Would you buy a horse you haven't ever met?

I have been searching forever for a horse back in the states (specifically CO, where I live) that would suit me. However, I'm not finding any horses that would be suitable for the sports I want to do that aren't extremely young or green. Either it's that or I find horses that are wayyy past my level. I have found some good horses, although the only problem is that they are states away!
Would any of you ever buy a horse without meeting it and riding in person? If yes, under what conditions? Or is it just a stupid, crazy idea that can only end badly?

For me personally, no. But there are plenty of people who have done it, and not have it turn out badly.

I did

Agreed. One of my riding partners freely admits to doing all the wrong things when he bought his first (and only) horse 9 years ago. He bought a 9 year old OTTB right off the track based only on a phone conversation and a couple of pictures. This horse turned out to be 1 in a million and a week after getting him home, he took him out on the trails and has been trail riding him 2x per week ever since. New rider, unretrained TB, and they just worked. I would never do that but for him the stars aligned and the horse never took a bad step.

I've done it, though it is a risk. Actually, when I got my Fjord mare Bella all I had seen were some pictures & knew only what her owners told me. It turned out rather well for me though.
I wouldnt buy a cheap horse from far away or a really young one but if their is good evidence, records, current videos & photos and even a vet check then I would consider it.

I did with my TB. Was that the best way to go about it? Probably not. Haha but it worked out for me.

I did this time... but this was not the first time I purchased a horse and I am good at knowing what I can train and untrain.... I asked lots of questions that gave me answers and I asked the questions different ways.... I got videos. I knew what I could handle and what I couldn't and it worked out beautifully.

Check out the seller in all ways possible. Google them, google the barn, ask to call the vet they use, the farrier they use.

I did all of these things and now have the sweetest boy with us in Colorado- he came from North Dakota..... so I understand not being able to find a horse in CO.

I did! Well I met her in person but I never rode her etc. I just looked at her XD She came to the yard the next day and I rode her on the lunge with people who know if she is good or not. They told me she would be ok so I bought her. We have had our ups and downs but she is not bad at all!

Wink Wink ;)







And she was reeeeeeeeeeally cheap!

First-Sarahandlola-cute pic!! Second, I've done it before too. I only saw a picture of her and called, asked the questions necessary and picked her up the next day. She is turning out to be a wonderful TB off the track. My Only issue I had was the owner wasn't truthful. When I got there she had a back knee that was bigger then the other. I had a vet look at her before I brought her home and he said it wouldn't be an issue just a cosmetic flaw. When I did get her home she came down with symptoms of colic. So I had vet out again to my place this time and he said it not colic but possilby ulcers, which is common in race horses due to high stress levels at such young ages. I called previous owner and specifically asked him about ulcers and he said "oh ya forgot to tell you she has ulcers". But, when I talked to him previously he said there was no history of colic or any digestive problems. So I think he knew she wouldn't sell unless he kept it to himself. So after finding this out she gets special feed now and is wonderful. But some sellers keep these things to themselves due to the fact they want to sell and know its harder to place horses with conditons such as these. And unfortunately her condition was only seen when her symptoms arose. So, as some get lucky, others are not so lucky. Just be careful, they might look good on outside and sellers say they are healthy, but sometimes symptoms arise that are not seen by the eye at first glance.

Me, I would never. The only exception is if a horseperson I knew and trusted checked him out for me first.