Pahrump Valley Gazette, Thursday, May 15, 1997 21
Buyer beware - check out the seller
Continued from previous page
more than you would have by purchasing an adult, trained
horse.
"BUYER BEWARE!" A horse is a huge commitment of
your emotional, physical and financial resources. Take your
time. Do your homework. Get expert advise. Be skeptical. A
good place to begin is the registry for the breed of horse you
want. They will usually give you information on the desired
confirmation and characteristics of the breed and often, a list
of members with horses for sale. Cheek with some of the
breeders to get an idea of market price for the type horse you
have in mind. Also check horse magazines, monthly horse
periodicals and newspapers to find horses for sale and to get
a realistic feel for prices.
Hype, overly enthusiastic marketing and excessive claims
of a horse's superior breeding or performance should all be
red flags to a buyer. A seller who instantly adopts you, claims
she/he is going to sell you a $30,000 horse for $3,000 and
appears to be too good to be true, usually is. Ask for references
and cheek them. Ask the seller for a list of previous buyers
preferably going back at least five years. Call some of the
buyers. Ask questions. Did the horse live up to the promises?
Does the buyer feel the price was fair? Was all the paper work
in order and transferred in a timely manner? Most important,
if they have purchased or were thinking about purchasing
another horse did they or would they return to that seller?
If the horse is registered or if it is a foal and is supposed
to be eligible to be registered ask to see the horses or the dam' s
and sire's papers. Make sure the paperwork will be trans-
ferred at the time of sale. If not available, don't buy. If part of
your decision to buy is based on performance, don't just look
at blue ribbons. Ask if the competition was local, regional,
statewide or national. Ask about the classes including how
many horses competed. Ask for proof.
Ask if the horse has been professionally trained. Ask for
information about the trainer. Check with the trainer.
Take an objective, experienced horse expert with you to
see the horse prior to making a buying decision preferably
have him or her with you during your horse search. When you
think you've found your horse, have a "vet cheek" by a
veterinarian you select. If you have access to a trainer have
her/him ride and evaluate the horse. Ride the horse yourself,
but only after the seller has ridden him.
If you can't find the horse you want at a fair market price
locally, look in other areas. Sellers will usually send you
information and a video of available horses. You can contact
experts in that area to check the horse for you. The horse can
be transported by one of a number of horse haulers listed in the
classified section of most horse magazines.
It's a good idea, especially if you're a novice or haven't
been around horses for a while, to hire a trainer for the "getting
acquainted period." Insist on a trainer who will work with both
you and the horse. One who will teach you the basics of horse
care including feeding and grooming as well as handling.
Have your horse's new home ready when he arrives. He
should have a stall with a run or a corral with a shaded area and
a safe place to be worked and exercised. The Bureau of Land
Managem,.nt requirements for adoptees of wild horses are:
"an enclosed corral with a minimum area of 400 square feet
(20' by 20') per animai...Gentled animals must be exercised
daily and should have a box stall of at least 144 square feet (12'
by 12' or larger) that is well ventilated, drained and frequently
cleaned."
Now if you still think you want to buy a horse, do. Stay
in reality when buying then fall in love. Relax and enjoy the
beauty, the romance, the friendship of horse and human.
Failing Horse? Might be his teeth.
Q: My horse is five years old and has been an easy
keeper until this year. He has been losing weight for the
last month or so, even though I have increased his ration of
both hay and grain. He is also dropping a lot of grain when
he eats. What could be wrong?
A: Odds are that your horse has never had his teeth
checked for points or had his teeth floated. A horse's teeth
continue to grow throughout its entire life and as the teeth
really stressed such as racehorses and endurance horses
should have Flu-Rhino every three months.
Optional vaccines include Rabies once a year and
Potomac Horse Fever once a year. Both are more rare in
this area but can be fatal if a horse does become exposed.
Strangles vaccination is also optional, especially in a
young horse, but the vaccine may only give partial protec-
tion. A horse may still get the disease but not as severely.
Submit your questions to Dr Henseler clo the Gazette. He
will answer questions as space allows, giving preference
byASk ae00Zd the Heaseler Vet o vM SMART I1001 _._ , __ ,. _ _ to questions ofgeneral interest to horse owners.
wear, they develop sharp areas
called "points" on the outsides of
the uppers and insides of the iow-
ers causing discomfort or even PICK A pART!
cutting the cheeks and tongue while chewing. This gener-
ally causes him to break down his food less effectively
leading to weight Ios's and sometimes colic. Many colics --
p--i-g-x00
OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
occur due to poorly chewed hay blocking the intestines.
Poorly digested food leads to weight loss and poor condi-
tion.
Your veterinarian should check your horse's teeth once
a year starting at 1-2 years of age to help prevent abnormal
wear from causing more serious problems later in life.
Horses with "parrot mouth," or other poor conformation,
will often develop hooks which need early attention. Wolf
teeth can be removed while small and before problems
with the bit occur. Preventive maintenance can help keep
your horse's mouth healthy and pain free.
Q: I'm not sure my horse has ever been vaccinated or
what vaccinations he needs to stay healthy.
A: In this area, the minimum vaccination every horse
needs is Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western
Equine Encephalitis (WEE), and Tetanus every 6-12
months. If you go further south with your horse, Venezualan
Equine Encephalitis (VEE)
may be a good idea. Teta-
nus is especially important
since horses are very sus-
ceptible to it and actually
shed tetanus spores in their
manure. People who work
with horses should consult
their physician about rec-
ommendations for tetanus
boosters for themselves.
Horses that are shown
regularly or kept with horses
that are coming and going
to shows should be vacci-
nated for Influenza (Flu) and
Rhinopneumonitis (Rhino)
every six months to protect
from these viruses. Horses
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