Equine Gems: It Rains, Then It Pours
I didn't have to be reminded that yesterday was Halloween, because it was one of those days that seemed halfway paranormal all on its own.Halfway through the morning, I was still marveling over my great piece of luck in finding a dependable, been-there/done-that kid's horse right in my own neighborhood, and for less than a single month's training on a horse these days. When...
The ink wasn't even dry on my check, I'm sure, and the phone rang with the wife of my favorite outfitter at the other line.
She was calling to let me know that due to unforeseen health problems and other circumstances, including their own age, they were suddenly having to disperse their string of a dozen mountain-savvy guest horses. Said they knew that hardly anyone was buying horses right now, and that they'd been down to check things out for themselves at the same livestock market where I found Keller, the blind Appaloosa in past posts. (They'd even SEEN Keller there before she was picked up and taken to Shiloh Horse Rescue by Mikey. They talked with Janet. Small world....) Decided they didn't want any of their remaining horses to go there, and were going to disperse the horses privately, as best they could.
As my brain struggled to take all this in--I was having a lot of "oh, wow!"s to absorb at once--my outfitter friend added that they had set a price of $600 a head on the horses, buyer choice, even though many are now in their 20s (some closer to 30). She wondered what I thought.
I guess I stammered out something, hoping to at least sound supportive. But to be real honest, I'm still trying to fully work my way through all of that I think. Because there's a lot that could be said, from so many angles, not the least of which, my personal mourning for the end of an era.
Yes, I would like to get your thoughts about such things as the true market value of older, trained horses, most with no papers, in a world where horses are available for free. And yes, I do wish I could just go gather up the whole string of these at once, and dole them out one by one to people who haven't yet found their Rosie. (See my previous couple of posts.)
Labels: mountain horses
posted by Juli Thorson @ 2:53 PM
10 comments
10 Comments:
Has anyone seen some of the ranch horse sales on RFD-TV the last couple of months? Well broke horses suitable for kids were going for big bucks. Saw one go for $9,000.00, so there still is a market for a well broke animal. These horses had a bit of age on them, at least 8 yrs, & up into their teens. The 20 yr old + horses you mentioned would be perfect for the 1st time horse owner. Trouble is, they always seems to want something green. Go figure.
I agree with the first poster, newbies always want "The Black Stallion" or something equally inappropriate. Maybe they could think of a unique way to market these gems- like take five riding lessons(insertdolleramounthere) get a free horse? Or marketing to other pack string outfittters? Or advertise to groups that teach hunters how to pack into the wilderness to hunt? Just a thought. If you were closer I'd come look for myself, Lil Mama is wanting a hubby proof horse for her mighty hunter.
I put the word out yesterday to some area folks, including a mounted search & rescue group. Their members always have use for horses that will ride, pack, and camp with no problems.
These horses, and one little mule, Popcorn, have been back and forth over the Lolo Trail a hundred times. I think of them as being professional mountain horses with a customer-service orientation. Gems to the right people, so I'll just keep doing a little networking.
With the new addition of Rosie, we're as horsed up as we want to be at present. And know that lots of folks find themselves in that place right now.
But I also know there are people just waiting for the right opportunity--like Rosie--to come along. So I'm confident that my outfitter friend's animals will get placed, and enrich other people's lives.
I just heard of an outfitter in Idaho who chose to just shoot his unwanted horses. I was heart wrenched to hear this!
On the other hand with all these free and cheap horses out there a freind of mine can not find a horse for her daughter. they have a budget of $2500, which is ok right now in this market,we have looked in our tri state area, Wa, Or, Id. what they have found has not vetted or been so screwed up mentaly....... alas. She is looking for a barrel, all around type horse she can finsh HS equestrian team with and take with her to collage, and do college rodeo, next year,preferably a geld 5-7 yrs old and he needs to be 15h or larger, she is 5'7",She is 17 and capable of finishing a greener horse. its been a long search, they all look alike after awhile. anyone with any ideas?
A personal story: I have one of those very broke trail safe / child safe horses. He was just standing in pasture, set aside due to lack of time and younger horses demanding more attention. After riding him on a few trail rides this past year, I decided it wasn't fair to him to be the pasture babysitter anymore. I figured there were younger kids out there who could love and adore him for all his family-friendly and 4-H appropriate qualities. I started out asking $3000 for him, mainly just to weed out the tire kickers, etc. and indicated that the price was flexible, and I was open to possible trades. Many people called and wanted him for around $1000 (or less). However, none of those families would come out to see him in the first place. Then, a family called me and said they had a young green AQHA circuit-quality horse that they purchased from a big time trainer in our area, but he just wasn't working out. The young girl was scared of the horse, and they asked if I would consider a straight up trade. After hearing how he was bred and where he was from, I said to bring him on up and we'd test them out. He's three and green as grass, in their words. However, I have a great trainer and was more than willing to put the time into him to see how he worked out. My gelding is 15 years old, and is grade breeding stock APHA. No points, no papers, not especially attractive, no major accomplishments - but he's safe and he's sound. The gelding I traded for is royally bred, his sire has almost 200 WP AQHA pts, and his dam had almost that many too. Nothing is wrong with him other than a lack of undersaddle time and a more experienced home.
There are good, well-broke horses out there - but they're hard to find. But when you do locate one - hold on to it!!!
It has been a given for many years that a young futurity prospect (1-2) is worth way more than a senior horse that does everything and takes care of the rider. Must be the gambling theory. The horse market is down as we all know which affects everything horsey. I have two beautiful show saddles for sale and hardly get a call and when I do they can't afford them.
I can't tell you how many times I have had people with young children say they purchased a young horse for the child so they could grow up together. Those horses at the ranch are worth their weight in gold for young and older riders because they are safe.
Phyl,
I'm really with you on the SAFE aspect. My version of safe is the kind that comes from years and years of regular, consistent and purposeful work/use, and it's getting hard to find horses who've had that. People just don't use their horses as regularly as they once did. You can find a lot of old horses, now free for the taking, but most have spent the majority of their lives largely as pasture ornaments/companion animals.
Nothing wrong with making that a horse's "job" if it's what suits a person.
But that doesn't mean that "well-broke/super-safe" automatically goes on such a horse's resume. To me, that's a real-value equation in a horse, and by that I mean one that still commands a price, in dollars.
Even if it isn't a whole lot of dollars, by not-very-long-ago standards.
One of the biggest red flags I've ever come across is when a prospective buyer asks me to drop the price on my horse before he even sees him.
I have noticed that solid broke horses hold their value over the young ones.
I've become so stressed over the current horse market and what I've seen happen at the sales that I've decided to simply keep all of my horses. If the right home comes along then I will be open to a sale. Other than that I'll just hang on to them.
Juli,
I've been looking for a "husband" horse for months. Yes, there are a lot of cheap horses out there, but they have been either dead lame or had no basic manners. Too bad I'm in AZ because I could sure use a good BROKE old guy :) I think they are very valuable, but maybe you have to be select to realize it?
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