Selling horses issues

[Mollypoppy]

I sold a horse a year ago, the sale was really upsetting and only due to sad circumstances as I had owned him for a very long times.

The buyer was really difficult, refused payment and collection for weeks and was rude at points. My priority was a good home and although, I thought the new owner was a little rude I put my pride aside as it was a good home and I wanted my horse to have that opportunity.

I tried to be super supportive to new owner, gave them saddle/bridle/rugs and everything to ensure he’d settle in well and be comfortable with them.

I tried to explain all and any quirks and was super open with them being a sensitive horse as I wanted to make sure the home was perfect.

My horse was vetted, passed 5* and sale was completed. After this, I heard nothing for over a year.

A few days ago, I was contacted to say that the horse was lame and that they were unable to figure out what was causing it. It made me super upset, as I wanted to hear they were well and happy. The new owner kept asking if I was aware of any issues, to which I had replied saying we hadn’t had any lameness issues just a bout of ulcers. It’s also been over a year that the horse has been with its new owners, so I’m really confused about the sudden blame.

Since that, the new owner has become really rude. Demanding vet reports or to speak to my vet. I had explained how much I empathise which the situation and am saddened by him being lame but that he was sound when I had sold him. I haven’t got anything to hide, but as the owner is so rude I don’t really want to be in any conversation with him.

Selling my horse was my worst nightmare, but I was so honest and open about everything (he’s a sensitive soul). I feel really sad and I don’t really want any contact with the owner as his messages are so upsetting. I don’t believe I owe him reports or anything at his point?

Advise please, thanks everyone

 

[nagblagger]

I would just block him. They are just trying it on.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Same.. a year on is a joke. Either be rude back, you will get plenty of tips on here how to do that
Or block him .. but I know you will be worrying about the horse

 

[ihatework]

Turn it back on them - ask them what on earth they have done with their riding/training/management to lame and ruin the horse

 

[Melody Grey]

If the horse passed a vetting at the point of sale and they didn’t ask for vet notes at that point, you have nothing to worry about. They are welcome to try contacting your vet, but I wouldn’t worry there either since due to tightening of data protection, the vet shouldn’t be responding or disclosing anything without your expressed approval.

They’re majorly trying it on, I’d leave them to it!! Obviously, they’re welcome to take it up with your solicitor if they’d like? (Who will tell them to jog on!)

 

[Ceifer]

I would just block him. They are just trying it on.

This.
Send a message reiterating what you’ve already said and that you are blocking their communication going forward.

It’s sad for you knowing the horse is lame now but it’s been a year and not your problem.

 

[webble]

Are they definitely blaming you and not just trying to pick up any ideas of what the issue could be? Do you know what caused the ulcers?

 

[nutjob]

If they haven't taken the horse to the vet for a work up then it looks like they are trying to blame you and potentially then start to ask for money back, vet bills paid etc. If they've been to the vet and had the lameness investigated with nerve blocks, xrays, scans etc and there's nothing conclusive then possibly they are just looking for leads before going to super expensive diagnostics like scintigraphy or mri.

You don't have to give out the prior vet reports at this point and can either block the new owner or just ignore them for the time being.

 

[ThreeFurs]

I had the same thing three years back, but in a more benign form. The new owner, a friend of a friend, had bought my wb 5 y o dressage mare, who I had sold through an agent.

This mare, I'd bought a year earlier with hopes of lifelong partnership, and a mix of activities, but we never bonded, she had me on the ground a few times, in explosive and unpredictable ways that made me think it wasn't working.

I arranged for her to have a full performance/behaviour work up at my vets, who are the best in the state. X-rays poll, neck, spine, pelvis, pelvic exam, teeth, feet/legs. gastroscoping. Healed ulcers were found. We gave her six week Ulcer-shield in case. Hormonal issues were checked; bloods taken, and she started on Regumate for a month or so. The physio came in and assessed her back, and we did six weeks of exercises and groundwork to even out some muscle pain just behind the saddle on the right hand. [this is relevant]. I didn't ride her post the vet exam, but got her started with some flag and liberty work, to build up her confidence.

By the time she got to sale, any pain issues [that we know of] were conscientiously treated. My sale agent brought her gradually back in to work, and she worked sweetly. She passed a 5* vetting and the new owner was delighted.

6 months later new owner contacts me asking if I know anything, anything at all, about the mare's medical past, since she was getting explosive again.

