Denise N Dhm

Do your homework. Give your new horses time to adjust.

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My husband and I have bought many horses from the BLS and have sold a few through them. First off really do your home work on the horse you are interested in. If possible try to visit the horse where it is housed. I know that can be hard because they come from all over. If the person selling is not wiling to let you come visit them be wary. Also don't be afraid to ask to ride the horse at the sale. Most sellers will allow you to do so. Just remember it is at your own risk. Watch the horse in his stall, when he is being rode in the large outdoor arena. We have bought some that I could not keep. I bought horses that were beyond my riding ability. We have bought around a dozen horses though BLS I had only one that seemed like he was very green or had an issue with a pain when rode. Be wary of any seller that tells you the horse is "bombproof" or a babysitter. Horses can be unpredictable. They are an animal. Also understand when you get the horse home give the horse time to adjust. He may have been on the same farm or ranch its whole life. Had the same herd mates and owners it's whole life as well. That is a lot to get used to at a new home. Always watch the owner do ground work with the horse before you buy him. If a horse does not know basic ground work you will be taking it to a trainer. Remember if a horse can not do it with you on the ground he will not be able to do it in the saddle. I know some people will tell you what ever they think you want to hear to sell that horse and get a good price for him. I can say I will not lie to any one interested in a horse I sell. No horse is perfect as is no rider. I ask the people looking at my horse who will be riding my horse that is being offered. That is key to fit the horse with the proper rider. I want to be assured the horse I sell is going to a person that will keep him for a long time. I Am not a horse trader and have had my horses for a long time and do not want them going from sale to sale. We are offering three horses only because our children are all grown and I have too many so I want them going a good place. My greatest fear is having my horse go to a kill buyer. If I feel he is going for a very low price I will not sell him and take the lose and take him back to our ranch. A killer buyer buys low and resells him for a profit. In the end take your time at the sale ask a lot of questions and get a good feel in your gut about the horse and the seller. I stay right with my horses to answer all question a potential buyer might have. I also leave my cell number on the rack in the event I have to leave the stall for a moment. I hope you find the horse you are looking for at BLS. Not all sellers are scammers and people do offer really nice horses. Good luck. P.S. I have bought from private sellers as well and got stung. Bought a horse and she was nightmare. I paid an awe full lot of money for a horse from a private buyer and he would not stand by his horse after I got him home and found out what I really bought.
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Reason of review:
I think they try to sell quality horses. You can not hold BLS for other people that are scammers. Go in with eyes wide open and know what you are looking for before you bid.
1 comment
Guest

Excellent advice! Thanks so much

Anonymous

Absentee Buyer

Hey Fellas... anyone buying a horse sight unseen deserves what they get. Think about it... Uh... I like the picture of that horse... sounds like I could ride em. Sure is a good lookin guy. One of the easiest ways to get injured or killed is to get on an 1100 pound animal you know absolutely nothing about. The folks complaining about fraud here should be looking for a stick horse. Stay within your ability, cuz you don't think so good. Don't blame others for your poor judgment and decision. If you are going to get in the horse business, make sure you think about your safety. An absentee buyer is paralyzed from the neck up, however, paralyzed from the neck down will give him plenty of time to think about what they should've done in the first place. Come on man...
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Anonymous
map-marker Billings, Montana

Billings Livestock Horse Sales Horse Review from Billings, Montana

Had a horse for a client to send trough the Feb sale. Prior to the sale, he was lame so we opted not to send him through. They paid their catalog fees, which are not cheap, but did not sale him. Kept him another 4 months, and still he did not act sound so we chose to run him through the loose horses pen. We got charged our fees and lost our *** on fees but did the right thing. Yesterday, my client got an additional bill for 100.00 for a no show fee. Now this is almost 7 months later and it's bull ***. My clients had 4 to send to their August loose horse sale, but refuse to do business there...can't blame them, what a crock of bull.
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Reason of review:
Pricing issue
2 comments
Guest

we have came to billings many time and have got horse. we have found the horses we got to be nice.

Jan and her husband are very helpful people but they only know what people tell them.

it is always good to go and watch your horse for 2 days before you buy it. there are always bad horses at every sale but also a ton of good ones with honest people.

