I contacted Catherine Ashley regarding a horse they advertised for sale. It was not my first time talking to her, as I had inquired about a few horses over the course of a year. Inwas looking for a gentle trail horse for grandkids to trail ride. The horse I eventually bought was a very nice looking buckskin and I had extensive conversation on what I was looking for.
I was assured that this horse would fit. We wanted a gentle trail horse for beginners. He was described as very gentle and anyone could ride him. I felt very comfortable talking with her and felt she was honest. When the horse finally arrived he was very sweet and gentle on the ground but we realized almost immediately something wasn't right.
I am a very expirienced rider but I am in my late 60's now and not as agile as I once was. I asked a friend who is younger and a good horse person to take him on his first trail ride just to be safe. The moment she swung a leg over him he exploded!
She managed to stay on but he gave it his best to launch her. After the initial explosion he settled down and was fine. I was extremely upset. I contacted the Ashley's and they said they were shocked. I wanted to believe them, so I decided to have the horse evaluated by a vet for any physical problem that could cause the bucking.
The end report was that he had nothing that would justify his reaction and it was deemed behavioral. I texted Catherinenand let her know and at that point she stopped responding. When you are honest and you own a business your reputation is important, but apparently not in this case.
They had no desire to make this right and refund even a portion of the price. I paid 10K for the horse and all they said is they would take him back and resell him. But with shipping costs I would lose more than if I just sold him here as a 'project' horse which if I am lucky I will get a few thousand for him. Plus if he were sold again as beginner horse someone could be killed so I cannot in good conscience allow that.
I have had to accept that I was taken and extremely disappointed that 'doing the right thing" no longer exisits. Just grateful he did not seriously hurt anyone. My suggestion to anyone doing business with them, don't ship without trying the horse so you know what you're getting.
Also - draw blood for drug testing. I have no one to blame but myself because I trusted what I had been told. No more buying out of state and without trying the horse before buying. Someone's word isn't worth much these days.
Diamond A Horses & Ponies Reviews
I contacted Catherine Ashley regarding a horse they advertised for sale. It was not my first time talking to her, as I had inquired about a few horses over the course of a year. Inwas looking for a gentle trail horse for grandkids to trail ride. The horse I eventually bought was a very nice looking buckskin and I had extensive conversation on what I was looking for.
I was assured that this horse would fit. We wanted a gentle trail horse for beginners. He was described as very gentle and anyone could ride him. I felt very comfortable talking with her and felt she was honest. When the horse finally arrived he was very sweet and gentle on the ground but we realized almost immediately something wasn't right.
I am a very expirienced rider but I am in my late 60's now and not as agile as I once was. I asked a friend who is younger and a good horse person to take him on his first trail ride just to be safe. The moment she swung a leg over him he exploded!
She managed to stay on but he gave it his best to launch her. After the initial explosion he settled down and was fine. I was extremely upset. I contacted the Ashley's and they said they were shocked. I wanted to believe them, so I decided to have the horse evaluated by a vet for any physical problem that could cause the bucking.
The end report was that he had nothing that would justify his reaction and it was deemed behavioral. I texted Catherinenand let her know and at that point she stopped responding. When you are honest and you own a business your reputation is important, but apparently not in this case.
They had no desire to make this right and refund even a portion of the price. I paid 10K for the horse and all they said is they would take him back and resell him. But with shipping costs I would lose more than if I just sold him here as a 'project' horse which if I am lucky I will get a few thousand for him. Plus if he were sold again as beginner horse someone could be killed so I cannot in good conscience allow that.
I have had to accept that I was taken and extremely disappointed that 'doing the right thing" no longer exisits. Just grateful he did not seriously hurt anyone. My suggestion to anyone doing business with them, don't ship without trying the horse so you know what you're getting.
Also - draw blood for drug testing. I have no one to blame but myself because I trusted what I had been told. No more buying out of state and without trying the horse before buying. Someone's word isn't worth much these days.