The problem is that some people see the word 'free' and their eyes light up. Either because they want to make some money from the horse and sell it on, or because they do not have the finances to buy a horse (and probably keep it as well) or maybe they think that they may as well because they have nothing to lose. Putting a small fee on the horse (£500 ish) keeps these types of people away and attracts the more serious horsey people. It is surprising how many people can lie and appear genuine when they are trying to get something for nothing.
Of course if the owner wants to pass on the horse to someone they know and wishes to give it to them for free, this is different. But advertising a horse on the internet for free does worry me, even if it is just on New Rider. While we may be a 'NR community', we are all really a bunch of strangers to each other and who knows what is said is really the truth or not.
I also don't understand why an apparent healthy 6 year old is free? If he is sound, sane and able to be ridden, why is he free? It makes me think that there must be something wrong with him.
Of course if the owner wants to pass on the horse to someone they know and wishes to give it to them for free, this is different. But advertising a horse on the internet for free does worry me, even if it is just on New Rider. While we may be a 'NR community', we are all really a bunch of strangers to each other and who knows what is said is really the truth or not.
I also don't understand why an apparent healthy 6 year old is free? If he is sound, sane and able to be ridden, why is he free? It makes me think that there must be something wrong with him.