Jodie Linder Hughes False advertising/ dangerous horses Corning California

I contacted Ms. Linder-Hughes in regards to a horse she had listed for sale on dreamhorse. I explained to her that I was looking for a beginner safe horse for my daughter who did not know how to ride. Ms. Linder-Hughes had the horses listed as a possible "mounted patrol" horse "as nothing bothers this horse." Ms. Linder-Hughes agreed that this horse would be a good match for my seven-year-old daughter. I drove 2.5 hours to meet Ms. Linder-Hughes at her home. I had my mother, father, daughter and my aunt with me as well. When I first saw the horse and Ms. Linder-hughes' son had difficulty retrieving the horse from pasture, I knew that he was not as advertised. I did not want to offend Ms. Linder-Hughes and immediately turn away, as she had lead me to believe this was her horse. She reported to me at the time he was pulled out that he was a friends from Washington that told her to sale the horse for him. When the horse "Buzzard" was pulled out of pasture I noticed that he appeared to have significant hoof issues (my opinion was that he looked to have club foot; however I am not a trained professional in equine hoof issues so this is my opinion HOWEVER he DID have significant issues for sure). I noted that as Buzzard chomped his teeth he still had his lower wolf teeth intact.

I questioned Ms. Linder-Hughes about his dental care and she assured me that the owner tended to all of his dental needs. i doubted what she was saying as wolf teeth are generally removed. I also asked about the "health check" and "coggins" that Ms. Linder-Hughes assured me Buzzard had; however, she stated that all his health information along with his registration were left at a friends home and she did not have them at her home. Ms. Linder-Hughes had her son get on Buzzard (as I had requested her to ride him for me first). Her son walked him around their pasture area. Watching Buzzard walk I noted that he appeared to have an injury to his left back leg that caused his bone to curve inward. Nonetheless, after her son walked Buzzard for a few minutes and she asked me to get on I, regrettably did. I asked Ms. Linder-Hughes prior to getting on, if I should remove my spurs as her son was not wearing any. Ms. Linder-Hughes stated that this gelding was a "ranch horse" has had "it all" and spurs would not bother him. I got on him, and her son tightened the front cinch. I cued Buzzard to walk forward with my calf only, I used no spur, and he began to buck uncontrollably. Ms. Linder-Hughes stood close by and screamed at me, "get off him! Get off him" I, obviously, wanted badly to get off of him as well as I could not get him to stop bucking. I chose my landing spot and ultimately hit the ground. I am okay, VERY sore and with bruised ribs, but okay. Ms. Linder-Hughes apologized and stated that she was no longer going to sell him, and that he had never bucked before. I accepted her apology and then left. I write this lengthy report not to be vindictive or hurtful, but because Ms. Linder-Hughes was selling a horse I genuinely believe she knew was dangerous. She tried very hard to sell me a horse that she KNEW was for my SEVEN-YEAR-OLD child. I know Ms. Linder-Hughes was dishonest with me because she told me about a horse that she had sold the day before ( that she advertised as appropriate for a confident beginner) to an elderly lady, and that that horse had attempted to "kick her head off" the same morning she sold her.

I have learned a valuable lesson, and I will be more diligent about researching people before buying anything from them. I do wish Ms. Linder-Hughes the best, but I genuinely never want to see another horse advertised for sale by her again. Especially seeing that Ms. Linder-Hughes has already been reported to this very website.