A Note From Kail:

Horse Buyers
Please read before proceeding
I want to make this perfectly clear to EVERYONE considering buying a horse from me. I am selling these horses as sound horses. Here is what that means: These horses will not limp, or limp the next day or two after doing what you have told me you are going to do with them. Most, if not all, of these 10+ year old horses have a blemish of some sort…..we have used them…..that’s how they got safe! If you want a perfect, unblemished horse, please don’t waste my time. Most of those kind have never done anything and will eventually (or immediately) buck you off and hurt you, and are probably too young to have the experience that we require. I am selling safe, reliable, and sound horses for trail riding/recreation purposes. I know they are all sound enough for that, I have used them for that purpose, and most have recently completed my annual horse drive. There is not a more rigorous and comprehensive test on a horse than putting a dude on him, giving him a whip, and then having him help you run 450 horses 35 miles on pavement, over the interstate, and through 2 towns complete with 16,000 screaming people. Five of these same horses just “flunked” a vet-check in Hamilton.  The vet was a thoroughbred horse vet in Hamilton. The customer truly loved the horses and their behavior, but the vet talked her out of it.  (I will happily take these horses back and continue to use them for the same purposes, I stand by their suitability.)  This is a very sad scenario, as I'm afraid the horses they eventually buy will hurt them.  The good news is, the horses they buy will still probably pass a vet-check after the wreck, even though their owners are in intensive care.
   
My advice is this: Choose your horse and vet carefully.  If the horse limps, wheezes, or runs into stuff, don't even load him.  If he does what you like, you like him, and he looks like a decent prospect, take him home.  Ride him at your ranch and if he still passes these tests, then call for a vet check.  Let your vet know how you intend to use the horse.  No reason to hold a Shetland pony to the same standards as a Thoroughbred racing horse.  After the evaluation, ask if the horse is sound enough for your use. If he says yes, then you have enough information.   Keep it simple.  Remember, when it's your job to find something wrong, it’s a very easy job.  Some of these horse vets blow every sale to cover their own ass from liability.  However, there are some very good vets out there, and I can recommend some with common sense and practical attitudes, if you need one.
 
Kail