Finally, Everything Is Underway and Hauling My Adorable Mare

Now we're down to brass tacks and getting serious.

I've been cruising a little bit, I'm blaming my allergies for this one (not) but the time has come to get down to serious biz and really get into the move. My allergies have come back with a vengenance (can't think how to spell that) and so there is no looking back, must move.

The one thing I wanted to say was for the first time ever, I may hire an equine transport to move my precious, bratty mare. That's a scary thing for me. I've always hauled my own horses and can't think of ever paying someone to move my horse. I've hauled with other people in my trailer but not turning over my babies to someone else.

So, I talked to the transport guy and we'll see how it goes. I like him from the sound of him on the phone but due diligence must be done by me. I have to do this pretty quickly as I'm turning off the 'net tomorrow or Friday and don't have anything set up for the new place. However, I think an aircard might be the ticket. Then I could post when and where I like.

Anyhoo, everyone ride safe and please keep checking back now and again. Hopefully, by the first of so of next week, I'll be back in business. I appreciate my readers!!

Ride safe, everyone. :-)

The Moving Begins

Starting today, the moving begins in earnest. We found a neat house and looks like it's going to be a neat home soonest.

My allergies have abated a bit, almost to the point that I was starting to rethink the whole moving thing...until another attack hit. That was it for me. Even if I'm clear as a bell for the rest of the year, I know next Spring is coming and that feels like a lead weight around my neck. Dreading it, I am.

So, like before, I'll be back when I get the 'net on at my new house. Just after I got this new service here...but I digress. Please bookmark this site and keep checking back often. I really appreciate my readers.

Ride safe. :-)

Sorry, Allergies Are Keeping Me Down

I'll be back with more posts but right now, my allergies are making me very ill. I've taken every med on the market, seems like, and the meds are almost as bad as the allergies. Y'know, they either put me out like a light or when they start wearing off, I feel super hung over and ill.

The upshot is, we're moving out of southwestern Oregon to the drier lower middle part of the state. Took a trip over the mountain the first of this week and my allergies promptly went away, not to show up till we came back to this side of the mountain, around White City or so.

I'm guessing the pollen and mold are doing a number on me that I've never experienced before as I'm from the martini-driest parts of the southwest US.

So, for the next week or so, we're in moving mode and I'm not sure of what is in the way of internet over there. For the next few days I'll have internet but other things are taking higher priority. I'll be back in the future and please keep my blog bookmarked and check back now and again. I feel badly to let it go for now but my health is something to keep and to not regret not taking care of myself.

Ride safe everyone and enjoy those horses!! :-)

People Allergies and Horses

How in the hell do people with allergies deal with horses?? I'm dying here! I've taken just about every allergy med on the shelf and nothing works.

Even if it says not drowsy, puts me right out. I still sneeze and get a runny nose (most attractive, I can tell you) and have the itchy eyes (even more attractive).

One of the meds worked fine till it started to wear off and then I felt ever so hung over. Just like if I had been drinking and then was hung over. I don't do alkyhol in the least and this is one of the main reason. The hangover is too bad for me to enjoy that swell tasting Margarita, I know it's coming and just ruins the whole experience.

Or the meds put me out to the point that I've wasted most of the day. That's a non-starter too. When I go to the barn, I wheeze and snort and even my horse looks at me pitifully. Walking across the barn takes major effort because my poor system isn't getting its full ration of oxygen! Forget walking down to the arena, that's what my horse is for anyway, I'll ride her down there.

Just saw an ad on the telly about some stuff that you put on your nostrils and it's supposed to block the nasties before they get in your system. That one is next on my list to try.

Sucks to be me right now...

Get Out There and Ride! Do it!!

I wrote at the end of my last post about getting out there and riding. I was going to name this post, Just Do It but I think that's the Nike shoe line thingy and of course, didn't want any confusion. :-)

When the weather is nice, get out and ride. It'll clear your head, your problems with your spouse will fade to the background (well, does with me anyway...), the economy is off in the wild blue wonder and the world will get back on its axis again.

