http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1341222874.html
Never, never, never admit you must sell and put a price. Of course, I can understand that this poster doesn't want to give the cute pony away, he kind of shot himself (assuming it's a man...) in the foot by stressing how much he needs to sell.
Of course people are going to offer next to nothing for the colt! Then the poster gets kind of ruffled feathers and sort of hurt and still can't sell the pony.
A strange thing I noticed in the ad...he says he has to unload the pony and is moving but will trade for more value in training. Kind of odd in my book but whatever floats your boat!
If you stress this much about selling, it kind of stands to reason that you need to offload the pony colt pretty quickly and will entertain offers...which are then turned down. So the colt stays put and more ads are put out about getting rid of him.
I suppose it will all work out one way or the other (always does, doesn't it??) but this should be a prime example about how to keep a horse forever!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
This Is A Joke, Right??
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1339056246.html
Really...a horse whisperer, huh? How about a real trainer? Would that do?
Honestly, this has to be joke of some sort.
Really...a horse whisperer, huh? How about a real trainer? Would that do?
Honestly, this has to be joke of some sort.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Learn How To Put A Bit On Correctly
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1338393138.html
I've noticed this lately on several posts AND when I go look at horses and their tack. People don't seem to know how a bit goes on a headstall.
Check out the lower left pic of the bit on the headstall. The damn thing is on upside down. See how it inverts into a 'V' but it looks like it's been pulled in a just a little bit?? That is, oh, so wrong! The bit is supposed to be the other way around and follow the curve of the horse's mouth, from the bars, over the tongue and on to the opposite other bars. Only a nimrod tries to put a bit on upside down to hurt the horse into submitting, which I think that's what these examples I've seen lately are trying to do. They don't have a CLUE how or why a bit works the way it's supposed.
So, if you don't know how a bit works, WHY in the hell are you even using it?? If you can't put a bridle together properly, should you really be in the saddle?? I think not!!
This is basic horsemanship. If you fork a horse, you should know how to saddle and bridle your horse properly. For this, there is NO excuse!
I've noticed this lately on several posts AND when I go look at horses and their tack. People don't seem to know how a bit goes on a headstall.
Check out the lower left pic of the bit on the headstall. The damn thing is on upside down. See how it inverts into a 'V' but it looks like it's been pulled in a just a little bit?? That is, oh, so wrong! The bit is supposed to be the other way around and follow the curve of the horse's mouth, from the bars, over the tongue and on to the opposite other bars. Only a nimrod tries to put a bit on upside down to hurt the horse into submitting, which I think that's what these examples I've seen lately are trying to do. They don't have a CLUE how or why a bit works the way it's supposed.
So, if you don't know how a bit works, WHY in the hell are you even using it?? If you can't put a bridle together properly, should you really be in the saddle?? I think not!!
This is basic horsemanship. If you fork a horse, you should know how to saddle and bridle your horse properly. For this, there is NO excuse!
'Always' Come Out With A Happy Horse?
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1337516332.html
At first glance, this is a nice ad. Personally, I would like to see pics but the overall tone is one of a gentle, nice person with horses.
The part I have a problem with is when ANYone states that, no matter what, they ALWAYS get so-and-so out of a horse. My first thought would be that this person needs to deal with WAY more horses.
I don't care who you are, if you've never had a horse that won't play ball the correct way, you need to deal with a lot more horses. I've found that about 3-5% of horses are actually hardwired wrong in the brain and can't be fixed. Just like people. There are the horsie loons out there that shouldn't have been born in the first place!
Now I know of trainers who only deal with certain breeds or even bloodlines. Hell, the older I get, I'm nearly to that point myself! That's fine. If you specialize in, say, hunt seat, you only want a certain type/kind of horse. To try to make a square horse fit into a round hole is defeating, big time! So, if you have any sense, you look for a certain type.
My problem is when someone says, 'come one, come all' with any type of horse and the horse will be a 'happy' one after the training. In the law of averages, just doesn't happen. If you're a trainer, you should have been on literally hundreds, if not thousands, of horses and have dealt with any and everything the horse can throw at you. Just because someone has trained even 25 head, doesn't mean much. Especially in this day and age of quickie training and people buying rank 4 year olds with nary a bit of handling or very little (actual case mentioned here).
So, I'd say go out and watch this poster and get in depth info about what he/she has done. If you have a fairly complacent horse and just want to plunk around an arena, then this may be the deal for you.
Forgot to say, even highly successful trainers have failures. The difference is that they know how to cover it up and keep the duds out of the limelight and never admit to it. No trainer is 100%. No one.
