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I need some help with this Friesian

7K views 45 replies 24 participants last post by  xdrybonesxvalleyx 
#1 ·
So I found a very questionable add on a horse site. He's a friesian gelding for sale at 700:shock:. Now either they forgot a 0, it's a scam, or there is something very wrong. Now on the very slight chance this is real, there's nothing wrong, and she just wants to find him a home, then I'm getting him. haha. However, the email I recieved was questionable as well, it included images that I will add below and it mentioned paying shipping when in my email to the "seller" I specifically said I would drive to see him and haul him back if everything checked out. I'm guessing it's a scam but I have time to play along so I responded saying again I had no problem and would prefer to drive to see him, have him checked out by a vet and then haul him back after a cash hand to hand transfer.
What I'm looking from you guys: Can you find these pictures anywhere else? I've googled Friesian and so far nothing came up, I tried to find any information on them after saving them to my computer and nothing showed up. If you could take a look around and see if you can find them on any sites that would be really helpful. Thanks!
 

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#2 · (Edited)
here's the email conversation

If you see any red flags in the reply to me please give me a heads up. I'm just weary that he's so cheap? I have underlines in red the parts that stand out as questionable.
Me:
I saw your ad and was wondering if he's still for sale. I'd love to use him as my English pleasure horse. I have been riding for 18 years and I'm looking for my next English pleasure horse so I may retire my mare. I have a few questions. How well does he haul, what kind of training does he have in his background, how is he with other horses he would be turned out daily in our gelding pasture from 9-5. Could I see a picture of him and I'm curious to see if his price is accurate, on the ad it says 700. I am free to meet him at any time. I live in Washington State in the Gig Harbor area and have no problem coming down to meet him. I can haul him back as well if everything is well and good. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
-Ellie.
Reply:
Hi,
Thanks for getting back as regards my horse.I will be giving out my Baby to a new home.He is Called Lucky,has a very calm temperament.He is 7 years old and 16.3 hh in height and 1300 lbs in weight.I have had him for all these years now and he is well trained,and presently very healthy as he is constantly vet checked.
He is very good for a ride as he is very healthy,rides western and English,young and active. has also been trained to do trail.He is broke for intermediate or beginner but also for advance riders,You will be getting the best companion you can ever desire.He is good in the saddle.he is good with kids and other domestic animals and horses.Lucky gets psylium monthly and We use fly predators for Lucky too . He enjoys trail rides and i do blanket him .he's got no health issues
He really loves carrots ad treats and i think he might like a mixture of orchard and alfalfa,he is also good with water crossing .I don't think another person will deserve Lucky better than you.
I had a car accident in which i was hurt badly on my legs.So i am on a wheel chair.I might not be able to ride my horse again.It is for this reason that i am looking for a lovely and caring home for my boy,i wont ask you to pay a price for him,but what i really want a lovely home guaranteed for him.If you can assure me that he will be well loved and taken care of,then i will let you have him.My Family and I just moved into a New home in Kirkland,WA which is not convenient for him.I moved there with my family after the accident,so you will be paying just for the shipment and delivery fee to your location.You shall pay this directly to the shipping agency before the horse is shipped and delivered.the shipment and delivery will cost $800 USD
If i had a way of keeping him i will,but i have no option than give him to a new Home. The money is not really my prime object,but i just want the horse get a new home. I don`t know if you may need the saddle ,because i will have no use for
it now since i cant have a horse.
Where Exactly are you located?
How soon do you want the horse?
I will be waiting to read from you.
He is very good with children.these are the pics of him and let me know when you will want him shipped and delivered.
Thanks

N/B:YOU ARE PAYING JUST FOR THE SHIPMENT AND DELIVERY TO YOUR HOME $800 USD


My reply:
I'm sorry but I am very uncomfortable shipping a horse, I would prefer to haul him myself that way I can stop and check on him and know for my own peace of mind that he is safe and happy on the trip to his new home. I have no problem driving the 3-4 hours to meet him (your ad said he was in Oregon) and I have no problem hauling him back. I need to meet him first and have him vet checked to make sure everything is well and good before I pay for him. On your ad it says you're selling him for 700 dollars, is that accurate or did you mean 7000.
Lucky would be in great hands. He would be used for English pleasure and halter shows along with summer time beach rides and lots of love from everyone at the barn. All his costs would be covered with room to spare and loads of pampering. His riding routine would be 4-5 days a week with warm up and cooling off beginning, middle and after his riding session. All horses are on Daily turn out from 9am-5pm, fed twice daily with optional mid afternoon snacks. If he turns out to be suitable for some of my more advanced students I plan to use him as a lesson horse in the English discipline.
I'm very sorry about your accident, that's just horrible. I do hope you get better and if everything checks out Lucky will be given a great home.
-Ellie






Now because I try to be optimistic I really hope this is legit although I accept it probably isn't. Here's the link to the ad I saw. http://www.equinehits.com/horses-for-sale/horse-290783
 
#3 ·
It sounds like a major scam to me, there's been several friesian scams doing the rounds lately I think. Everything about it seems wrong to me.
 