Long story short, new owner, deeper pockets than mine, took mare to University Equine Centre in SA and had state of the art CT and ultrasound scans of her shoulders, as uni vet clinic consultant had seen something odd in the trot up. And they'd discovered a historic hairline fracture in her left shoulder bone.

It was awkward as, because I had no idea. The University Equine center seemed to think the injury was old. And as I said; when the new owner told me, it explained a lot, certainly about the left shoulder to right hind twisting. Anyway, new owner has now turned the mare out permanently as a paddock puff. And they're not suing me, or anything like that, its just a sad story.

 

[maisie06]

They sound like they are royally taking the P - I'd ask them how the hell they had lamed the horse too and tell them to jog on, They obviously suspect you are an easy target.

 

[Bellaboo18]

There's every chance she did have something going on given you say she had quirks and ulcers *but* you weren't aware of anything, sold in good faith, the horse passed a 5 stage vetting and a year has passed tell them to jog on!
I hate things like this, selling horses is a complete pain even if you try and do everything right.

 

[Melody Grey]

I think it depends on the intention of the new owner- if they’re trying to blame you, that’s unreasonable and isn’t going to get them anywhere. If they’re scratching around for clues in a genuine way and trying to locate the issue, that’s a bit different I think.

I contacted the trainer of my last OTTB about six / nine months after having her as we were having one problem after another and vet work ups were only posing more questions and digging a bigger hole. I wanted to know if the horse had ever had a serious fall/ rotational fall. The answer was no and they were honest, offering vet records. I asked because if the answer had been yes, I may not have continued looking to diagnose or had a better idea where/ what to look for.

 

[Red-1]

I open the vet reports before selling, so all is disclosed.

If there is nothing in them that you haven't disclosed, then what's the harm in showing them?

Other than that, inform them that the horse didn't come with a life guarantee and, to the best of your knowledge and belief, the horse had no issues. Then block.

 

[Birker2020]

I sold a horse a year ago, the sale was really upsetting and only due to sad circumstances as I had owned him for a very long times.

The buyer was really difficult, refused payment and collection for weeks and was rude at points. My priority was a good home and although, I thought the new owner was a little rude I put my pride aside as it was a good home and I wanted my horse to have that opportunity.

I tried to be super supportive to new owner, gave them saddle/bridle/rugs and everything to ensure he’d settle in well and be comfortable with them.

I tried to explain all and any quirks and was super open with them being a sensitive horse as I wanted to make sure the home was perfect.

My horse was vetted, passed 5* and sale was completed. After this, I heard nothing for over a year.

A few days ago, I was contacted to say that the horse was lame and that they were unable to figure out what was causing it. It made me super upset, as I wanted to hear they were well and happy. The new owner kept asking if I was aware of any issues, to which I had replied saying we hadn’t had any lameness issues just a bout of ulcers. It’s also been over a year that the horse has been with its new owners, so I’m really confused about the sudden blame.

Since that, the new owner has become really rude. Demanding vet reports or to speak to my vet. I had explained how much I empathise which the situation and am saddened by him being lame but that he was sound when I had sold him. I haven’t got anything to hide, but as the owner is so rude I don’t really want to be in any conversation with him.

Selling my horse was my worst nightmare, but I was so honest and open about everything (he’s a sensitive soul). I feel really sad and I don’t really want any contact with the owner as his messages are so upsetting. I don’t believe I owe him reports or anything at his point?

Advise please, thanks everyone

Wow. I got royally diddled when I bought my horse but problems showed up the day I started riding him when he went lame a week after getting him home - we were sensible and waited for the saddle fitter.

He passed a five stage vetting when we bought him but was found to be riddled with arthritis when he had investigations and is at retirement livery. Having been told by two separate vets he should never have passed the vetting I tried to speak to the seller which was fruitless as they maintained the horse never had issues in their care and reckoned they had been diagnosed with cancer and also were losing their home and so couldn't possibly reimburse me anyway.

Spoke to two solicitors who also said they couldn't help me as it was a private sale and I basically had no rights.

So your buyer hasn't a hope in hell and that is assuming you did have something to hide which you obviously don't! A year down the line! Cheeky! Just block them is my advice.

