Has anyone ever bought a horse without seeing it?!

yep on a few occasions, once brought 2 from internet never even spoke to the owner only on email and text, first i see of the 2 mares was when they were delivered to my yard.
normally have seen pictures but, to be honest some of the best buy have been on spec
 
yes

It was in late 2005,

I was 10 at the time but I was looking for a showjumper, so contacted a reputable dealer in scotland,

Pony in question had won 43 of her 47 comps that season at high affiliated level in ireland, he said she was reliable with brakes but a superb showjumper. She was a JC Chestnut mare, however not mareish.

He told us about it, we agreed to buy she came over from Ireland and we took her home.

First lesson with her, instructor was very impressed by her when we took her out the wagon and was certainly impressed with her jumping after a few months with her I was jumping 1,15 tracks, she was 13.2hh and 5 years old
 
Yep -a 15hh tb ex racer - owner was really helpful sent me everything I asked for and more - only issue that has come up is shoeing but it is something that is being dealt with and tbh he is such a sweetheart in every toher respect that I probably would have bought him even knowing about the issue. I would however go and see anything that was over a certain amount of money - he was ridiculously cheap so was more willing to take a punt on him.
 
Yep! Can;t fly and they won't let you walk through the tunnel,besides I can' leave my stock for more than 24hrs
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Malaga


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Picasso
 
Yup. Bought a section A yearling and an ex-racer for my daughter both over the phone on strength of photos alone. Both sellers were honest ( I think you can get a good feel even on the phone whether someone is telling the truth or not). Pleased with both unseen purchases - didn't clap eyes on them till they stepped off the transporter's lorry!
 
Yeh, Lippizaner mare.

Mum bought her as a 3 year old but she was in Slovenia so not easily accsessible! Slightly pigeoned toed but is turning out to be a great jumper!
 
last 3 ponies were purchased unseen and would not hesitate to do so again. they were purchased on competition records and my knowing exactly what was important to us in a pony and ask all pertinent questions. 2 out of 3 are absolute star buys and other not quite as classy as we would like but still described and sold accurately. my biggest mistake with a pony has been purchasing from a friend~~~~absolutely never again!!!!!!!!
 
No, and I never would

This is mostly based on the fact that whenever I've been looking for a horse, at least half of them are not as described!
 
Yes but I'd want to take the lorry and pick it up myself, just in case it's lame or v different from pics/ vids
 
Yes, recently brought my TB filly straight from racing, saw many pics, looked up her record etc just to check. Didn't pay much, so took a punt on her. Has so far turned out to be a lovely genuine little filly, even nicer looking than in the pics!
 
yes, an Andalucian from Spain - fell in love from pics/vids, had loads of emails/calls with dealers, had him shipped over! I felt I just couldn't let him go... The feeling that he was the right horse was extremely strong, and he turned out to be just that - a perfect little fella! Light of my life :) My budget was very limited atm, so I couldn't afford flying over to Spain, but I couldn't bear the thought of missing out on him so took the gamble. he's my first horse, but I've been riding for last 12 years, so I was ready to work on him if need be.
I think you have to be really sensible and ask lots of questions, but also listen to your heart, and if you just can't shut it up - that's the one horse you need :)
 
Yeah, me - saw an advert for this appaloosa colt - in France. Too expensive to go see him in person so got a vet to 'vet' him (report in French!) and then sent the money and a couple of weeks later had myself a super 5 month old American appaloosa colt of rare bloodlines....
He is now a Champion Stallion and has 8 progeny on the ground, also doing well in the show ring. Not often I am lucky in life but we should all have at least one lucky break, he was mine!

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Recently, these two:

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I'd seen their photos, and their dams, and only emailed the seller, didn't see them in the flesh until they arrived on the doorstep, completely untouched at 4 and 5 months old.

I've bought, and sold, plenty of others unseen. A lot of the youngsters, and broodmares I don't see, all I get told is something like - "Do we want a sound, broke, 8 year old Paint mare, with a 4 month filly at foot, $350 the pair?" My business partner does all the buying at the stockyards, I blame him if anything goes wrong ;)
 
i did just before Christmas!

