WWYD- horse buying question

[SonnysMom]

I have just retired my horse Sonny. I am just starting to look for a riding horse. Since I have spent a lot of money recently on vet bills the next horse either needs to be cheap or I need to wait until spring. I have not ridden for 1 year so I am being a bit impatient.

One of the horses I answered an ad on is REALLY cheap- as in very low 3 figures. He is a QH with lost papers. My concern is that based on his conformation, his muscle type and the fact his face looks exactly like my horse I think he is Impressive bred. The horse is currently a bit underweight and the owner needs to move the horse and a pony quickly. Do I roll the dice on the HYPP? Or get him tested and wait for the results? Sonny is a HYPP but only N/H not H/H. I can live with N/H but not with H/H. I would prefer N/N.
All I want is a horse to w/t/c, trail ride and maybe a few little 2' -2'3 jumps. Nothing strenuous.
Would you pass? Or take the chance? He is a cute horse but has not done anything for the last year.
It may be a moot point if I don't like him when I actually see him. But I kinda want to have a game plan lined up if I do like him.

[ambar]

The test is a lot cheaper than the vet bills and the regrets if you buy the horse and he then starts seizing.

[rabicon]

I would say the test is alot cheaper than getting seriously hurt jumping a small jump and the horse seizes or cantering down the trail. I'd go for the test first and if you don't have time to then I'd pass.

[BuddyRoo]

NH horses still have attacks....and they can be just as severe as HH.

I would test.

[Wayside]

If you're interested, I'd absolutely have him tested.

[analise]

I would look for another horse. There are tons of cheap, good horses out there that you don't have to worry about HYPP with. (I know, I got one).

If you're absolutely set on this particular horse, though, I'd make the test for HYPP part of my PPE/conditions for purchase and I'd only purchase if he turned out to be N/N.

[kcmel]

There could be a good reason his papers were "lost". I would have him tested first.

[RougeEmpire]

You would be suprised how many AQHA halter champions (even world show level) are double negative! Breeders have been able to produce the huge over muscling and the "look" through creative breeding practices and changing the conformation of the Quarter Horse greatly. Your main concern (aside from possible HYPP) is really whether or not the horse "to haltery" to be a suitable riding horse. Remember that the huge hulking muscle is extremly prone towards soft tissue injury and most those horses are VERY top heavy and set up on TINY feet. If the horse anything less than a size 2 standing on 1000lbs then you can have a real problem with soundness. Its not at all uncommon for those beasties at over 1k lbs to bred with feet 0 or 00. If the sellers balk at the you asking about running blood work for HYPP then its likely they already know he's positive. HYPP is not the only issue you should be concerned with when it comes to buying a halter bred ( or looks halter bred) horse as a riding prospect.

[SonnysMom]

Don't worry I do know about HYPP. Sonny is N/H and is carefully managed.
I am gathing that this horse came from a bad situation and the previous owner never gave this owner the papers. I am trying to find out his registered name. Maybe that will shed light on some things.

[SleepyFox]

The horse is priced at a few hundred dollars and you really like him? Go for it. But, I'd definitely get the test done.

Can you see if the seller will guarantee him N/N or N/H and give you a contract to refund your money if he is H/H? I say this because if I were selling a horse for a few hundred it would be because I wanted him gone and would not be willing to hold him while we waited for test results.

Hope it works out for you and please keep us updated!

[nightsong]

Since I have spent a lot of money recently on vet bills the next horse either needs to be cheap or I need to wait until spring.

You do know that the least expensive part od horse ownership is the purchase price?

[SonnysMom]

I have decided to pass on the horse as there are a few too many red flags.
nightson-yes I do understand that the purchase price is the cheapest part of owning a horse. I have owned 4 horse in the past 24 years so I am not new to horse ownership.

[MoonWitch]

Hey SonnysMom - sorry to hear that it didn't work out, but I'm sure you'll find a new love soon. I agree - there are alot of horses out there looking for homes right now & I have actually turned down a few! Hope all is well:)

[vxf111]

SonnysMom, I am so sorry to hear the news about Sonny. :(

[Ltc4h]

If your limited in price, try the giveaway section here. Those owners are doing their best to make sure their horses are placed to the right owner.

I would pass, I also have a N/H. Will never own another.
And remember, no two horses are created the same, so glad to here that Sonny is managable, the new horse may react differently to the eaxct same routine/care.

[Woodland]

If you're interested, I'd absolutely have him tested.

Agreed!

My horse Shane is N/H.

If you like the horse then get it done. There are no guarantees he won't pop a splint, go navicular, or colic. At least you can test for HYPP.

I have always loved my Impressive bred horses. Great minds, good work ethic and a CAN DO attitude! You can always recognize one even without papers. :yes:

Good luck to you!

[SonnysMom]

I decided to not go look at him. His conformation is not the greatest. He is really thin and the owner wants him to go with her other horse and not separate them. I can only afford 1 more not 2 more. Other horse is thin and looks wormy. Therefore I worry about what care they have gotten and what vet bills I could be buying.
I think because his face looks a lot like Sonny's face and he looked a bit thin I was doing the bleeding heart thing. I am also getting impatient to ride again and the weather has been so nice.
I may go to the sale in VA on Oct 31st. and if I don't find anything there I will wait until spring. I was sorta hoping to take advantage of people selling horses cheap so they don't have to winter them.
I have been looking at the giveaway boards and hope to look at one of them next weekend.
Thanks for all the advise. With Sonny so easy to maintain for his HYPP it is easy to forget that not all of them are. He never really had the seizures either. He got the episodes that more resembled tying up. One of his front legs would lock up and he would paw with the other front one. He would then be a bit lethargic for about 24 hours after an episode. He had 3 that we know of before we got him tested. I have been spoiled with him.

[SMF11]

What about that 3 year old quarter horse for $700 that just was posted here in Off Course a few minutes ago?? Looked cute, price probably negotiable . . . NW CT isn't that far for you, is it??