Sandy, that is
exactly the truth. I can't say how many times I've seen people buy a horse
with a lower price tag, only to have to put it in training for an extended
period, or find out it needs extensive vet care before it can be ridden (if it's
ever really ridable). If you have the skill to do the work and training,
it may be a bargain, but if you don't the training fees and hospital bills
quickly add up to more than the cost of the more 'expensive' horse.
In a message dated 4/8/2005 7:58:14 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, ccollins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
writes:
I can't raise a foal to rideable age for less than $5,000,
probably more.
This is a HUGE truth for breeders who attempt to provide a source of
quality competitive Arabians, and for the buyers, if one does their homework
and checks references, the guesswork is reduced considerably. We have
taken numerous "free" horses who did not turn out to be so FREE. They were in
the end very good horses, but at some cost, aside from normal care. In the
end, some breeders - like us - DON'T breed very many and DON'T sell to people
who shouldn't have them - at least not knowingly. You would not believe the
lengths people will go to "prove" they are competent! Interestingly, the
WORST horse we EVER engaged in buying was also the most expensive. This isn't
a comment on expensive horses, just something to think about. SO when you go
to buy a horse, don't ask what is wrong, just because perhaps MY yearling is
half the price of a yearling down the road:).
S
