>I am considering the same thing- a long distance purchase. I have asked for
>and received videos. Without them I would have no idea if it's worth my time
>and money to go see the horse. Haven't gotten as far as all the rest of the
>questions so I'm interested in what others have to say. Anyone ever bought a
>horse based on a video, a vet check, and phone conversations? As for x-rays-
>I
>if the horse has not been trained yet and is young, I would not get x-rays.
>-Amy
Amy,
We have purchased several horses without even a video. Armed with excellent
references, pedigrees, conformation and movements photos (videos were just
becoming available at the time), as well as full medical information, we have
been more than satisfied with the 4 mares we bought this way. Conversely, a
top quality Egyptian mare whom we have VISITED 3 times prior to buying her
ended up a desperation dump because of a well-concealed bad temperament, and
the mare sent to replace her was drugged so heavily that we almost lost her
due to shock about 5 minutes after she was unloaded from a filthy, dusty
trailer - all from a rather hoity toity Santa Ynez ranch! Quite a contrast
from the horses we never saw! Do your medical homework and then check
references. We provide personal as well as professional AND medical
references for ANY potential client. Do you want to know how we provide
medical care for ALL of our horses? Our vet staff is more than happy to speak
with you and send records, even though buying our horse means that they lose
a "client". Look for references from past satisfied clients. And check the
registry paperwork!
san