Apple Creek Farm Massachusetts Becky Peckham Be thorough when considering buying a horse from Becky Peckham Northfield Massachusetts

Apparently I did not do all of my research on Apple Creek Farm or Becky Peckham prior to considering purchasing a horse from her.

I had just started the process of looking for a horse, particularly a Warmblood, when I came across a big, beautiful Mecklingburg mare in Northfield MA. This horse in pictures and video was a perfect first horse for my daughter. I should have done some additional research on the breed of this horse as the website lists her as a Mecklingburg warmblood. There is in fact no such thing. There is however a Mecklenburg warmblood.

That would have been a red flag, a seller not knowing what they are selling.

So I set up an appointment with Becky to go and see the horse. Her daughter warmed her up and I noticed a little head bob at the trot but thought she may simply be warming up (it was 32 degrees out). This horse was as sweet as the day is long. Would do anything you asked her to and would do flying lead changes before you even asked. After her daughter warmed her up I rode her. Then my daughter rode her. Same thing sweet as the day is long. Becky went on and on about her temperment and how her own young daughter could ride her.

After the tryout we brought her back into the tack area and talked about her more. I wanted to check out her feet. She wasn't wearing an shoes so I assumed her feet were tough and healthy. So one by one I asked Vegas to pick up her feet so I could look at them. This also gave me an idea about how her ground manners were.

Awesome ground manners. BUT when I got to her Left front foot there was SIGNIFICANT heat behind her cannon bone. I asked Becky why there was so much heat in her leg and she indicated to me that the horse had an old torn ligament but that it had healed and she had it ultrasounded to be sure.

So I left there kind of hoping that maybe she was typically sound and was just having an off day. But then we had done barely anything with her (had ridden her no more than 40 minutes very lightly) and it was raging hot. Before I left it was mentioned to me that other buyers were coming in the next day and to get back with her as soon as possible. I then texted her the next day to get a copy of the ultrasound information. Never heard anything back.

So Just an FYI for all potential horse buyers out there....any permanent damage to a horse that may cause issues in the future should be reflected in the horses description on any sales website. Also take your time when buying. Have your vet come and check the horse over completely prior to purchasing OR have it written into a contract that full payment will be returned to the buyer if significant issues are found after a vet check that was not done prior to purchase.

I feel bad for this lovely horse Vegas. I hope that she finds a nice forever home.