Here's a few of sites I look at

http://www.horseadoption.com/ (They have both Standardbreds and T-breds)

http://www.adoptahorse.org/ (They have just Standardbreds)

http://www.crossedsabers.com/OUR%20HORSES/Horses_Available_For_Adoption.htm (This place has a bunch of different breeds)

Deuce has a bowed tendon that is finally healing, the vet said after six months will be completely "cold", saying that, I have known many Advanced Eventers that have bowed and come back, William fox-Pitts Tamarillo is an example.

Thanks for the links...

I've been to horseadoption.com before, and I noticed that they do not allow pre-adoption vet checks. Do you know if most adoption agencies have this policy?

Herring gutted is like looking at a greyhound. They are tucked up in front of the flank. The loin is the area before the croup. If it is long it is weak. Both of these faults give her an odd, too long look.

If a horse is herring-gutted, is it something that can be corrected with proper conditioning? Do you know?

No. It is is a permanent part of their conformation. No amount of conditioning will change it.

Have you ever worked with a OTTB, they are usually a bit nervous for a good while (not all keep in mind) I would seriously advise using a trainer and taking them with you to look, also if you look on Canters website they do allow vet checks, in fact they recommend them. I think some trainers just don't want to spend the time hanging around while a vet does one when they could be training another horse.

Horse opinions, the first one looks like a handful and usually when they say energetic it means just that, very quick and possibly a run away. When Speedy left (I had him for 3 years keep in mind) he was just at the point where he would trot and walk slowly, I don't even want to go into his canter, LOL.

Personally I would pass on both, there are always better prospects.

I have worked with an OTTB once, a long time ago and not very extensively. Like I said, I'm not in the market right now for buying a horse, I'm just looking out of curiosity... and you never know, the perfect horse just might pop up. I also was saying that I probably wouldn't buy an OTTB for my first horse, as most of these agencies don't like first time owners to get OTTB's. If I DID, however, I would DEFINITELY have my trainer helping me out and looking for horses with me because I simply have no experience buying horses and very little experience (comparitively) training horses.

I didn't look to see if CANTER allowed vet checks, and I'm glad to see that they do. I just thought it was very fishy of horseadoption.com not to allow vet checks, ESPECIALLY since these horses are prone to leg problems. I don't want to pay a million dollar in vet bills if I can avoid it. haha. Don't get me wrong, if I HAD a million dollars I'd be happy to.

I'm looking forward to seeing even better prospects out there. And thanks for your comments!

LOL, Definately look into Canter, a few months ago I almost adopted a Paint that was used to pony the horses to the track, but then I got Red. If you decide to find a new horse, I would highly recommend a QH or QH cross, I have owned TB's since I started with horses and now that I have enough time to ride more horses, I have decided to stick with QH"s. They are very smart, versatile and easy going tempermants. I have Mocha who is a reg Paint, Red reg QH and Deuce unreg Paint. All have good work ethics enjoy their job and you can turn around and go trail riding after doing cross-country, you really can't beat them.

Yeah, Lux is a Quarter Horse. I think he might be an appendix QH but I'm not sure. I don't really know what that means. haha. But anyway, he's very versatile and used to do eventing in his younger days! I wouldnt be opposed to getting a QH, but I don't like the big and bulky halter QH's. I prefer the more thoroughbred-type QH's. If you know what I mean. haha.

Depending how well Lux is doing health-wise in 3 and a half years when I graduate college, I might see if I can buy him off my barn owner. He would be a great first horse for me. But he will be 23 or 24 years old and I'm worried he might be nearing the end of his riding career. At least, for the level I want to ride at. I'd feel bad putting a ton of stress on his joints doing jumping and dressage. I dont know though..... we'll see. She said that over the summer (when he was for sale) she was selling him for $3500 which is a lot of money for an older horse for me, even though he has a lot of training. Maybe she'd cut me a deal though. Anyway, I'll stop rambling. Just dreaming about the future. haha