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 Veteran
Posts: 254
 
| Although I am in no rush, I am casually looking at finished horses. I am the founder/president of an organization called Dreaming of Three, which takes kids fighting life threatening illnesses (mostly cancer) to Rodeos, for a night out without worry, without thoughts of dr appts, treatments, chemo, etc. My current mare has won me plenty of checks in order to donate back to these kids and I am looking for my next, as my mare is 17 and some soundness issues will no doubt be creeping up on me in the next year or so.
My biggest worry is purchasing something finished, as finished isn't cheap. And for somebody wanting to have the horse to simply give back winnings, it's even tougher. The honesty out there for barrel horses that are finished, is a very tricky situation. I run with most of those that go to the Best of the Best and win, so of course I do not expect to purchase a 1D horse, as simply I can't afford it. (running a non profit is NOT an easy task with funding) A 2D horse would be perfect.
I've seen on occasion, horses listed because the owner is having to go through fighting cancer and needs the funds. Although I wish that nobody ever had to go through this, this would be my perfect situation, as purchasing a horse to help another out, then to turn around and compete to give back to cancer victims, I feel could help even the seller through things - watching their horse win and give back to others fighting cancer as well.
Oddly, I feel that even telling those that never have been through the cancer fight what my plans are, who even know the organization and what we have done, will still not be totally honest. If more horses would be for sale that I see run and know the owner, it would be great, but that just doesn't happen often either. Certainly vet checks are always there before a purchase as well, but what about things that don't show up, as far as quirks-what are your purchasing guidelines when looking to find something finished? I know it's typically buyer beware, but in my situation, I've gone through several that didn't work out and have lost money - I certainly can't afford to continue to do so and give back and run a non profit organization as well. So what are your steps in purchasing a finished barrel horse that actually is what the seller states? Purchase through a agent who knows a lot of people? Purchase only those horses you've seen work? (hard to do at times) Wait until a friend you know has one for sale that you've seen come a long and work? | |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
 
Location: Midwest | Run it at a race or watch the owner run at a race and exhibition it.
Vet check. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| barrelracr131 - 2016-04-20 11:34 AM
Run it at a race or watch the owner run at a race and exhibition it.
Vet check.
This plus I asked people I trusted what they had heard about the seller. I did this because I had been out of the loop for a long time and was just getting back to horses. I am glad I did. | |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| All of the above plus research, research, research. I just purchased another finished horse. I looked at several, two I was very interested in. I contacted a previous owner and found out info that made me pass on one. The other was through a broker, info was given about a previous issue but presented in a way that it was no longer a problem. I asked a ton of questions and found out the horse had not been run much in 2 years- passed on that one too. Point is ask tons of questions if you don't personally know the horse. Google rider and horse name. I ended up buying from a very good friends daughter who heard I was looking. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 254
| Yes, when I see a horse, if not from a trainer helping me to purchase, I try to see who knows the person, the horse, something. To try to research a bit. I plan on trying several before deciding and not jumping the gun. | |
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Folks on-line