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Mack, did Becky see my post about buying a used horse?

Simply go to the nearest thoroughbred track and check out the horses. Many, if not most of the races at your average track are "claiming races." That means that a price tag is automatically set upon any of the horses running in an individual race. You may need to affiliate with one of the trainers registered at the track to get him or her to do the actual claim, but it could be as simple as that.

Horses off the track are usually not for someone who just wants to amble down a trail. They are also young have NO experience other then track work. Throughbreds are also very flighty, they are very tall which can be intimidating. Yeah a few will be good but the chances are slim. It usually takes experience and a lot of time to train them to be anything other then a "race" horse. Barrell racers sometime buys horses off the track because they have learned to run. JMO, but I don't think this is what Cindy is looking for.

Another good rule is don't fall in love with the horse you buy till after you have had him for 6 months to a yr. Buy them with every intention of selling them if they do not work out. From what I have seen 99% of the horse that people buy the first few times do not work out. But they "love him" and so don't want to sell and try another, so are stuck with this horse that either won't do what they want it to, or are scared of it and won't ride. If you seriously want to ride and enjoy you are best to take a loss and keep trying till find you one that works. That is why it is good to try a horse as long as you can. See if the seller will let you try the horse for 30 days. They probably won't hold it for you but it doesn't hurt to ask.

While typing this post my dog went to barking like crazy and ran out the door, when I got up to see what was going on there was a coyote chasing my chickens across the yard, by the time I turned to get Mack and go back out he had one in his mouth and carried it off. Darn.

Becky