At first glance, this is a nice ad. Personally, I would like to see pics but the overall tone is one of a gentle, nice person with horses.
The part I have a problem with is when ANYone states that, no matter what, they ALWAYS get so-and-so out of a horse. My first thought would be that this person needs to deal with WAY more horses.
I don't care who you are, if you've never had a horse that won't play ball the correct way, you need to deal with a lot more horses. I've found that about 3-5% of horses are actually hardwired wrong in the brain and can't be fixed. Just like people. There are the horsie loons out there that shouldn't have been born in the first place!
Now I know of trainers who only deal with certain breeds or even bloodlines. Hell, the older I get, I'm nearly to that point myself! That's fine. If you specialize in, say, hunt seat, you only want a certain type/kind of horse. To try to make a square horse fit into a round hole is defeating, big time! So, if you have any sense, you look for a certain type.
My problem is when someone says, 'come one, come all' with any type of horse and the horse will be a 'happy' one after the training. In the law of averages, just doesn't happen. If you're a trainer, you should have been on literally hundreds, if not thousands, of horses and have dealt with any and everything the horse can throw at you. Just because someone has trained even 25 head, doesn't mean much. Especially in this day and age of quickie training and people buying rank 4 year olds with nary a bit of handling or very little (actual case mentioned here).
So, I'd say go out and watch this poster and get in depth info about what he/she has done. If you have a fairly complacent horse and just want to plunk around an arena, then this may be the deal for you.
Forgot to say, even highly successful trainers have failures. The difference is that they know how to cover it up and keep the duds out of the limelight and never admit to it. No trainer is 100%. No one.
Need To Know The Other Side Of The Story
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1337294992.html
This is a perfect case of someone who is disgruntled about how her mare came home. I can sure agree that something happened to the poor thing. Just looka the pic. BUT we're talking horses here. I would like to see the rest of the mare and see if she's in good weight or if she's all torn up over her body where the stud bit her.
As an aside, years ago, my horse biz partner had a stud who would bite the mare on the neck and tear holes into her flesh. Had to use a muzzle on him.
Anywho, back to the post subject...however, the mare is a horse and we all know that horses are an accident waiting to happen. Things happen all the time in the best laid plans.
My first thought was what was the other side of the story? A reputable breeder who breeds for free and then sends the horse home? I'm not sure if the mare stayed at the breeders during her pregnancy and foaling and then sent home or just the breeding and on to home. I think it means that the mare stayed put, was bred, foaled and then sent home (judging by the time of year it is).
Did the owner not check up on her mare? Nowadays there is all sorts of ways to keep tabs on your horse. Just a short video or even hotmail and yahoo have video and audio stuff. That should be in the contract. If not, it's too much trouble, I'd say the mare needs to stay home.
In this case, going by my gut feeling, I'd say there is blame to share on both sides. An owner wanted to lease her mare for a while (that's fine) but didn't follow through. The breeder is busy and sees a good deal and probably thought the owner wouldn't check up anyway (how many actually do?) and got her foal (I think) and sent the mare home, who looks a bit battle scarred.
Also, the mare could have banged her head on the trailer or a fence. No telling where. I'm betting the mare owner will keep better tabs and records from now on. Like all of us, sometimes you just don't see things coming till they happen to you and then you know to watch for that very thing.
This is a perfect case of someone who is disgruntled about how her mare came home. I can sure agree that something happened to the poor thing. Just looka the pic. BUT we're talking horses here. I would like to see the rest of the mare and see if she's in good weight or if she's all torn up over her body where the stud bit her.
As an aside, years ago, my horse biz partner had a stud who would bite the mare on the neck and tear holes into her flesh. Had to use a muzzle on him.
Anywho, back to the post subject...however, the mare is a horse and we all know that horses are an accident waiting to happen. Things happen all the time in the best laid plans.
My first thought was what was the other side of the story? A reputable breeder who breeds for free and then sends the horse home? I'm not sure if the mare stayed at the breeders during her pregnancy and foaling and then sent home or just the breeding and on to home. I think it means that the mare stayed put, was bred, foaled and then sent home (judging by the time of year it is).
Did the owner not check up on her mare? Nowadays there is all sorts of ways to keep tabs on your horse. Just a short video or even hotmail and yahoo have video and audio stuff. That should be in the contract. If not, it's too much trouble, I'd say the mare needs to stay home.
In this case, going by my gut feeling, I'd say there is blame to share on both sides. An owner wanted to lease her mare for a while (that's fine) but didn't follow through. The breeder is busy and sees a good deal and probably thought the owner wouldn't check up anyway (how many actually do?) and got her foal (I think) and sent the mare home, who looks a bit battle scarred.
