Research Your Seller

Detective Horse Hunter

Most people who are horse hunting read ads in the newspaper, on the bulletin boards of feed stores and tack shops, and on the dozens of Internet sites that advertise horses for sale.  Craigslist has also become a very popular venue for selling horses.  Regardless of where you find an interesting horse for sale, we recommend beginning with separate Internet searches of the seller’s name, address, and phone number.

When searching the seller’s name, use quotes around the name itself (“Mark Smith”), so you don’t end up with thousands of results about Mark Brown and Abby Smith.  You might also want to enter, for example, { “Mark Smith” Missouri, horse} to help narrow your search.  A Google search can reveal multiple listings.  If you find lots of ads, particularly when all the ads are for "kid safe" or "bombproof" horses, run away.  You might get lucky and find someone's blog describing the dastardly deeds of your seller (we've had it happen).  Also check this site:
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Helpful hint- select "Services" in the "Choose a Topic" box, and "Horse Traders" in the "Choose a Category" box if you want to file a report.  Be sure to read all the fine print.


If your seller is a horse trader, you're bound to learn interesting things with an Internet search.

Ask for a reference from the seller's veterinarian.  Ask the vet if the seller moves a lot of horses around.  Ask the vet if the seller's horses are current on vaccinations and (if it's usual in your state) Coggins certificates.

Visit stables in your area and ask questions.  Talk to every horsie person you know.  One thing to our advantage is that word travels quickly about dishonest horse traders, if we'd only ask.