It's good sense to be suspicious, but it's bad manners to show it. Refuse to buy any horse whose chief virtue is a low price. A horse that isn't worth owning isn't a good buy at any price. Keep your sense of proportion. Be prudent in your spending.
Wild spenders get a whole lot of attention, but they get no respect at all.
If you want attention, throw a party for everyone in the sale pavilion. It'll be cheaper and you'll be remembered much longer, and with affection. Well-known people are just as capable of fleecing you as the most anonymous hustler. Never trust someone solely because you've seen his name in the paper. Look upon those sensationally good deals with skepticism.