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Saje I was not implying that you said anything just sharing a bad experience that I had. I just don't want someone else to make the same mistakes I made. I thought that was the point to learn from each other. Talking to people is the best way, stables friends, trainers, farriers, vets......the list goes on and on. Most vet clinics can guide you were to go to get what you want too. But first things first, is this going to be a pleasure horse or a show horse. Makes a big difference when buying. You said you wanted a male yet one of the horses you liked was a female. Does it really matter to you? If you get a male is it going to be a stallion or a gelding? Big difference there too. If it is your first horse then for sure I would stay away from the stallion avenue. If it is not going to show then you can probably get a real nice horse for alot less money and there will be nothing wrong with it. Do you want purebred? Or is a crossbred ok? How a bout a grade horse? So many things to consider. Age? You said 2-4, 2 year olds are not fully trained, Can you finish the training? It is not always easy to do. I'm not trying to discourage anything here, I for one thing it is a shame that every person on earth doesn't have the pleasure of a horse. But they cost a lot of money and they are a big responsibility. If your ready then great, good luck. I will give my opinion anytime you ask however in the end since the horse will be yours it is a decision only you can make. And big YES on the drug issue it happens a lot. I know here in Canada the horses have to be tested before going to the salesbarn, but it does still happen. I know friends who bought a quarter horse to show and they were experienced horse people and it was drugged. They bought it for big bucks and sold it the next year for meat because the horse was a complete nut case. So you have to be so careful. I also know be careful which vet you chose, here the stables grease the vets palm to say the horse would be perfect just to get a sale. I witness this with a horse bought for jumping, his xrays were not good, but right in front of me the vet lied and said he was sound and it would be a perfect match. HUH? It ain't sold, I worked at that stable and was promptly fired because I could not lie. So many stories and so much information is available. Do your research period! You can even hire horse brokers who will find two or three horses that match what you are looking for and then your research part is done for you, but again careful that stables have not greased there palms.
