Buying a horse in an auction is really a crap shoot at best, as usually you will discover reasons why the horse can there be in the first place - reasons you do not want to see whether you take the horse home.
Generally, until you happen to be a horse trainer or Vet, you will not have the possiblity to do a pre-purchase exam. In that case, everything you can do is attempt to pick up warning from the horses you are thinking about. Yes, they may be really subtle and might also be masked because of drugs and the fact the horse was rested till you looking in internet marketing (which could not show some kinds of lameness).
Start your inspection from nose to tail for almost any swelling or warm spots. Run your hand down each of the legs (should the horse will allow you to and if not - red rag) and compare appearance along with the feel with the left and also the right. You might find a bowed tendon or possibly a fluid filled knee - a signal of arthritis. Try flexing the joints if you possibly could. If there is certainly arthritis they will not flex too well
Now take a look at general body condition (good, fair or poor), hair coat (sleek and shiny or dull), foot quality (well trimmed or chipped and cracked), muscle development (well formed or wasted) and attitude (bright and curious, dull and depressed or scared). Many of these things offers you an idea of how well the horse may be cared for and also you need to pay close focus to them. They are items that will also inform you how much training the horse has along with the amount of exercise it's had.
Watch the horse move - walk, trot and canter. Does he move well or are his ears pinned and tail with a switch? Does the top bob around (lameness)? What about his breathing? Does he roar or whistle or wheeze? Make sure you start to see the horse ridden under saddle to get a solid idea of his attitude and no matter whether he and also you will go along. You must take your riding experience into mind for this decision. And don't over-estimate your abilities or you will obtain a horse not fitted to your level of expertise.
Take your time and effort sizing up a possible purchase with an auction. There isn't any need to be in a hurry. You may miss some things, even so the more horses you inspect, the greater you get advertising online.
Take your time and effort sizing up a possible purchase with an auction. There isn't any need to be in a hurry. You may miss some things, even so the more horses you inspect, the greater you get advertising online.