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How far would you travel to pick one up.

Becky

I'm going to buy some "how to" books tomorrow and go shopping (but not to buy yet). Distance isn't a problem but I guess it depends on how long the horse can tolerate being in a trailer. Which brings up something I hadn't thought about. If I'm going to buy one in Aug I need to find a horse trailer first. Does it need to be enclosed? What should I look for health wise tomorrow and what's a normal price?

You don't necessarily need a horse trailer first. If you buy a horse locally they will usually haul it to your place.

Horse prices vary in an incredible range around here, $500-10,000. It depends on so many things, including how bad the seller needs money. I have a friend who just sold a horse for 1,500 who was asking 4,500 last year for the same horse:) The best thing is to decide what the limit is YOU want to spend, and go from there. Don't get into a hurry.

Health: watch for snotty noses, limping, broken up hoofs, a little rough is ok, but make sure they have no cracks that go up into the very top of the hoof by the hair line. A crack that high will NEVER close, and causes problems that can be dealt with, but why buy a problem. Look at their legs, make sure none of the joints are bigger then the others, run you hand down the back side of their legs and feel for bumps, that can mean a bowed tendon, they don't heal ever completly either and can cause lameness on and off. Look at the horses coat condition. They should be all shed out now and slick and shiney.. If they still have long ruff hair, they are probably wormy which can be fixed, but if the people have let them go for a long time then they could have intenstine damage that can lead to having a horse that colics easy. Remember to ask the people if they will pay for a vet check. Vets all the time check horses for buyers. But the above stuff is a place for you to start.

Good Luck, I am really excited for you, and to have another horse lover on here to talk too during football, basketball and hockey season:)

Becky

Distance isn't a problem but I guess it depends on how long the horse can tolerate being in a trailer.

Hey this reminds me. My daughter-in-laws brother is getting married in June in Farmingtion NM. We are thinking about going and making a vacation of it. We will be going thru Tx. Where do you live? Anywhere near the route that takes you to Albecurque (sp:) NM?

Horses can tolerate being in a trailer for quite awhile. I have hauled to Tx several times for competitions. You want to stop every 4-6 hours and let them stand in the trailer still for an hour or so, so they get a rest from the motion and vibration, and balanceing. Probably over 8-10 hours you would want to unload them and let them move around some. I've never hauled that long. but I know a lot of people who have. I have a friend who hauls horses all over the country for people as part of her job.

Becky