So I went back and looked at their Facebook page. There is what I would call a business page and they stopped posting in July of this year. And then they have a page which is like a personal page where you have to send a friend request and that is where they are currently posting. When I found the bad reviews was sometime later in the summer so I wonder if they just decided to make a new page where there is no chance of there being any review options? Maybe I’m reading too much into this but it does seem odd that they have the two different pages.
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This can be a tech thing, where someone wandered off with the password or it could be more deliberate.
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No experience with Lombardo, but lots of experience importing sight unseen. Never buy from someone who discourages you from seeing the horse and always insist on your own vet exam, including xrays if they are not properly labeled with the microchip number matching when the vet you hire scans the horse. Do your own import blood tests as part of the ppe. Ask the vet to bring an assistant to video or do a real time video call on what’s app to watch. Do not ask the seller to suggest a vet. Google is your friend, if you strike out, try contacting the closest vet university for some suggested vets.
You can also have your xrays reviewed by Cornell, it used to cost $50 for a standard set.
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I had a similar experience with Lombardo Sporthorses to the Google review posted above. I purchased a wonderful 3 year old with excellent vetting and x-rays (from her vet) only to discover arthritic changes in the neck on arrival. He had some mild neuro behaviors we initially thought were just quirks that quickly advanced to major, dangerous behavioral issues that resulted in him breaking our barn manager’s foot. 3 months after arrival we pulled him out of work for unsafe behavior under saddle and 3 months after that he was PTS for EDM.
A friend in my barn also purchased a supposedly amateur safe 5 year old from her at the same time. The horse was stunning but had a major rearing problem and she was never able to even get on him. After months of training rides he was finally safe enough to be sold to a pro as a talented but very quirky project.
A European woman recently joined our barn and has said Lombardo had a bad reputation over there and people in the know avoid purchasing from her.
I would not purchase from her again even if I went over there to try the horse.
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Now their dozen or so negative Google reviews went poof. Now there are no reviews and no option to leave a review.
Clean up on aisle 5!
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I have never bought a horse from them, but a couple of years ago I noticed they were advertising an L dressage horse as showing 2nd level so I commented thinking maybe they didn’t know those levels do not match… and got blocked. Same horse was also advertised way cheaper in Holland on sporthorses.nl
Gave me a good reason not to trust them.
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How terrible. Are there any others with similar stories? I wonder where they get these horses? It seems they have really beefed up the advertisements lately on FB. I am concerned because one member of our barn is looking at purchasing a horse from them and the trainer seems to be enamored with the lady who runs it. They look like beautiful horses, I just haven’t been able to hunt down any real contacts or references. This chronical forum is the only thing that comes up. I was hoping to maybe get some info to try to steer my barn mate and trainer away!
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Mandy2424, you are welcome to DM me and I will tell you about my and my client’s experience. I can also pass on the contact info for a broker and a dealer both of whom did an amazing job and helped my client to purchase the horse of her dreams. Way way better horse than she ever thought she could afford.
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Hi! Could I please have the contact info?
Hi! Do you mind sharing the contact with me also?
