It would be nice if there was something in place with both AMHA and AMHR that if a 'grievance' is filed at least a warning letter could be sent to the individual stating that a grievance has been filed. Not that it will stop the truly unscrupulous ones, but it may slow down the ones that do have some respect for the law. Keep it on file for those individuals. Most of the people that burn others don't do it once, they do it because they can get away with it and they know it!
As for the Buyer Beware that is a smart thing to do - educate yourself, blah blah blah. But if you are new to the breed and you have got the basics down, etc., navigating the registry paperwork - heck how many people when they got their first mini knew there were two registries? Or why there are two? Let alone how to correctly transfer a horse, and that stallion reports need to be filed, and DNA/PQ testing, and show records (make sure to call the registry to check), also ask for references, etc. Oh and get a contract - mind you you probably won't know the basics that need to be covered - but you can bet an untrustworthy seller will and you won't have any protection - but you'll have a contract!
Oh the seller didn't tell you that horse is on application and its dam was never DNA'd or that stallion was bred to 10 mares the previous owner sold the mares and now angry people are after you as you own the stallion and of course he's not DNA/PQ tested, or that show horse that won all those shows - oh surprise he didn't really he attended those shows, what do you mean you didn't know about B size minis - oh it's an AMHA registered horse, cryptorchid you don't know what that is? It goes on the horror stories that newbies to this industry go through that I've heard over the year.
I for one was not that well informed when I got into minis it was a whole new world! Most breeders where not on the internet, it was word of mouth (you ever listen to breeders bash each other to make a sale - ugh) and trying to navigate two registries paperwork (most of us that have been in this industry a decade or more can't always follow recent registry rule changes!), let alone getting pedigree info thrown out, show info, etc. It can be a bit overwhelming. There is alot of information that having been in this industry for awhile that I take for granted but almost every buyer when I hand them their 'new horse folder' with all the paperwork, with stickies telling what to do with each part - they get that glazed like a donut expression of absolutely no idea what I'm referring too! I tell them just call I'll walk you through it!
I do think it's fantastic those individuals that are ahead of the game and are fortunate enough to get a trustworthy individual to mentor them, as they are truly truly lucky, but the majority of people I've met haven't had it that easy. I was one of those that thought I had a good one only to find out I just hadn't received my bucket of @#$ from this person!
