I’m having flashes of NickyP with the # of first time posters/glowing reviews.
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Out of idle curiosity after reading the first couple posts, I pulled up their youtube page and watched 3 random sale videos. All 3 horses were head-bobbing lame at the trot. Lost interest pretty quickly.
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Went down to look at horses with my trainer this spring. Explained to Tweeney and Morgan that we were looking for something that could be used in a lesson program so that I could offset cost of board, since I already pay full board on my daughter’s horse. Also explained that I am an adult beginner so need something appropriate. After looking at several, one was brought out that my trainer felt was too forward for me. Tweeney insisted I would probably like him and I should at least try him. I did like him. He was a little forward, but didn’t scare me and he was very straightforward, going wherever pointed without making his own decisions. I felt this was exactly what I needed, so that I could develope a more correct response of using my legs before my hands. He would not pick up the left lead at the canter, nor hold the canter, but as he was underweight and out of shape, we weren’t overly concerned about that. We felt that would come easily once he was in a program. Morgan reassured us if it didn’t work we could trade him back.
His coat had obvious signs of being roughed up in the field and most of his tail was missing. We were told he was low in the hierarchy and was bullied by others. But we were never able to turn him out with other horses because it turns out he was the bully. Fortunately we had the facilities to turn him out solo.
Once we got him home, we put him on a muscle builder to help him gain weight. A very advanced rider in my barn began riding him regularly to evaluate him, further his training, and make sure he really was appropriate for me. The horse became even more forward (could have been due to better feed and less turnout), and had to be always ridden by the advanced rider first before he would get quiet enough for me to ride. And even then, he would always want to immediately trot away from the mounting block every time. I learned to work through it by keeping him occupied with circles and direction changes until he tired. But he never did get his left lead at the canter, nor would he hold a canter for more than a few strides, even after several weeks of regular work. On the lunge line, he would bunny hop at the canter, pushing off with both back legs at once. Our vet spent over three hours evaluating him, progressively blocking him, etc. and came to the conclusion that he was most likely suffering from chronic bi-lateral suspensory desmitis, although it was not confirmed with a sonogram. I contacted Morgan who suggested that we put him on depoprevara to relax his muscles, which I was not willing to do after consulting my trainers and vet. I asked her for an exchange and she agreed but stated she could not take him back until I chose another horse. I understood her position, but this left me paying board for a horse that we couldn’t ride, but that’s part of horse ownership, right?
We ended up making two more trips down (2-1/2 hours one way) which was difficult because of trying to coordinate my schedule, Feelgood’s schedule and the schedules of my experienced equestrian friends who were helping me look. The process went on over four months. Each time we went we were shown mostly lame horses. I assume they were hoping we wouldn’t realize the horses were lame. I tried several before we finally decided on a 10 year old, ranch branded palomino QH/Welsh mare that was advertised as a lesson/camp horse.
Although I had some trouble steering her, I assumed my inexperience was to blame, and she seemed very patient and quiet. I even cantered her a bit, which I don’t normally attempt on a new horse. She was uncomfortable when lead on the gravel drive, and although it was obvious that she was slightly off in the front right, she got better in the arena soft footing. She had several large cracks in both front feet that extended almost to the coronet band. We felt that with supplements, attention from a farrier and shoes, she had a good chance of improvement (at least as compared to a horse with bi lateral suspensory issues.) In addition, she had rain rot, scratches, and severe girth itch, but at least she was a good weight. She was also more of a western horse so we felt she would be more marketable here in WV if she didn’t work out for us, assuming we could get her sound. At this point, I was so frustrated I thought it was worth taking a chance on her. We made the exchange two days later on a Sunday and I contacted my farrier and put her on the schedule for Monday. She trailered well coming home, but she didn’t stand in cross ties. We also never received any documentation regarding vaccination although we were told she received Veterra Gold 7 way.
On Monday when the farrier arrived the horse would not pick up her front feet. She was extremely anxious. We gave her a mild sedative, but she never seemed to relax. We held her on a lead and farrier started, and almost immediately, the horse reared straight up! We put a chain under her lip, and fortunately the farrier was able to finish. He dug some small pebbles out of that right front and got shoes on her. She appeared to be almost completely sound then.
