The original auction post showing these horses has been taken down — but that doesn’t mean they won’t be at Corsica tomorrow. Clearly there’s a lot of interest in them, especially from people who don’t normally attend auctions but had these particular horses catch their eye. That makes this the perfect time to share something we think is important for anyone considering going to an auction to look for a horse: know what you’re looking at, and make sure you’re seeing the full picture.
Auction tags and descriptions often say things like “mid-teens” or “kid safe.” Sometimes that’s accurate — but many times it’s not. We’ve seen countless horses go through the ring as “12 years old” when their teeth and body say 20+, or listed as “18” when they’re really pushing 28. We hear from buyers all the time who only discover the truth when their vet comes out for the first visit.
It’s easy to see a shaggy coat and think “just a thick coat” — but when it’s August and 90 degrees, that’s more likely Cushings. A horse with no topline might simply be aged, but if it’s listed as “16” and also has a shaggy coat, that points to something medical. A sway back and dropped fetlocks aren’t just quirks of conformation, but potential DLSD or advanced age. A “heave line” along the belly points to chronic respiratory disease. These are details we’ve learned to spot from evaluating hundreds of horses, and they can make the difference between a safe home and another trip through the auction pipeline.
That’s why it’s so important to verify with your own eyes — and if you’re not confident, bring someone who is.
Here are a few of the things we look for when evaluating horses — the “bare minimum” buyers should check at any auction:
Teeth & Aging – Angle, length, and wear can tell you whether a horse is closer to 10… or closer to 20+.
Signs of Cushings (PPID) – Long, shaggy coat that won’t shed out, muscle loss along the topline, or a pot belly.
Heaves / Respiratory Issues – Chronic cough, wheezing, or a visible “heave line” along the belly.
DLSD / Lameness Concerns – Dropped fetlocks, weak suspensories, swollen joints, or stiffness in movement.None of these things mean a horse doesn’t deserve a safe future — but they do mean buyers deserve to know the truth. Unfortunately, those details rarely make it onto a sale tag.
We are still going to Corsica tomorrow, and we are still fundraising to give these horses the best chance at safety. We’ll share updates once we arrive and see the horses for ourselves.If you’d like to be part of this effort: Donate here https://givebutter.com/2025aucti.../september2025auctionfund