Re: prices and snobbery

[Teddy Lancaster <Teddy@runningbear.com>]

I find it the other way here....some sellers think that a "top" endurance rider
will run their horse into the ground and won't sell to them!!!!

Teddy

California Horse Adventures wrote:

> Did someone out there actually find a horse to buy and the people would not
> sell to them because they weren't top competitors? Not to call anyone a liar,
> I find this EXTREMELY hard to believe. Did you offer them money? Just curious.
>    On the subject of endurance horse prices, several of you have stated that
> there are plenty of great horses out there that have been wormed, trimmed and
> properly cared for for $1500 - $2000. or less. My question is - Where? And what
> makes you think that they were wormed and trimmed and handled since birth?
> I know breeders here that swear they worm their horses, and they do---once a
> year whether they need it or not.
>
> I live in California. For the past 3 years I have looked at over 150 horses a
> year for sale. Probably called on over 300 a year more and weeded them out over
> the phone. Horses from the newspaper, at breeder's farms, at the track, and in
> backyards.  Maybe 1 in 100 was actually the height advertised and had sort of
> straight legs. I NEVER, EVER, found one that was properly trained. Or even not
> screwed up. Not one time in 3 years have I gone out and looked at a horse, for
> ANY price, that was sound, straight legged, had good feet and conformation, was
> well cared for since birth, good ground manners, hauled and tied well, and was
> capable of carrying itself in a balanced manner under saddle in a snaffle bit
> with no other equipment. (ie martingale) In 1996 I vet checked 6 horses and not
> one passed, and it wasn't for something insignificant.
>   In the meantime, we sold 3 horses that fit that description, for $3500. -
> 6000.  In retrospect, I was crazy. Wish I still had them, should have sold
> them for $10,000 or more. But that's not thepoint.   I would like to know
> how many of you, in Calif. have found horses that fit the above criteria, at
> any price, and if so, what was the price?
>    Just as an aside..don't feel guilty if you bought a horse for a good price.
> Everyone loves a bargain. But don't be one of those people who call me and say
> "I'm looking for a registered arab gelding, about 6 years old, pretty, well
> broke with trail experience, that I can race and my kids can ride alone, and
> I can't spend any more than $2000....oh, and I want it to be a bay."
> Wendy