Re: prices and snobbery

["Julie O'Neill" <riding101@hotmail.com>]

Wendy wrote:
  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   
Hey Wendy,
 Sorry that you are having such bad luck in finding horses. I am in the 
Midwest and I can't speak for all breeders. My friend raises Arab and 
has maybe 60 or so in different age groups. And they worm their horses 
every two months in the winter and every month in the spring and summer. 
I know I have helped them do it, plus I board there and get billed for 
the worming. :-) 
 This past summer we about four of us worked with the new foals everyday 
for at least six months. They pick up their feet, have been trimmed, and 
halter broken some better than others. They are very loving babies and 
will come when called. In fact all babies, under four years of age are 
very friendly to the point of surrounding you when in the pasture with 
them. A little to friendly when your out numbered. :-) All their horses 
are friendly even the stallions and I was always uncomfortable around 
stallions. 
 The people that owe these horses started working with the two year 
olds, I was helping with them last year. We started by just grooming 
them and getting them used to people handling them. Then the bits and 
saddle, and finually a very light person on their backs. That was last 
Jan.-April. Since Sept. they have been getting trainning, ground work, 
riders of medium weight and trail riding in the woods and on the roads. 
 Seems to me that they truely love their horses and want the best for 
them. They are not in the 1500 - 2000 range, but with the time and 
effort they put into them they shouldn't be in that range. BTW they all 
look great to me. I don't know that much about conformation and stuff 
but these animals are very nice looking and move well IMO. 
 So maybe you should look other places besides CA. for your next horse. 
Since you seem to put a lot of time and money into the process it maybe 
worth it to you.
Julie 

Julie A. O'Neill
214 E. State St.
Mascoutah, Ill. 62258
riding101@hotmail.com
I love riding my horse!


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