What are some ways to tell if a horse for sale has been "doped" up?

There's a lot of signs you can tell if they've been drugged. However I wouldn't just go on low heads and loose lower lips as these can also be natural traits to an equine. As I have many that naturally slink along with low heads or have the "Bubba Gump" lip. Also, you are just as likely to see them doped at consignment sales, if not more...as public sales allow you to pay for a catch rider or a stable rider and most consignments make it to where you must show the equine you are selling yourself.

Here's some classic signs of horse's being Ace'd or Bute'd

Ears don't move, even when there is a lot of noise. They mostly stay in a tilted back position.

Dropped heart rate- a horse's natural pulse should be between 40-60 Beats per minute. If you are suspicious that a horse may be drugged walk up and take the pulse right along the girth line.

Extra salavation from the mouth, even when not worked. A horse will naturally salavate with a bit in their mouth, however, if you notice the St Bernard or Mastiff effect on a horse, steer clear.

Glazed eyes with hardly any blinking.

Dehydration of the skin- a horse normally doped up will not drink or eat properly. Pinch a fatty part of the skin, if it doesn't fold back to normal...you know something is wrong.

And lastly, your gut instinct. A person who normally dopes their horse will not leave the horse's side. This is because people are curious and may wonder why the horse is unreactive or unresponsive to noise, other horses, and people. An owner standing right by their side- to calm worries by saying, "Oh, this guy is such a baby." or "He's always been like this with large crowds."

Don't believe that...I have top bloodline, greatly trained, and horse's with experience at shows, sales, and everyday arena work...and I can not claim that one of them isn't a either darting their eyes looking around, moving their ears, sniffing things, or whinning to other horses. Not a one horse is that unresponsive.

I would stick with consignment sales however...you get the booklet saying which horse's are being sold, whom owns them, and all numbers listed. This way you can do research and see if they have a good history with sales and "drop" in for a visit. Most top quality barns allow this and will understand.

First talk to the owner. Not necessarily asking about the horse, just talk to them. I always try to get a feel for the person first. If they act like they are trying to hide something they probably are. Those people I will not even discuss a price with.

As for the horse look for an alert animal. Many drugs leave an animal that is not alert to anything. The horse is in a new area and its ears should home in of virtually any new sound. They should follow a stranger inspecting the horse. If the horse does not do this or is listless, it could (and given where you would be, probably is) doped.

The problem is that many of the herbal calming products do not do this. They will calm the horse some without leaving much outward sign. I am talking about the oral calmers given before shows. This is why I talk to the owner before buying and get a feel for them. If I don't trust them then I don't buy.

Check the capilary refile time. Lift up the horse's gums and press your thumg on it hard for 5 second then release. The color should return instantly. Also, the gums should be pink, not pale or while.

Dehydration can also make a horse lethargic. Pull the skin of the horse's neck up away from the horse as much as is possible (without cause pain) and then let go. It should snap back immediately. If it doesn't, he's dehydrated.

If most of the horses are alert and "calling" or generally "acting up" and you see one or more standing with head low and half asleep, then those horses could be drugged or dehydrated. If you see one being ridden or run in the pen, and he's going around with head low and feet shuffling, he couple possibly be drugged or dehydrated.

If you're buying privately (not at an auction or sale), then show up 45-60 minutes early. Check to see if they're wearing the horse out before you show up. Check the horse's stall/paddock to make sure there's hay and water (witholding food will also make a horse "calmer"). Watch the horse being led out of his stall/paddock. Make note of any negative behavior leading, tieing, or tacking up. If the horse uses a harsh bit or any kind of gadgets (like martingales or tie-downs) ask why and also ask to see the horse ridden without one (or will a more mild bit).

No, "any decent sale barn will NOT stand behind their sales." that is not a true statement, it doesn't matter whether it is the low end or the high end horse sales...their purpose is to only bring the buyer and seller together and due diligence lies in the realm of the buyer.

If you are in question as to the blood level of any "additives" make a one on one, written guarantee with the seller, pending any 24 hr blood work. If they are willing to even agree to the deal, you are probably ok. If not, you at least have a safety net...remember, the horse sale company owes you nothing, absolutely nothing...so don't think that you can hold them responsible, you can not.

Bring your vet along when you go to see the horse. Ask the owner first if they would mind letting your vet take a small blood sample. Make sure they understand that you are buying under the conditions that the horse isn't 'doped' up. Make sure they understand that you will return the horse if the drug test tests positive. And keep in touch with the seller! Buy the horse (if you like her/him) And if the horse ever has any behavioral/physical problems in the future, you can ask your vet to test the blood. If the test turns out to be positive, just call the previous owner and return the horse. The seller shouldn't be reluctant to your terms (a hint that the horse is 'doped' up) Hope i helped!

I speak from experience when I say cover yout butt and have a vet take a sample of blood as part of the pre-purchase. I bought a 2 year old QH mare who did not have any outward signsof being drugged, except being exceptionally quiet for a 2 year old. I chalked it up to breed differences. I am a Morgan girl to the bone and grew up with the little buggers - any horse that is not dancing around trying to see what you are doing is "quiet" to me! I got her home and she turned into a 2 year old Morgan in QH skin. I wanted a WP baby and she is now in a home doing mounted search and rescue and happy as a clam. I lost a lot of money on her,though. I paid for a Palomino WP horse that jogged like a champ and sold her as a glorified trail horse who does all day and has the stride of a 16 hand horse...... : -D

a vet check would rule them out. Also for drugs take a lighter and light it under the horses head (be careful not to burn the horse). The horse should have a reaction to the smell of it if he isn't doped up.

Also surprise visits are great. If the horse is boarded at a stables; talk to the other people that board there and ask them about that horse from their experiences

You have received some good advice so far. I will add just one more piece of info.

My grandfather worked for a horse dealer when he was a boy. (pre automobile era).

Their favorite trick for horses with broken wind was to take small pieces of sponge soaked in water and insert them far up into the horses nostrils. This provided sufficient moisture to pass the animal off for normal.

Things have changed quite a bit since then, but somethings are still obvious such as the drooping head, lack luster attitude, stumbling when led and so forth.

Bottom line is that any decent sales barn will guarantee the sale. If you are referring to the auction houses, well that is another thing entirely....but, what you buy this week, you can always resell there again next week.

An additional thing you could do is make more than one visit.Multiple surprise visits help to get a clear picture of the horses disposition. An honest seller wioll not mind. Also trail ride the horse. Stumbling, sluggish movements,etc. can be a red flag.Make sure to use common sense. Also, listen to your gut. If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.

For private sales, pre purchase exam darling! I've been around enough drugged horses to see it in there eyes when others cannot at sales. Sometimes they drug them just cause they do not know how to handle them properly in the first place.