 

[MissTyc]

This is the worst. I sold a pony to a lovely pony club family for their daughter - had never had a lame or sorry day in the three years I had him. Was 8 years old and flew through vetting. Died of colic 6 weeks later The buyers went absolutely mad with accusations. Accusations that the pony *must* have colicked before (never), "probably hadn't been wormed properly" (incorrect), and all sorts. It was easy enough to give hthem access to my vet records and my vet actually spoke with their vet. The latter thing is my main point as that was the most useful thing and deescalated the situation as buyer's vet was able to tell them with confidence that he'd reviewd the records, talked with the pony's vet, and it was just one of those sad things. They believed their vet when they hadn't believed me.

 

[eahotson]

I had the same thing three years back, but in a more benign form. The new owner, a friend of a friend, had bought my wb 5 y o dressage mare, who I had sold through an agent.

This mare, I'd bought a year earlier with hopes of lifelong partnership, and a mix of activities, but we never bonded, she had me on the ground a few times, in explosive and unpredictable ways that made me think it wasn't working.

I arranged for her to have a full performance/behaviour work up at my vets, who are the best in the state. X-rays poll, neck, spine, pelvis, pelvic exam, teeth, feet/legs. gastroscoping. Healed ulcers were found. We gave her six week Ulcer-shield in case. Hormonal issues were checked; bloods taken, and she started on Regumate for a month or so. The physio came in and assessed her back, and we did six weeks of exercises and groundwork to even out some muscle pain just behind the saddle on the right hand. [this is relevant]. I didn't ride her post the vet exam, but got her started with some flag and liberty work, to build up her confidence.

By the time she got to sale, any pain issues [that we know of] were conscientiously treated. My sale agent brought her gradually back in to work, and she worked sweetly. She passed a 5* vetting and the new owner was delighted.

6 months later new owner contacts me asking if I know anything, anything at all, about the mare's medical past, since she was getting explosive again.

Long story short, new owner, deeper pockets than mine, took mare to University Equine Centre in SA and had state of the art CT and ultrasound scans of her shoulders, as uni vet clinic consultant had seen something odd in the trot up. And they'd discovered a historic hairline fracture in her left shoulder bone.

It was awkward as, because I had no idea. The University Equine center seemed to think the injury was old. And as I said; when the new owner told me, it explained a lot, certainly about the left shoulder to right hind twisting. Anyway, new owner has now turned the mare out permanently as a paddock puff. And they're not suing me, or anything like that, its just a sad story.View attachment 146981

I had a horse that was very spooky.Far too reactive for me.Sent to selling livery with full disclosure.Sweet boy otherwise. I had bought him as suitable for someone nervous only to discover that he had frightened an old owner.
Sold quickly.New owners did not vet and neither had I.First and last time I ever did that.New owners noticed something I had actually. Sometimes he was very sensible and sometimes very silly.Vet called.Cataract in one eye.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

What a cheek after a year of owning him with no other contact to you about how his getting on they ring to complain and be rude about a lameness issue.

I won't say what response they would get from me on here as I will be banned.

I would just ignore them I know it must be hard though especially when it was a difficult sale for you.

 

[CastlelackSportHorses]

I sold a horse a year ago, the sale was really upsetting and only due to sad circumstances as I had owned him for a very long times.

The buyer was really difficult, refused payment and collection for weeks and was rude at points. My priority was a good home and although, I thought the new owner was a little rude I put my pride aside as it was a good home and I wanted my horse to have that opportunity.

I tried to be super supportive to new owner, gave them saddle/bridle/rugs and everything to ensure he’d settle in well and be comfortable with them.

I tried to explain all and any quirks and was super open with them being a sensitive horse as I wanted to make sure the home was perfect.

My horse was vetted, passed 5* and sale was completed. After this, I heard nothing for over a year.

A few days ago, I was contacted to say that the horse was lame and that they were unable to figure out what was causing it. It made me super upset, as I wanted to hear they were well and happy. The new owner kept asking if I was aware of any issues, to which I had replied saying we hadn’t had any lameness issues just a bout of ulcers. It’s also been over a year that the horse has been with its new owners, so I’m really confused about the sudden blame.

Since that, the new owner has become really rude. Demanding vet reports or to speak to my vet. I had explained how much I empathise which the situation and am saddened by him being lame but that he was sound when I had sold him. I haven’t got anything to hide, but as the owner is so rude I don’t really want to be in any conversation with him.

Selling my horse was my worst nightmare, but I was so honest and open about everything (he’s a sensitive soul). I feel really sad and I don’t really want any contact with the owner as his messages are so upsetting. I don’t believe I owe him reports or anything at his point?

