I’m not currently in the market..but

[KBC]

As I say not currently shopping, but just for eduction and learning, how many red flags does this raise to you?

Gorgeous fancy 10 year old Friesian Lippizanner cross gelding. This horse will get you noticed in the show ring.
Standing 16’3 hands.

Ad ends sept2 8pmCST

I got him very recently (as some of you may recognize this guy from this page), but due to a recent injury, I will not be able to ride for a longer period of time, so am unfortunately rehoming my horses including this new sweet boy ( This is the last of my 3 boys ) . I haven’t had him long enough to do too much with him before I was injured, but his personality is very upbeat and fun. The rest of the ad I will leave below from the last home for your information, as well as photos) if you want any more questions answered txt me is best:
“Gorgeous fancy 10 year old Friesian Lippizanner cross gelding. This horse will get you noticed in the show ring.
Standing 16’3 hands. Trained in Dressage. Shown training level and first level last summer. Scores in high 60’s. Currently schooling all second level movements. In shape and ready to show. Can be ridden indoors or out. Can be “looky” at things indoors. Is better outdoors. Can be ridden alone on trails or in a group. Loves water.
Currently lives 24/7 outdoors. Easy keeper. Trailers well, will need a taller trailer because of his size. Has good feet and is barefoot. Regular farrier every 6 weeks. Teeth just done. Current coggins, up to date on everything. Has been in regular work for the last year.
No maintenance, but maintenance may be required as he ages. He had surgery on his fetlock as a 2 year old for a suspected bone chip. There was no bone chip, but there is now some scar tissue from the surgery. So he has a blemish on his front right fetlock. He also has ear plaque. Can flair up in spring. Because of this can be sensitive with his right ear in spring or lots of bugs. When flare up occurs, I find it easier to dismantle the bridle to put over his ears, and then put the bit in his mouth and put it back together. Once he is bridled, there is no other issue.
Without the issues listed, a horse with his breeding and training would be mid 5 digits. Here is a chance to have a fancy dressage horse at a fraction of that! This horse is eye catching. Judges love him. He places with the high horses.
Because of his size, he is not for beginners.
He also does have a hunters bump, but currently does not seem to cause him any pain. Previous Owner noted that chiro works well on him.

Reasonable reserve

He is on an auction site that I watch, because I’m a masochist who can’t stay away from window shopping. He last sold in $3000, back in June this year, so makes me wonder why he’s back on the market, I know what’s said, but is it right? Future maintenance, but already has Chiro, is the plaque an issue?

As I have now fallen in love with the Friesian I’m riding so if I had a windfall, I could be tempted!

He is kind of pretty

[EmilyM]

My first question is did seller get hurt riding him

[rulex]

If his level of training is accurately represented then the price alone is a huge red flag. Never mind the other issues mentioned.

[KBC]

@rulex

If his level of training is accurately represented then the price alone is a huge red flag. Never mind the other issues mentioned.

The price is what he went for at auction in June, so I guess there was a reason he didn’t go higher. Monitoring the sales at the moment though, seems that the prices realized are tumbling.

[rulex]

I would doubt he got trained to second level since June. My hunch is he already had the bulk of his training back then, hence why it’s a red flag that he sold for such a low price. And I feel prices have dropped since June too.

Window shopping can be very deceiving. You only see the good qualities mentioned in the ad and the price. It’s not until you start kicking tires and doing PPEs that you realize there’s pretty much always a reason the price is low.

See this post for what this type of horse would be priced at. A blemish, scar and ear plaques are not things I’ve ever had a vet balk at on a PPE if the horse is otherwise sound, and they wouldn’t really affect price in a major way.

[KBC]

@rulex

I would doubt he got trained to second level since June.

No, he hasn’t, the current owner has just repeated the original ad, he was training at second (or so they said) when she bought him in June. She says she hasn’t done much with him…

Jeez, now I sound like I’m trying to make a case, but I’m not, just trying to clarify.

IF I was shopping, and if he was closer I would be asking some questions. As an outside observer, the whole thing makes me wonder.

[Scribbler]

I would want a video showing w t c lateral moves and flying changes to believe his training. I would want to see his show results if they are recorded.

And I would want proof he is a Friesian x Lippizan and not a Percheron grade cross

I don’t love his conformation and I don’t see either of the stated breeds in him.

[chestnutmarebeware]

That’s just such a weird cross!

Who was it that was sitting on the couch and thought “Friesian and Lippizan. Now that’s a combo that riders are begging for!”

[moonlitoaksranch]

Feet look a bit strange. What’s going on with the right front?

[sparkygrace]

Yes, I have had a horse with a major ear plaque problem. I did exactly what was described to put on the bridle. It was easy and no big deal. The vet gave me medicine for the plaque, but it was still a problem.Before I bought him, the horse spent five years out with a herd on the range with no care, so bugs feasted on his ears.

The hunters bump is a concern. That is caused by tears in the ligaments or muscle. It will definitely need consistent maintenance.

[2DogsFarm]

Same here.
That’s a bad confo shot, but he sure isn’t built in Thirds (as I was taught to look for) neck is almost half his length.
I don’t see Friesian, maybe Lippizaner…
And why would 16’3 need “a taller trailer”?

[luvmyhackney]

He’s pretty cute. The ear thing isn’t a big deal at all. I mean if he’s sound…. Not much decent training can’t fix.

[KBC]

@2DogsFarm

Same here.
That’s a bad confo shot, but he sure isn’t built in Thirds (as I was taught to look for) neck is almost half his length.
I don’t see Friesian, maybe Lippizaner…
And why would 16’3 need “a taller trailer”?

Because he lives in a land of cow ponies? Lol, different views from different disciplines, but apart from that shrugs don’t know

[K_VanOlst]

I very much doubt that’s a Lippizan cross - the breed is primarily grey. While there are some that aren’t, I find it unlikely anyone would crossbreed one to a Friesian. If it doesn’t have DNA verified paperwork, I take all the “baroque breeds cross” sales horses with a grain of salt. I could believe Friesian cross though, it looks similar to some poor examples of that I’ve seen.

[ThreeWishes]

Looks like a draft cross. He’s cute. Doesn’t look 16.3. Small butt long back. And I agree that right front looks oddly clubby. Maybe not clubby. More so dished. Just weird. Small hooves for such a big horse. No horse with the described resume would go for $3000.

[KBC]

Couple of under saddle shots.

[Scribbler]

Short strided

[sascha]

@Scribbler

flying changes to believe his training.

When did flying changes get stuffed into 2nd level? The ad said he is training 2nd, not that he is showing 2nd and training 3rd.

[Night_Flight]

@KBC

Previous Owner noted that chiro works well on him.

This seems to be from the original ad, which makes it sound like this horse has had three owners in quick succession…

[rulex]

So in a total random coincidence this same horse came across my FB feed and is in a local market to me that I’m quite familiar with. He’s not in a remote area by any stretch. There are plenty of experienced trainers etc in the area and if the horse is as described I see no reason why he wouldn’t have been snatched up by word of mouth. Or the seller could send him to one of the many sales barns in the area for a month and easily get several multiples of what they paid for him.