About Horse Rescue Shelter

While auctions might be a convenient and cheaper way of getting a horse, it might not be safest. Careful consideration should be taken before participating since the horse, at the beginning, might seem like a bargain, but, after some time, might become more than what buyer bargained for.

One of the things that buyers should be aware of is that some horses are drugged before the auction to make them appear calm during a bidding war. Unfortunately, once the effects subside, the horse may become very difficult to manage and may also become a danger. Another reason that sellers will drug horses is to mask its health issue, and real medication to treat the problem might be costly. However, a horse can be examined by a veterinarian for drugs, prior to the actual purchase. Buyers should also note that horses may not be as well ‘broken’ as they appear to be. Though the horse to be auctioned might appear well-mannered in the middle of the ruckus and noise found in auction houses, it only remains quiet as it is familiar with its handler. And so, when introduced to its new owners it might need a lot more training from a professional to turn it into a horse that will interact properly with a rider. Also, horses may have behavioral problems that the sellers will not disclose, such as cribbing, weaving, stall walking, refusing to load on a trailer, biting, kicking, etc. Lastly, buyers of auctioned horses are seldom given the chance to try before they buy the horse, and unfortunately, ethics that oversee private sales and auctions are completely different, so be careful and critical before bidding.

Careful consideration should be taken before participating since the horse, at the beginning, might seem like a bargain, but, after some time, might become more than what buyer bargained for.