.00 for this horse, they get the horse home and rode him once and he was fine, waited about 2 days got on him again and he bucked my daughter in law off, my son got on him and not only did he buck him off but once he was off the crazy horse tried to paw him to death, they took the horse back and the people said no they wouldnt give their money back, upon further research it was discovered that that horse went thru the auction 3 days before my son bought it, so lie #1 was that they had had it for 30 days lie # 2 it was kid friendly lied #3 they bought it from a individual. We contacted the man that ran it thru the aucton in the first place and he agreed that the horse was crazy and dangerous. thats why he sold it. They ended up selling him at the auction for $200.00 that a very expensive lesson to learn. So please beawre that just because a person owns or runs a stable dosent mean that they are going tell the truth, in the case of Roman Forest Stable I would buy anything from them, they buy all the horse nobody else wants from these auctions and then turn aroud and sell them to unsuspecting people.
i understand about buying one from ther but life is a big gamble and why not give a horse a nother chance instead of throwing them on someones plate.
We too bought a horse from Roman Forest Stables in New Chaney, TX. However we were fortunate to have a experienced horsewoman with us during the purchase. She directed the stable hands to mount and ride the horse for about 20 mins She also inspected the horses hooves and teeth which allowed us to see his temperment. However, I was not impressed with the living conditions of the horses at this stable. We were told that the horse may need shoes on the front and was younger but after inspection by our vet we found out the horse is severly arthric in one leg(old cow horse) and twice the age given. But he will be ok to do light trail riding and has a excellent tempermant and that is what I wanted as a beginner. so, I would always suggest if you do buy bring an experieced horse person with you and always get a pre-purchase vet check and then decide. By the way to their credit the stable was very agreeable to give us time for a pre-vet check.
I visited the Roman Forest stable also. I was told several lies during the time I was there. I discovered that the horse I was looking at did not come from where they said it did, also, he had a cribbing problem they would not reveal to me, but I discovered on my own. The horses teeth were damaged but when I pointed it out they said his teeth were normal. You cannot have a horse at your stable for one day and then say “it is safe for anyone to ride”. That’s what they do. Some of the horses on their website are advertised as kid safe, but when you get there they tell you the horse bucked someone off last week. Also, several of the horses were sick and coughing. They offer no money back… buyer beware. I would not buy a horse here.
I have done business with roman forest stables for quite a while and evry time someone wants to buy a hose she says “you are buying the horse as is no money back” she has also told everybody that the horse has a cribbing problem
I went to Roman Forest Stable to look at horses. Here is my experience with them.
BEWARE of buying a horse from texashorse.org or akidhorse.com!!!!! I recently drove 2 1/2 hours to try some of their horses and was shocked to find that they were not at all what I had expected.
The first horse, Time After Time, was a total lunatic. She would not stand to be bridled and ran backwards when you tried to hold on to her halter. I never was able to get on her either because she kept turning around in circles. She eventually ran backwards with my foot in the stirrup dragging me. The lady could not hold her either. The second horse, Little Bit, was not much better. She was very jumpy when I got on her. She was barn sour and almost ran out from under me when I raised my hand to rub my eye. The third horse was a total nut case. She reared up with me once I finally got on her. The lady had to hold on to her as I mounted her. The last horse I rode was obviously not a kid horse either. She would throw her nose out when I turned her and then would not get faster than a trot. I was going to try to ride Phantom Sey Doll, but was told that she was worse than Little Bit.
These horses are going to hurt someone. They are not kid horses and in my opinion, are not suitable for anyone to ride. I have been emailed with many horror stories about this place and their horses. I checked the web sites and found that there are more horses that were just listed on them. When I was there on Friday the 5th, the guy was leaving to get more horses. Those new horses were not on the premises when I was there. That leads me to bellieve that they were some of the horses that were picked up that day. There is no way those horses could have properly been evaluated adn concluded as KID HORSES in that short amount of time. What a joke. A very dangerous one too!!! I will not recommend this place to anyone nor do I advise anyone to buy a horse from them. BE CAREFUL!!!! If you must try their horses, then please take someone with you that is very educated about horses. NONE of the horses I tried that day were kid horses. Two of them had to be ridden with tie downs adn no kid horse should have to use a tie down. Kid horses should stand still when being bridled, saddled, mounted adn not dance around when stopped. NONE of the horses I tried did those things. PLEASE be very careful with these people. Their descriptions on their horses are not accurate adn down right lies. Most of the horses I tried that day are listed as sold on their site. To those buyers::: Be careful and please do not let your kids ride those horses with out strict supervision. I would not put my kids on them at all. They are not KID HORSES by no means.