What could be better than looking at nature from the back of your favorite hoss?? I ask you!

Even when I don't feel like swinging my big ol' Billy Cook up on my mare, I still will sometimes climb aboard bareback and sit around the barn/arena and watch the world go by. Listen to the bees (or whatever those little bzzzing things are) go by and notice that there were a few flies out yesterday and need to start spraying for the boogers.

Even my cranky, bratty mare seems to enjoy getting out of her stall and meander around, knowing I'm not asking anything that requires collecting or work for that matter. Plunking down the trail. That's it.

Somehow after those sorts of 'rides' (loosely termed here), when I get in my pickup, I feel so much better and can deal with idiot people better who don't see things my way!! hehehe... The good feelings stay with me far into the evening and usually into the next day.

All in all, it's wonderful to have a horse and be able to enjoy her. Now, everyone, get out there and swing a leg over your favorite cayuse this weekend!

Barely Handled But Will Trade For ?? Of Value

I'm seeing this a whole lot lately. Please read closely...

http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1126843120.html

http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1126852583.html (Actually, this two above ads may be the same person, not sure)

http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1126454925.html

There are scores more of these types of ads. I'm always amazed when people have something equine, no matter how bad it looks, they think they have something of true value. Who in their right mind would think that anyone would trade for a barely handled and what-looks-like-barely-fed horse for a husband type horse? A husband type horse (meaning a horse that is willing, usually, to trudge along and not try to make you a widow) is worth his weight in gold.

A husband type horse is still a horse and hubby can still end up in the emergency room but there is usually way less chance of that happening. A barely handled horse or one that's been improperly handled, the chances of you/hubby ending up in the ER are pretty damn high. Or with the pain of cracked fingers or jammed thumbs or being kicked or...all involves intense pain of some sort.

There isn't any comparison. I remember years ago, a lady I knew wanted to trade her young, barely broke filly for a Steady Eddie. Her reasoning?? Steady Eddie was an older horse and her filly was young and 'had plenty of room to grow and years ahead of her'. Needless to say, she was rebuffed. Then she was mad because she thought the other owners were stoopid for not seeing the light. I tried to explain it to her but to no avail. Matter of fact, she got mad at me and things weren't quite the same after that.

Unless you are looking at the high end horses, which most of CL isn't, a steady older horse that is proven not to buck, run off, bite, kick, strike, will load in most any trailer, stand for the shoer and vet, etc. is worth WAY more than any little pip in the pasture, even if papered. I should say I do see some really *nice* horses from time to time on CL but they are few and far between. CL has its place and it is very useful for what it is.

So, especially in this age of ultra cheap horses, do your homework on what other horses are going for. Check around. Learn what is out there and keep it inside your noggin. Horses right now are very cheap or free. I've had horses offered to me for free lately. I can't take them due to money constraints but some of these horses have been offered for money. Just because someone is asking good money for a horse online, if you talk to them in person, you might make a good deal for little to no money. Depends on the horse. Don't get bluffed. Know your stuff and you'll do alright!

Now, get out there and ride!!

Really, Check Your Pictures and What You're Showing the World

Honestly, I thought I was sort of through with this subject. That people would LEARN on their own after a few nudges from me and maybe from other people. Nope, this one post coming up is a total let down. I would be oh-so-embarrassed to even post this...

http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1125920681.html

WTF is THIS?? This horse must be an absolute saint to put up with this crap on his back!

First off, there is the riding in shorts...okay, okay, I have ridden in shorts but bareback. I do remember making a few blisters on the inside of my knees and upper inner calves when in a saddle. Still, shouldn't do it.

Second, NO boots?? NO heels to keep the foot from sliding through the stirrup in case of an accident?? Are you frickin' insane? I-d-i-o-t.

