Help PLEASE... Very upset

Hi all. Not sure if this goes here,but...
I recently purchased a horse--He is a 5 yr old reg. QH gelding. I rode him around the ladys property, and quickly down the trail and fell in love with him. She told me he is broke to ride (just trails--nothing fancy) ties, trailers, awesome ground manners, professionally trained... SOOOOO I bought and paid for him yesterday, and went to pick him up today. I was riding him to where were going to board (only 5 km away) and this is what happened... He bucked, bolted.. Ran me over when I was on the ground, bolted and pulled me over when I was leading him (halter only, no other tack) (I now have rope burn and a sore back). PLUS the lady's mother was at the house when I went to pick him up and told me the reason why the lady was getting rid of him is because he threw her and she is now scared of him. I was originally told that she needed to sell him because she is having problems with her knees and can no longer ride and she didnt want him just sitting in the pasture. Needless to say I didnt get him very far, I rode him back to her house and put him back in their pasture(they were not home). I am now slightly frigtened of this horse, as I am not expert--I can teach basic things like neck reining, and can handle a hot horse, but this is tooooo much for me.. I wanted, and expressed the fact that I wanted a horse to trail ride with. SOOO, what should I do? Do I have grounds to ask for a refund?

I am guessing that riding him through 5km of strange territory may have spooked him and he reacted like any fight or flight animal would. I think you should see how he is through the weekend and then make a better choice.... if you paid with check, put a bank hold on it immediately.

I'd be very worried about a trail horse that bucked and bolted that close to home. If my own trail horse couldn't even handle the home trails, I sure wouldn't want to take him anywhere else and I also wouldn't call him a trail horse.

On the other hand, if the seller is afraid of the horse, it may be that he has just learned that acting crazy and bolting get him out of things he doesn't want to do.

Either way, if you aren't up for the challenge, I would ask for my money back.

Just to be clear, I'm no expert or anything close to it. I usually don't even post here....normally I just read and learn. What I have shared with you is from my own personal experience...as a trail rider...not a professional.

I think they pulled a fast one over on you and you should definitely ask for your money back. Especially after what the Mother said.

New territory shouldn't have made him react that drastically.

I would call her up first thing, let her know what happened, and ask for your money back.

Get your money back! Did you make them sign a bill of sale saying the condition of the horse you were buying? Around here that's what we always do, for these reasons!... If you don't have the experience to train a horse not to do that then don't it won't be any fun and way too dangerous and If they do it once they are very capable of doing it again! Trust me my horse has a "Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde" personality and I bought him when he was a dream(he was for months) and last week he bucked me off for no reason(2nd time)and landed on my leg so now I have him at a trainer and it's just no fun and upsetting when it's not what you expected. Be honest and tell them how you feel and how your upset and maybe they have a consience and will understand. Good luck!!

That was very decietful on the womans part. I hope you can get your money back. She should have a conscience and knowing this horse was dangerous and could have seriously hurt you should weigh heavily on her. Its very tough to find a good horse, and when you do, take hold and never let go!
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Personally I would try to get my money back (and I think you do have grounds to, especially if you signed some sort of contract stating you were buying a safe, sound, sane horse). You were mislead to believe you were buying a safe horse, and by her omitting the fact that she was scared of this horse because of these actions could have put you in some serious harm. Not to mention you're now scared of this horse, so now you would have to work with him to get him over these tantrums (possibly getting a trainer - more$$$) and you have to work on your confidence with him.

Keep us posted.

I hope you had a pre-purchase exam done as you should never buy a horse without one. If you have a contract on this horse you can probably ask for your money back but if not you really have no grounds. Hopefully they will do the right thing and refund the money but given the fact that they were dishonest before you handed over the money I can't really see them being willing to work with you here.

Sadly a lot of people are pretty misleading when selling horses. Even if they are not intentionally being dishonest, there can be miscommunications and more often than not one person's idea of "safe and sane" can be another person's nightmare, depending on experience level.

If you do get your money back (and I sincerely hope you do) consider this a very valuable lesson. Next time you buy a horse, take an experienced trainer with you to evaluate them, and ride them (if possible) under the conditions you intend to be under once you're at home. Maybe a little longer trail ride next time or see if they will let you come out multiple times so you know you don't catch them on a "good day". Best of luck to you, nothing worse than falling in love with a horse and having it all go wrong!

Edt: also, maybe a 5 year old isn't the right age range for you. Their mind is just maturing and they are prone to easy flight and fright? Just a suggestion, I have no idea of your ability level but you said you're not an expert and babies can be tricky.

Hey! I'm curious did you get your money back?? Update! Lol

I hope your ok and can get your money back.