I work for Roman Forest Stables and we are very careful with saying a horse is kid-safe. I have 3 children, ages 9 thru 12, who ride these horses. Some of our horses are not kid-safe, and I tell our customers that. Some people want a “pretty horse” so they buy the wrong horse. And anyone with any horse-sense knows that anytime you get on a horse, you take the risk of possibly being bucked off, reared up on, etc….. So, one or two bad experiences does NOT make the whole stable bad. I find it hilarious that you want to badmouth the stable. Have you ever thought maybe you just aren’t the kind of person horses like? They are smart enough to sense things about us. Funny you want to run Lisa’s name through the mud when she and I work our butts off to ensure the horses have good homes and faithful owners. Have a wonderful day.
I have been to the stables you are talking about and had a great experience. I found the horses to be exactly what was portrayed to me. My kids had their hearts set on a certain horse, but the woman who helped us recommended an older horse. I am glad I had an honest person who helped us. My kids love the horse we bought from there and I will be going back for another soon.
We also have had a good experience there. We purchased two horses there and were pleased. You have to realize that you have to place the responibility on yourself. Any horse has the potential to be dangerous. You need to go any to any horse purchase with experience and a business hat on. Similar to purchasing a car. A horse that doesn’t stand still being mounted does not constitute a lunatic. That is a matter of the horse not being ridden enough and possibly allowed to get away with it for to long. It also does not have much indication on his riding ability. Anyhow.. My two cents are there are good and bad in everyplace and we were pleased.
I have to say that agree with several of the comments I have read above. Horses can at times be unpredictable. Most animals can sense when the people are nervous and unsure of themselves and they will react to that energy. I have had dealings with Roman Forest Stables in the past and have been very pleased. They were always up front about the horses I asked about and helped me choose the perfect horse for our family. You cannot go for the markings just because you think this one is prettier than that one, does not mean it will be a good fit for you or your family. They were more than willing to let me have a vet look at the horses and took all the time with me that I needed to make my decision.
I also bought a horse from TEXASHORSE. What a joke. They lie about the age, where they came from, and how they ride.I also believe they give the horses a calming medication. When it wears of watch out.
BE VERY CAREFUL. I am an experienced horse trainer and I have been in the business for at least 15 years. I just purchased a “TOTAL SAFE KIDS HORSE” from them. Yeah right….He isn’t even adult safe. I told them I was looking for a lesson horse, and the horse should be suitable for students ages 5 and up. Some of my students are very scared of horses. This horse is so far from “safe”. After reading some of these post, I felt like I was having deja vu. What is also funny is the article from the Cleburne Times on their website which states they will return or exchange a horse if the horse isn’t working out. This is a LIE too. How can they sleep at night knowing these horses are NOT safe for kids? Thank God a kid hasn’t been killed. BUYER BEWARE…..
In the time that I have worked for texashorse, I have helped exchange 3 horses for people who weren’t happy with the horse they originally purchased. Lisa will bend over backwards to help you find the horse you want, unless you are just impossible to please.
We have contracts you sign for a reason. We don’t know what you are going to do to/with the horse once you get it home, how your gear will fir the horse, or your overall horse skills. It is not our fault if you are making mistakes with the horse.
AS FOR BRITTNEY, I am pretty sure I know the horse you bought. And I also know that Lisa told you she would trade you horses. You want your money back, but it says in our contracts, NO REFUNDS, NO EXCHANGES, YOU BUY THE HORSE AS IS. And you initial by it, saying you are aware of it.
We have told people the horse they are looking at is not for them. We are not going to throw a 5yo kid on a horse that has any known potential to buck, rear, etc… Yes, sometimes things happen. Horses are dangerous animals due to thier size. Period. If you have the wrong saddle for the horse, the horse may throw you. If you stay in a horse’s mouth, he/she is going to get an attitude. These are things people should already know or be trying to learn before working with horses. I was thrown by the smallest horse there, through NO fault of the horse. *I* messed up. My husband has ridden him since and so have I. No problems whatsoever. My saddle was pinching the horse. MY fault, not the horse’s.
So, while you go around badmouthing texashorse, realize that she tried to work with you. She didn’t have to do that, but she tried. You are impossible to please and that is not texashorse’s fault. Please have a wonderful day!! I know I will.
Please, no more comments criticizing or praising any one stable or auction barn. I don’t want to shut the comments down, but will if they stray too far away from the original post. Thanks.
Getting back to the point, a “contract” does not excuse a buyer or seller from responsibilities.
For instance: If I sell you a 1939 Ford Coupe, and the engine falls apart next month, you take it to your mechanic, and get it fixed. As we say here in Texas…”them’s the breaks”. You bought it…you own it.
However, same scenario…but you take it to your mechanic, and he calls you back later that day and tells you it’s NOT a 39′ Coupe…but a kit car.
I said it was a 39′ Ford…but it wasn’t. You bought (what you thought was) a 39′ Ford based on my testimony, which was a lie. I preyed upon your lack of specific knowledge (upon which I was dependent to make the sale), and defrauded you. Thus, my sellers contract is void.