Third, are you sure you're sitting down hard enough on his back?? Maybe just a bit harder, scoot back a bit onto his loin. No wait, get behind the motion and plop around a bit.

Fourth, since your upper body isn't following the movement, pull back with all your might on the reins to help balance you....yeah, that's the ticket.

Fifth, your lower leg...good grief. Might as well not be there. Make sure you get that heel just a bit higher, that'll really help your center of gravity (anyone notice my snarky, sarcastic tone there?)

Sixth, are we really this far along??, your poor horse's legs are all a-kimbo. He should at least have his hind legs somewhat together to push off, even if it's only over a bale of hay. Same for his front legs, they should be somewhat together for landing without taking a chance on bowing a tendon or falling down.

Seventh, where the f*ck is your helmet for jumping?? I'm not a helmet person by and large, but for jumping, you ALWAYS wear a helmet.

Eighth, the poor horse must be either in pain or hurting somewhat because his tail is swishing mightily. He's annoyed in some way, rest assured.

Now to the good point, only one but it's a good'un. This horse is an absolute saint. It looks like he'd put up with any ninny that forks him and try to please, no matter if it hurts him. My heart actually goes out to this guy and I truly hope he gets a good home with someone who will actually LEARN about horses and take the time to care for him. His price is either a typo ($1500, get real) or they have stars in their eyes, as it's way too high in this day and age but he's certainly worth something as he seems like he's safe for nincompoops.

I gotta quit writing about this, just plain annoyed over this. Poor horse!

Horses Ain't Whut They Ustabe

Something is going on. It's in the air...or people's breeding programs, not sure which. Has anyone else noticed how horses, over the years, have gotten wussier??

Ustabe, horses in my barn (this was decades ago) never colicked, never needed their teeth floated, didn't need so many yearly shots to stay healthy, if they got a cut, salt pretty much healed everything with not much scarring. Hosing a cut worked wonders that would rival any meds on the feedstore shelf.

Nowadays, horses need scheduled vet checks, shots, periodic wormings, if they get a cut, there are so many products on the market it's hard to know what to do/use first.

I have hardly ever used a vet for a vet check. My version of a vet check years ago was to get out and ride the horse almost into the ground. You wanted to stress the horse physically and mentally to see if he could stand the pressure. When I say, ride the horse into the ground, I meant that I'd make a horse sweat by going up hills, over rough/rocky ground, into tight spaces (there are plenty of hairy places to get into on most ranches), things like that. If he were still sound when you got back or the next day or so, then probably he was going to stay sound. If his mind was so that he wouldn't blow up or fret himself to death by sweating, then you had a using horse to depend on. As an aside, I never lamed a horse by doing this back then.

In today's world, I don't think this would work. If I rode a horse that hard out of a stall, he'd almost surely be too sore to go on the next day. These hot house flowers that I see everyday won't make the cut. When they get older, the owner is pressed to buy all sorts of supplements and painkillers for the horse.

This is one of the reasons I still like most of the Foundation-bred horses. They may not be able to halter and may look odd, but they can do the job and stay sound in body and mind.

As a f'instance, take the Appaloosa. The pretty Apps don't seem as tough to me overall. I know of a World/National halter champ who was sent out to be broke and he came back lame. His knees were mush. But you take one of the Foundation-breds, they ain't purty but will stay sound. Someone mentioned to me a while back, the uglier the App, the better the horse. I would agree mostly with that. After thinking back over the years, my best Appys weren't the pretty ones. No one was banging down the door to buy them TILL they saw them out working or showing.

Matter of fact, I've had so little experience with lamenesses of my working horses, that I had to sit down a couple of years ago and brush up on simple stuff, like bowed tendons and dropped pasterns. Just have always had an eye for the most part for a working horse that's sound.

So, I guess what it boils down to is that times have changed...and I've not done a very good job of changing with it. Don't really want to either.

Ride safe...

'Shoers...

My allergies are kicking up big time so this is a short and sweet post.