#5 ·
It's a scam that has been around for a long time. It's been done with horses, boats, cars, you name it.
 
#11 ·
I searched the email and found some others in relation. I also found one with a supposed registration number and looked up the number and found the horse it belongs to so I wrote them and gave them all the adds, I've met the horse it actually belongs to. I also emailed the sites I found the ads on and linked them to the other ads.

I would have called but it was 1am when I found it and I was thinking wow probably forgot to add a 0. After I got a reply I thought it was pretty odd some of the stuff and figured I'd reply back on the one in a million chance it wasn't a scam and they just forgot a 0.If there was every a healthy 700 dollar Friesian out there I'd get him though!
 
#14 · (Edited)
I thought that their use of wording was interesting. When I was shooting emails back and forth with Caleighs previous owner I was given a huge list of questions before I was told anything else about the horse.

where as here I was asked when and where do I want him. lol. The whole time alarm bells were going off but I wanted to see what kind of response I would get. The description of him didn't come off as scammy to me it was the "pay for shipping" part and the low low price. Also his name. Who names a Friesian Lucky? All the friesians I've ever met have had either a full European name or something fancy none the less. Lucky just isn't very Friesiany to me I guess.

I was right that I wouldn't get a second response, normally scammers realize you've either figured them out or just give up when they know they aren't getting the money. Same thing with a friend of mine buying a trailer. Everything was legit, they didn't even ask for shipping but the phone number was "sorry out of order please try again" and after searching the email ads for the same trailer came up all over the map in all different price ranges.
 
#16 ·
yup the only part they left out was asking for my card number and social. haha

I'm pretty weary even when it's a real deal. Before I got Caleigh I had arranged to meet someone to look at a clydesdale, they requested a money order and I said I'd bring it and hand it over if the horse checked out.

I drove out and follwed all the direction to the point only to waste a tank of gas finding out the address didn't even exist. Where it should have been was a boggy swampy icky fenced off lake and when I googled it at home later there was no street name that matched. haha. not sure how they were going to get my money on that one...
I'm glad Caleigh checked out though!
 
#17 ·
I drove out and follwed all the direction to the point only to waste a tank of gas finding out the address didn't even exist. Where it should have been was a boggy swampy icky fenced off lake and when I googled it at home later there was no street name that matched. haha. not sure how they were going to get my money on that one...
That was a dangerous thing to do. I hope you weren't alone! I've heard of some folks by me that got mugged going down to meet someone to buy a car the way you were looking at that horse.
 
#18 ·
I live in Wyoming and there is a three state wide classifieds online. That same horse was advertised on this classified also. Definately a scam.
It is also used for dogs and even birds. When the scammers use it on parrots, the wording is also very strange, and doesn't make sense. Like" the parrot baby plays well with kids and other pets".... As if a parrot plays with other pets.... Or yorkies that are sold for $50, "these babies play well with kids and other pets".
My daughter got a scam about a rental in another state. The guy said, the house is empty, you can move in, however I am in Nigeria right now and will be coming back to the US soon and want to know this house if in good condition. Just send me $$$ and you can move in. There was an address and I google world it and no such house.
Like the old saying" if it looks to good to be true, it probably is".
Scam all the way.
 
#33 ·
Omg!!! My sister got the exact same thing!!! We are in MS and we actually went to look at the house and it still had toys and stuff in the yard and a realtor sign in the yard. We called her and she came out and told us that the house was foreclosed on and he was sending all these adds out on CL and stuff.
 
#22 ·
I want to meet the owner and the horse before I buy and it's never getting shipped....same with dogs or any animal for that matter.

It's a scam! I think I got that SAME reply from a lady.

The last add I responded to was for a Frisian, when the lady emailed me pictures she sent me some of a Gypsy Vanner (who kept changing from a mare to a gelding, and switched names!)!
Weird...gender changing horses! Who knew! haha
 
#20 ·
It's a scam! I think I got that SAME reply from a lady.

The last add I responded to was for a Frisian, when the lady emailed me pictures she sent me some of a Gypsy Vanner (who kept changing from a mare to a gelding, and switched names!)!
 
