| There may be many people within our thriving horse | | | | bigger show circuits. This common practice has for |
| industry that will be offended when reading this piece | | | | generations been seen throughout the entire |
| but this is a subject that needs to be addressed | | | | equestrian industry in every discipline from A shows |
| because all over this country in various back yards | | | | all the way down to the local level when the minute |
| and unattended corrals sit horses that are ill cared for | | | | a horse is no longer perfect for whatever the criteria |
| and often neglected because they have been passed | | | | may be he is quickly listed for sale because there's |
| around until no one is sure of who they are or what | | | | money to be made primarily for the trainer. |
| they've existed as. | | | | Even when a horse is winning trainers convince their |
| Other horses are lucky although still within the | | | | clients that this is the time to sell because the horse's |
| backyard environment they have found a loving | | | | value is at a premium and they can always take their |
| home with default owners that are knowledgeable in | | | | profit from the sale to "re-invest" in a green horse |
| caring for such a high maintenance pet but it seems | | | | and do it all over again. Would you do this with your |
| the majority are more like the first talked about | | | | beloved family dog? Why is your horse any |
| whose caretakers are people of indifference with | | | | different? |
| poor understanding and skills in equine health and well | | | | Since when did it become acceptable to mindlessly |
| being. Little thought or consideration is afforded | | | | disregard such a noble creature and willing partner? In |
| these unfortunate horses because they are no longer | | | | a society where no one can imagine buying a dog or |
| what was once an animal that was new and exciting | | | | cat with the intention of sending him down the road |
| to have. Now they have become something greatly | | | | almost instantly when he no longer looks like what is |
| misunderstood, expensive to keep and perhaps even | | | | fashionable or may require training for a certain issue |
| something to fear. | | | | or simply because he's no longer the newest thing |
| The above mentioned is often the scenario for what | | | | yet we think nothing of doing such things with our |
| has become the; "disposable" horse often tossed out | | | | horses. |
| with about as much thought and consideration as one | | | | So what is the solution to this aspect of our present |
| would give a sandwich bag after lunch. Such a horse | | | | day "throw away" society? Before we address that |
| usually starts out in life well bred with impressive | | | | question I'd like for you to keep in mind one thing... |
| heritage, excellent confirmation and plenty of talent. | | | | once you let go of your horse no matter how |
| They gradually move up through the ranks as their | | | | convinced you are of his future treatment, you give |
| training becomes more specialized and their | | | | up your ability to have control over where your |
| accomplishments add up but at almost any point in | | | | horse goes in his future. |
| this horse's career they can be sold and moved | | | | There's nothing more excruciating to a former owner |
| elsewhere. | | | | to have to stand by and watch their beloved friend |
| As the years move on the horse continues to be | | | | be neglected, misunderstood or in the extreme |
| bought and sold perhaps at first moving up in his life's | | | | situation even abused. I now the anguish of sleepless |
| experience but over time and after age and injuries | | | | nights because of the worry that in the pouring rain |
| set in he gradually starts the spiral down to what end | | | | your pet could be hungry, out in the cold or in pain |
| no one can be sure. Often these horse's lives are | | | | when you've tried everything to convince the current |
| relegated to a brief pat on the head (if they're lucky) | | | | owner to sell him back to you only to have them be |
| and the chucking of a flake of hay thrown over a | | | | more determined than ever to own something you |
| fence, some without any shelter and left to stand in | | | | desperately want. |
| the pouring rain or the blistering sun at the mercy of | | | | I had a client from Australia who was so determined |
| biting insects with little or no routine veterinarian or | | | | to never suffer through such a torment that she |
| farrier care and all because someone in their life | | | | bought a farm up in Oregon just for the intention of |
| experience decided to "move on" for an entire list of | | | | keeping all of the horses that would no longer serve |
| reasons that range anywhere from needing a more | | | | her. She settled them in peace and comfort cared |
| athletic horse for competitions to wanting something | | | | for by someone that she knew she could trust |
| more befitting the standard of the discipline to not | | | | complete with her own home on the ranch so she |
| wanting to put the work of training into the horse to | | | | could go up and visit with her old friends whenever |
| make him more suitable for the show ring or just | | | | she could. Of course most of us don't have the |
| because they were made an offer they couldn't | | | | financial security to afford such a luxury but I so |