If you read on CL, there are some now-deleted posts about one of the newest, if not the newest, shoer in town. Yep, he's long-haired and, unbeknownst to him, I've met him. He is the nicest guy and great with horses. I've watched him from afar.

The posts I'm referring too are now deleted and I missed most of them, dammit! But really, to make a post on a public page with 'f*ck' in the title is the ultimate insult, both to yourself (if you are found out, I hope you are) and to the readers of CL.

To that poster, I have to say that you must really be worried by the new guy or else, why would you care? You are just plain tacky, you know it in your heart but probably can't face it. Sorry excuse for a human being...

Those Pesky Yearly Shots

Yep, it's that time of year. Spring is sprung, the grass has riz, all is well with the world.

So, since I'm basically tighter than bark on a tree when it comes to money, I've almost always done my own horse shots, on the horse, I mean. This has been a bit confusing to me.

Up here in the PNW, people seem to give a lot more shots than I've ever done in my whole life. Used to be, I only gave Eastern, Western, VEE (http://petcaretips.net/equine_encephalomyelitis.html) and Tetanus Toxoid (http://www.drugs.com/vet/tetanus-toxoid.html) . If a horse got cut during the year, then I gave a tetanus anti-toxin to boost the toxoid.

However, up here, my friends have advised me to give West Nile http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/other/wnv/news/july2105wnv.html and the Potomac shot, also known as Swamp Fever http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine_infectious_anemia or EIA. This illness is the one that's the cause of needing a Coggins test to haul your horse around over state lines. Pain in the neck to do but you should have it...even though in all my years of hauling, I've only been asked once for my paperwork. Still, it's good to do things the proper way and have it.

Also, I was advised to give Rhino http://www.extension.org/pages/Equine_Viral_Rhinopneumonitis_in_horses and the horse Flu shot http://www.equine-world.co.uk/horses_care/flu.htm.

Wow, that's a lot, huh?? At first I was concerned that I was over-doing it and how will this affect my horse, whom I dearly love. To me, it's always been that less is more and don't stress your horse(s) where you don't have to. For a long time, it was sort of a joke about the Coggins...kind of like the vet now has to give rabies shots (for an official record)...just another way for the vet to make money when either you didn't have to or could do it yourself.

Up here, meaning the PNW, with all the damp and rain (does it EVER stop??), I guess that bad bugs get a better foothold in your horse and possibly have mutated into super-bugs/strains. The result, if your horse got sick, would be devastating. I went ahead and gave all the above shots and have for several years. I'm kind of annoyed that I can only find a 5 way http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=1&pf_id=14135 when I used to pick and choose but giving one shot is better than giving multiple ones. The VEE doesn't seem to be as much a threat anymore...I haven't heard of it in years but I still like the protection.

Years ago, there was a VEE outbreak in the southwest and all the horses had to be vac'ed, then a little metal clip was put in their forelock to show they had their shot. No horses could be moved anywhere. Not even to the rodeo grounds or ridden off your boarding property. Periodically, something will show up and the Livestock Inspector has to shut down a section but with everyone properly innoculating, those cases have become rare.

So, my advice, free though it is, is to buy the shots at the feed store, make sure it's been kept cold and give it yourself. The vet will also have the shots and be happy to give them for you. It's a good thing to know how to give shots anyway. http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1018/ If you do order your shots from a catalog, make sure you get the speedy delivery to ensure that your shots stay nice and chilly.

Just make sure you give your yearly shots. It's way cheaper in the long run plus you are saving your pumpkin horse unnecessary suffering!

Ride safe, everyone!!

Utterly Funny (and Pointless)

I saw this on one of my horse boards...enjoy!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1168459/Pictured-The-hilarious-utterly-pointless-horses-hair-extensions.html

Too cute!

Floating A Horse

I was going to wait to post about this but since I brought it up in the last post, I'll go ahead. It's been bugging me anyway.

