Cross Breeds - Why do people buy horses without a prepurchase exam?

Why do people buy horses without a prepurchase exam?

I've been horse shopping lately and won't buy a horse without getting a prepurchase exam done first. Horses are expensive to feed, house, shoe, etc., and I don't want to get stuck with a horse I can't ride. But, I'm finding that other people seem to snap horses up without getting an exam done shortly after horses are advertised. Some sellers seem like they'll just sell their horses to the first person who shows up with cash.

Public Comments

I don't know. It is a dumb thing to do that gets lot of people in trouble. They end up with a horse that they can't use all because they didn't want to take a little time and a little money to investigate whether the horse was up to the job. I'd also want to know why people buy a horse THEN ask how to register it. If I am going to purchase a horse that is eligible for registry, and the sale price is partially based upon that, then the paperwork needs to be compete before the sale is finalized.
Buying a horse without a pre purchase exam is like spinning a roulette wheel, even if you know the seller is reputable. The people who buy without are asking for problems. Be smart even if it takes longer to find the right horse. It WILL save you $ and heartache in the long run. The sellers selling without are understandable. They're often just trying to make a buck on an unwanted horse. I would actually not recommend buying from a seller like that. It can mean that the horses they're selling have issues that they know about. It can also mean they just don't give a hoot about where the horses they sell wind up, and I wouldn't want to purchase from someone like that. Wait and find a good horse with a good owner who understands that in order for their animal to go to the right home an exam is necessary. I know a trainer who always recommends that the buyers have one done before purchase. Good Luck ! calamity jane - i wouldn't call you stupid. You obviously have a lot of experience. Most purchasers have absolutely no clue what to look for. I will add though that human eyes can't see what's under the skin that can develop into a major issue down that road. That's what x-rays are for.
I dont know...good question.....I think some peoples mentality is Im only paying 500 dollars for it im not putting in an extra 150.00 for a pre purchase.....Its really stupid IMO as that 150.00 can save you thousands in vet bills and emotional headaches. But thats me...Maybe they think they can spend that money elsewhere as in tack and such and have budged themselves to thinly for that expense.....who knows...
I think it depends on the price of the horse, who you buy it from (if you know the person or the horse itself) and the age of the horse. Not to say that a young horse can't have something wrong with it. There's nothing to say that even after you have the horse examined and buy it that something couldn't go wrong. I have bought a lot of horses in my life and have only had something wrong with one of them. I think knowing horses and having a lot of experience helps you to see things that people that don't have a lot of experience don't see. No matter how careful you are, it's still luck of the draw. Kind of like buying a used car. You can have a mechanic check it out all day but there's no guarantee that it won't break down the next day. Pre-purchase exams are always good. Edit; All posters above me can call me stupid. But along with paying for a PRE-purchase exam, There's something to be said for simple old Fashion paying attention and experience.
i didnt get a prepurchase exam but thats coz i bought him off my instructor, we knew the reason she was selling, and i had been his only rider for 6 months before we bought. if i hadnt got my horse though i definitely would have got a prepurchase exam, just to be on the safe side
i personally have never had a pre purchase vet check & yes, once i have been caught out. Spending $2500 on an unregistered horse & having it unsound 6 months later is not a nice experience ot go through. I think it all has to do with $$. If i was too spend anymore moeny on a horse, yes in the future i would get a vet check done.
Some people simply know horses and feel that they can tell as much as a vet. Some can. Others simply think they know more than they do. Others are just naive enough to think that all horses are created equal.
I think a prepurchase is a very good idea. That said though, I can see why some people choose not to opt for one. For instance, at the office I work at, the minimum for a PPE is $120. That's for a VERY brief exam, flexions, hoof tester exams, observe at gait, heart, respirations, general look over. On the other end, we did one last week that involved blood work, drug screen, several x-rays, and the bill was nearly $1K. I can see not spending that kind of $$$ on a horse that's purchase price represents maybe double that? A basic, yes....but then, I can do a basic myself....so why spend the $$. On a low dollar horse, ie, less than $1K, it's a crap shoot anyway, so unless your eye isn't good enough to pick out a horse that has a lameness issue, I can understand not putting the price of the horse into a PPE. Not saying a PPE is a bad idea, just saying I can understand it. Now, as far as sellers selling to the first person who shows up with cash.....the horses are for sale after all, so I can absolutely understand taking the $$$. Why should they be concerned if the purchaser decides not to opt for a prepurchase? It's not their money being spent, they don't know the purchaser's limitations, and it's really none of their business.
Well, I didn't get a pre-purchase exam done on my Arabian when I bought him, but that's because I'd known him since he was foaled, his breeder had her vet send me his complete vet records since birth, and his breeder told me she'd take him back any time I wanted to rescind the sale. The most practical reasons for not doing a pre-purchase is that the cost of the horse doesn't justify an extensive/expensive pre-purchase, or that the buyer intends to keep the horse no matter what it may have wrong with it; or that the buyer is so familiar with the horse and its history that they don't need a pre-purchase; or that they know and trust the seller. All of those reasons make sense, IMO. Some sellers WILL just sell their horse to the first buyer who puts cash down, and that's their privilege. As long as they are ethical in their representation of the horse, they're on solid ground if the buyer claims there is something wrong with the horse and tries to rescind the sale. As for the buyers who buy a horse quickly without a pre-purchase, well, "caveat emptor" was first spoken in ancient Rome about used horses. Why would it bother you? Do what you feel comfortable with, and let the chips fall where they may for other people. I would guess that you're disappointed because someone got their checkbook out first on a horse you'd set your heart on? If that's the case, you have to let it go. There will be other horses, and you can't move forward by holding onto the past. Don't let other people drive you out of your comfort level. Go for the pre-purchase and accept that that may mean someone else gets the horse if they write the check for the seller first. Don't set your heart on a horse until he's yours. Tough to do, yes, but necessary. Horses get sold out from under you, they fail to vet out, the seller decides not to sell. Move on. Good luck.
Prepurchases aren't 100% fail proof. I have done some on some and not done some on some... depends on the animal for me. I just found out that one of my friends sold her horse for $6500 only to be put down a year later from a freaky mouth cancer. He was 6yrs old. Sometimes bum luck just happens..
People these days are just dumb and ignorant. Maybe they think it would save them money (but many times it costs more when you wind up with a lame horse). Those sellers obviously don't care for their horses and I feel bad for them and their horses.
pre-purchase exams are extremely expensive, they can add up to even thousands of dollars. I bought a mare for $1700 without a pre-purchase exam, but I had good information on her before I got her. She IS off the track, and I'm sure we'll get x-rays eventually (who doesn't have freak-accident injuries [not related to previous conditions] that require x-rays?) A lot of things that are found in a pre-purchase exam usually either come up as lameness, heal over time, or are prevalent in almost all horses (like thin soles, or the onset of arthritis in their teens)
a lot of people who try to save a buck get kicked in the butt later for it and wind up spending A LOT of money, to get the prepurchase exam and save a lot... and also if you buy a horse that has an injury you dont know about you or the horse could get hurt