Once we got the girth itch under control, my advanced rider friend began working with her. Within a week she had her willingly picking up her feet. But under saddle, she determined that the mare was quite green with steering and avoided contact, and would also trot straight away from the mounting block. She allowed the forward movement at first, as she was more concerned with getting her to accept contact and learn to steer. The mare seemed to accept contact more the longer she went. She was in a double jointed snaffle, very soft bit. When she was finally asked to wait at the mounting block (preparing the horse for me), the horse reared again. Each time she was asked to go forward she reared again. If that would have happened with me on her back, I would likely have pulled her over on me. I contacted Morgan who stated unequivocally that the horse never exhibited such behavior and was used in lessons and camps with total beginner kids with no issues. She suggested it was the bit, the new environment, the inexperienced rider (she assumed incorrectly it was me), and said rearing is a learned behavior and she must have learned it here, even though she first did it with the farrier less than 24 hours of arriving here. She also suggested we remove the shoes, even though the horse’s feet were severely cracked. When I stated I was not willing to remove her shoes, she said she was done making suggestions or trying to help me, and she did not offer an exchange this time. I reminded her of my board situation, and told her that I could not continue to pay full board as the horse was worthless for my purpose, and I would probably have to take her to a sale, hoping she would offer an exchange rather than see that happen. But her response to me was “calling a horse worthless and dumping it at a sale will not make you a better horseman. You are going to have to work through it.” She also said next time I should buy an older horse, even though this one was advertised as a lesson/camp horse.
So I posted on Facebook an honest ad with what we knew about the horse and videos. I disclosed the rearing issue and explained we were looking for someone with the experience to deal with it. I never mentioned Morgan or Feelgood Farm. Morgan then sent me a private message telling me she felt it was unfair for me to imply that we were deceived in the purchase (my ad stated that the horse was greener and not safe as we were led to believe). She also said “that’s what I get for trying to work out an exchange with you.”
Also, the first horse has been posted again on their site. Ad states he is good in a herd and that he has been incredibly patient with inexperienced riders. I would not agree. As soon as he was turned back out in their pasture, he ran all the other horses off the round bale and got in a fight with another gelding.
So, in conclusion, my advice would be to be very careful about buying from Feelgood Farm and take someone experienced with you. Although that is never a guarantee it reduces the risk. Also, get your PPE. I will admit I did not, mainly because the purchase price was low enough that I decided to take my chances, and I paid the price in the end. Morgan and Tweeney did try to work with me for a while and always seemed very professional, although we did feel at times they assumed they were speaking to inexperienced people with little or no knowledge of horses, and while that was true for me, it is definitely not true about the people helping me. Live and learn, and with this experience I learned a lot the hard way.
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Wvulaw2005 - you’ve just detailed why, no matter what the horse’s cost, a PPE is a good thing to get done. A free horse can end up costing an owner thousands in vet bills unless a person has the ability to take in a horse.
I used to see Morgan and crew at some local shows and frankly nothing they ever brought was too impressive and some of their “beginner safe” horses might beg the question what to they determine to be beginner safe. I’ve not see them around these shows in a couple of years so they may have stepped up their game, and looked like some of their sale videos had some decent horses, though a couple I did see horses looked really sweet but off.
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Gottagrey, unsound I could live with, but rearing could kill someone, and it’s not likely that a PPE would have revealed the behavior. If it weren’t for the rearing I wouldn’t even have posted here, as the soundness issues may have been discoverable, but I felt I needed to give the whole picture.
She shows a lot at Swan Lake nowadays.
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I see their ads on Facebook all the time and some of the horses are very appealing. It’s also clear that their business is based on volume. If I was in the market for a horse, I might well schedule a day there. As someone who used to advise clients on sales, I can’t overstate the convenience of being able to look a multiple horses in a single visit, rather than driving all over BFE, see the horse warming up, telling the client not to bother getting out of the car and driving home.
Knowing that their business is essentially flipping and high volume I would get absolutely as much info about a potential purchase as possible, and I’d also do a full PPE. I would try the horse multiple times, and try to arrange an off farm ride.