Advise please, thanks everyone

I had same issue. I had a lovely little 15.2 mare I bred and decided to sell as she was just too small for me. She was a typical chestnut and had a buck in her(which I explained to buyer).
Anyway buyer bought her and was in love and I heard nothing for over a year when I got a letter in the post one day from her stating the horse had bucked her off and she had broken her neck(not badly thankfully) and demanded I come and remove the horse and give back the money I had been paid or the horse would go to factory and she would take me to court.

My solicitor laughed at the letter, stating "We dont know whats been going on for the last 12 months with the horse, she may have ill fitting saddle making her buck, owner may have her locked in a stable and be feeding high energy food causing her to be fresh" Too many scenarios.
So he wrote her a very strong worded letter and we never heard from her again!

I did find out 5 years ago that the mare now lives in the Uk with a lovely girl who events her to 2* and we have visited her a few times so Im thrilled.

But people will try anything! Madness!

 

[ThreeFurs]

Spoke to two solicitors who also said they couldn't help me as it was a private sale and I basically had no rights.

Here in Australia horse buyers get a little bit of protection under consumer law, but there are conditions. You need a contract and/or sales receipt, as with any goods otherwise its iffy to prove.

Here tis "The Sales of Goods Act 1923 (NSW) includes similar consumer protections and specifies that the goods (or horse) should be of merchantable quality (section 19). There is similar legislation in other states. That is free from defects and fit for normal purposes."
"Case example of fit for purpose:
A seller sold a horse a sound pony club, low level show horse. After the sale, the buyer discovered the horse had chronic arthritis. Vet reports proved that the arthritic condition would have been known to the seller at the time of the sale. The Department of Fair Trading ordered that the seller refund the buyer, pay the costs of the care and agistment of the horse while in the purchaser’s care as well as their legal costs."

But I don't think you can put this process in action after a year!

 

[Clover Girl]

I sold a horse a year ago, the sale was really upsetting and only due to sad circumstances as I had owned him for a very long times.

The buyer was really difficult, refused payment and collection for weeks and was rude at points. My priority was a good home and although, I thought the new owner was a little rude I put my pride aside as it was a good home and I wanted my horse to have that opportunity.

I tried to be super supportive to new owner, gave them saddle/bridle/rugs and everything to ensure he’d settle in well and be comfortable with them.

I tried to explain all and any quirks and was super open with them being a sensitive horse as I wanted to make sure the home was perfect.

My horse was vetted, passed 5* and sale was completed. After this, I heard nothing for over a year.

A few days ago, I was contacted to say that the horse was lame and that they were unable to figure out what was causing it. It made me super upset, as I wanted to hear they were well and happy. The new owner kept asking if I was aware of any issues, to which I had replied saying we hadn’t had any lameness issues just a bout of ulcers. It’s also been over a year that the horse has been with its new owners, so I’m really confused about the sudden blame.

Since that, the new owner has become really rude. Demanding vet reports or to speak to my vet. I had explained how much I empathise which the situation and am saddened by him being lame but that he was sound when I had sold him. I haven’t got anything to hide, but as the owner is so rude I don’t really want to be in any conversation with him.

Selling my horse was my worst nightmare, but I was so honest and open about everything (he’s a sensitive soul). I feel really sad and I don’t really want any contact with the owner as his messages are so upsetting. I don’t believe I owe him reports or anything at his point?

Advise please, thanks everyone

I have a horse that I paid 25k for that has been lame on and off since I bought him, he had an American vetting so more intensive and expensive than a European one as I hoped to produce him for the USA market as I do with a few horses every year. I don’t believe the sellers did me over and I wouldn’t dream of trying to throw him back and ask for vet history etc. as the old saying goes, ‘you pays your money you takes your chances!’

 

[9tails]

What was so great about this home that it negated the sh!tt!ness of the new owner? It sounds like he feels he was doing you a favour by buying this horse.

There's not much you can do at this point, the bloke has had a five stage vetting done and also had the horse for a year doing who knows what. I presume you're not in a position to have the horse back and hearing about lameness of a beloved friend is only going to upset you so I'd block the numpty.

 

[Birker2020]

There are too many people who rely on vets history when buying horses. It is meaningless.

The problem is that if you are a dodgy seller you can easily provide a 'full history' from the vet they you use to give vaccinations and routine dental care.

In theory you are allowed an infinite number of vet practices for your horse so the unscrupulous seller will to use a different vet for joint injections and other types of invasive treatments and keep this info from you.

There is nothing at present that can amalgamate vet history from different practices.