| If you are intending to buy a horse at auction, | | | | has had. Inquire as to whether it has any bad |
| you need to be able to tell the quality horses | | | | behaviors, habits or other problems. Ask how it |
| from the problem horses. Remember that most | | | | has been kept and what it has been used for. |
| horses at auction are sold 'as-is', so you do not | | | | At this stage, if you are still interested in a horse, |
| have a guarantee and have little legal protection, | | | | ask the owner (or other responsible person) if |
| even if the horse has a serious problem. | | | | you can examine it. If so, ask to have the horse |
| Consequently, you need to do your own research | | | | removed from the pen to an area where you |
| on the horses in advance to identify the ones | | | | can check it over, since working in a pen full of |
| that are worth bidding on and the ones which you | | | | strange horses is both distracting and potentially |
| should keep away from. | | | | dangerous. Look the horse over closely. Carefully |
| The first step is to arrive well before the auction | | | | examine the feet (including the underside) and run |
| starts, so that you have sufficient time to look | | | | your hands down the full length of the legs to feel |
| over the horses. Watch the horses are they are | | | | for old injuries. Look at the teeth for excessive |
| being unloaded and walked to their pens. The | | | | wear, loss or other issues. Put your thumb on one |
| horses should display overall good condition and | | | | side of the spine and a finger on the other side |
| walk easily, without any sign of lameness. Given | | | | and push firmly to see if the horse shows any |
| the noise and strange surroundings, it is normal | | | | discomfort or pain; starting at the shoulder repeat |
| for a horse to be alert and somewhat nervous; if | | | | this for the entire length of the back. During your |
| they appear indifferent they may well be drugged | | | | entire exercise the horse should appear alert but |
| or too sick to care. | | | | should not shown signs of aggression or fear. |
| How do the people unloading the horse treat it? If | | | | If at this point everything still looks good, add the |
| they are the owners and are gentle with it, | | | | horse to your short list. If you don't see any |
| apparently sorry to see it go, it is likely that the | | | | horses that you are absolutely happy with, it is |
| horse has been well treated. However, if they are | | | | best not to bid at all. Although the sale price may |
| treating it roughly, perhaps even whipping it into | | | | not be that high, the cost of ownership is |
| place, then it may well be an abused horse with | | | | substantial, so you need to be sure before |
| associated problems. | | | | making a commitment. Once you have finished |
| Once the horses are unloaded, the next step is to | | | | your short list, set a maximum price for each |
| go to where they are penned or stabled. Watch | | | | horses; it is easy to get carried away at an |
| how the horses move and behave, eliminating any | | | | auction and pay too much so one should set a |
| that have abnormal behavior. Look for any scars | | | | firm budget in advance. |
| or blemishes, which can indicate previous injuries | | | | Before bidding on a horse, make sure that you |
| or mistreatment. | | | | have a place to keep the horse and to transport |
| At this point, you will likely have eliminated most | | | | it there. If you haven't made arrangements in |
| of the horses from consideration and have a | | | | advance, discuss with the auction staff if they |
| short list of possible candidates. Try to find the | | | | know of a reputable person that can do this for |
| owners for these and ask them to tell you about | | | | you. At this point you should be prepared for the |
| the horse. Ask what illnesses or injuries the horse | | | | bidding. Good luck! |