| u are intending to buy a horse at auction, you need to | | | | problems. Ask how it has been kept and what it has |
| be able to tell the quality horses from the problem | | | | been used for. |
| horses. Remember that most horses at auction are | | | | At this stage, if you are still interested in a horse, ask |
| sold ‘as-is’, so you do not have a | | | | the owner (or other responsible person) if you can |
| guarantee and have little legal protection, even if the | | | | examine it. If so, ask to have the horse removed from |
| horse has a serious problem. Consequently, you need | | | | the pen to an area where you can check it over, since |
| to do your own research on the horses in advance to | | | | working in a pen full of strange horses is both |
| identify the ones that are worth bidding on and the | | | | distracting and potentially dangerous. Look the horse |
| ones which you should keep away from. | | | | over closely. Carefully examine the feet (including the |
| The first step is to arrive well before the auction starts, | | | | underside) and run your hands down the full length of |
| so that you have sufficient time to look over the | | | | the legs to feel for old injuries. Look at the teeth for |
| horses. Watch the horses are they are being unloaded | | | | excessive wear, loss or other issues. Put your thumb |
| and walked to their pens. The horses should display | | | | on one side of the spine and a finger on the other side |
| overall good condition and walk easily, without any sign | | | | and push firmly to see if the horse shows any |
| of lameness. Given the noise and strange surroundings, | | | | discomfort or pain; starting at the shoulder repeat this |
| it is normal for a horse to be alert and somewhat | | | | for the entire length of the back. During your entire |
| nervous; if they appear indifferent they may well be | | | | exercise the horse should appear alert but should not |
| drugged or too sick to care. | | | | shown signs of aggression or fear. |
| How do the people unloading the horse treat it? If they | | | | If at this point everything still looks good, add the horse |
| are the owners and are gentle with it, apparently sorry | | | | to your short list. If you don't see any horses that you |
| to see it go, it is likely that the horse has been well | | | | are absolutely happy with, it is best not to bid at all. |
| treated. However, if they are treating it roughly, | | | | Although the sale price may not be that high, the cost |
| perhaps even whipping it into place, then it may well be | | | | of ownership is substantial, so you need to be sure |
| an abused horse with associated problems. | | | | before making a commitment. Once you have finished |
| Once the horses are unloaded, the next step is the go | | | | your short list, set a maximum price for each horses; it |
| to where they are penned or stabled. Watch how the | | | | is easy to get carried away at an auction and pay too |
| horses move and behave, eliminating any that have | | | | much so one should set a firm budget in advance. |
| abnormal behavior. Look for any scars or blemishes, | | | | Before bidding on a horse, make sure that you have a |
| which can indicate previous injuries or mistreatment. | | | | place to keep the horse and to transport it there. If you |
| At this point, you will likely have eliminated most of the | | | | haven’t made arrangements in advance, |
| horses from consideration and have a short list of | | | | discuss with the auction staff if they know of a |
| possible candidates. Try to find the owners for these | | | | reputable person that can do this for you. |
| and ask them to tell you about the horse. Ask what | | | | At this point you should have a good idea of what |
| illnesses or injuries the horse has had. Inquire as to | | | | horses you are interested in, their condition and |
| whether it has any bad behaviors, habits or other | | | | background. Good luck with the bidding! |