Good advice there, Brad. IMO

We have found horses for people for years. Not necessarily bought

and sold them, but conducted a finding service. It was a blast. We always

said "If we don't know the horse, then we have to know the people."

We found that if the person buying the horse, knew that horses' particular

problem that helped (and every horse seems to have at least one little oddity).  They could then decide if it was something they could

put up with or not. Took the suprise out of finding it out on their own.

It's the suprise they don't like. We made lots of friends in several

states. We dealt with a horse trader from up by St. Ignatius, Montana and have made a lasting friendship with him. We moved horses with him for about 7 years and never encountered one problem selling a horse.

Not one.

He looked at a horse once that I was afraid was blind in one eye. He didn't think so, and bought the horse anyway. He paid quite a bit for him as he was a typy buckskin gelding. He called in a week or so and told me

I was right, that the horse was blind in one eye. He took the horse to

Billings to the horse sale rather than pass him along to one of his/our

customers.

That is the kind of fellow you need to find to help you buy

the right horse, IL Rancher. They are out there, but you have to dig to

find them. Ask around and you will find a reputable person.  Again, "if you don't know the horse, you gotta know the people."

Too many people selling horses go by the old adage, "BUYER BEWARE."

We don't want that to happen with you. And older is better in your instance. There are exceptions, but finding a horse 12-18 years old would

be just about ideal. They've 'been there, done that" or they wouldn't still

be around at that age. And I sure recommend the vet check as Brad mentioned.

Good luck. You are about to proceed on a great journey.