More likely she has a particular story she wants to tell that makes it seem as though there is less wear and tear on the horse, and therefore makes the horse more attractive to potential buyers.
There’s likely a reason this trainer sells horses in-barn only, and claims to sell them under market value. It’s a lot easier to tell stories and control the narrative when there are no outsiders around to make corrections or notice the red flags.
She also lied to a 13 year old student and her mother, when her aged ex-showjumper mare bucked the girl off (2 back to back big bronco bucks) telling them the horse was stung by a bee. There was no bee, that horse tried to buck the trainer off a few days before that due to likely either back soreness or from suddenly being brought back out from retirement… Trainer thought this little white lie was really funny. I feel kind of naive now, I should have seen these as red flags but I guess I’ve been assuming that flakiness and other bad behavior is everywhere in this business.
So horse has a lip tattoo?
Does your “trainer” (quotes because her cred is getting less with each piece of added info 
) realize anyone with 1/2 a brain can look up her race record with that ID?
My own TB never got the honor of a tattoo that would register him with JC & let him race at parimutuel tracks.
Too slow from the getgo.
ETA:
I was typing when you posted that last tidbit about lying to the kid’s Mom.
Unless you are purposely trying to discredit this person (in which case: good job) do yourself a favor & get out of that barn like yesterday.
This is starting to smell a bit trainwreckish 
If you are still considering this horse, you might want to call the race trainer and farm that trained her. They may or may not talk to you, but you might learn more about her.
Yes, it is a trainwreck. I do need to leave the trainer. I know this sounds completely irrational but I don’t want to leave the horse.
It is and it isn’t. At least you are here to get advice and learn about red flags. Just like any relationship, sometimes we don’t see them until it is too late.
You wouldn’t be the first or only one to stay at a barn where the red flags were waving, for the love of the horses.
Oh dear. I was kind of leaning towards giving trainer the benefit of the doubt about her motives but that story does not put her in a good light.
Not irrational, not at all. You’ve gotten attached to the mare. Normal, given that you’ve spent time with her and were told you should make her your own, by someone you trusted and believed, creating a closer feeling in your mind.
Doesn’t mean that this is a good situation for you, however; or for the mare. Sorry.
It’s still “green on green.”
And one thing that I got from your first post, it sounded like you weren’t considering buying a horse, until the trainer told you that you should buy this one.
If you really are interested in this horse, seek out another reputable trainer, and ask that trainer to help evaluate the horse’s suitability, and to help arrange and interpret a vet check (be sure to pull blood to check for medications). If you go ahead with it, have the horse moved to the new trainer’s facility and have them help you develop the horse in a program.
The horse could very well be a sweet amateur-friendly young horse, but don’t trust your trainer at any point during the process. There are far too many red flags.
Just adding: I doubt your current trainer would be keen on another trainer stepping in, but if she wants the horse’s expenses gone, she may go along with it. It might require a tactful “I’ll need an indoor arena for the winter, so I contacted X barn and the trainer wants to take a look at her before I commit to boarding there.”
Yes I was thinking exactly this. And in fact it is the truth, because I DO need an indoor arena. I’m only without one because she can’t afford one.
Trainer will ghost you, won’t trailer you, and will make up a story. Got you by the short hairs.
It’s not the same trainer as yours but I have heard that bee story from three trainers in my life. “The horse only bucked you off because of a bee, he/she doesn’t have a buck in him/her not really!” That’s a common thing. (Adding that incident to your falling off the Percheron.)
The mare doesn’t look that big, and while it’s possible the horse is just small-barreled, TBs tend not to be 17.1h+ (I know some are, but I’ve tended to encounter more monster-sized warmbloods). I agree the trainer may be inflating the size for sales purposes, since many people want bigger horses.
Do you know the TB mare’s pedigree? You can look that stuff up online, which is one great thing about TB?
I would try another trainer. You don’t need to tell your trainer just to do a demo lesson. I think even the people in the thread who were most pro-mare would have to agree this trainer sounds hella problematic, even if you like the lessons. Why did you choose her?
yeah, if OP asks if she can take the horse elsewhere…make sure to turn the cameras on.
Been in a similar situation, friend had horse (3yr old OTTB) given to her by her trainer, was way way too much horse but too attached, when she wanted to move the horse because she was moving to another city, (conveniently also because place was toxic as can be and she was being used as barn help and getting nothing in return and no help with training the horse).
BO/trainer went postal, threatened to call the cops if she didn’t pay 2 months board (even though she gave over 30 days notice). Locked her tack in the barn when she came to get the horse etc. I told her just pay the money if you can, just get you and the horse out of there and they can never come back and say you owe her sh*t.
Also, OP, I am in NJ, you can PM me the trainer’s name, and I can say if I know this person. There are others on the board in the area who can also probably give you suggestions of better places to ride h/j, depending on your county.
Yes, OP, you can go trainer shopping, and you can go horse shopping. You can find a successful professional to help you find a suitable one that makes you happy and feel confident.
You were ready to not ride through the winter, and then lease on a trial basis.
I think this leasing first idea is a stellar idea, to help you decide whether you really want the responsibility and headaches of a horse, or whether lessons or riding is what’s fun for you.
Ok, yes. That is a different story. Trainer is unethical and dishonest. Not a good combination for any student. I would get out of this barn. I was also trying to give trainer benefit of the doubt but if they will lie about this, they will lie about much worse and put you in danger in the process.
It can be tough to assess horse people. Some horse people make bad decisions but are still honest and ethical people. Some are just outright shady and anyone willing to lie and put a 13 year old child’s safety at risk is a piece of garbage IMO. This is a sport where people routinely get severely injured or killed. There is no room for this type of malpractice. You deserve better OP. There are good trainers out there and plenty of good horses to ride, please don’t put yourself at risk with this type of person. It’s not worth it.
Attachment to the horse is understandable. To echo what’s already been said:
A pleasant 4 year old can turn into a challenging 5 year old.
Retraining an ex-racehorse is very different to training a “blank slate”.
Big horses are more hassle in many ways, including tacking up and general handling. It is a massive pain to have to stand on a stepstool to reach all of your horse on a daily basis.
Smaller horses are often easier to ride than big horses. (Ponies can go either way, depending on the pony and the rider!)
OK. After reviewing the thread, this will not be popular. Oh well!
My first horse was a green broke two year old that our trainer sold us. She was rock solid- carried my mother into the show ring as a three year old. She also carried her into Valley Forge Park for the Bicentennial carrying my mother and the flag. She never thought a bad thought in her entire life. She is buried here. Her foals were just as amazing as she was.
So, my advice? Go with your gut. If she is solid for you, and you trust her, take her. Yes, there are all kinds of reasons- some of which are on here- not to do it. Life offers you all kinds of experiences. You can choose to go for it, or not. If you are uncomfortable with the mare, that’s different. If she is the one who you enjoy being around, and working with, just do it. It’s a relationship. It’s personal. It has to work for you, and only for you.
I have put more rescues- a different thing to be sure- together with people over the years than I can even remember. They worked. You have to want to do this, and put in the work. Changing trainers, looking for a different horse, all of that is possible. But, do you like the mare?
Just my 02.
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