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Caught out on the Internet
The power and speed of the world wide web continue to grow - and with it the
risks inherent in internet horse trading.
Yet another victim of this practice has now been retired to The Horse Trust's Home of Rest for Horses.
The innocent owner purchased without viewing what she was led to believe was a "bombproof" 9 year
old horse. On delivery it turned out to be an unrideable, ill-tempered 22 year old suffering with
an incurable bad back.
This animal was lucky enough to be found retirement in the care of the Horse Trust - but the reality
is that horse charities are not in the position now or in the future to take care of all the unwanted
or incapacitated horses which are the victims of internet trading.
"We urge people not to buy without adhering to our four fundamental principles," says Horse
Trust director Paul Jepson. "These are:
- Write down and stick to the qualities you seek;
- Take an experienced horse owner with you to view the animal;
- Commission a full veterinary examination;
- Undertake a 'test ride'
"These basic rules will go some way to prevent internet dealers profiting from the naivety of inexperienced horse lovers," Mr Jepson added.
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