I spoke to the seller on the phone once, the rest was me pestering with more questions via email.

I was pretty shocked when the ramp came down on the box, she looked so cramped in there and really does look bigger than i was told but i havent measured her, shes a chunky monkey (so will look bigger than the 'norm') and she is in full winter woolies!

She was stiff for a couple of days after arriving when i did think 'hmmmmm...' but she had a long trip (about 6 hours) and is now happily cantering and trotting around the field!

I dont regret it - if i had viewed her i would have bought her. Having said all of that though, i dont think i would spend thousands on a horse i didnt view!
 
yep i bought my leopard spot filly without going to look at her. i called about her when she was advertised so saw 3 pics of her, spoke to owner for about 1 hour and arranged a drop off for two days later! all happened very fast and tbh she is the best youngster i have ever had! :D
i do here horror stories though so it is a case of buyer beware xx
 
i havent.... but i would.

the next type of horse i want (Well foal...new forest lol) is too far for me to go see in the flesh... i would buy unseen,
 
My parents brought 4 ponies for me without me trying them (sisters did instead) & needless to say, they were all disasters - just didn't get on with them, stopped regulary at shows etc - its not that they were necessarily bad ponies - they just didn't suit the way i rode - which i would have known if i'd tried them :-(
 
Yes two days ago. We picked the horse up and have him on trial, the only problem is he's huge at 17 hh and has a nasty cut on his back leg. He had a look in his eye that said he felt unloved, soppy but true, in two days even treating his leg which is sore, his eye is brighter and he looks forward to his walks. As to his height we will get a stepladder cos this boy has found his forever home, he is a gent through and through
 
Yes, bought a 3 year old TB filly a number of years ago, sight unseen. Didn't even see photos of her or speak to her owner or trainer, but just liked the bloodline and was a bargain price. The mare has rewarded us by being a sweet, loving broodmare who produces stunning foals.
 
Yes I've bought and also sold many horses unseen. Apart from one horse who turned out smaller than advertised, all of the ones I've bought unseen turned out to be exactly what I expected. I still have them all and I'm very happy with them.
 
im currently going through this same process. i have not spoken to the seller but have loads of emails going back and fore for the last 2 weeks. and lots of pics and updates coming all the time. its over 250 miles each way and i have a poorly car at mo so major difficulty viewing but booked the transport for next wednesday!
he is 4 next month, ex-racer TB 16.2hh who was sold off the track to her as he was too slow (nearly last in all his 9 races). she has had his teeth and back done plus front shoes. hacked him out and says he is a gem so im placing a lot of faith in her (and him).
fingers x'd this time next week we will all be very happy :)
 
Yes bought unseen on monday but would only do it with foals/youngsters, and if they were over certain price limit would get breed judge(if one is local to where said horse is located) and vet to check but with the one earlier this week I didn't.

also have recently been tempted to buy broodmare unseen.

you can get vet or experienced person to look at it and if buying from dealer you can get warranty tbh personally I dont think its as risky as buying at auction.
 
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Yep, a 7 yr old 15.2 Andalusian who had done a bit of everything from France although from a British breeder. What I actually got was a 14.2 barely broken rude but very pretty Andalusian. In a way it was a complete disaster, particularly as we could never track down the lady we bought him off. It was so annoying as she was actually recommended to us by an acquaitance (sp) (who is now super embarassed). I had a year and a half of training him up and by the time I sold him he was a very well-mannered and lovely hack. The only reason I sold him was because of his height.

Having had such an awful experience, I would never ever ever do that again. The only reason I did it was because the lady was recommended to us and the horse sounded perfect.
 
Yep. Bought a TB broodmare through word of mouth from the bloodstock agent I knew. Didn't see her until the following year when she had my 3 month old colt foal at foot.
 
Yep bought my youngster from an online advert and several emails and phone calls back and forth. He was expensive but I wanted his bloodlines. I had him vetted (as much as you can for a 6month old foal!) and the stud had a good reputation. So far I'm completely thrilled with him and I would do it again but only with youngstock.

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this was the photo that caught my eye!
 
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