EC March/April, 2007

A few weeks ago, while scanning the Internet horse ads, I came across one that piqued my interest. We were having a birthday party at our barn and were looking for a pony that could pull a cart. The seller in the ad was in the area, the prices were cheap, and all their ponies were used for lessons or pony parties. They sounded perfect.

The kids were excited and they wore their riding clothes just in case the ponies were contenders. We pulled into the driveway as the sellers were unloading the ponies they were going to show us. The first was not a pony and it looked like it had just been shot out of a cannon. I was ready to just turn around and pretend I made a wrong turn, but I had the kids to think about. So we exited the SUV as a pit bull came running at us full speed. We were assured it was friendly and entered the one-acre back yard where five angry, energetic ponies were darting around. I was asked to hold the cannon horse and almost refused out of fear and the desire to have my hands free to shield my children from a pony stampede.

The ponies and cannon horse were tied to poles to be tacked up and some kicked each other. We got the seller’s talk about how great they were. The seller got on one and made one lap around the tiny paddock until her cell phone rang and it spooked so hard she almost fell off. Cannon horse was next and she stayed true to her new nickname and pranced right off like she was ready to run barrels. The last pony was sour and as the seller ran it around on its one lead, I whispered to my kids, “We’ll make a break for it after this one.”

Things got more uncomfortable when my daughter refused to try the last pony and even uglier when the seller forced her crying daughter to ride it. When the child’s sobs were unbearable, we’d had enough and although they generously offered to let us pay cash and take the pony for the weekend (after the cash), we declined.

I have many stories like the one above, as I’m sure you all do. Once my mother-in-law bought a horse and found out from the vet it had a host of health issues. When the seller wouldn’t return her calls, she trailered it to the pasture she bought it from, unlocked the gate and put the horse back.

A few years ago my husband and his buddy went on a five-hour road trip to look at a horse with impeccable breeding living in a backyard. It looked like a reining prospect (it had a long mane and was common headed) and since it was only green broke he couldn’t tell much in the limited space. The price was worth the risk, and if it didn’t make it we could sell it as a pet or trail horse.

He took it off the trailer and it walked like a saddlebred. From day one it had issues. It didn’t tie and had to be saddled in its stall where it thrashed everyday and sent my husband scaling the wall like Spiderman. Everything was a violent fight and after a few months we sold it the same way we bought it – on the breeding. A couple came down to try it and although it bucked off our friend during the demo ride, they bought it and, from the e-mails we’ve received, they are happy.

When a horse doesn’t work for us, we have to sell it. That doesn’t mean it’s worthless, it just isn’t the one we need or want. There are markets and homes for every horse. People appreciate honesty and like to be told about a horse’s vices or idiosyncrasies. There is no perfect horse and we feel better about a purchase if we know what we’re dealing with going in.

So…If you had to sell yourself as a horse, how would you do it?

Nice aged Halter Stallion (just turned the big 4-0 in January!) for sale. Not a proven producer that anyone is aware of and is not in the incentive fund.  Good legged only if shown early in the day. Hauls well for short distances; longer distances might require the use of a little ace to get him through the ride. Easy to clip because the older he has gotten, the less hair growth he has! Is a very easy keeper and stays very fleshy on a good Progressive feed program. Should stay sound on joint maintenance program.  Some days he requires a lip chain or war halter as a reminder that the aged mare he shares his barn with is in charge!

Doug Landon

Mare – Easy to get along with.  No bad habits. Owner clips with no twitch. Athletic and aims to please. So smart can be ridden only 30 min. per day. Goes out and just does the work WILLINGLY. Has vetting issues as all athletes do. Hocks would need work because she lopes so well; they do all of the work!

Kim Reynolds –

Final Four Farm, Fairfield, FL

Proven sire of adorable get. Little work to keep hair short!  Great mover with maintenance. Much happier in the breeding shed. Comes with higher quality broodmare to insure successful foal. MARE REQUIRES CONSTANT CONTROL OF STALLION!!

Cory Troutner

Good minded aged Stallion for sale or lease. Will not vet, but will not run off (can’t run off). Superior producer of Congress Champion and Reserve World Champion, Jolene. Would be eligible for performance halter, but needs conditioning.  Good minded–won’t bite or kick. Loads and hauls well (can verify this with wife). Broke to drive. Private treaty. (Some hair missing–must be bred the same way as the immortal Rick Christy, AQHA Champion).

Gord Wadds

Senior gray mare with seven years of extensive training with professional. Always willing to learn something new. Competitive in Amateur Select Western Pleasure.  Loves dogs and great with kids. Hauls well and enjoys getting new shoes. Requires a lot of TLC.

Connie Angel

Hard working show mare, multiple events, requires Legend from time to time for broken bones and injuries. Lots of years of experience, but not ready to be put out to pasture yet.

RHONDA REPLOGLE

1954 balding, bow-legged, veteran show gelding. Very outgoing and in great shape. Easy keeper – does not look “half a hundred”. Walks without a limp when buted. Sire of three champion sons (out of the same mare) who are proven performers. Has been taught tricks… can count and add numbers.

MIKE HERSHBERGER

Aged, proud cut gelding. All around deluxe. A little temperamental with only a few vices, but can be controlled.  Will vet most days. Hauls and clips great. Would make a great addition to any program.  Versatility plus.

RAYMOND BURCHETT

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