None of this means I think they’re dishonest or disreputable, just this is what a prudent person does when there isn’t a lot of history available on a horse.
If I can buy a horse locally, where I know the trainer, the rider, the boarding barn,the competition record, probably the vet and farrier, and have a multiple sources to give me YEARS of history about a horse, that’s ideal. But it doesn’t always work that way, and you can’t expect someone who ships in and sells a dozen horses a month to give you that level of detail.
It also behooves a buyer to learn to ask VERY.SPECIFIC.QUESTIONS.
- How long has the horse been in your barn?
- What have you done with horse since you’ve had him?
- What do know about the horse’s previous history?
- Can you tell me anything about the previous seller?
And so on.
It also helps to remember if a horse in a professional barn is cheap, there’s a reason, and a wise buyer will find the reason before plunking cash down.
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It’s a NO from me. Local here. She trades horses with other sketchy local dealers, and I got my horse after it had changed hands twice since leaving her. Morgan contacted me to ask if I would leave a positive review for her farm- I said no, I didn’t feel comfortable seeing as I didn’t actually get my horse from her. Horse was kept very skinny to keep her calm, and once I put weight/muscle on her it was clear she had a screw loose.
I also rode at her farm once as an “interview” for being a paid rider. It didn’t go badly, but it was definitely sketchy- they obviously go through a lot of horses at a time and do whatever they have to do to get them sold. Like I said, it didn’t go badly, but at the end of the day I was told I couldn’t be paid because she had people willing to ride for free. Ok, whatever. Moving on. No hard feelings.
Now, I don’t know which of these 2 incidences caused it- but she has me blocked on Facebook. That throws a red flag for me. What is she hiding?
It could also be because a former barnmate of mine bought a horse from her who she claimed to be 7yo with papers to back it up- new owner never received papers, and ran into someone at a show who claimed to know the horse and said it was well into its teens. Vet confirmed. (The girl bought the horse because Feelgood provided a recent vetting record- dumb, but they thought they could save some money).
Another issue with her maintaining USEF amateur status even with so many sales and being sponsored- getting away with it by claiming the business and sponsorships belong to her adopted daughter, Tweeny, even though Morgan obviously runs the farm.
Its just all around a bad situation, and no one local in their right mind would buy from them or give them the time of day. I recommend looking elsewhere.
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Morgan is a total
hillbilly, she is not a true amateur, but nor is she a threat at winning. She’s what pays the bills at the shows that we use as laughingstock along with her dumpy trainer Ann Demichele. Morgan tried to sell me a draft horse and a neurologic Hungarian horse to my daughter. Luckily I stuck to my gut and didn’t buy. Tweeney should run for the hills, Morgan is nothing but a muddy slob where all the horses live outside in mud pits.
Morgan is just bad news! She’s really not an amateur, but she’s not a threat to anyone because she never wins. She is one of those riders that keeps the shows in business. All her horses have holes and are dangerous. She takes terrible care of the horses, they live outside in herds. She tried to sell me a draft and a neurologic Hungarian horse for my daughter. I am glad that I stuck
to my gut not to
buy them. Tweeney and the girls are good people. Morgan is ruining them. Stay away from feelgood farm.
And her trainer Ann de Michelle is train wreck! Her horses are always skinny, dirty, and ill-mannered.
My experience with Morgan and Tweeny at Feelgood Farm was an extremely positive one, though I did not buy from her, as I found a horse close to home that I preferred.
I found Feelgood to be an honest place, but they of course said their horses were great horses. That is their business, and it’s to be expected.
I was a rerider/beginner, and had only been riding 2-3 months after having had 23 years off (I was 38 starting back). I live in New Jersey.
I drove down, and Morgan and Tweeny were very kind. Truly, I felt so comfortable with them, we really hit it off. They told me alot, Morgan shared personal information with me and seemed to be very honest.
The horse I tried when I came the first time was well-behaved, and Feelgood was clear both in the advertisement as well as when I came in person, that the horse was green, but not so green that she wasn’t able to be ridden by me.
The mare was a draft cross, in good flesh, and was sweet, and had a kind eye.
