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!!