[Superminion]

I've run a search on this, put couldn't really find what I was looking for, if I've missed something, would you mind linking me?

I've been looking for a steady eddy trail type for DH (thank goodness he's given up on the mounted shooting thing...I was in over my head there!) and I stumbled across a Belgain mare (hip #402, if anybody is intrested.) that seems like she'd love an upgrade and would fit the bill. I was looking at pictures on the other thread, and saw her on the FB page.

Has anybody bought a horse from them? What can I expect from the process? We'd be buying her practically sight unseen, which is a bit daunting for me and normally a total no-no. She pulls on my heartstrings though, a little bit more than the others.

TIA for any insight.

[kari]

I'll enable you.
She's a cutie.
Do it!

[bathsheba8542]

We purchased a donkey from Camelot last year; easiest thing ever...I called, gave them a credit card #, and then found on their site a shipper who brought her to us the next morning. Couldn't have been easier or faster...and we ADORE her. Sweetest thing in the world!!!

[BoomerButt]

I have a friend who has bought 5 from them. All good experiences other then the one little guy that needed major brain surgery (he had a screw loose).

I currently have a little girl that was purchased by the person I saved her from, from Camelot.

Apparently, the procedure is super easy. You call, they take the cc info, you show up to get them, sign all the paperwork and out you go.

[SAcres]

Do it! She looks very cute. No clue on the process, but you might post on the Camelot fb page...a lot of regular "rescuers" frequent there.

[caffeinated]

I was involved in getting a horse from Camelot (not for myself), and it was really very easy.

All I had to do was call up with a credit card, and arrange transport and a quarantine facility. Did it all over the phone in about twenty minutes. Our shipper couldn't get there right away so I had to pay for a few days of "board" while the horse waited for pickup, but that was a very small fee.

[lolalola]

Yes, it's an easy process. The description of the horses are as honest as they can make it -- it's experienced volunteers doing the assessing.

[Superminion]

Thank you so much!

DH looked at her tonight and said "That's a real man's horse right there!"

What makes a 'real man's horse' I do not know. He wants to sleep on it, because there looks to be a fair amount of vet/farrier work, and I don't think we have anybody around here who knows drafty feet. He's the money guy.

Fingers crossed! I keep texting him pictures of her on the sly, in a desperate attempt to break his willpower...

[Toadie's mom]

Those of you who have bought from Camelot, are you fairly close by? I subscribe to the Camelot FB page, and have seen a couple that sound like what I'm looking for. I wonder how difficult the process would be for me (being in TX)? I'm not looking for "something for nothing", but would really like to help a horse in need. I peruse rescue sites from time to time, but unfortunately their resources most often have to go to health issues, as opposed to training, and rarely do any of the horses sound like beginner types (which I'm looking for, for my SO).

[Bluey]

Those of you who have bought from Camelot, are you fairly close by? I subscribe to the Camelot FB page, and have seen a couple that sound like what I'm looking for. I wonder how difficult the process would be for me (being in TX)? I'm not looking for "something for nothing", but would really like to help a horse in need. I peruse rescue sites from time to time, but unfortunately their resources most often have to go to health issues, as opposed to training, and rarely do any of the horses sound like beginner types (which I'm looking for, for my SO).

If you want to go the rescue way, have you checked out what Bluebonnet has on hand?
Or leave a word with Cowgirljenn about what you are looking for?

They are right by your corner of the world:

http://www.bluebonnetequine.org/

[Toadie's mom]

If you want to go the rescue way, have you checked out what Bluebonnet has on hand?
Or leave a word with Cowgirljenn about what you are looking for?

They are right by your corner of the world:

http://www.bluebonnetequine.org/

Bluey, I look at Bluebonnet often but haven't contacted Jenn directly. So far I haven't seen anything on the site that looks beg. safe.

This is something I think about a lot. There are a lot of people who would love to adopt, but they often have more heart, and money, than experience. How can we get more people to donate training time? Honest to gawd, 20 or 30 years ago when I would have been physically able to help in this way I didn't even know about rescues!

[Plainandtall]

Superminion- You touched on a BIG thing... feet. You need to get a farrier who will work on drafts BEFORE you get saddled with a horse who has hooves... which grow.

I once moved with a draft cross (he had excellent hoof manners and only a size 4 foot) and I called every farrier in the new area that anyone had ever heard of to see if they would shoe my horse for me- not exaggerating- one guy HUNG UP ON ME as soon as I said "draft cr..", and another started LAUGHING. It wasn't even an issue of money- no amount of money would get these guys to think about doing the job. I was so desperate I contacted a shoeing school to see if I could learn how to do it myself- and that guy was a total meanie too and basicly said that would also be impossible.

