I do not like the mare - the owner sounds like a dealer to me, offereing to take things in exchange.

What did put me off was the video - she is nowhere near being on the bridle (which I pointed out that she was being ridden in side reins in the still shots)
The reason the video put me off was the way she was breathing, just cantering in a couple of large circles like that made her sound very thick in the wind. Before anyone says anything it was NOT high blowing!

I wouldn’t even bother to go look at her because of her wind.

1. Gelding’s tendons look a bit tight, like more what you would see on a halter horse. Not sure I want to jump that. I’d expect a video and a whole lot more information before bothering with a 4 hour trip. FYI, I don’t like his rider’s form over the still jump photo, either. It’s one thing to buy a green horse, it’s another to buy a horse that needs ‘fixed’ thanks to a green rider.

2. The mare is a no go. She’s not eager to jump (the rider sits several strides before the jump and drives the mare into it), her rider isn’t very knowledgeable, as evidenced by her transitions and riding in the video. You do NOT want to bother with a grumpy mare for jumping. I’ve rehabbed mares who were ‘irritable’, and most of the time ended up finding lameness or back issues. That’s bad enough when riding pleasure horses. It’s downright dangerous when eventing.

I’m so picky, I know, but I can’t help believing that for 2k, in Indiana, you can come up with something really really amazing. Maybe an OTTB who has no desire to run, or something.

Edit: Oh yea, and I do like Ehawl’s link as well, although again, if they are serious about selling a good horse, they can provide a video.

They both look like potential eventers, despite having only fair riders. I like how the mare is okay with jumping into water and I like the gelding’s expression. I am a little concerned that the seller told you the mare could be “stubborn and irritable” - that’s not what you want in an eventer, you want willing and forward. However, if you do go for the mare, you can get her for less than $2,000 - the ad says “make an offer”. Personally, the gelding is more my type but I think they both have potential.

I’m glad to see you’re not ruling out mares. I’ve evented for many years on a series of three mares, and I think that if you can get a mare working for you, that she’ll try harder and have a better connection than most geldings will.

The shots you get sent out of the mare are horrible, you would think they were actually WANTING to sell her if they put an add up. Either they are trying to hide something, don’t know about confo themselves, or are hoping you don’t know anything about confo…

The other odd thing which I am sure has been pointed out before either with a different add and a different horse (or maybe it was you??) Is that the horse is being sold due to going off to college BUT she will except trades???

Have you gotten anything extra on the gelding yet?

Grrr as exciting as buying a newy is it is always a hassle! Nothing like straight answers and good solid pictures!

Edit - just had a look at the video for the mare, I am tipping you are more than willing to put in all the time and work to get her balanced up properly and working well, so without any of the other important stuff (like confo or vet) she could be an ok prospect. I still like the gelding though!

Edit x2 - LOL “I will trade for anything but a black horse…” Who dosen’t want a black horse? She sounds a little dodgey to me but as long as you like the mare and get yourself covered with the vet stuff it should be no reason to pass up a good horse. Is there any others you are looking at?? (don’t worry bout the grammer, I just used impotant instead of important LOL, how bad can you get!)

I like Ehawlz’s Link also over the mare, don’t know anything about the geography of america so no idea if that is near you!

Charm has put up a nice girl, I couldn’t make my pc play the video though! She raises some good points…

I like the gelding, but it’s hard to really say without good conformation picks. I like to see at least two side pictures, one from the front, back, and then a video showing their trot, and canter at least…

Lacee is also really nice, but why isn’t she shoed right now? That would make it hard to try her out, when you drive two hours out to see her. She looks nice jumping.
And those confo picks of Lacee took me to my yahoo mail. It was about time I checked my email, anyway.

Add: Okay, those conformation pictures suck. XD
Is it too much to ask for a conformation picture with the horse standing square? If I can get one of my then ten month old rescue filly, they should be able to get one of their older, trained horse. :I

Add: Another post said you were in southern Indy? How southern? I always see a lot of nice eventing prospects for sale over here in Kentucky. It’s like three hours from Indianapolis from Lexington, I know that. Florence is by Cincinnati…

There was another one too that was eight, and a lighter bay. Eight years old, real looker. He already had dressage, and fence work. I doubt he’s still available.

good luck:)

edit: oh shes JUMPING! hahaha wow im really dumb. but that doesnt change the fact that the rider’s fighting with her pretty much the whole video and the horse isnt responding well. she’s pretty though, she looks very similar to my horse

edit: well i guess its worth checking her out if you’re okay buying her knowing she’ll need work and you cant take her out right away. the buck i noticed was a jump haha, i thought she was on the other side of the jump i didnt notice her going over it. i was at a show all day, im really out of it haha