Also, the mare could have banged her head on the trailer or a fence. No telling where. I'm betting the mare owner will keep better tabs and records from now on. Like all of us, sometimes you just don't see things coming till they happen to you and then you know to watch for that very thing.
So It's Magic That Works
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1337302942.html
At first, I was going to be snorky and have some fun with this ad...however, upon reflection, I can see another side of this.
After sitting back and watching the horse-owning crowd for the past few years, I'm truly kind of appalled at what has emerged AS the local horse rider/owner. Well, appalled might be too strong a word but close to it.
Remember when I wrote a little while back about the author of an article who took a whole freakin' page to explain to people why and how you shouldn't let your horse physically push you around?? In the real world, a short paragraph would do but in the alternative universe, you now need a whole page because people might not be 'comfortable' with disciplining their horse.
Still, I'm bothered when anyone says that your connection with a horse is 'magical' or 'mythical' or whatever. It's not. A horse is a real creature that is hard-wired to defend itself by fleeing or fighting back. It's up to the rider to learn to read their horse and then put that info to good use. There isn't any big mystery to owning or riding a horse.
Sure, getting out on the prairie and looking at a thunderstorm in the distance will take your breath away but it's not magical. It's real life.
However, as I stated above, after watching and reading all about how a horse elevates us to heretofor unknown bliss, someone DOES need to step in and get these types to be safe around a horse. If it takes talking to them like you're from Magical Land to show them how to be safe, then by all means, I 'think' I'm for it. Later on, after the rider has had a few wake-up calls dealing with the reality of a horse that just doesn't WANT to cross the water and wants a good tiff, then they may seek out a real grounded trainer/instructor for help...or sell the horse because the Magic was gone and find another better suited horse.
It makes my teeth itch to state such things but, honestly, someone needs to be in the niche of (mainly) middle-aged newbie riders who've only watched RFD-TV and think that riding is soooo EASY. All ya need is 'the Magic'.
*sigh*
At first, I was going to be snorky and have some fun with this ad...however, upon reflection, I can see another side of this.
After sitting back and watching the horse-owning crowd for the past few years, I'm truly kind of appalled at what has emerged AS the local horse rider/owner. Well, appalled might be too strong a word but close to it.
Remember when I wrote a little while back about the author of an article who took a whole freakin' page to explain to people why and how you shouldn't let your horse physically push you around?? In the real world, a short paragraph would do but in the alternative universe, you now need a whole page because people might not be 'comfortable' with disciplining their horse.
Still, I'm bothered when anyone says that your connection with a horse is 'magical' or 'mythical' or whatever. It's not. A horse is a real creature that is hard-wired to defend itself by fleeing or fighting back. It's up to the rider to learn to read their horse and then put that info to good use. There isn't any big mystery to owning or riding a horse.
Sure, getting out on the prairie and looking at a thunderstorm in the distance will take your breath away but it's not magical. It's real life.
However, as I stated above, after watching and reading all about how a horse elevates us to heretofor unknown bliss, someone DOES need to step in and get these types to be safe around a horse. If it takes talking to them like you're from Magical Land to show them how to be safe, then by all means, I 'think' I'm for it. Later on, after the rider has had a few wake-up calls dealing with the reality of a horse that just doesn't WANT to cross the water and wants a good tiff, then they may seek out a real grounded trainer/instructor for help...or sell the horse because the Magic was gone and find another better suited horse.
It makes my teeth itch to state such things but, honestly, someone needs to be in the niche of (mainly) middle-aged newbie riders who've only watched RFD-TV and think that riding is soooo EASY. All ya need is 'the Magic'.
*sigh*
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Frost Is Coming!!
Time to worm that cute little hoss in the barn! As soon as we get a good frost, that's the time to kill the worms that can do serious damage to your horse.
"Ustabe" I wormed every month but now, only about 4 times a year. Every three months. My adorable cranky mare is in a place where she's not exposed to other horses very much and I've kept her wormed pretty good, so there's not really a reason to worm as much.
If I were showing her a lot or I had a lot of horses coming and going, then, yep, need more wormer. She looks great, a little too spunky lately though!
I can't remember if I posted this, but if you go to the Farnam.com website and click through all the links, you will come to a page that is full of horse-item related coupons. There is a dollar off coupon for Ivermectin. That's a good place to start. :-)
Now, go love on your darlin'!
"Ustabe" I wormed every month but now, only about 4 times a year. Every three months. My adorable cranky mare is in a place where she's not exposed to other horses very much and I've kept her wormed pretty good, so there's not really a reason to worm as much.