| refuse. | | | | admire her because she did give up the money she |
| How did the disposal of a horse become such an | | | | could have spent on other things to do what her |
| accepted practice and mindset? Granted there are | | | | integrity dictated and she never once regretted it. I |
| some very acceptable reasons for parting with a | | | | still get glowing reports from her of the ponies |
| horse. One cannot delude themselves that as a | | | | approaching their thirties that I had worked with for |
| beginner they can stay with the same horse all the | | | | her and it causes my heart to soar to know |
| way to reach their final goals (although there are | | | | someone has done it right! |
| exceptions) and then there are the children that | | | | Other ways to at least get closer to safeguard what |
| eventually out grow their ponies and one would | | | | happens to our horses when sold is to have a "first |
| never want to undermine the value of the child | | | | right to refusal" agreement. Take your time to draft |
| having something more suitable to their size and then | | | | this document and have it stipulate that if the horse |
| there's the rider who has professional aspirations and | | | | is to once more be sold you get the first shot at it. |
| needs to part with a horse to move up through the | | | | Of course this does nothing to insure the current |
| ranks. Other reasons for having to sell a horse could | | | | owner or their trainer is treating him right but it does |
| be lack of funds, or a rider outgrowing their mount | | | | bring you some comfort. |
| competitively or age and illness either by the horse or | | | | I also am a firm believer in trials. Call it a lease, fill out |
| rider but all of those aside the biggest reason horses | | | | paperwork, require deposits, make the prospective |
| are bought and sold is because of the trainers in this | | | | buyer obtain vet insurance or do whatever it takes |
| business. | | | | to create a comfort level for you but if you really |
| Being brutally honest I must tell you there are few | | | | care about where your horse is going you'll want to |
| incentives whatsoever for your trainer to encourage | | | | know he's not only happy in his new surroundings but |
| you to keep your horse because it is an industry | | | | is a good match to his new owner so he doesn't |
| standard for a trainer to charge a 10% to 20% fee | | | | continue to be passed along. Some sellers will agree |
| every time a horse is bought or sold within their barn. | | | | to a one week trial and I suggest only after a |
| Why should a trainer want to find for you a horse | | | | pre-purchase exam from their vet but to really be |
| you could keep for many years when there's little or | | | | sure of a horse working out I feel a good solid |
| no money in it for him? Or for that matter why | | | | month complete with your right to "opt out" at any |
| should your trainer look to find you a more | | | | time during the trial and your freedom to come and |
| reasonable horse or negotiate to obtain you a better | | | | go at any time to check on your horse while at the |
| deal on the purchase of your horse when they would | | | | new owners. If you truly believe in your horse and |
| be making less money off of the deal? | | | | want him to have the best you'll consider this option |
| Personally I find there's a huge conflict of interest | | | | just be sure to be careful and get everything in |
| when a trainer charges their clients for the buying or | | | | writing and ask for whatever you need to feel good |
| selling of a horse and often the trainer works with | | | | about it all. |
| the seller cutting a deal behind the buyers back so | | | | More than anything you need to follow your heart |
| he's not aware of the payoff! As if that wasn't bad | | | | when it comes to parting with your horse. Ask |
| enough there are even trainers that work it from | | | | yourself what you're in this for, what's the price to |
| both ends charging both seller and buyer for his | | | | be paid and who's going to benefit the most? Don't |
| considerations and approval causing to price of a | | | | hesitate to "call out" your trainer if something doesn't |
| horse to sky rocket after all the commissions are | | | | seem right or fair or logical and above all... do what |
| doled out. Put that together with the fact that if | | | | makes you happy! Do what you know is right not |
| your trainer finds you a horse that he knows will not | | | | just for you but for your horse! If you don't know |
| be suitable it's a "win, win" for him because six | | | | who's buying or where he's going or whether or not |
| months down the road he can convince you of that | | | | he'll be happy then don't do it! There are ways to be |
| fact and you'll have to turn around and do it all over | | | | sure of such things. Take the time necessary to |
| again while he pockets his 20%+ of the proceeds for | | | | know without a doubt that the people you're selling |
| each transaction. | | | | to will not only appreciate your horse as much as you |
| What ends up happening within the equestrian | | | | but perhaps even love your horse more than you are |
| community because of this is a constant flow of | | | | capable of! |
| horses being marketed and it's not exclusive to the | | | | Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? |