Long time ago (better than 'back in the day', eh?) I never had a horse floated, except for one filly, or heard of anyone doing so. Nowadays, there is a whole industry built around a horses' teeth.

There for a while, someone could go to a weekend clinic and then on Monday, hang out a shingle proclaiming themselves a horse dentist. Scary in my book! Then the vets got a bit ticked off that they were losing money to the so-called 'horse dentists' and things got tightened up. Rules were made.

Here's some articles about how to float a horse's teeth: http://www.ehow.com/how_2321918_float-horse-teeth.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art and http://www.frontrangefrenzy.com/horsecare/floatingteeth.html I'll let these articles explain how you float and then I'll get to why this has come about.

Used to be, horses were fed mainly off of a pasture, whether they were feral or kept up domestically. Hay/grass was the staple feed. Then people used them and the horse needed more engergy/fat or whatever to stay strong. So feeds were developed. Grains were used and even extruded feeds, like a dog food looking stuff. Horse's teeth kept growing but weren't worn down by the grass (which in all liklihood had sand grains in it) and became uneven.

With uneven teeth come all sorts of problems. The horse can't break down his feed and utilyze (sp??) it or even training problems. I heard of a story where a champion jumper was up for sale for next to nothing due to training problems. The potential buyer stuck her fingers up alongside the molars and came away with blood. The molars were so sharp they were cutting the horse! She bought him, brought him home, had his teeth floated and now he's a Grand Prix jumper! No training problems at all.

So, now, I'm more of a fan of floating than I've been in the past. Oh, about the filly that I mentioned above, she was dropping feed all over the place and I suggested to the owner about floating. It was done but she still dropped feed. We never did figure out what her problem was but she kept her weight and nothing ever changed about her. So, while floating is probably a good idea overall but sometimes it isn't the cure-all either. It is something to use if all else fails or if in a general checkup.

Ride safe, everyone!!

Getting Those Horses Into Some Sort Of Shape

Isn't the weather fantastic the last few days?? I've been out at the barn fiddling around, just soaking up the horse smells and sights. Something about a clear day makes a stark/clear picture that sticks in my mind when it comes to horses.

So I rode my darling girl and even though, she's been out in the pasture and been moving around, she's not in very good shape for riding. There was a trace of dampness just from walking and a bit of trotting. I'm out of shape too (plus being an almost-there-geezerette too) and didn't attempt a lope. No matter, my girl didn't want to lope anyway...too much work.

Back in the day (that term again...) it didn't matter how good a shape the horse was in, if he were needed to move the moo-cows, he got hauled out of the pasture/lot, saddled and used for the day. If he were sore a bit the next day, well, that's just the way it was. He'd get over it. Not to be mean to the horse, it was only a fact of life. With using, he'd get back to shape anyway.

Nowadays, when I get sore, I know it and have applied it to my horses. I feel for them a LOT more than I did when I was younger. You know how, when you're young, you're indestructable?? Especially the older horses now that I'm getting closer, a lot faster, to my sunset years.

So, I got to thinking about legging up my horse. Even though a pasture horse is constantly moving, when you saddle, he has to use his muscles in a whole new way. Balancing by itself is using muscles that he normally wouldn't do. When you cue him to step out at even a walk, don't you ask him to step smartly and not dawdle (well, you're supposed to...)? Do you see a horse really stepping out in a pasture? I mean when he's by himself and not when he thinks he sees a treat in your hand, from the other side of the pasture.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2214108_riding-horse-back-shape.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art and http://www.myhorse.com/training/performance/get_your_horse_in_shape.aspx#top are two good reads.

Getting out and walking at a good clip is a great start. A good rule of thumb is that if you see foamy sweat, the horse isn't in good shape. When it starts to become watery-looking, then he's in better shape. Be sure you are feeding a good program to keep him at his best. He'll get tired and need nutrients to replenish himself.

