Is "plays rough with others" a deal breaker when buying a horse?

If there's a clear "alpha" gelding in the herd, he'll probably put this youngster in his place quickly. If it's just playing, it's just juvenile energy needing an outlet. It's also possible that his owners are overfeeding him with rich grain, so he needs to burn off that excess energy. Ask them how much and what they feed and his current workload. Unless he's working hard or has a metabolic problem, he shouldn't need much hard feed.

I've kept some big horses healthy and in good condition with enough hay and just a scant quart of hay pellets or a "safe starch" feed, and that only for training purposes and because the other horses (not mine) were being fed grain. The key is "enough hay" - no less than 2% of his correct, healthy body weight per day. If the horse is stalled for 12 hours per day or more, a small-mesh hay net or other slow feeder is a great asset to his health. It keeps the horse mentally and physically occupied for hours instead of minutes and makes the hay last longer until the next feed, preventing boredom, stall damage, and ulcers.

Rambunctious pasture play would not be a reason for me to turn down an otherwise ideal horse. It just means he's healthy and energetic. If you create a cooperative relationship with him, hell be a ton of fun to ride and hang out with, too!

Maybe not a deal breaker but like others have said, if you don't have anywhere else to keep him if it becomes a problem then it may be a deal breaker. I have a thoroughbred mare and our boarder bought a horse that the previous owner said "plays rough with others." Her definition was far from the truth as this horse literally picked up my mare (her front feet off the ground) by the base of her neck out of aggression. I would wait to hear back from the owner about it and then make your decision.

It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me

I have a 5yr like that. She's not aggressive, but tends to push her luck with the older horses she's turned out with. Squeeling, rearing, cantering around...a very vocal mare. We're looking to find a more dominant horse (probably an older mare) who will check her and put her in her place.

But regardless of her pasture behavior, she's what I'm looking for in a young horse. She's just a bit immature still. If she was seriously aggressive and hurting other horses, I would simply separate her

For me, it's a deal breaker.

If a seller indicates the horse "plays rough," that's a huge red flag that means he's out and out violent with other horses and doesn't back down. He's probably injured several horses, possibly severely.

You can't train this out, because you won't be around to reinforce the lessons when needed. He's going to be turned out on his own with other horses with no people around to chastise him. This is a personality thing, and you can't change their basic personalities.

It's likely to get worse, not better. Unless you're an experienced horse owner who has their own farm, I would urge you not to even consider it. He's going to hurt other horses, and you're going to be liable. Even if you boarded him at a place with individual turnout, there's still the possibility he'll go through a fence, or that someone will make a mistake and turn him out with other horses, or that he'll attack a horse while it's walking by him stall or whatever.

The only thing that might help is if he's a stallion to geld him. Then you could consider it.

But for me... deal breaker.

I wouldn't consider this type of horse if my only option were herd turn out. Do you really want to be responsible for your horse injuring the other horses at your boarding facility, and being asked to leave?

Now, if you had an option for individual turn out at your farm, then I wouldn't give it another thought. It really depends how flexible things are at your barn.

But if he's attacking other horses while in - hand, I'd take a pass. Not worth it.

To be honest it might be a case of bordem or not enough time in the paddock, try turning him out 24/7 he might learn to calm down and that being put out is not that big of a deal.

Would the owners be open to sending you a video or his "rough playtime"? Maybe ask them about it some more. I'm sure it wouldn't be THAT bad.

Personally no....our horses are never really turned out together and have their own separate pens. So wouldn't make a difference if they didn't like others or not because they would be separated.

I would say yes because what if you wanna ride with friends? Then what? That's just my opinion..