This is called misrepresentation, and happens all the time in the horse industry, especially by horse traders, and con artists who make their living off the good nature of others. Usually, they get in serious trouble and/or destroy their reputation and forced to relocate.
Fortunately, even an amateur lawyer can disassemble these “contracts” and have the offending seller begging for a quick settlement. Most of these horse traders rely on clients from a general socioeconomic group, which are generally amateurs in that field (in this case horses), and do not have their own lawyer.
So, in keeping with the goal of this site, YOU do have a level of protection against these parasites.
How fair is it that some places are looking to make an honest sale and the people don’t have a clue what they are doing with the horse? If I had balked at the first, second, or even 10th sign of trouble with my horse, I would not have the awesome, well-behaved horse I have today. I could have sued the people I bought him from but I worked the problems out. I realized buying a horse was a gamble. I have rode horses for months that were fine and one day, they bucked. For no known reason. I get on them the next day, they may buck, they may not. And one bad experience does not make a whole place bad.
All of Becka’s comments are just ridiculous , similar to Brittany ,I’ve ridden 45 and shown 40 ,I am an amateur rider not a trainer, but a talented enough amateur that I am able to get along with most horses. I have been ill a few years and I expected a horse that was billed as broke, broke, broke ,safe for lessons ect,, so no I dont expect to be reared with nor bucked off.I expected that from 20 years of breaking my show colts before I got sick.
I lived too far to visit so I had to say what my situation was and what I was going to need. This horse shies so hard to evade that riding is near impossible and my daughter can only show her in showmanship, she ( the horse) is still pissed off.
These people need to READ this article and stop buying their horses from sales.
Texas Horse, formerly known as Roman Forest Stables, buys thier horses from auctions, ride them once and call them kid-safe. How can you do that? And what do you do when you are duped by them? How can they sleep at night, knowing they are putting kids at risk? It makes me sick to my stomach. I was smart enough not to purchase a horse from them. The living conditions are horrible. I feel for those horses and any customers that are duped by them.
I wwas the one that posted the long comment on my adventure with Lisa. The horses were horrible. I am sorry but if I have a kid safe BROKE BROKE BROKE horse it would not rear, buck, run off or do any silly crap. True broke and kid safe horses are just that. SAFE. Get a life Becca. You apparently have been around Lisa too long and have no idea what a kid horse is. COme out to my house adn I will show you. I now have 4 of them. One of htem had not been rode in 3 years and I jumped on him in a pasture with a hay string for a bridle and rode off. He did not rear up or buck or go crazy. Can you believe it???? The honest lady I bought him from told me he was broke and he was. I bought him that same day I visited Roman Forest Stables. Trip was not such a waste after all.
I am 30yr s exp and also got took by Roman Forest , I bought a nice horse there 2 yrs previously but that was after taking 2 back when they had the policy, the next I bought should have been a sure thing, but NO she was a quote ‘prison “mare, I rode her she was rgeat, briught her hoe and all sje would do is rear and take off, upon research yes she was a prisonmare “aRODEO”mare ! she was a headin healin ropin horse and way too hot for the trail or road riing, and I paid 1000 for ended up trading her and still ost my money !
I got burned by them as well, traded and older well broke horse for a younger one . Of course once home like most on here discovered his bad habits of being barn sour. Rode him through several bucking fits.(his normal start to a ride) When i tried to return him i was told i did not know what i was doing. Long story short ,There are enough complaints about this place and other like them out there people. Dont get in a rush to buy any thing, do your research on the place you intend to buy, any reputable horse person will give you a chance to try a horse more than once on different day at different times of your chosing. And bottom line , you do get what you pay for. Take your time save your money and get to know the seller and the horse before you exchange hard earned cash. I learned the hard way by being to eager to get my dream horse in a day. I agree this place is not on the up and up , but they are only in bussiness because people fall for their used car sale tactics. Trust me , even if you do not plan on spending 2500 and up on a horse, go to a reputable breeder who raises their own stock and you will see what buying a horse should be like…it will make you want to save up . I hope no one goes though what I did . And yes…trust your first instincts when you pull up to a place , if it looks bad , is run down, it really shows what they put into their animals.
I sold a horse to TexasHorse a couple of years ago that I was no longer able to care for hoping that she would find a good home. I asked the stable to have the new owner contact me but have never heard anything. Her name was YouLookMahvelous, and she was a National Show Horse, 16 year old chestnut mare with a star. Please if anyone knows anything contact me, as I would really like to check up on this mare.
I just finished doing business with akidhorse.com and as a professional in equines WARN ALL who think of doing horse business with the people who own and run the facility. I never knew someone would lie about a horse completely and bring a person 1600 miles one way and continue to lie. I discovered the lies when looking at the paperwork later in the evening and four hours away from facility. There is much more to this insane story, but I will say fraud and deception have been committed and there is penalty for this in Texas. BUYER BEWARE!!! If the horse you are buying has a known history, I would say it is false. May these people receive retribution for being deceitful.