buying a horse from afar

althea.o.gates (althea.o.gates@ArthurAndersen.com)
15 Oct 96 17:50:08

Hi everyone! I've been eagerly reading the posts on prevet exams and buying
out of town. I recently moved to Florida (I was in Virginia, aka, horse
country) and now find myself in a state where horses are scarce in comparison
and I'm ready to buy! Pretty ironic, eh? Anyway, I have located a horse that I
am very interested in near Rockford, Illinois (outside Chicago) and have the
vet dilemma.

First, how does one go about finding a vet in an unknown town? (Unknown by me,
I mean :o) ) Do you think it's as easy as calling information? How will I know
I have found a good one? I'm having a video sent to me; is it worthwhile to
find a vet here to look at that for me. I'm not sure I trust myself to see any
problems. As much as I'd rather not admit it, "the rose colored glasses" are no
doubt on!

Second, you all have some very good advise on what to do to buy an adult horse
... how about a foal? This guy is 5 months now. In this case, I don't know as
if a try out period would work. Or for that matter, it's over a 1,000 miles
away and I'll probably spend as much getting him here as I will on his actual
price, chances are I'm not sending him back for anything. :o)

So any advice? Thanks!

Althea
althea.o.gates@ArthurAndersen.com
AltheaO@aol.com