"I'm having a video sent to me; is it worthwhile to
find a vet here to look at that for me. I'm not sure I trust myself to see any
problems. As much as I'd rather not admit it, "the rose colored glasses" are no
doubt on!
"Second, you all have some very good advise on what to do to buy an adult horse
... how about a foal? This guy is 5 months now. In this case, I don't know as
if a try out period would work. Or for that matter, it's over a 1,000 miles
away and I'll probably spend as much getting him here as I will on his actual
price, chances are I'm not sending him back for anything. :o)"
Don't buy a weanling without going to see it! You need to make sure the
horse has been handled, and can be handled by you. Older horses are
different. If they are broke to ride, you can assume they can be led, pick
up their feet, etc. Weanlings may not have had even basic education, and no
matter what the potential seller says, the only way you can guage the
situation is to go see the horse. Handle the horse. Do so when the owner is
not right next to you. Lead the foal. Groom him, etc. Try something new with
him to see how he reacts. I don't mean something frightening. Maybe put an
empty feed sack down on the ground and lead him past. Most weanlings will
react, but if he is a basket case, you might want to look elsewhere.
At any rate, I would suggest looking at several horses in the same age
group, not just one. Also, try approaching the foal when he is turned out
with his usual group. Does he run away, or walk away, or approach you,
curious, eager, and friendly? Does he try to run over you? Does he respect
your space?
Keep a scorecard on the various horses you look at, and rate them on
manners, ease of leading, friendliness, conformation--with separate
categories for legs, hindquarters, back, shoulder, etc.
If weanlings are handled almost exclusively by one person (or not handled at
all) they can be hard to manage--really, worst case, dangerous--when someone
strange approaches.
There is a lot to be said for buying a weanling--you can raise and train one
they way YOU like, you can get higher quality for less money, and you can
form a really long-term bond with your horse.
Good luck!
Susan B. Felker
Black Ridge Arabians, Straight Crabbet, GSB-eligible and related horses
http://www.awhitehorse.com/cmk/black/