Conference noted::equitation

    Hi Craig,
    
    I think you made a good decision not to buy that particular horse.
    A vet check is wise when buying a horse at that price. Going against
    the vet's findings and buying the horse anyway could be a grave 
    error on your part.
    
    I agree with your trainer, a lame horse costs as much to feed as
    a healthy one.
    
    There are so many 100% sound horses out there for half that price,
    keep looking.
    
    Tina
     
    

    
    Craig, I to think you did the right thing.  For the kind of riding you
    want to do, you need to start off w/a sound horse - enought things can
    go wrong w/ a horse with out starting off w/ a problem - and I agree
    100% for 5K this horse should be able to walk, trot and canter w/no
    problem.
    
    lou

    Unsound riding horses are not worth $5,000.00 no matter how easy to get 
    along with they are. There are *many* completely sound, sensible Morgan
    horses for sale at much lower prices. Some as low as $2,000, at least
    if I believe the for sale ads in the Morgan newsletters!

That may not be much money to others, but $5K for a horse to me is
a *lot* of money, and unthinkable for an unsound one.  I've never paid
more than $500 for a horse in the past, and the yearling colt (Morgan)
I'm considering is only $1K.  And I will pass on him if he doesn't
vet with flying colors!

Defineatly you did the right thing! Keep looking and keep your 
standards up!

    I also agree with the others.  I have been looking for a horse for
    several months along with a few other people at my barn. Of the
    potential horses to be bought we found two horses with Navicular, one 
    with a tumor, and one who the buyer didn't bother to xray (the horse 
    was selling for $10k and failed the flexion test on two legs.)
    
    Vetting gets expensive but after what I have seen lately I would
    encourage everyone to vet a horse before buying, even young horses.
    The horse that had a tumor was a 3 yr. old.  In this case, as
    with many, the owner wasn't aware of the problem. 
    
    Be patient, it may take awhile before you find the horse you are
    looking for! 
    
    Andrea

If you are patient and shop around - should should be able to find a very sound
horse for $5K.

Depending on what your needs are as far as the horse's level of training - you
can find them for alot less (greenies being less expensive).

Beware of farms where the person doing the selling tries to lay the old - "in
*your* price range you can't expect too much". Alot of people pay alot of money
for broken horses because some locked-jawed "Brahmin" challenged their ego ;-)

Stick with your instructor - you'll find a nice horse. If you are looking for
Morgans I know a good breeder who sells some nice ones. Send me mail offline and
I'll give you her name.

	Good Luck!