Guest

glad u lost your money any horse that is loose will happen to lay in a kill buyers hands.........when u play with the devil u get GOD. Maybe a wake up call save them and give to rescue to rehome..whats wrong with u people

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Anonymous
map-marker Gillette, Wyoming

Wonderful

Billings Livestock Horse Sales - Wonderful
It has been 11 years since I was there and bid on a big brown 16 year old gelding. Knew nothing about him, wasn't at all what I had gone to bid on, but something made me. He is wonderful, gentle on the ground and when you are on him, he still steps out thinking he has a job to go to. I'm over 60 and just wanted a safe and gentle trail horse and except for being buddy sour, which is my fault, he has been perfect. I feel the people at BLS were honest, helpful and I have not been disappointed. The seller never misled me and I called him after the sale to ask what kind of bit I should use and he was very nice and helpful. Thank you BLS, Brownie has made these last 11 years so happy.
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Reason of review:
Good customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Findlay, Ohio

Billings Livestock Horse Sales - Review in Animals category from Findlay, Ohio

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Been to billings horse sale and have never had a bad experience . Great people and great horses . I have purchased many an I'm happy with them all. Nothing but a great place to buy or sale at.
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Reason of review:
Good customer service
2 comments
Guest

I have never been there when Bill didn't get into an arguement with someone at the clerks bench. His three day guarantee is just long enough for the pain killing drugs of his friends horses to wear off.

Bill's friend from Minnesota is super bad for drug use.

Hate to talk about the dead, but it's most likely best for the quality of the horse sale. I have talked to people who have known Bill since childhood in Red Lodge and they have stated he was always a cheat.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1258643

Bill was honest and cared about the people and sale. I've purchased from BLS and had a great experience.

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Anonymous
map-marker Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey

Dishonest Auction and Sellers.....DO NOT buy there

I purchase a blue roan gelding over the phone from New Jersey. They point blank lied about everything. They said he was an experienced racetrack pony horse, broke to death, been there done that and sound. When i got him he was lame, scared to death to pony or catch a horse, rank as could be.....basically useless.....I paid $4,000 for this horse and had to give him away. When I called they said the soundness guarentee was no good because i took him out of state.....and he must have had an accident/bad experience ponying horses at the track. REALLY ! that is what i bought him for. They didn't say that before i bought him....DO NOT buy from this awful, dishonest auction. I am a professional and have bought, sold and trained hundreds of horses. SAD
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker Englewood, Colorado

If you buy at auction you are buying someones problem

very sad, I hate to see something like this happening to people who think they are buying a good horse, I paid a few visits to bls just for the heck of it, we were in the area and I wanted to see first hand what us other breeders and trainers have to look forward to, and it seems a ton of very upset people who bought poor excuses of horses they just wanted money out of so bad they had to drug them to get rid of them, my suggestion is, buy from breeders, only, not auctions, I buy a weanling once in a while but only that, because usually if they are selling through an auction they are selling a problem, all I'm hoping is that all of you that have gone through this, do not let it ruin your idea of owning and loving a good horse, not all people are this dishonest, there are some of us who do sell very nice horses, that do not have issues or injuries, very sad and I'm sorry you had this experience
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Anonymous

Billings Livestock Horse Sales - Horse Sales Review

Awful sale full of fraudulent sellers. Horses are not broke and lame doped. Ect. The horse traders are uncaring to the buyer. Selling horses that are not safe.
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3 comments
Guest

I bought a horse that was nothing like the description. Total lie.

Talked to seller, no compassion at all. I am stuck with a 3200 dollar horse that bucks!!!!

