Buying Horses from a distance

["Kathy Mayeda" <kathy_mayeda@atce.com>]

This is an interesting area of discussion for me, but since I am novice at
selling
horses (but I gotta get busy and start doing this soon) what I have to
say may or may not make sense to you.  I could see buying the "Arabian
Horse World" type of horse via video, but an endurance mount, maybe not.

Never had to buy one, either.  But I know if I was looking for an endurance
mount I want to be very, very picky.  I would want to know how the horse
handles stress, totally inspect their legs with a fine tooth, see them
move, ride them, feel every muscle, know every move.  A conformationally
correct horse may also still have balance problems to overcome, believe me,
I know.  These things do not necessarily show up in the video.

And I think Bob made a good point of "clicking" with the horses personality.
With an arena show horse, this is less of an issue.  A beautiful show horse
in the video may sell, but a calm, steady horse personality may be real
boring
on tape.  My gelding looks like he's real, real hot because he's snorty, but
he is actually very easy to handle.  My mare is very laid back on the
superficial
look and does not have a "show attitude" (doesn't flag her tail have a
floaty trot);
but under saddle she's can be a hellion.  These things do not show up well
on tape.

(And this is where I brag that my gelding is out of the same dam as
Proclivity and Acuity,
two mares that sold for major$$$ to Brazilians. And his sire was a
Scottsdale Top 10 at halter.
Yes, I am shameless sometimes about bragging! These horses not only sold for
major
bucks but their breeders got a trip to Brazil to handle the transport when
Proclivity
was sold and shown to Brazilian Nat. Champ by Mike Neal.  Talk about
expense.)

If I were looking in the market for a horse worth $10K or more(which I'm
not); paying
$1000 to ship and do vetting may or may not make sense.  But then I am
looking
at a horse that would be an arena horse or a potential extreme athlete.
This is
Bette's world.

However, paying $1000 for a $2000 horse when you have dozens of $2000 horses
within a 50 mile radius doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. At this
price, I am
looking for "my best buddy" for long trail rides, not a fancy horse.  Some
$1000 horses
can also be real fancy, too!  Bob, is this your market?  I haven't seen you
brag yet -
maybe you are just modest.

On the other hand, I could understand why someone would want to buy one of
Bette's horses
just based on video!

Just my viewpoint from the way fringes of both worlds....

Kathy Mayeda





-----Original Message-----
From: Bette Lamore [mailto:woa@stormnet.com]
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2000 2:10 PM
To: Bob Morris
Cc: Bob & Amber Roberts; ridecamp@endurance.net
Subject: RC: RE: Need information, please


Hi Bob
Almost all of my sale horses go out of state and never had a complaint.
One buyer bought one for his wife as a surprise and guess what! He was
surprised when she would not give up her Tennessee Walker. So I traded
him for another of mine for his backup.
The secret is to do a REALLY GOOD video and show the horse at his
WORST--- I will bring a horse in from pasture, unkempt and film the
grooming and trimming and first ride after his/her pasture vacation if
the horse is going to a neophyte. If the buyer is horse wise, I can
dispense with that and get right down to the free lunge, hand walk and
being ridden (if broken to ride) so there are no surprises when the
horse unloads. I also have volunteered to video the pre purchase exam.
I've had people say to me that the horse fulfilled MORE than their
expectations--- never less. I want all my clients to be happy and so far
so good.
Hal has get from VA/FL to MO/IL to WA etc. One client paid $10,000 for
one of my best fillies just based on my video. My heart was in my mouth
when she came down to see her 4 months later--- she said the video
didn't do her justice (you cannot capture the "spirit" of the horse no
matter how hard you try). Her decision was validated when a many times
world champion said that she was one of the best endurance horses she
has worked with-- comparable to her champion horse.
People just need to find a breeder who is known for integrity and not
afraid to give references and VIDEO, VIDEO, VIDEO! A picture says
more.....
Remember when you travel to see a horse, nine times out of ten the owner
has worked that horse to death the day before or morning of the
tryout--- now that is really buying blind to me. INTEGRITY is the key
and whether clients are happy with their purchases. I have only had 2
exchanges (one I mentioned and the other was, I believe
financial/alimony problems) and took both back and even traded for the
one (the other had not been paid for--- little lesson I learned).
Local talent may be fine; sometimes what you are looking for is beyond
the local backyard breeders. Caution is the key--- whether you are
looking locally or across country. I have 2 horses (sight unseen by
their new owner as yet except for videos) who are on their way to Hawaii
in a month-- they'd better learn to like POI <bg>
Bette

Bob Morris wrote:
>
> Over the years we have sold a number of experienced endurance horses
and
> have always given the advice that the Horse of Your Dreams is in your
back
> yard. We tend to discourage people from great distances away. We
encourage
> them to look more closely, closer to home. We are not trying to
discourage
> them from buying our horses but are trying to be practical.
>
> When you buy a horse, unseen, many miles from home, you are just
taking a
> gamble. What if the horse is slightly misrepresented? What if you and
the
> horse just do not "CLICK". and on and on---
>
> Then your concept about blemishes? My blemish is your definite fault.
Buying
> a horse more than a days travel from home is one of the greatest
gambles you
> will ever make.
>
> But then, it is your gamble not mine.
>
> Bob Morris
> Morris Endurance Enterprises
> Boise, ID
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob & Amber Roberts [mailto:mlaboure@flash.net]
> Sent: Friday, July 21, 2000 12:44 PM
> To: ridecamp@endurance.net
> Subject: RC: Need information, please
>
> We live in Texas and are seriously considering buying a horse that
lives
> in Minnesota.  That is a long distance to drive up to see him and
> transport him home.  If we pay a shipper to haul him here, that would
> add a considerable amount to the purchase price.  Then we would have a
> horse here that we've never even seen before.  Maybe we could find an
> endurance rider who is hauling a horse south and could hitch a ride
and
> meet them somewhere?  How do you all handle this?  What would we do
> about a prepurchase exam?  Would we have to find a vet in MN?  If we
> take him to our vet in TX, what happens if he doesn't pass?  Who pays
> for the exam and the transport back?  I feel sure that some of you
have
> faced this situation.  How did you handle it?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Amber
>
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--
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov
(yes, REALLY!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com


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Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/RideCamp
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