I'm going to take this guy out for a test ride tomorrow, and want to get some input on his looks.  The owner has been up front with me about the injury/scar, and will come with a thorough and recent vetting report.  He is 8 years old, extensively trail ridden, beginner safe, and supposedly could go back to the show ring with a little brushing up.  Asking $3000, which is a bit more than I want to spend, but I'd pay it for the right one.  He does have Impressive in his pedigree, but is N/N.  That still worries me...maybe it shouldn't!?  I have been looking for a long time and have not found what I'm looking for yet.  I'm really tired of looking but I don't want to make a hasty decision.  Any thoughts much appreciated.

http://picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/22521872

What are you looking for?  A trail mount?  A show mount?  You said he could go back into the show ring with a little work.. what was he previously shown in?

I'm not going to comment on confirmation because I'm just no darn good at it... but I can say that I wouldn't pay $3,000 in today's market for a horse unless it was well trained in whatever discipline I wanted to show in. 

But...  maybe I'm just cheap!

He supposedly has done both western pleasure and English flat courses...although it has been some time since he's done that.  He has been trail ridden exclusively the past year.  Based on my recent experiences trying to find a good trail mount, I've come to the conclusion that a good, experienced trail riding horse is a rare find...at least around here.  I can find gaited horses by the buckets, but I don't want a gaited horse.  So I guess I would be paying 3000 for a horse that is well trained in the area that I want to ride him in...which is trails! 

I am mostly a trail rider, and even though I am switching disciplines the horse I am thinking about getting is still mostly for trails, that is just what I like the most so I understand that.  I don't know much about conformation at all, but something just doesn't look balanced on him, I think his mane is what makes his neck look so weird though.  What happened to his leg?  It would worry me, and looks like it could cause issues out on trails, and so I wouldn't pay 3000 for him.  If it is just cosmetic though then a non-stunning trial horse a lot of times is better than a show ready priss of a horse

I sent this link to a friend of mine, and she said that the horse has been for sale on and off for a long time...and she would stay clear of him!  So I'm not considering him anymore.  I swear, finding a good trail horse is the pits.  And crittergirl, I already have one of those "prissy" show horses and while he's made great strides in his trail riding, he still doesn't like to get his feet dirty, and acts like aliens are going to abduct us every time he sees something he doesn't like.  LOL  

What state are you in?  And are you willing to buy out of state?  I know where there is the most awesome 16 hand palomino that is a rock solid trail horse.  I rode him the other day in a rope halter and then I put a 5 yr old on him and she rode him all over the place.  Also I still have Scotch the 15 hand palomino I have been riding and trying to sell for someone.

That horse amber is talking about sounds good!  A good trail horse is hard to find.  A friend of mine just sold her 15 QH that is super sweet and built like a tank, the mule she rides now has thrown her several times and broken her ribs, so when you find a good trail horse I think you should keep him/her FOREVER!  Good luck in finding something!

I am trying to find the video I have of him.  I promise you would fall in love with him.  I am!

Trail horses around here are a dime a dozen, we have people giving away horses with 1000's of miles on them. The market is shot to hell and back. I have been trying to sell a 14 hand kids trail horse for a while now and can't. I am not going to give her away like the rest around here, I know what she is worth and how good of a horse she is. I have my gaited horses that I trail with and I can plod along or glide with the best so I am sticking with my good ol TWH.

 Honestly if you aren't super set on one type of breed, you should look into a Mustang.  Obviously like any horse you need to test ride them and make sure you like their training and personality, however I have had quite a few now and they make fabulous trail horses!  Sure footed, good endurance, not spooky, plus if you treat them right they will bond or "buddy" up with you a lot stronger than most domesticated horses because of their strong herding instincts and will jump the moon for you.  For more info on them you should check out www.mustangheritagefoundation.com and if you have the chance to get one from one of the makeovers there are a LOT of great horses that go through the sale for CHEAP!  Plus most of those horses are already used to just about every possible experience and scenario during the 100 days their trainers had them. Also check out my blogsite www.ourlandourhorses.blogspot.com if you are interested as I have put up some really cool stories and pictures that different people around the US have sent me.  I own both an AQHA stallion and a mustang gelding and they are both awesome but my Mustang is definately the most versatile of the two.  He is my reining horse (yes he reins like you wouldn't believe), my cowboy mounted shooting horse, my trail horse, and he is the horse I put beginners and kids on.  

If you are willing to pay the $3,000 for him I say 'go ahead' but I would make it contingent on YOUR vet's report especially on that scar. Certainly you want an unbiased opinion.

The OP had another post in the 'trail' section, and in that I think that they found a new horse, at least there was another good option.  Can't wait to see the pics if there is a new horse!! hint hint...

I realize you've given up on this horse, but in the future, I wouldn't worry about any horse that is N/N.  If you really want assurances re the HYPP negative aspect, ask the owner to show you the test results, if they're available.  If you find a horse that you really love and are still leery, you could always have it tested for HYPP on your own.  I thinks it's about $50 and U.C. Davis (and probably other places) can do the test for you.

Maybe this horse has been for sale for a long time because he's overpriced?  You could take a look, have a trainer evaluate him for you, go from there.

Good luck in your search, I know it can be frustrating!