O''shea V. Hatch

In mid-January 1976, plaintiffs purchased the horse as a colt from defendants for $3,250.00. At the time of the sale, plaintiffs, John and Rita O'Shea, informed defendants that they wanted a horse that could be used as a show horse, which could be ridden by their teenage daughter and which would be suitable and safe around children. Defendants represented the horse to be a registered gelding and of gentle disposition, suitable for use by children. After plaintiffs took delivery of the horse at defendants' ranch, they sent the horse to a trainer to have the animal "green-broken" for saddle riding. When the horse was sufficiently saddle-broken, plaintiffs took the horse to their home at Lubbock, Texas, where they kept other horses. Shortly after the arrival of the horse at their stables, plaintiffs observed that the horse exhibited stallion-like characteristics, fought with stallions, and was aggressive and uncontrollable.