If I were showing her a lot or I had a lot of horses coming and going, then, yep, need more wormer. She looks great, a little too spunky lately though!
I can't remember if I posted this, but if you go to the Farnam.com website and click through all the links, you will come to a page that is full of horse-item related coupons. There is a dollar off coupon for Ivermectin. That's a good place to start. :-)
Now, go love on your darlin'!
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Case For Laying A Horse Down
Yep, there are cases where it's the thing to do. Just recently I ran across a situation where a fellow bought a herd of horses that had been running out loose for God-knows-how-long.
So, he brought a wad of them up to his place and started sorting. The best he can tell is that the owner said most had been broke at one time but nothing for years afterward. So, armed with this info, he tackled these horses. Now, I gotta say that he's made of stronger stuff than I. I wouldn't have messed with them, period, but they really are nice looking horses and supposedly registered. So, really, may be worth the time to deal with them.
Anywho...he wades in and starts in on them. Most of them are so wild that to get the saddle on, he had to tie up legs/hooves and a few he had to lay them down. Not flipping them but laying them down in a controlled manner. I think I've seen CA do this but he's probably not dealing with some uber-wilds from the depths of the Oregon pastures. These are horses intent on keeping their freedom and will be damned if anyone is going to tell THEM they are to be ridden.
This fellow had to do it to get control of the horse and let the horse know who was boss. Even after sorting through 20 head, he only found FIVE that were rideable. The other 15 will head out for bucking stock. Wow!! Can you believe?
By and large, I don't like laying a horse down in such a manner but in this case I'm all for it. There is a guy on the internet named Endospink who lays horses down by turning their heads and somehow it puts the horse so at ease, he'll just drop. What I've described is nowhere near what this guy does. Actually, I like Endospink's ways and think it's fine in its place. I don't know you could get close enough to these horses to turn their heads in the first place! You'd probably end up parting your hair with a hoof!
I've noticed that people will gasp and grab their chests when you mention laying a horse down with tying a leg up but in it's place, it's a good tool to have in your tool chest.
So, he brought a wad of them up to his place and started sorting. The best he can tell is that the owner said most had been broke at one time but nothing for years afterward. So, armed with this info, he tackled these horses. Now, I gotta say that he's made of stronger stuff than I. I wouldn't have messed with them, period, but they really are nice looking horses and supposedly registered. So, really, may be worth the time to deal with them.
Anywho...he wades in and starts in on them. Most of them are so wild that to get the saddle on, he had to tie up legs/hooves and a few he had to lay them down. Not flipping them but laying them down in a controlled manner. I think I've seen CA do this but he's probably not dealing with some uber-wilds from the depths of the Oregon pastures. These are horses intent on keeping their freedom and will be damned if anyone is going to tell THEM they are to be ridden.
This fellow had to do it to get control of the horse and let the horse know who was boss. Even after sorting through 20 head, he only found FIVE that were rideable. The other 15 will head out for bucking stock. Wow!! Can you believe?
By and large, I don't like laying a horse down in such a manner but in this case I'm all for it. There is a guy on the internet named Endospink who lays horses down by turning their heads and somehow it puts the horse so at ease, he'll just drop. What I've described is nowhere near what this guy does. Actually, I like Endospink's ways and think it's fine in its place. I don't know you could get close enough to these horses to turn their heads in the first place! You'd probably end up parting your hair with a hoof!
I've noticed that people will gasp and grab their chests when you mention laying a horse down with tying a leg up but in it's place, it's a good tool to have in your tool chest.
The Anatomy of Riding...The Book
I lucked across a book called, The Anatomy of Riding by Sara Wyche. If you can buy it or check it from the library, please do so. I've only made it a bit of the way through it but it is chock-a-block full of info about how riding affects your horse.
One big deal is that I've never been a proponent of doubling a horse. Somehow I always thought it was the wrong thing to do. If your horse is so out of control, it's either you can't ride and shouldn't be aboard or your horse needs a LOT more work to stay under your command. It seems to me that a lot of the "Natural Horsemanship" people (did you catch my snark for those two words??) seem to think that doubling substitutes for training. You can't stop? Double your horse seems to the be order of the day.
To my mind, except in extreme cases, should a horse be doubled. If a horse is running away with you, I sure don't want to take his head away from him and let his rear end fling out, not to mention the strain on the front legs! If your horse is runaway prone, YOU need to do something to get that notion out of his mind and stay in the round pen then progressing to a small arena. Not doubling the horse.
Anyway, just wanted to point this out. Be leery of anyone who touts doubling as a 'fixer'. Not a good choice at all.