Get the shoer out there and slap a good trim on him. If he needs shoes, do that. Something I've never done much of but seems to be important now is to have his teeth checked. I'll post about floating a horse in the next few posts, but it's becoming more and more important...for a reason. If he's too fat, check out some other types of feed to help him slim down but not lose his vitamins/minerals/fiber/fat/energy/etc.

The main thing though is to get out there and DO IT. Make a start for him and for yourself. Now get out there and RIDE! :-)

Whippersnappers Need To Watch Geezer(ette)s

This is something that's been bugging me for the longest, I mean, what isn't bugging me...but I digress already.

Us older folk who've been around horses ALL our lives, living, breathing, studying, learning horses have a lot to offer younger riders. By younger rider, I don't necessarily mean in age but in horse experience.

When you have someone who has studied (and all of the above) horses all their lives, they are a real resource that can't be matched. Most of us real riders of a certain age have tried just about every training method on the planet and kept the good stuff and rejected the fluff.

I'm kind of set in my ways. I prefer mostly old-fashioned ways. I have tried so many of the 'new' training methods and still, as of this posting, prefer mostly the older ways. There are a few new things that I have learned that seemed superior to what I know and I now have that in my 'horse teaching-mending' toolbox.

The problem is, as has been told me, that the older geezers of riding don't say much. By and large that is true. My experiences has been that the less a horseman says, the more he knows. A true horseman/cattleman doesn't say much or impart that wisdom. You're supposed to watch what they DO and then emulate them. They don't sit around the arena/tack room and tell you what you're doing wrong. It's kind of like pulling hen's teeth to get a true horseman to say much about horses. You are supposed to shut your mouth and watch. Learn from watching.

In today's day and age, the younger set thinks that the quiet horseman is a dope or stuck-up or even a know-nothing. They jabber on about the latest clinic or trend and think they have seen it all.

The best way is to get out there with a true horseman and be quiet, immerse yourself in the horse and watch. When you don't understand something, ask quietly and respectfully. Even if you don't agree, be quiet and file it away for a future horse. I guarantee there will that one horse some day that you will use that info on. Don't sit there and argue the point. Take in the whole experience. Oh, believe me, I've gotten 'the LOOK' when I told some old time horseman how wrong he was.

Nowadays, I've had to loosen up to be able to talk to people in real life about horses but even then, I still hold back. If I were giving a lesson (which I don't do anymore, haven't for several years) I used to explain everything in detail because it was a lesson. They wanted to learn, paying good money for the information.

So, the next time you go somewhere to work your horse and you see someone off to the side and their horse is working wonderfully, sit back and watch. See what they are doing while astride and try to follow along on your horse. You'll learn a lot, I promise.

The Pic Thing Isn't Working Out

I don't know what I'm doing wrong but, so far, can't get pictures to come out properly. I'll keep working on it and one of these days you'll be pleasantly surprised to see a photo. Keep checking back for further developments. :-)

Sprucing Up The Blog??

Okay, as you know, if you've been reading this from the start (you know you should have...don't tell me differently!), you'd know that this is my first attempt at blogging. So, it's a little plain jane.

Welp, I've been reading other folks blogs and now think that mine need some sprucing up. Pictures come to mind. So, give me a chance and I'll start with some pictures...well, I think I will. I'll try.

One thing I wonder about though...if I see a pic on the 'net, I can use that pic, right? Unless somehow it's copyrighted? Then how do you tell if it's copyrighted? Maybe if I'm in doubt, I'll post the link instead and people can look from there. Maybe there is more to this than I thought of. I'm sure if I'm wrong, SOMEone will tell me...hehehe...

Ok, going to do this...yep, going to do this... ;-)

Why In The Hell Is He Still A Stud??

This is starting to annoy me intensely. I read the CL posts and there are/were many male horses on there still with their hoo-hoos attached. Why IS this?? Some ads even have the cajones (a play on words) to state that the stud is fine around kids and with just a 'little' training, he'd be a good horse for them...or a great trail horse for anyone.

