TraLaLa
Active Member
After (misguidedly) launching myself (with gusto and after a long break) back into horse ownership, a few words of advice and caution for the uninitiated:
1. Buying from a dealer is no more or less risky than buying from a private individual
2. IF you buy from a dealer, follow these rules:
- USE YOUR OWN VET (no-brainer really, isn't it); and don't fall for "There's a vet coming here that day anyway" or "your vet won't travel that far"
- get the blood tests done, no matter what
- if you have a 'different' horse when you get it home, run those tests on that blood without further ado (don't look for excuses like 'the saddle doesn't fit' etc.)
- IF the results show 'illegal substances', do not delay. Unless you are extremely wealthy with acres of land etc,
EITHER:
- return the poor horse to where it came from and get your money back
AND/OR
- take those vendors to court and ruin their reputation/put them out of business
MOST IMPORTANT
Dealers RELY on the purchaser's better nature. They RELY on the fact that most people have the horse's welfare at heart and that they are unlikely to return it, even if it's hopping lame/beyond help.
More to the point, dealers rely on the average punter's fear of litigation.
If you have found yourself in a situation like this, do not be afraid. The courts will more than likely be on your side.
1. Buying from a dealer is no more or less risky than buying from a private individual
2. IF you buy from a dealer, follow these rules:
- USE YOUR OWN VET (no-brainer really, isn't it); and don't fall for "There's a vet coming here that day anyway" or "your vet won't travel that far"
- get the blood tests done, no matter what
- if you have a 'different' horse when you get it home, run those tests on that blood without further ado (don't look for excuses like 'the saddle doesn't fit' etc.)
- IF the results show 'illegal substances', do not delay. Unless you are extremely wealthy with acres of land etc,
EITHER:
- return the poor horse to where it came from and get your money back
AND/OR
- take those vendors to court and ruin their reputation/put them out of business
MOST IMPORTANT
Dealers RELY on the purchaser's better nature. They RELY on the fact that most people have the horse's welfare at heart and that they are unlikely to return it, even if it's hopping lame/beyond help.
More to the point, dealers rely on the average punter's fear of litigation.
If you have found yourself in a situation like this, do not be afraid. The courts will more than likely be on your side.
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