The horse is priced well below its description
A well-bred, competing, sound horse advertised at a fraction of the going rate is the oldest hook there is. If the price does not match the description, the description is usually the part that is wrong.
The seller cannot do a live video call with the horse
Ask for a live call where the seller catches the horse, walks it up, and says your name. A scammer working from stolen photos cannot do this. A genuine seller may need to arrange a time, but will not refuse outright.
Payment is pushed to an irreversible method
Bank transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or a friends-and-family payment all remove your ability to recover the money. Pressure toward these, or a story about why the usual method will not work, is the signal.
The transport company appears mid-conversation
A common structure: the horse is far away, but a shipper the seller recommends will handle everything for an extra fee. The shipper is part of the setup. Arrange your own transport, always.
Vetting is discouraged
'No vetting', 'sold as seen', or a vet the seller insists on using are all reasons to slow down. You commission the Pre-Purchase Exam, you choose the vet, and the vet has no prior relationship with the seller.
The urgency is coming from the seller, not from you
'Someone else is coming tomorrow' is designed to remove the time you would otherwise spend checking. A horse that is genuinely right for you will survive a two-day pause.
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Common questions
What should I never do when buying a horse remotely?
Never send money for a horse you or someone you trust has not seen in person, and never pay by a method with no recourse. If you cannot travel, pay an independent professional to view on your behalf.
Is a passport or registration paper proof the horse is real?
No. Documents are easily photographed from another horse. Verify the microchip number against the passport in person, with the horse in front of you.
How does Stirrup help with scams?
Stirrup reads the advert's wording and flags the patterns that tend to cluster in problem listings — urgency, restricted vetting, absolute claims, prices out of step with the description. It is a screening aid, not a verdict on the seller.
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
Buying a horse from a Facebook group: what to check first
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.