I am looking for a horse, and found a free one...?

Question

Should I be suspicious? I am definitely going to try it before I buy. I know I still have to buy tack and things, but should I look into it or dismiss it as someone selling a lame horse?

Answer 1

Take a look but expect to find a problem. You know the adage about gift- horses, there is truth in that.

So look carefully, don't be tempted not to vet it because it's free - you don't want to get stuck with somebody else's problem.

I know people who have been given free horses by friends and in the trade. These horses all have "issues", it's up to you if you want to deal with them or not, just don't expect to be handed the next Poco Lena for free.

Answer 2

go and check the horse out. but to me, if someone is giving a horse away for free he is either lame or has behavioral issues!

Answer 3

def look into it. it may be the owners would rather have the horse have a good home then get money for him/her. Have a vet come out with you to check his  legs etc...

Answer 4

90% of the time this is a scam.  but every once in a while the real deal comes along.  A close friend of mine was given a ten year old gelding that was a beautiful TWH.  Jet black and as calm as can be.  Quite healthy and even though he had been ridden very little in the past couple of years he spooked at nothing.  Completely sound as well.

Most of the time they are crippled or green (you probably do not have the experience for a green horse) or riddled with so many health problems that they cost more to keep than it would cost to buy a new one.

Hee Hee it appears we have a troll!!!  Looks like this time the silly thing hit everyone!!!!! Oh well.

Answer 5

Just because a horse is free doesn't make it bad, but it is a good idea to really check it over. I have 8 horses and only one was paid for. These days people just can't afford to care for their horses and just want to find them a good home.

Answer 6

If it's free, it likely has either some major behavioral issues or a physical problem of some kind.  Have a vet AND an experienced trainer evaluate the horse thoroughly for lameness, behavioral issues, overall health, etc before you even think about bringing it home, and even then, you will want to have an agreement that you will take the horse for two weeks as a trial and you can return it at any time during that two weeks, no questions asked.  The reason for that is that some people, unfortunately, do drug horses, either with painkillers to mask lameness, or with a tranquilizer to mask behavioral issues, just to pawn their problem off on someone else.

Answer 7

call a vet and ask him to make sure he is not sick and i would totally ride and make sure he is sound and everything

Answer 8

Defently ride the horse be fore you buy yes good but also ask:

Why are they the horse away for free

is the horse okay to ride

how old is the horse

does the horse have any health problems

Also if you can get a vet to check the horse out before you buy it thats all i can say but many ppl just don't give horses away think about that

Answer 9

Go and check the horse out, if the horse is not what you want then you can pass it up.  The person might not be able to keep him anymore and wants the horse to go to a good home.

Answer 10

"Always look a gift horse in the mouth.  It could be a LOT older than you think!"  Old horsetrader's saying.

I've gotten "free" horses before, and they've always had problems.  Normally it's the AGE issue and folks just don't want to deal with them.

As the other poster said, get the horse vetted and take a trainer with you.  Take the trainer with you first, then if you two like the horse, then have a vet check him/her out for you.

IF the horse is just skinny, etc but sound, look past the bones and if the vet passes the horse, then while he's there, have him give him all his/her shots, and get the horse on a diet where he/she will gain weight.  Worm it, have it's teeth floated and get a farrier to trim it's feet.  

In this HARD economic time, people are giving away horses that they'd normally keep, maybe you've found a real diamond in the rough.  I know, I've gotten a few of them.

Answer 11

look into it and try it before you buy it

the people may not have time to wait for someone to buy it so they might just be giving it away you never know so deff check it out

Answer 12

Firstly, find out why the horse is free. It could be because the horse is lame, or it could also be because the owners don't have time for it and want it to have a good home. My cousin got a free 6 year old Quarter Horse mare because the owners had no time to ride her. We were iffy about her ablity because she was free, but she stood for the farrier, loaded like a dream, got along with the other horses, and was wonderful to ride. She learned to barrel race in about two months, and now runs 20-24 seconds each time.

Make sure you go and ride the horse first. Lead it around, pick up its feet, check its teeth, back, and withers. Ask about any mental or physical problems (lameness, biting, bucking etc.).  And when you ride it, take it through all the gaits. Not just walking and trotting, like most people do. Walk it, trot, lope, and maybe get it almost to a gallop. Then decide if you want it or not.

A free horse doesn't always mean a crappy horse.

Answer 13

no matter what, before you buy a horse, tell the people who is selling the horse to saddle the horse up and take it for a ride.

it would be a stupid idea for you to get on the horse once you see it, incase the horse bucks, rears or kicks. so make the owners ride the horse first. if the owners refuse to ride the horse before you do, then don't buy the horse, because obviously the animal does something that you wouldn't like.

hope i helped!!!!!

Answer 14

Definitely check it out. I had a free horse given to me. It was a registered Paso Fino mare. She rode like a dream but was a little too much for her 60+yr old owners. I ended up selling her for $4000. Never turn down an oppurtunity to LOOK at a free horse. Use your best judgement once you have seen it. Sometimes you have to look past a poor coat and the thin body. It usually only takes some wormer and good quality food.

Answer 15

Free usally means one of two things.  One the can't handle the horse and he's dangous, Or they can't aford to care for it because of an injury or illness.

Answer 16

definately check the horse out. Ride him, and do a vet check, at least a lameness exam and make sure he is fit for what you want to use him for.

   With the prices of feed going up, people can't afford horses anymore. I am offered free horses all the time- and they aren't all bad.

  I recently got a free 17yr old QH- he is partially blind in one eye, but extremely light on his cues, bombproof (even with guns and ropes) and while he doesn't have perfect conformation, he is great for beginners, and is a very loving horse.

   Back when the horse market was still good, we were selling horses of the same age and temperment for $1800 or so.

Answer 17

PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!

A free horse, is not always the best horse.

There is a good chance it has some issues. Whether they be physical or behavioral. It may end up costing you more in the end. It's almost not worth the heartache and disappointment if these are the issues.

On the other hand, it is possible someone just wants their horse to go to a good home. Something may have happened to where they can't keep it. Who knows?

Just be careful. That is all. Happy shopping.

Answer 18

Lots of people give away horses, they can be expensive to keep. Free horses tend to be older , some  tend to have digestive issues, or other physical problems, and vet visits are expensive. The other type of free horse, would be young and in need of training. Either way, you need pasture, shelter, feed and hay. Or pay to board him somewhere.

Answer 19

there are alot of them on equine.com they are free because of leg problems and can only do lite work or they are very old but yes i would take a look .