#25 ·
This ad was just posted in the online classifieds I was talking about earlier. I love the part about the beautiful manes and tails.... I thought horses only had one mane and one tail.
The great thing about this ad??? It has a puppy for the photo. Talk about a scam.



$800
Friesian mare for adoption.
West Jordan, UT 84081 - May 1, 2010
Friesian mare for adoption.She is currently being used for riding lessons with small children. FPS/Fhana registered. She is the best of the best. beautiful manes and full, extemely thick tails along with all the feathering that make the friesian horses what they are. wonderful disposition and she had 18 months with a dressage trainer. i have used her as brood mare for the past several years.Out for adoption to good home. please email for more information. She can come with a free breeding to a FPS/Fhana approved stallion.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Ellie, Friesian for sale

There are a lot of dodgy people in the horse world. Whether this Frisian is the focal point of a scam I certainly cannot say. But there is an important lesson here.

If one owns a well loved horse which has been in the family for some time, the prime concern of the responsible owner, if one has to pass the horse on, becomes the future well being of the horse. A horse is a dumb animal which can't speak for itself and which is 100% dependent upon its human owner for its quality of life. A horse is not an appreciating asset or even a chattel which has a monetary value. It is a companion in the sport of horse riding. The daily cost of keeping that horse is significant. Here in the UK it certainly costs as much to keep as a family car - including the cost of depreciation. The real financial benefit to the existing owner of passing the horse on, is the relief of the cost of the upkeep of the horse.

In the past when I have come to the conclusion that the horse must go, I have been tempted to give the horse away to a deserving home. But then I came to realize that if the prospective owner did not have the money to pay to buy the horse, then they would not have the money to cover the costs of insurance, shoeing and the vet bills even if they owned the land and stables on which it could graze.

Then there is the dealer. The horse dealer's business is to buy a good horse cheaply and to sell it at a high price. The matter of whether or not the horse is suitable for the new owner, is not of prime concern to the trader in horse flesh. There are I know some very good ethical dealers but there are also some shysters. The seller should be able to spot the difference a mile off. But some dealers are very adept at persuading folks that they are not dealers and all sorts of ruses are
deployed in both the buying and the selling.

AS for giving the horse to some young deserving soul who desperately wants a horse, that too is fraught with problems. If she has no money then sooner or later there is going to be a problem arising that she does not have the money to find a solution for.

Neither would I want to sell the horse to a local. I don't want to see a horse that I love falling into bad condition. If it is out of sight, then somehow my conscience feels easier.

If I have to sell my present horse then I have a problem and I know it. She is not the easiest of horses to handle - she is too wilful and too intelligent. She'll do most things if you ask, but she will fight back if she is forced. You don't shout at her nor do you carry a whip. But if you treat her right you have a polite, kind, sharp,obedient, sensitive and forward going horse. Some so called horse owners can't cope with that, they would want to dominate her and quickly she would lose her spirit.

So if I knew someone whom I respected as a horseman or horsewoman, my problem would not be for me the price which to ask for my horse - it would be to persuade the horseman to take her on and to look after her as perhaps I might.

The alternative, if I could not find the right home and if I had to part with her, would be to consider putting her down.

If the seller is genuine, then I, as a buyer, would expect a lot of questions about my ability to keep the horse - namely my facilities, my hopes for the future use of the horse, my experience, even my ability to support the horse. I would want to watch the buyer ride my horse. In other words, I the buyer would want the seller to show some remorse at letting the horse go.

There are two time worn expressions which come to mind:
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" &
"A fool and his money are soon parted"

But I would add that there are an awful lot of caring owners out there seeking a good home for their horses
and equally there are some crooks out there who want to steal your money.

Me, I'd go along - without the trailer - and I'd look for myself. The horse looks pretty enough - is it sound? Take a camera with you and make sure you photo
the horse and the seller.
Take care

B G
 
#28 ·
with the one in a million chance that it wasn't a scam my plan was:
Take my trainer with me to see the horse
Arrange for my trainers trainer's vet who's in that area to meet us to see the horse
Bring my book of questions and resume/history of my riding and training
if everything checked out then we would arrange a day to go down with the trailer, pay for the horse (cash in hand transfer) and haul him back.

I know I'm not finding any friesian that cheap without something seriously wrong with it but it was interesting finding out how many other adds were attached to that email.

I must have gone about 2 months of calling and emailing back and forth and meeting with Caleigh's previous owner before she had finished asking me everything she needed to know and was confident that I was the right person to transfer ownership to. I'd do the same thing.
 
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