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It was weird. It looked like a bone under the skin out of place. I saw all kinds of unusal stuff at the auction.

I found a 22 y/o QH that was wider than Okie that I really liked. There was a kid on her and she was trying to get the horse to walk around the stall with a halter and two lead ropes but not getting anywhere really. I noticed the horse had a bad cut on her right leg. I started to talking with the owner and asked if he rode her. He said yeah, his grandchild too. He invited me to check her out (the kid gone) and said he was selling her because he had too many horses when I asked. I couldn't get the horse to raise her left front hoof. I walked her around the stall and she was limping a little. She wouldn't let me touch her mouth. When I asked he said she briddled well though. Ears and face no problem. Then he told me she would foal in Feb.

I had really liked the way she looked and took his card and asked if he didn't sell her if he would be willing for me to come see her in a few weeks when the leg healed and see her bridled and rode. He told me, ok but she had "a problem" at feeding time. He said she was his dominant horse and had to be seperated but told me she was registered and excellent bloodlines and has had several prize winning colts.

Sigh. A PG 22 y/o lame, boss brood mare with a hot mouth a little too much for us right now but I really did like the way she looked. I felt really stupid though when I was thinking she was even wider than Okie, and didn't know it was because she was carrying:') She was big all over though and had a beautiful red coat. I don't know why I was drawn to her. I was though. Something in her eyes and the way she looked. If I had my own place and he came way down on the price I might have thought about it twice though.

Go with your gut on those, the sellers will tell you whatever you want to hear, in the face of the truth you could see for yourself.

Auctions are a risky place to get a horse, they are the sad dumping ground of a lot of the broken and injured. I wouldn't mind going there to find the good soul who needs saving, but I would know I was taking a risk. The pony I have was bought at auction. She looked good and a child rode her in the ring. When the tranquilizers wore off at home, she was not the child's mount she was promised to be.