Guest

BUY from breeders, period, NOT Auctions, If they are peddling it through an auction, it has an issue, period, people do not sell there best horses, they sell the ones with rotated coffin bones, or bowed tendons, or many many more issues, went there and looked around, and most I saw as a person who has raised them, broke them and trained them, were either drugged up to seem lethargic, or they had horrible splints on there front legs, or they were foundered and they gave them bute and banamine so they could walk through the sale and make it to there new home before it showed up, I saw many many horses I would not touch with a ten foot pole, and honestly if I buy from an auction, I buy weanlings only, If you pick up a weanling with good breeding, and raise it, then send it to a trainer, believe me you will love that horse and have it for a long time and actually enjoy it, rather than pick one up at auction, get it home, have a vet check it out, put a ton of money into it trying to save it, and by the time you are done, you have spent enough that you could have purchased a weanling, put the money into it, and had a great horse you will have for many years, that do not have problems someone dumped on yu, just trying to help, it's sad this is happening, personally I would like everyone to have the chance to have a good one, because I love riding, and enjoy others riding with me, so give it some thought everyone, find good breeders that will actually help and answer your questions, and if you go look at one someone says is broke, go to the place of sale and have them ride it first, then you ride it before you buy it, this is the best way to get a good horse, If they breed for it, then they raise it, they should stand up to that and want to ride it for you before you buy it, very sorry all of you have experienced this, there is nothing like a great horse that hasn't been ruined

Guest

wow, been to this auction a couple of times just to watch and see what is going on there, cause so many have complained then had horse friends tell me of there experiences, so had to go see for myself, I was going to take some of my horses there to sell them, and I will now keep them, break and train them all myself, It is a scarey deal that others with horses, actually drug them up to get them sold through here, then someone innocent gets them and can get killed, that is not fair or right, just plain sad, so I will keep what I breed and raise and break them and sell only to private buyers, I believe the horse market has enough bad publicity, it doesn't need more, just a sad situation all around to do this to people who just want to love and enjoy a horse, I have not been overly thrilled by my visits here, as a horse breeder for fourty years, I feel horrible for you and I'm sorry you went through this, just not fair at all

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richdeni R
map-marker Washington, District Of Columbia

Billings Horse Sale lameness guarantee fraud

Billings Livestock Horse Sales - Billings Horse Sale lameness guarantee fraud
Received the online February Sale catalog for the Sons and Daughter horse sale. Advertised as big production sale, not an auction. BLS claims to have a lameness and bred mare guarantee. There was a photo of a stallion with nice description that I made a telephone bid on from Wyoming. The BLS sales person in the auction ring told me the horse had long hair from the winter. I bid and the horse was delivered to Utah, lame on three legs, starving, lice ridden with patches of no hair. Clearly very ill and the photo in the catalog must have been over five years old. I called and Bill Parker said the guarantee was only if I RETURNED the horse by noon the next day and he would "trot him up and down and decide if he's lame" Bill stated he would not recognise a veterinarian's test for lameness. The horse was transported without a health certificate and could not leave Utah! I also could not transport him home to Wyoming either. I was forced to pay board and vet bills as well as feed, medications and supplements and Jann and Bill Parker refuse to cooperate, threatening me and blaming me. BLS does NOT honor their lameness guarantee and the horse was 200 #s underweight, permanently lame on three legs, and so lice infested that I had to treat him three times for lice before he was considered free of disease. BLS is a killer auction mentality and does NOT honor their published guarentee and refer you to the seller but refuse to give the seller's contact information. Stuck between rock and hard space! BUYER BEWARE as BLS is a slaughter auction and behaves unprofessionally!
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Loss:
$650
17 comments
Guest

I was looking forward to going to the bls in March to hopefully get a great trail/mountain horse. Now after reading your reviews I'm not sure. Where can a person go to get a good quality sound broke horse!?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-875986

I don't know who to trust. ALWAYS use your personal vet for a pre-purchase exam and have x-rays and blood work for drugs.

I prefer to use local trainers and clubs/groups when looking. I wish I had one for you but mine are young or green broke.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-876336

Thank you for your reply.i will take your advice on the vet and exams you mentioned. I noticed you are from utah, any advice or knowledge on brian billings and the performance horse sale they put on in oakley utah?

Ive heard and researched on that sale and it seems to be reputable.

Not a sales barn type auction. Just a handful of cowboys that bring their best to the sale.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-877637

I don't know them personally as I don't really buy horses, I bred a few the last couple of years, but it sounds like a better sale especially if it is closer to you than Billings. Get on their website and read every word of their contract.

Look for catch phrases that state THEY determine condition rather than a vet. Billings states that they determine soundness and they have final say over all complaints. If you don't have options or recourses, then it isn't a good sale. Some cowboys are have that used car salesman mentality and I wouldn't trust that.

Most cowboys are honest and can be trustworthy. Remember, if it is too good to be true - RUN AWAY! Remember, if they say their horse "needs an experienced rider" that is code for "freakin' nuts!" LOL Good luck - it won't hurt to go and watch/talk to the cowboys.