Are you kidding me?? Cut the berries off and leave the twig!! If nothing else that this blog does, please, please do not ever consider a stud colt or horse for a kid. If you are so dumb to think that your horse would never do anything, you need some more horse education, seriously so.

A stud colt is NOT kids or newbie owner material. A gelding or even a mare who's pms-ing is a better candidate by and large. Just to be fair though, there are geldings and mares whose outlook on life is similar to Hannibal Lecters but those are pretty few and far between. At least they aren't thinking with their hormones and that bad attitude is probably more from bad training and handling.

There are a couple of ads up as of last nite, that I'm just amazed. No papers, have never done anything and still a stud horse... Of course, one 'needs a strong hand'. Oh jeepers, I may need some ibuprofen. Actually, if they were both gelded, they look like they'd be decent little saddle horses.

Another to consider, when you even only own a stud horse, your liability goes way up. Especially, nowadays, if your stud gets out and breeds someone's mare or runs over a kid trying to get to the mare, you may lose a lot of what you've worked for. I do know of one case where the neighbor's champ stud went for a midnight stroll and my cousin got an absolutely fabulous filly out of the deal but the owner wouldn't sign the paperwork (see other post for this) and so ended up with a fab-lookin' grade Paint filly. You know, stud comes to 'visit', mare has filly, cousin wants-in lieu of damages-the paperwork to register his 'free' filly and the stud owner won't do it. End of that friendship.

I'm rambling a bit but still, there are way too many other horses out there to consider so you don't have to buy a stud horse for your offspring, or you for that matter. If the owner is too friggin' lazy or cheap to have the vet come out, what else hasn't been taken care of?? Would make me wonder...

A 'Registered' Horse?? Not.

I keep seeing horse ads that say something like 'he can be registered. I have the paperwork but never filled it out. He'll be 6 in May'.

My comment? So freakin' what! He's a grade horse! No extra value is assigned because you have paperwork that COULD be used.

If you will check the requirements of just about any recognized horse registery (not the vanity ones, like a certain gaited Appaloosa one...*ahem*), you'll see that after the first year or so, the registration fees start to really jump. For each year thereafter, the price really jackrabbits till about the age of 4 or so. A disclaimer: I haven't kept up with a bunch of registeries for several years but I do know about several so it's up to you to do your due diligence.

After about 4 or so, the horse can't be registered unless it's some sort of hardship. That's where doing some sleuthing really helps.

Only holding some paperwork in your hands on a 12 year old that some dipstick is too damn lazy to fill out and send in (plus money) doesn't mean a thing. You have a grade horse on your hands, period.

I do know of one registery that if you find a stud horse that wasn't registered but he fits the bill in all respects, he can be gelded and registered as unknown/unknown (meaning as no one officially knows who is sire and dam are...even if known, doesn't mean anything as he's still a gelding). He can't be left a stud and registered. Now seems like not too long ago, I did read that that might have changed or is going to be changed so, again, do your due diligence. The same with a mare. If you can get her spayed, a costly procedure last I heard, she can be registered as unknown/unknown too.

Why would you want to get the papers then? If you want to show your horse in recognized breed shows and potentially up his value, then you need the papers. Bascially, as long as they can't be bred, then you may be able to hardship them.

Another reason you need papers is to help prove ownership. If you can't register him in a recognized breed association, the next best thing is one of the 'performance' horse registries or a color registry, like the Buckskins (good grief, I couldn't find it!) or the primarily Appaloosa one, http://www.ipshr.com/. The performance ones are like the Sporthorse registries, http://www.isroldenburg.org/, http://www.americansporthorse.com/registry.html and a lot of others. They do have requirements but if you can't register any other way (or way too expensive), then these are a fairly good idea. It's something, at least.

But don't fall for the line that he 'could' be registered. If he was really worth anything in the first place, the owner would have practically fallen over themselves getting them registered in the first place!!

Ride safe everyone!!