Ridecamp: [RC] "Auction" horses?

Okay....may be going to go look at a horse tomorrow and need
some advice.

Turns out he came from the auctions and is unregistered.  A
trainer from the LA Equestrian Center bought him a year ago
after spotting him at the sales and couldn't bear to see him
go to the killers.  He has put 8 months of training on him,
and now wants to sell him to someone who will do something
useful with him.  Good conformation, good withers, straight
legs, great feet - currently barefoot.

The horse is almost 5 years old and was never ridden before
this trainer got him.  A vet check will put any lameness
issues to rest, I hope.

However, the seller did say that the horse was very wormy
when he first got him, but he has been worming him regularly
since then.  He then mentioned that right now he is a little
concerned about the horse because he has not been finishing
his hay lately, and is worried something may be wrong (boy,
is this honest or what?).  He also said it could just be the
105+ degree heat we've been having (my own mare did not
finish her hay yesterday either)....I am still afraid of
intestinal damage from the worms he had before....is there
anyway to know if there is any?  The seller said that the
horse has not been off his feed for the past year that he's
had him, only the last few days - although he is not the
type of horse that bolts his food anyway...kinda takes his
time.  I'm still feeling leery though...I've seen a horse
die of damage from past worm infestation and don't want to
see it again.

Are there any other caveats to buying a horse with an
unknown past?  Even if it's a young horse?  Anything to
check for?  Anything a vet should check for above and beyond
a normal vet check?

Should I steer clear of this horse?

The seller sounds very honest - I asked every question I was
given advice here to ask (we were on the phone for 45
minutes), and the seller told me all of the horse's faults
right up front.  He is scared of puddles (but will cross
streams no problem) and had a bad tooth that led to some
bitting issues.  Wolf tooth was pulled by the vet one month
ago, and horse is now doing better, although still tenses up
and gets behind the bit when turned to the right (the side
the wolf tooth was on).  He said that this is gradually
getting better, as the horse is learning that the pain is
gone and not to fear the bit.  He rides him in a french link
snaffle.

The horse has been trained mainly on busy trails in the Los
Angeles area (Griffith Park), knows all the basics - turns
off fore and hind, sidepasses, collects and extends, knows
his transistions.  He said the horse is very willing, loves
people, and likes to move out.

Horse prefers to be in front while on trail, but doesn't
pitch a huge fit if held back.

He sounds so tempting to go see.....but an auction horse?
Sounds so risky!

Advice for me?

Jennifer






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