A combination of cues that can mean a horse is medicated to mask lameness or calm it for the sale — unusually quiet demeanour together with “sold as seen”, urgency, and no vetting.
Why it matters
Common masking drugs — bute, painkillers, sedatives — wash out within days, so problems can reappear after you buy.
What to ask
Insist on a vetting that takes a blood sample, stored so it can be tested later for masking drugs.
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