Now, go love on your brat! :-)
One big deal is that I've never been a proponent of doubling a horse. Somehow I always thought it was the wrong thing to do. If your horse is so out of control, it's either you can't ride and shouldn't be aboard or your horse needs a LOT more work to stay under your command. It seems to me that a lot of the "Natural Horsemanship" people (did you catch my snark for those two words??) seem to think that doubling substitutes for training. You can't stop? Double your horse seems to the be order of the day.
To my mind, except in extreme cases, should a horse be doubled. If a horse is running away with you, I sure don't want to take his head away from him and let his rear end fling out, not to mention the strain on the front legs! If your horse is runaway prone, YOU need to do something to get that notion out of his mind and stay in the round pen then progressing to a small arena. Not doubling the horse.
Anyway, just wanted to point this out. Be leery of anyone who touts doubling as a 'fixer'. Not a good choice at all.
Now, go love on your brat! :-)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
*Sigh*...Do I Need To Repeat Myself?
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1317750065.html
I'll bet you can just GUESS what I would say about this frickin' ad, can't you?? Good Lord...don't people pay attention in school anymore...or even get there in the first place?? Wouldn't you want to trust your horse to this girl? It DOES make a difference in how you present yourself, y'know. If you can't communicate properly, what makes anyone think you can do much of anything?? Not in this day and age. Back in the day, people didn't have chances to go to school and learn properly and did fine but not in this day and age.
"Ridding"...really?? Ridding, huh?? Gah!!!
Seriously, if anyone knows her, point her to GED classes or something!
I'll bet you can just GUESS what I would say about this frickin' ad, can't you?? Good Lord...don't people pay attention in school anymore...or even get there in the first place?? Wouldn't you want to trust your horse to this girl? It DOES make a difference in how you present yourself, y'know. If you can't communicate properly, what makes anyone think you can do much of anything?? Not in this day and age. Back in the day, people didn't have chances to go to school and learn properly and did fine but not in this day and age.
"Ridding"...really?? Ridding, huh?? Gah!!!
Seriously, if anyone knows her, point her to GED classes or something!
The Skeeters Are Eating My Mare And Me Up!
Holy cow, are you having skeeters like I am?? I mean, even walking out in my lawn, hordes of the bloodsuckers just rise up as one and then attack! I have plenty of anti-itch creme on hand.
But that brings me to my horse. I douse her with Zonk-It and the little widgets still get through. I've used Bug Blocker, same thing. At least the bug stuff is slowing them down. I would dread to think what my mare would have to endure without some sort of bug-stuff.
I even spray over my mare's head. She doesn't appreciate it at that moment but she does seem to understand that it's to help her. Even using the roll-on stuff, you can get dirt in their eyes and then they can try to scratch and do more damage or rub hair off.
My bug-zapper works overtime at home. Hubby thinks that there are easily 10K skeeter bodies in the bug zapper after 3 hours work. Pretty good hillbilly entertainment, watching the zapping going on, if you ask me. hehehe...
At any rate, do the best you can about keeping yourself and your horse safe and bite-free. All you can do is just keep trying. A cold snap is bound to happen sometime!!
But that brings me to my horse. I douse her with Zonk-It and the little widgets still get through. I've used Bug Blocker, same thing. At least the bug stuff is slowing them down. I would dread to think what my mare would have to endure without some sort of bug-stuff.
I even spray over my mare's head. She doesn't appreciate it at that moment but she does seem to understand that it's to help her. Even using the roll-on stuff, you can get dirt in their eyes and then they can try to scratch and do more damage or rub hair off.
My bug-zapper works overtime at home. Hubby thinks that there are easily 10K skeeter bodies in the bug zapper after 3 hours work. Pretty good hillbilly entertainment, watching the zapping going on, if you ask me. hehehe...
At any rate, do the best you can about keeping yourself and your horse safe and bite-free. All you can do is just keep trying. A cold snap is bound to happen sometime!!
Finally! Got Into My Account!
I haven't bailed and gone off to Australia, although, lately, there sure are times I wished I were there...
Anywho, for some reason, my dial-up is being super slow and I can't access all the 'net like I like. I could die of old age before this thing loads sometimes!
Alas, I'm still here and it has been a long time since I posted. Welp, read on, dear reader. As usual, I have plenty to say! :-)
Anywho, for some reason, my dial-up is being super slow and I can't access all the 'net like I like. I could die of old age before this thing loads sometimes!
Alas, I'm still here and it has been a long time since I posted. Welp, read on, dear reader. As usual, I have plenty to say! :-)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Isn't She The Cutest Mare??