Talk to the other buyers too for how long they've been coming and if they are happy or if they experienced any problems. Good advertising doesn't equal honest people.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-875986

There are breeders and people like ourselves that are family oriented that do not want others to lose interest in horses, we love what we do, and I am working with several people right now, getting them used to the horse, most don't realize that a person must match the horse, It makes for a very good relationship, if you buy from an auction, you buy what you see, there is no one that will tell you all the little quirks that horse may have, or anything bad they may have gone through, horses do not forget, many can get over situations that have happened but they do not forget, only buy from breeders, NOT autions, if you are looking for something that has not been over ridden, or had injuries to there legs, here is a good thing to remember, if they are selling it at an auction, more than likely it is something that has issues, People do not get rid of there best horses, usually, and yes they drug them so that they can make it through a sale and the new owner gets it home, which is herendous, but happens all the time, very sad, don't lose hope, there are tons of breeders out there good ones that will help you and answer questions so you really know what you are buying sorry you have had a horrible experience, that is not fair at all.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-875986

I'm really not sure. Since my experience with Billings, I am a HUGE advocate of viewing the horse personally and staying local!

View for sale boards: electronic and at local horse facilities, tack shops, veterinarians, stables, etc. First make an appointment to see the horse and spend at least 30 minutes with the horse while the owner puts it through it's paces. Then, without notice (to avoid drugging) drop by to see the horse again. If you are still interested, go with the owner and the horse to the vet for a full exam and blood tests.

Yes, it costs money, but will save heartbreak. You are committing to years with a companion and a huge, long term expense. Spend time and money up front. If the seller pressures you - step back and walk away.

If at a local stable, you could lease for 30 days to give the horse a try. Believe in the personality of the horse and what it's behavior is telling you and go with your gut, not your heart. Good luck! I'm in Utah and have a 10 year old gelding but he is considered green broke, only rides 10 on trails, so not a finished horse.

He's on KSL, an Appaloosa gelding-but I'm not local to you, buying at a distance can work if you protect yourself. Good luck and ask everyone for advice!

Everyone loves to put in their 2 cents worth! ;)

Guest

it it a shame that good people are getting ripped off who go to BLS sales looking for there perfect horse to buy & and end up having to put the horse down because of problems hidden with tranqs or bute or to accure hundreds to thousands dollars in vet bills because of the hidden health problems. And good people wanting to see there horse just to be low balled of a good price so benny can pick them up for slaughter, either way if your not part of network you lose either way

wish there was another horse auction place where no horse killers were allowed, & the horses coming in where tested for bute or other pain med or tranqs in there system feet, were checked for fill in putty hidding the moon shape of founder every one would be treated good, no buddy buddy or clickish groups this is how I would run a horse auction if I had one

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-730509

I was booted reading some of the reviews here. I have no skin in the game, but I do know that Bill (deceased)and jan Parker are good honest people.

A few things. Guarantees are between buyer and seller! Bls is just an agent. If someone dopes a horse you can bring him back next day and if he's lame they will know it and be straight with you and fix it.

They sell thousands of horses each year for some of the best trainers and breeders in the business.I've bought bad horses there but it's always been my own fault for not doing homework.

I've also bought fantastic horses there. The Parker's have integrity and do a great job.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1253815

Dear Anonymous, your thoughts are well-intentioned but WRONG! BLS offers the soundness guarantee and several other warranties to bring in buyers.

BLS, and Bill and Jan specifically, are who I dealt with and THEY were the ones that refused to honor the guarantee. Read the flyer and website! Both state that BLS offers guarantees and protections. From my personal experience with Bill and Jan Parker, they are NOT good nor honest, they have no integrity and do NOT care about horses or the buyers.

Bill lied, cheated, bullied, and threatened me. BLS shipped a horse without proper, legal documentation. Bill specifically told me that once the horse is off the property, the guarantee is VOID! There are good breeders and bad breeders who use auctions.

It is Bill and Jan that were dishonest and cheated me. BLS, Bill (deceased) and Jan Parker should be avoided by buyers.

Guest

Sounds like you people have also been through the BLS soundness guarantee. You guys are dead on.

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