If you do decide to try to negotiate price, you will make a stronger argument if you have a signed report from an equine veterinary specialist describing the nature and severity of the heart murmur along with any potential future health/soundness issues the murmur may impose on this mare. You might also want to spend some time online and in the library researching potential effects of heart murmurs in horses. Take copies of any research materials you find with you when you approach the seller.
Be aware that such tactics may anger the seller and cause him/her to refuse to sell the horse to you. But if the seller is ethical and cares about his/her reputation, there should be room for negotiation.
It's possible your research may also lead you to the conclusion that this mare may not fulfill your dreams over the long term. Depending on your future plans for this mare, a slight murmur may cause no problems at all. There's a huge difference between the physical demands of an animal used lightly as a pleasure mount and one trained and ridden extensively as a competitor.
As difficult a decision as it may be, it's best not to buy into a problem when there are so many other wonderful horses in the world who don't present such obvious risks.
Q. I am interested in buying a 5 yr old, 16hh, dapple grey Irish Draft mare. She is green broke and the horse of my dreams. Recently, we found that she has a heart murmur increasing the chances of her colicing. The owners are asking $6,000, and I think that she isn't worth that with her heart murmur. Help! What should I do. Should I bargain with the owners? I don't want to give up this horse, because this is the horse I really want.
A. Was the seller aware of the horse's heart murmur when (s)he set the selling price? If so, I'm afraid you're between a bit of a rock and a hard place here. That's what falling in love will do to you. If you have your heart absolutely set on buying this mare no matter what, you leave yourself little bargaining room, and the seller will most likely figure this out. If, on the other hand, you are prepared to give up this mare if the seller proves inflexible in regards to the sale price, you put yourself in a much better negotiating position.
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