Tweeny I believe rode her while I watched. She was carrying herself nicely, even pace, jumped well, auto-changes.
I got on her. She was forward, moving off your leg very nicely, and she did listen to me. But, my riding was somewhat confusing to her, and I was frustrated with my ineptness.
I was used to riding horses that required a tremendous amount of leg, and I was so ill-experienced, (balance wasn’t what it needed to be, so I wasn’t coordinated with my aids), that I was still slightly losing my balance while posting (falling forward a little, and sometimes getting behind the motion), and she had a big trot, and it just wasn’t a good fit.
I wasn’t even at the point to try and jump.
I was accustomed to riding lesson horses that plodded around, and my riding wasn’t good enough for what this greener horse needed at this phase in her training.
I couldn’t stay long, and I was being very picky, so I didn’t try any others.
Fast forward 3 months. I returned while we were visiting my mother’s friend in Virginia.
I tried a nice 5 y/o thoroughbred, and another horse that was not green, around 11.
They rode, and jumped both of them to show me them first. Very nice rides.
I was a little bit better of a rider now, and was able to have good stretches with the thoroughbred. But, he just didn’t ‘click’ with me. And the more experienced horse I think needed too much leg, and I wanted a more responsive horse, that was taller.
Looking back, and thinking back to the “feel” of the two greener horses that I tried, they rode with the same feel, which now, with experience, I believe reflected the appropriate training they were receiving, and were looking for contact, and more leg and seat aids. They had been trained to move off your leg nicely, and were sensitive to your movement on them, and your (purposeful, or accidental) aids.
Morgan and Tweeny basically gave me a mini-lesson each time I visited them, trainerless, might I add, which I know frustrates some sellers, because it means the trainer can’t provide feedback on the 1st time, which may require a 2nd visit, at which time the trainer would have their own opinion. An inexperienced rider not bringing their trainer makes the seller have to prep and show the horse at least twice. But they were not irritated with it, or, at least didn’t show it.
To provide some perspective and why I think the greener horses rode pretty much the same way and why I actually like that:
I purchased a 4 & 1/2 year old thoroughbred in the end, in October 2015. He and I clicked. He was very responsive, and was super calm and had a lovely demeanor, and had LOTS of chrome. He’s gorgeous.
He was in training with a professional eventer for over 24 months within a 36 month period, because I wanted to event. Alot of time was put into his dressage training, and he didn’t start jump training until 5.
Only my eventing trainer and I rode him for 2 years. I had to REALLY learn to ride better to provide the aids in the way she did, using more seat and leg, and soft hands. And he was a VERY precise ride. If you didn’t ask correctly, he wouldn’t give you what you want. But when you did, he was magical. My dressage trainer rode him a few times, and she of course made him look gorgeous, so I know the aids he was taught were correct, since she had no problem, and she is a professional, as well as a judge.
At 8 & 1/2 now, he is a bit easier, in that he knows what you want and isn’t as “precise” on requiring exactly correct aids.
But the fact that Feelgood’s greener horses appeared to have had the same consistent training, and would ride correctly and give the rider what was asked when a more experienced Feelgood rider was on them to me says, they were still within their formative training years, as advertised, but had good potential, and were being ridden correctly.
I saw the person that posted about her horse Max, and I had immediately contacted Morgan about him, but he was already being looked at that day. Jealous because I wanted a taller horse, but I really am thrilled with my boy!!
I would be cautious about “wonderful” posts from brand new posters, aka “houseguests”.
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Perhaps not the best post for a new poster to drag up to throw a glowing review on - sometimes it is best to let things lie and fall into the depths of the forums.
Classic houseguest move
This is secondhand but from a reliable source. FGF sold a very green ~10-year-old draft X to a novice rider as their first hunt horse. Horse arrived with very long/cracked feet, no health records, and a snotty nose. Vet came out for the snotty nose and realized they had just vetted the same horse for another client, who was miffed when it was sold out from under them after they paid for vetting. Buyer was led to believe they only paid asking price but it seems there was some arrangement between FGF and the buyer’s trainer that made jilting the original prospective buyer worthwhile.
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