United States Eventing Association

Should I Buy a Thoroughbred Sight-Unseen?

OK everyone, now read the title of this article again 10 times and answer each time out-loud, "NO!"

I wrote this article to protect buyers and in a certain way to protect the horses. There is a trend or lately a ‘fad’ where inexpensive Thoroughbreds are being offered to the pubic by unreliable businesses. Some advertise that they take the worry and hassle out of purchasing a Thoroughbred from the track, and this is where a novice or someone not familiar with racing will often regret their decision to purchase.

On one occasion I was confronted with a situation where a woman went on a web site and saw a Thoroughbred at a track in another state for sale. She contacted the people about the horse and was basically talked into purchasing it without ever looking and laying her hands on it. To make matters worse, the source selling the Thoroughbred arranged for ‘their’ vet to do the exam.

Needless to say once the horse arrived in Georgia, not only was it lame on both front legs, but it’s hooves were in terrible condition with under-run heels, flat plate-like walls, underweight (even for a race horse), and was terribly unhappy. She purchased this horse for $6K, sight unseen, and was told a sob story about how terrible racehorses have it at the track. The seller played on this woman’s soft side and told her this racehorse could possibly go to slaughter. They made quite a convincing argument to the buyer and nailed it hook-line-and sinker.

I am always surprised that there are people, no matter how good their intentions may be, purchasing Thoroughbreds with both eyes shut and are so willing to part with their money. My question to you is, "Would you read an ad in the newspaper about a used car for sale and send the seller a check without ever looking at it, without taking it for a test drive, and without taking it TO YOUR MECHANIC?" The answer is simple . . . . . "NO!"

I will continue to argue the point that you are at risk of losing your money and starting a new relationship with a horse that is only going to bring you a load of frustration and probable heartbreak. The old saying, "Buyer Beware!" is so true.

So how does someone avoid a situation like this? Here are a few pieces of advice:

• Never purchase a Thoroughbred sight-unseen.
• Always ask how many trainers/owners has the horse had.
• Always ask if the horse has been injected with any testosterone (Equipoise), hormones or any other drugs such as Lasix or Phenylbutazone (Bute).
• Always check the lip tattoo. A letter will be the first image followed by numbers. The letter stands for the year the horse was born.
• Do not get in ‘panic-mode’ and think that if you don’t buy a particular horse immediately, that you’re going to miss an opportunity of a lifetime – you must tell yourself that if you miss out on a certain horse then not to worry because there will always be another around the corner.
• Never be a first-time horse owner when buying a racehorse.
• Educate yourself about the track and how racehorses are trained and treated.
• Always bring an experienced horseman with you to look at the horse.
• Never leave without the Jockey Club papers.
• If you’re interested in a filly or mare, the opening to her vulva may have been stitched up an inch or two. This is to keep air out of the vaginal track when galloping at a fast pace. It can stay stitched unless you want her for breeding.
• Never have someone else choose a vet to do the exam – you must do it and you must be present.
• Always take a blood sample and have it tested.
• Do not trust what you see and read on web sites – and always do research on the people advertising and selling the Thoroughbred. You can sometimes check with the Better Business Bureau (B.B.B).
• Do your research about a particular Thoroughbred by looking up the history via the Jockey Club and/or pedigree search.
• Be familiar with what proper hooves should look like.
• Be familiar with lameness issues (chips, bone spurs, bowed tendons, splints, ossellets).
• Be prepared to invest more money into the horse once you’ve purchased it (worming, vaccinations, dental, farrier).
• Be aware that there is always a risk in purchasing a horse.
• Read everything thoroughly BEFORE signing your money away.

It’s always a good idea to do the above mentioned when purchasing a racehorse. I will also tell people to listen to that ‘gut’ feeling they have and to never make a decision based on emotions.