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!!