Reviews/experiences buying OTTB from Amy Lynn Paulus

[Lunabear1988]

Hi! I’m actually a dressage rider but thought I would post here as figured you guys here in the Eventing forum might have experience with her.

I was curious to hear the good and bad or so/so experiences after buying an OTTB from Amy Paulus.
Can pm if you don’t want to post here.

How did the process go? Would you do it again?

I’ve been riding for over 20 years and have owned 2 ottbs and riding many others. They have were green but not straight off the track. I have a trainer who is super with young horses, mustangs and restarts to help or use for training if needed. I enjoy the process and am not looking for a fast track to the show ring. I typically really enjoy OTTBs so I’m thinking of taking the plunge with one of Amy’s super nice OTTBs.

I also like what Jessica Redman has but I’m on the opposite side of the country. Amy’s is far but more doable.

[IFG]

I have not bought from Amy (though I have seen lots of positive experiences), but I have bought from Jessica. Jessica evaluates the horses and lets you know if they will suit your lifestyle. In fact, she has bought from Amy, and then assessesed the horses to see where they might fit best. IMHO, it was worth the extra money to get that assessment. Jessica ships ;). Either way, I do not think that you can go wrong.

[Lunabear1988]

I love Jessica’s horses and have followed her for a long time. I definitely think it’s worth paying $5k for that assessment from her. Unfortunately where I am located, it typically comes out to me passing $7500/$8500 after shipping and vetting for a still every green horse with usually a few rides on it. Which is a bit tough to swallow. I think her prices are fair! It’s just shipping really can get expensive (I won’t use some shady cheap hauler.)

[IFG]

@Lunabear1988

I love Jessica’s horses and have followed her for a long time. I definitely think it’s worth paying $5k for that assessment from her. Unfortunately where I am located, it typically comes out to me passing $7500/$8500 after shipping and vetting for a still every green horse with usually a few rides on it. Which is a bit tough to swallow. I think her prices are fair! It’s just shipping really can get expensive (I won’t use some shady cheap hauler.)

I get that. You could always move closer LOL!

[Lunabear1988]

@IFG trust me it’s a thought right now ha ha! Do you think my husband will go for that argument?

[IFG]

@Lunabear1988

@IFG trust me it’s a thought right now ha ha! Do you think my husband will go for that argument?

Why not? We only lasted 8 years in LA.

[Ainsley688]

I impulse bought mine from her, and it was too easy, lol. She arranged the shipping, and gave me all the contact info for them. I suspect it was a LOOOONG ass trailer ride here, and it did take about a week for her to begin the journey. And then I had crappy weather on my end, so she had to stay a few extra days at the layover barn before I could get her. She looked pretty good after that for something straight off the track!

I was sent paperwork right away, got everything notarized, and sent it back easily enough. Waiting for the shipper to figure out concrete plans was probably the most stressful part, and then having to trust the layover barn to take care of her until I could get there!

Pearl came from somewhere that took good care of her, she looked fabulous compared to some that come off the track! Excellent weight, super fit, amazing feet. She actually raced less than 2 weeks? Before I got her, so she really was hot off the press! She’s mostly been a super nice pasture ornament so far, solely due to my life being a bit all over the place. She was only 3 when I got her, so she’s spent the time learning how to do basic things, like live outside. Lol. But she’s got a great brain, really smart, sensible, and brave.

[endlessclimb]

I bought through Amy. She made it very easy. Horse was as described.

That said, I don’t think I’ll do that again - like a shelter dog, it’s really hard to analyze a horse’s personality on the track. While I don’t have a hard time handling her, I don’t ever want to own something like my mare again. She is a million great things, but she’s also exhausting with her endless anxiety and sensitivity.

I’ll be buying through an agent like Jessica next time, I think. I just want to know what the horse is like after a teeny bit of let down.

[RizenPhoenix09]

I met Amy in 2015 when she was helping someone in a bad way with a farm full of OTTBs in every age and condition. I volunteered to come out and help her catch, photograph, and evaluate the horses. She was nice, professional, clearly had the respect of others from the track (a few trainers/owners who were friends of the person selling the horses showed up), and knowledgable. I have not bought from her, but I think she is a reliable source and I definitely would trust her opinion.

[Jleegriffith]

Awww it’s nice to read good reviews from my buyers (this is Jessica Redman). I have actually bought several horses from Amy for my sales program and they have always turned out very nice. Amy has a good relationship with those trainers that she list horses from and while you can’t always judge personality/temperament, ability, etc at the track she does a good job and taking accurate pictures, video and giving information to allow buyers to make good choices. It has been very easy to buy them and get them shipped.

Then I can bring them here and free lunge them, free jump, ride them and get an overall assessment of what the horses want to do and what kind of riders they will fit.

It is nice to have great resources out there for these Tb’s!

[visorvet]

I purchased a horse advertised through her site, though it was not owned by her. The buying experience and shipping were very straightforward with no hitches - one of the easiest ever, in fact, and I have probably purchased about 30 horses straight off the track. Unfortunately on arrival the horse proved to be significantly and persistently unsound behind despite a clean PPE from the on-site track vet she engaged. The horse could never be used as intended despite thousands poured into diagnosis/treatment - very sad, as I loved his mind, build, and trainability. This reflects all of the limitations and uncertainties of buying a horse you haven’t seen move at all gaits in-person, together with a prepurchase exam based on in-hand inspection at the walk and trot - a horse can have a major problem that escapes detection. NONE of which is Amy Lynn Paulus’ fault and this is a risk with any sight-unseen track purchase, but I would not personally do it again as the risk to my soul and bank account is too great. I’m sure that for every one of me there are 4 others who found the horse of their dreams with this approach, but be aware of the risks involved with distance purchase and give some thought to what you will do if the horse is found to have a significant problem as you put it into work.

[Auburn]

If Amy Lynn-Paulus had not come into my life, I would still have Piper. Even though I purchased (adopted) from the MMSC, they were no help in finding Piper a home with a better rider, than I. Amy came out and met Piper, then took her to her farm to market her for me. She found a place for her. I occasionally get photos from her new owner, who lives in TN. Piper is so much happier there, than she ever was with me.

I highly recommend Amy! She honestly represents the horses that she sells. She did not know me from Adam and my horse had been off the track for 4 years. She did a huge favor for me by taking her and finding her a good home. I will be forever grateful to her for helping me sell Piper.

[Trak_Eventer]

I bought my first OTTB from her late last fall. I adore my mare! Amy was totally honest about her personality. She has been a great fit for my first OTTB. I even got connected with her trainer/owner from the track. Highly recommend Amy!