Bill of Sale

[BeeHoney]

@Wicky

I had bloods drawn (in Fl and stored). Bloods were drawn at the PPE and stored by Palm Beach Equine, which was standard for them as I recall. The PPE was a few weeks after I tried him. Horse was a different animal after he arrived. I had the bloods run within the 30 days. They were clean. It remains a puzzle what happened to the horse to make him so different. I cannot prove that he wasn’t drugged when I tried him but a friend had seen this horse hacking around for a long time, and knew the trainer, so perhaps, as has been suggested to me, when we changed how he was ridden to be less compressed at the upper neck, he felt freed and able to express himself. So we are working through retraining, with promising results (I, as an ammy, am not doing this…). Sorry to go off on a tangent, but yes, it is common to draw the bloods and test later, but I wanted to point out that you are testing for drugs only within the time that the drugs are detectable, and in this case above, he could have been drugged and I’d never have known it. But in this case, I do not believe it was done. Note that had the bloods been positive, my only recourse would have been to sue. My contract only said that the seller warrants that the horse had not received any medication, but not that I could return the horse.

This is a very good post. It is extremely common for horses to “change” post-purchase. Horses are sensitive animals that often behave and function quite differently in different environments and different programs and under different riders. I would say that the vast majority of the time, no drugging took place. Most likely the seller showed the horse to the prospective buyer at its best–in familiar surroundings, handled by familiar people, and tuned up by a rider experienced in schooling it to it’s best advantage. Then after the sale, the horse is separated from its equine friends, from its comfortably familiar surroundings, handlers, and routines. It can take a horse a long time to adapt to new routines and understand what the expectations are in its new home. Also, a submissive horse that is separated from its old herd mates and moved to a new home can quickly take on a new “dominant” persona as a natural response to a move to a new home.

People are quick to suspect that a horse was drugged, and then after that people suspect the change in feed had an effect. Personally I think that those two things are rare culprits. I think that the bigger issues tend to be the response to new riders/handlers, changes in work/training routine, and other environmental factors such as having suitable turnout companions. The confidence level and riding style of the rider can be a huge change to expect a horse to adapt to. Horses also need to find (and become comfortable with) their new social standing in their new home.

ETA: I’m discussing this because while I think that it is totally reasonable for a buyer to be wary of horses that may have been medicated, I also think that when you have a client that has had a horse change drastically after purchase, it’s really important to examine and reflect on other potential root causes, and also consider purchasing a slightly more seasoned animal that has already been successful in more than one environment/barn.

[mbv]

I am surprised that you have been quoted $400 for a drug screen. TVMDL has an equine pre-purchase drug screen panel for approx 140. Add 30 for sample shipping and a reasonable fee for your PPE vet for sample processing and result interpretation and you could still be around 250. Can you ask if there are other lab options?

[AllSport]

Years late to the game. I’m glad I read this. I have a PPE scheduled this afternoon. I read too much COTH and the horror stories make me really jumpy about even buying a horse. I’ve ridden for way to many years but got sick of riding other people’s horses, I’m done with it. I mentioned adding a clause in like OP wanted, and originally she said it was fine, I could do whatever made me comfortable. Today, she’s saying no just get the test done ASAP. I’m already constantly on edge and getting cold feet one minute, then saying this is the horse for me the next. I’m not a wealthy person but am finally in a position I could afford a horse but I also can’t just let it rain cash. Maybe I should ask that a statement be included that just says they assure the horse has received no medications? Or I should just forget the whole thing and keep going with my gym membership at $15 a month. I’m at this minute, leaning toward giving up my dream. This dream is too stressful!

[Rosem]

The hair holds a history of many things- nutrition, drugs, stress etc and it shows a timeline. I am sure there are labs that can test for this.
Most of the labs that I work with test for toxins so I am out of this particular loop.

[SillyHorse]

@AllSport

Today, she’s saying no just get the test done ASAP. I’m already constantly on edge and getting cold feet one minute, then saying this is the horse for me the next.

If the seller is confident that testing blood will show no issues, and I felt it was the right horse for me, I would get the bloodwork done now. There’s no advantage to getting a horse home, finding cause to be concerned, and then paying for testing. If you do it now, there’s no lingering doubt.

[Bonnie2]

If the horse is drugged, it is fraud. The seller can give you your money back or go to court. You don’t need a specific clause in the bill of sale. However, sometimes seller’s memories are greatly improved when the vet draws blood for a drug test. Ah, you know, maybe he had some bute last Tuesday… Draw the blood. Run it or hold it depending on what makes you most comfortable.