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1302059063.html
I don't have any reason to post about Ventura (I don't know who owns her and not making any money off of posting this) but her pic is of the cutest little mare!! She just looks like a doll, doesn't she?? Kinda on the small side but she's my kinda mare! Packing that big, ol' man around, you know she has to be one tuff little lady.
I'm not really a Paso fan but years ago, I got the chance to train a Paso mare and the trouble I had learning the gait!! Fortunately, the owner just wanted to trail ride so I still looked good when they took the mare back. But, I'm telling you, that mare had the hardest hoofies I've ever seen on any horse. Just diamond hard!!
Just had to bring her to everyone's attention!
I don't have any reason to post about Ventura (I don't know who owns her and not making any money off of posting this) but her pic is of the cutest little mare!! She just looks like a doll, doesn't she?? Kinda on the small side but she's my kinda mare! Packing that big, ol' man around, you know she has to be one tuff little lady.
I'm not really a Paso fan but years ago, I got the chance to train a Paso mare and the trouble I had learning the gait!! Fortunately, the owner just wanted to trail ride so I still looked good when they took the mare back. But, I'm telling you, that mare had the hardest hoofies I've ever seen on any horse. Just diamond hard!!
Just had to bring her to everyone's attention!
Unsigned Paperwork Means You Have A Grade Horse
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1302373599.html
Jeepers, will people ever learn?? I don't care WHO the horse is and HOW well the horse is bred or trained, if you don't have papers in your hand from the registry in your/someone's name with the horse's registered name on it, you don't have a registered horse. You have a grade horse.
That lessens the value/worth most likely. There are cases that the grade horse is worth quite a bit but with papers, it would be more.
According to the ad, she hasn't done anything, don't even know if she's broke. So, we have an unregistered, unbroke 4 year old mare who has color and the ad says well bred. Come to think of it, why didn't the ad state who daddy and mums are??
So, pop quiz here, do you REALLY think she's worth $2000?? Just imagine, in this market, what you could BUY for $2K!! Now they can ask all they want for any of their horses but reality has to set in some time.
One last thing, the ad (and a lot of ads state this) says that this darlin' could go in any direction you take her. No, she can't. She's long and a weak hip and couldn't do dressage very well. Well, she could take a stab at it but as for her holding it together for very long, I don't think so. Actually, she looks like she'd make a nice pleasure/trail prospect and then maybe with some work, see if she couldn't do a step up to the next level.
Jeepers, will people ever learn?? I don't care WHO the horse is and HOW well the horse is bred or trained, if you don't have papers in your hand from the registry in your/someone's name with the horse's registered name on it, you don't have a registered horse. You have a grade horse.
That lessens the value/worth most likely. There are cases that the grade horse is worth quite a bit but with papers, it would be more.
According to the ad, she hasn't done anything, don't even know if she's broke. So, we have an unregistered, unbroke 4 year old mare who has color and the ad says well bred. Come to think of it, why didn't the ad state who daddy and mums are??
So, pop quiz here, do you REALLY think she's worth $2000?? Just imagine, in this market, what you could BUY for $2K!! Now they can ask all they want for any of their horses but reality has to set in some time.
One last thing, the ad (and a lot of ads state this) says that this darlin' could go in any direction you take her. No, she can't. She's long and a weak hip and couldn't do dressage very well. Well, she could take a stab at it but as for her holding it together for very long, I don't think so. Actually, she looks like she'd make a nice pleasure/trail prospect and then maybe with some work, see if she couldn't do a step up to the next level.
A Prime Example Of Lop Ears
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1302379000.html
Or a prime example of ears set WAY too far forward.
See how the ears look like they just go straight with the neck, over the horse's nose? Then when she has them 'at ease', they go to the side. This is not an attractive attribute but really won't make much difference, if any at all, in the way she rides. I once knew a champion jumping mare who had this condition and she could jump the moon. But in Jumpers, you can have pretty much anything as long as the horse can get over the fence without knocking a rail or rubbing.
The thing that would really worry me is the ad states that teenagers and very inexperienced adults have been riding her. Holy cow! Unless that trainer was after the teeny-boppers and inexperienced adults, this little lady is probably pretty damn spoiled. I sure would want a severe discount on the sale price.
Wow...
Or a prime example of ears set WAY too far forward.
See how the ears look like they just go straight with the neck, over the horse's nose? Then when she has them 'at ease', they go to the side. This is not an attractive attribute but really won't make much difference, if any at all, in the way she rides. I once knew a champion jumping mare who had this condition and she could jump the moon. But in Jumpers, you can have pretty much anything as long as the horse can get over the fence without knocking a rail or rubbing.
