There is no listing standard, so absence means less
A marketplace forces a seller to fill in age, height and price. A group post does not, so a missing detail is weaker evidence on its own. What still counts is what the seller chose to write at length about versus what they skipped — a post that spends four lines on temperament and none on soundness made that choice freely.
Check how long the account has existed
A seller profile created in the last few weeks, with few friends and no history of horse content, is the single most common feature of group sale scams. Genuine sellers usually have a visible history: photos at shows, other horses, comments from people who know them.
Reverse-search the photos before you message
Copied photos are the backbone of deposit scams. Save an image and run it through a reverse image search. If the same horse appears on a stud's website in another country, or in an advert from two years ago, stop there.
Deposits to hold a horse you have not seen
A request for a deposit before viewing — especially by bank transfer, gift card, or a payment app with no buyer protection — is the point where most losses happen. There is no legitimate reason a seller cannot hold a horse for a scheduled viewing a few days out.
Screenshot the post before you travel
Group posts get edited and deleted. Keep a screenshot of what the advert said when you agreed to view, including the price and any claims about vetting or history. It is also what you would need if the sale went wrong.
Scan the listing you’re looking at
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Common questions
Can Stirrup read a Facebook group post?
Yes. Facebook posts have no public URL we can open, so paste the advert text into Stirrup, or add a screenshot of the post and Stirrup will read that.
Are group sales riskier than marketplace listings?
Not inherently — plenty of good horses sell through groups. The difference is that there is no listing standard, no advert moderation, and often no seller history, so more of the diligence falls to you.
What is the safest way to pay?
Pay on collection, after a Pre-Purchase Exam, using a method that leaves a record. Avoid transfers to hold an unseen horse, and be wary of any pressure to pay before a vetting.
More checklists
HorseQuest red flags: what to check before you view
ehorses warning signs: reading a listing before you travel
Horse listing red flags: a buyer's checklist
Horse sale scams: the checklist before you send any money
Questions to ask a horse seller — and what the answers tell you
When a horse price looks too good to be true
Buying a horse in the US: the paperwork and checks that differ
Stirrup is a screening tool, not veterinary advice. Always commission an in-person Pre-Purchase Exam before buying.