I doubt it’s taxes the current owner of the mare is worried about–$600 isn’t an enormous amount of money, and she could always ask for a cash payment (or a cashier’s check) when the horse was being picked up.
If this was a younger horse with a competitive value, I’d have assumed she’d found someone who made a larger offer, after agreeing to the OP’s price.
THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE.
A verbal agreement can be a contract. A text chain can be a contract. If you text someone “I will sell the horse for $600. Do you accept?” And someone replies “I accept.” - surprise, that can be (legally) a contract.
The problem isn’t so much “did she breach a contract” but rather what, if any, damages did you suffer. And you suffered none, because your money was returned to you. A court will not force a woman to sell the horse - forcing the sale of property is extremely rare and reserved for very specific types of property (think one of a kind pieces of art, and sometimes real property like a house). You did not lose money. Therefore, even if you could show that she breached a contract, you could likely not show that you suffered any monetary loss or damages. Taking this to court would not get you the horse, and because you were refunded your money, would also not get you any type of monetary reward. It would likely just net you a loss, plus the animosity of the horse’s owner you want something from.
As others have said, you are far better off making a much higher offer than using that money to consult an attorney, but also understanding that at the end of the day this person can decide not to sell you the horse and there is really nothing you can do about it.
Thank you, I appreciate the information.
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