A great horse deal can turn into a costly lesson when an online transaction isn’t what it appears to be. To help horse owners recognize and avoid fraud, the American Horse Council (AHC) is hosting a free live webinar. Called “Don’t Get Taken for a Ride: Avoiding Online Horse Scams,” it is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. EST on September 21.
The webinar will feature Special Rangers from the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA). They will share their experience investigating livestock crimes and scams, offering practical advice for anyone buying or selling animals online.
Recognizing the warning signs
From fake horse advertisements and fraudulent deposits to bounced checks and disputed digital payments, online scams can leave buyers and sellers thousands of dollars out of pocket. Scammers may also use emotional appeals. These might include claims that a horse is about to be sent to slaughter unless someone pays to “save” it.
“Unfortunately, scammers know that people in the horse community care deeply and are willing to act quickly when they believe an opportunity is about to pass them by,” said Julie Broadway, CAE, president of the American Horse Council. “This webinar is about giving people practical tools to slow down, recognize the warning signs and protect themselves before sending money or completing a transaction.”
Topics of discussion
During the webinar, TSCRA Special Rangers will discuss:
- Real cases: What types of livestock-related scams and crimes are investigators seeing?
- Common scams: What schemes should buyers and sellers be watching for online?
- Red flags: What should make someone stop and take a closer look before completing a transaction?
- What to do next: What steps should someone take if they believe they have been scammed?
The webinar comes as members of the horse community continue to share stories of suspicious online transactions. Reported examples include sellers collecting deposits and then disappearing and buyers receiving a different horse than the one advertised. Other examples include digital payments being disputed after a horse is delivered and fraudulent checks being used to purchase horses.
The AHC encourages anyone who buys or sells horses online to attend and learn how to spot potential scams before they become a victim.
Webinar details
“Don’t Get Taken for a Ride: Avoiding Online Horse Scams,” September 21, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. EST Free Live Webinar
Register here: https://bit.ly/AHCWebinarQ3 .
About the American Horse Council
As the national association representing all segments of the horse industry in Washington, D.C., the American Horse Council works daily to represent equine interests and opportunities.