I bought my first mare at a local auction that is held every 3 months.
I wasn't "sure" about her, but she was in sad shape and very pregnant and in with 2 others, another mare and a stallion. 2 of my friends bought the other 2, and I bought my mare.
She aborted the baby she was carrying, had horrible horrible feet, and at first vet exam it was determined by horrible lumps and bumps that she probably had some kind of horrible cancer.
We biopsied the tumors. Turns out she has a disease called Panniculitis, which is quite common in Morgans. We got it under control and fixed her feet. I bred her to my stallion and she had a gorgeous filly for me last year.
She turned out so well after recouping that I hardshipped her into AMHA and AMHR and she is about the prettiest mare I own.
So in the long run........no I don't regret it one bit!!!
Here's my Ruby girl......
I bought her in March of 2003 and I've only been to one of the sales since, it broke my heart. There is one coming up in October, and as usual I'm thinking of going, but I will probably talk myself out of it.