I have moved again and now live near an Amish community where draft horses don't cause anyone to bat an eye. But many farriers who will do drafts require you to put them in a shoeing stock- regardless of how well behaved the horse is. This may mean that they want you to purchase (and store) your own stock. Many draft horses have never been taught proper hoof manners because of this, and I believe that many horses once shod in stocks are really ruined (if not ruined- have another barrier to get over) for learning to balance on three legs.

Then there are the draft specialists who do the show hitch horses- which is an extremely expensive job... they "do drafts" because they are doing really fancy expensive work... they aren't going to want to come out and just do some run of the mill corrective trimming.

I'm just warning you about this. Start calling for a farrier NOW- and if you find one- treat him like a KING.

[Superminion]

Superminion- You touched on a BIG thing... feet. You need to get a farrier who will work on drafts BEFORE you get saddled with a horse who has hooves... which grow.

I once moved with a draft cross (he had excellent hoof manners and only a size 4 foot) and I called every farrier in the new area that anyone had ever heard of to see if they would shoe my horse for me- not exaggerating- one guy HUNG UP ON ME as soon as I said "draft cr..", and another started LAUGHING. It wasn't even an issue of money- no amount of money would get these guys to think about doing the job. I was so desperate I contacted a shoeing school to see if I could learn how to do it myself- and that guy was a total meanie too and basicly said that would also be impossible.

I have moved again and now live near an Amish community where draft horses don't cause anyone to bat an eye. But many farriers who will do drafts require you to put them in a shoeing stock- regardless of how well behaved the horse is. This may mean that they want you to purchase (and store) your own stock. Many draft horses have never been taught proper hoof manners because of this, and I believe that many horses once shod in stocks are really ruined (if not ruined- have another barrier to get over) for learning to balance on three legs.

Then there are the draft specialists who do the show hitch horses- which is an extremely expensive job... they "do drafts" because they are doing really fancy expensive work... they aren't going to want to come out and just do some run of the mill corrective trimming.

I'm just warning you about this. Start calling for a farrier NOW- and if you find one- treat him like a KING.

This is my #1 concern. I'm going to start calling around this morning. I've run a google search or two and come up with nothing in our area. There is a guy about 2 hours from here, that I know has a Perch. hitch. He is my first phone call. When I drove Belgians with Morrisville he was good friends with our coach, and I'm hoping that he'll be a friendly resource. IIRC, most of those guys do their own hitches, but you never know.

It'll do her no good for us to get her home, and not have a farrier for her. No hoof, no horse.

DH has said that if we can find her a pedicurist, then he'll give it the green light!

[Logical]

Don't be like me and save the draft and then discover that no farrier in the area will touch her! Finally found one guy 3.5 hours away that was willing to come down and do her but I was going to pay $$$$$$ for it. Then the next day, found another guy 1 hour away that does barefoot trims that came out that day and did her. And I'm glad that I like the way he does hooves!! And yes, we treat him like he was made of gold. He also does my regular horses and the one who has trust issues tolerates him.

[FalseImpression]

I guess I was lucky to never have a problem finding a farrier to do my size 5 feet girl. The farrier I have used to do the Friesians at the breeder where Martha Stewart got some of her horses... My girl was terrified at first, but he was so patient with her. He has been doing her for 8 years now... and she just loves him.
Good luck!
My BO has Belgians and he uses a mennonite guy... cheap but what a hack job he does... the horses are very well behaved, but I am not sure why they never asked my (barn) farrier if he would do them... I bet they are a size 8 or 9 though.
So there is a difference in draft shoe size too... maybe get the size before you say Draft?

[lolalola]

I'm in NJ horse-central -- around the corner from the Horse Park of NJ. You can't throw a rock without hitting a farrier or equine vet. BUT, finding someone to shoe drafts is another story. Friends of mine with a carriage driving business take their horses out to Lancaster Co in PA (at least a 2.5 hour drive each way) every 6 or 7 weeks because it's far cheaper than any farrier they can find locally who'll agree to shoe their horses.

[spacytracy]

Keep in mind too, that you're getting a once-seen, opinion on this horse. No vet, no X-rays, nothing. The people there are wonderful, and I think the volunteers are awesome for their tireless work. But personally, I'd rather look on the graduates page, and pay more for a Camelot graduate who has been quarantined, evaluated, and there's been a more lengthy assessment done.

I don't consider myself a beginner horse person, but I am also not good at reselling them, so when I buy, I buy for keeps. So that's where I'm at, and why I'd prefer better insurance that the horse is truly suitable for my needs.

[KBC]

I see she is marked as sold now, did you buy her OP?

[Nootka]

I see she is marked as sold now, did you buy her OP?

I just came to this thread cuz i wanted to know too

[Superminion]

Sadly, no. I called, CC in hand, and was told that we'd be beaten to her by about 45 minutes... Double damn! I hope that she's going to a good home!

Do kill buyers purchase from there? I don't know much about it.

I have a lead on another fantastic mare from another COTHer, though!