The thing that would really worry me is the ad states that teenagers and very inexperienced adults have been riding her. Holy cow! Unless that trainer was after the teeny-boppers and inexperienced adults, this little lady is probably pretty damn spoiled. I sure would want a severe discount on the sale price.
Wow...
The 'Potential' Word
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1301120119.html
First I want to say that, generally, I like this colt and I like the ad. It seems that Alisha is upfront and is willing to put her vet on the line to talk to potential buyers about the colt. I'd still say have your own vet take a lookie-loo anyway just to be sure. It's a case of who's paying whom here.
Anyhoo, my beef is with the word "Potential". In this case, Alisha is trying to show that this colt can go way farther and is trying to buff up his image and bring in some extra money. That's fine, that's a seller for you (I'm included in this crowd). But you still need to stand back and LOOK at the colt and really see what he is at that moment and not what he's going to be in 3-6 mos. of saddle time. You're buying the colt RIGHT NOW and not what he's going to be in 3 mos. time.
Of course, you need to 'see' him in the future and if he fits what you're trying to do but you're buying him NOW. Fergit the "P" word and look at him. If he fits what you want to do, physically, mentally, bloodline-wise, then buy the sucker.
The trouble with buying potential is that no matter how well bred a colt is or what he looks like today, there is a chance that he's going to change physically or just flat not live up to his blood. Take the case of Storm Cat. He's a TB sire, since retired, who commanded $400K (you read right, that's THOUSANDS) but yet about a year ago, you could have bought some of his own get for a whopping .38 cents a pound at a kill pen, where they were rescued by a horse rescue. His get didn't live up to their daddy and so were dumped. There's a bit more to this story but for all intents and purposes, I'm going with the short version here.
So, the upshot here is, looka the colt/filly and keep your head. If everything falls into place, buy the cutie-pie but know what you bought...not pie-in-the-sky promises.
Now, go love on that horse of yours!!
First I want to say that, generally, I like this colt and I like the ad. It seems that Alisha is upfront and is willing to put her vet on the line to talk to potential buyers about the colt. I'd still say have your own vet take a lookie-loo anyway just to be sure. It's a case of who's paying whom here.
Anyhoo, my beef is with the word "Potential". In this case, Alisha is trying to show that this colt can go way farther and is trying to buff up his image and bring in some extra money. That's fine, that's a seller for you (I'm included in this crowd). But you still need to stand back and LOOK at the colt and really see what he is at that moment and not what he's going to be in 3-6 mos. of saddle time. You're buying the colt RIGHT NOW and not what he's going to be in 3 mos. time.
Of course, you need to 'see' him in the future and if he fits what you're trying to do but you're buying him NOW. Fergit the "P" word and look at him. If he fits what you want to do, physically, mentally, bloodline-wise, then buy the sucker.
The trouble with buying potential is that no matter how well bred a colt is or what he looks like today, there is a chance that he's going to change physically or just flat not live up to his blood. Take the case of Storm Cat. He's a TB sire, since retired, who commanded $400K (you read right, that's THOUSANDS) but yet about a year ago, you could have bought some of his own get for a whopping .38 cents a pound at a kill pen, where they were rescued by a horse rescue. His get didn't live up to their daddy and so were dumped. There's a bit more to this story but for all intents and purposes, I'm going with the short version here.
So, the upshot here is, looka the colt/filly and keep your head. If everything falls into place, buy the cutie-pie but know what you bought...not pie-in-the-sky promises.
Now, go love on that horse of yours!!
WTF Does This Ad Say??
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1301262716.html
I'm thinking, just a thought here, that MAYBE it's for someone to come out and watch the joint whilst the owners are away and also to feed the critters.
Good Lord, people!!! Didn't you go to SCHOOL?? Didn't you pay ATTENTION?? Spelling isn't that hard, nor is punctuation! You don't have to be perfect but you do have to be understandable.
My first thought was if you wrote up a contract with the poster, you probably won't know what the hell you signed as the contract would be indecipherable, unless written by a lawyer...which might be worse...but I'm betting the attorney would have spelling and punc's down pretty pat.
Ads like this drive me to distraction. If I can't understand what they are saying, do I really, really want to do business with them?? Even if you have a learning disability, you can ask people to help you figger out how to spell the damn ad and punc it. Hell, I've even written that people can send me ads and I'll correct them and send them back with no copy kept on my end. I've done proofreading for newspapers and boo-boos just leap out at me.
Jeez...people get somewhat educated!! Grrrr!
I'm thinking, just a thought here, that MAYBE it's for someone to come out and watch the joint whilst the owners are away and also to feed the critters.
