I definately hear you on the kick-for-not-buying thing. See, Cuesta was up for sale in 2002 by my friend. I adored this horse and really wished that we could buy her, but she was priced out of our league. Then some woman who was an "expert" bought her, and she was back at my friend's house in a short time; a complete bag of bones. Shoes that had been left on as her feet outgrew them. I actually cried when I saw her again. My friend rehabbed her for a few months and she gained her weight back and was/is actually a bit of a chub now. We were in the market for another horse.. and traded our Log-Splitter for her! I love this horse. Emma I would not be heartbroken if we had to sell, but Cuesta, I would hold on to if I had to take on 6 more jobs to support us all.
Cuesta is sound finally now. Even a few months ago, she still was on-and-off pained, especially while trimming. It was just to the point that we were going to get her looked at, and she would be fine. Well since Oct-November, she has been fine and exhibits no pain while her feet are trimmed or picked, as she was before. She never went lame or foundered, but we thought that maybe she had abscesses, or navicular.. but she is not lame or anything now.
Argh for people who neglect their horses!