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Right on, Carol. And also Gwen for steering people toward spectating, if
not
participating, at endurance rides rather than shows. We've got to keep up
and expand the supply of well trained, family style Arabs to attract
newcomers to this breed. And do we really want to produce animals that live
out their lives in show barns as some have described here? Do we want our
foals to end up as vehicles to reflect glory on someone, only to be scrapped
when the glory fades? Can't we see a loving home as the ultimate
destination
for our horses? I was never cut out for the business aspect of horse
raising
- seems to me the pricing structure - or lack thereof - is a major part of
the problem. I'm happy to be a hobby owner.
>>
Just had to add a note here. Having been involved in showing at all levels
over the last 3 decades, and in endurance for the past 7, I keep scratching
my head wondering why it is that endurance riders invariably want a really
inexpensive horse to perform the most demanding of feats. I can't believe the
prices peolple come in wanting to buy our horses for - well-bred, well-built,
fundamentally sound horses, with a great deal of my time and training (and
hay!) in them, and some person wants to know why they have to pay for this.
When we take a young, well-bred, well-built horse to the point of finishing
or competition, and this horse would fetch $3-5000 for the show ring, and
only $750-$1500 form an endurance rider, where do you think that horse will
probably go? For the life of me, I can't understand why everyone thinks that
an athletic horse of impeccable (read, predictable) lines and excellent
conformation should be sold for one-fifth the price of a horse whose sole
purpose in living is to mince around a show ring, all greased and clipped and
confined. In the past 2 years, we have turned down more offers than I can
count on our horses - all from endurance riders. Why? Everyone wants to buy
Cash - they all think that they can get Cash for $500. Congratulations to
Valerie, you really got lucky with Cash! Whata tremendous horse! How any do
you all suppose there are out there like that/ I recall one person on the
list commenting a few months back that she shouldn't have to pay for the
expense of breeding and raising and training a horse that she buys. No
problem. We won't sell a horse to someone with that attitude. Of COURSE the
buyer shold pay for those things - now or later we all do. This is probably
the same old song, but for those who want a distance horse, PLEASE don't
insult our efforts and hard work by coming inwith an offer the size o a
downpayment. Remember what you are looking for - an ultimate athlete, one
with the potential to compete well, and in the case of a mare or stallion,
one worth propegating those qualities. There are SO MANY tremendous athletes
out there, and in most cases you will pay a price for them.
In closing this longwinded note, the show ring attracts the "best" horses,
based on price. If a breeder can sell a potential halter champ for $3500 as a
weanling, why on earth would that breeder keep that weanling until it is 3
years old, started under saddle, and then sell it for $1500? Or even $3500?
We don't do it, so we don't know. I am interested in opinions and solutions
for this imbalance. Okay, I'm ready!
san
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