Good Lord, people!!! Didn't you go to SCHOOL?? Didn't you pay ATTENTION?? Spelling isn't that hard, nor is punctuation! You don't have to be perfect but you do have to be understandable.
My first thought was if you wrote up a contract with the poster, you probably won't know what the hell you signed as the contract would be indecipherable, unless written by a lawyer...which might be worse...but I'm betting the attorney would have spelling and punc's down pretty pat.
Ads like this drive me to distraction. If I can't understand what they are saying, do I really, really want to do business with them?? Even if you have a learning disability, you can ask people to help you figger out how to spell the damn ad and punc it. Hell, I've even written that people can send me ads and I'll correct them and send them back with no copy kept on my end. I've done proofreading for newspapers and boo-boos just leap out at me.
Jeez...people get somewhat educated!! Grrrr!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Have Your Plan In Place
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1298614156.html
Doesn't this just give you chills?? How many people have actually thought of what to do with a horse body after it dies?? I confess, I haven't but this ad brought it to the forefront for me. After some thought, I now have a plan and will keep it.
So, what DO you do?? A lot of my friends have said in the past that they have little medical emergency accounts stashed full of money for such events. I think that's a good idea. You never know when you will need the vet or the dead truck to come pick up a body.
Sit down today and make your plan. It may save you a lot of heartache in the future.
Doesn't this just give you chills?? How many people have actually thought of what to do with a horse body after it dies?? I confess, I haven't but this ad brought it to the forefront for me. After some thought, I now have a plan and will keep it.
So, what DO you do?? A lot of my friends have said in the past that they have little medical emergency accounts stashed full of money for such events. I think that's a good idea. You never know when you will need the vet or the dead truck to come pick up a body.
Sit down today and make your plan. It may save you a lot of heartache in the future.
Prime Example Of A Long Horse
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1299127707.html
This is a horse that has each end in a different zip code. A way long back/barrel. I'm kind of appalled that she's been bred but she has because she throws color.
Actually, I like a smidge longer back than most people as I feel like the horse is a smoother ride. But when you get to this long in the picture, you're starting to ask for problems.
I know that years ago, actually eons, the old time horsemen liked a longer barrel and flank as they thought the mare would have extra room for carrying a foal. That never really made sense to me because the mare still contributes her DNA to the foal and so will most probably have a longer foal anyway.
Her hip is pretty weak and I don't get how she's super fancy either. Looks rather plain to me. But the other parts are okay. Hopefully she has a nice personality too.
I thought Medicine Hats didn't have any color around the eyes, only over the ears but I could be wrong on that. I'll have to check on that.
This is a horse that has each end in a different zip code. A way long back/barrel. I'm kind of appalled that she's been bred but she has because she throws color.
Actually, I like a smidge longer back than most people as I feel like the horse is a smoother ride. But when you get to this long in the picture, you're starting to ask for problems.
I know that years ago, actually eons, the old time horsemen liked a longer barrel and flank as they thought the mare would have extra room for carrying a foal. That never really made sense to me because the mare still contributes her DNA to the foal and so will most probably have a longer foal anyway.
Her hip is pretty weak and I don't get how she's super fancy either. Looks rather plain to me. But the other parts are okay. Hopefully she has a nice personality too.
I thought Medicine Hats didn't have any color around the eyes, only over the ears but I could be wrong on that. I'll have to check on that.
A Wanted Horse Ad Without Info
http://medford.craigslist.org/grd/1298780224.html
Words almost fail me on this one. Doesn't this ad just MAKE you want to donate your horse to Brits??
For one thing, the first thing that came to my formerly-horse-trader-mind was, this is a front for a kill-buyer. Maybe not but I'm almost willing to bet'cha that somewhere down the line, there is a one-way ticket to the bolt going on here.
If there actually is someone named Brits who really does want a horse, she certainly needs to put a bit more effort into finding one. Maybe in this day and age, she'll have people beating down her door to take their horse and not care what happens to them after that. But I'd sure shudder to think what it would be.
Bah, a class-act ad, eh??
Words almost fail me on this one. Doesn't this ad just MAKE you want to donate your horse to Brits??
For one thing, the first thing that came to my formerly-horse-trader-mind was, this is a front for a kill-buyer. Maybe not but I'm almost willing to bet'cha that somewhere down the line, there is a one-way ticket to the bolt going on here.
If there actually is someone named Brits who really does want a horse, she certainly needs to put a bit more effort into finding one. Maybe in this day and age, she'll have people beating down her door to take their horse and not care what happens to them after that. But I'd sure shudder to think what it would be.
Bah, a class-act ad, eh??
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