June/July 2013 ly, horses in pain being ridden by oblivious
of these I have found) is that the original
riders, saddles sitting on the horses shoul-
breeder has serious money tied up in just
ders, horses being ridden by riders with no
getting a horse like our girl on the ground.
apparent balance, ill fitting saddles, harsh
They are married to the idea of recouping
bits, horses hating to work, horses tired of
their investment. No buyer can afford to
it all. Pass, pass, pass! Ever wonder where
be insulting if they expect to bring a horse
a hunter bump comes from? I can send
home.
you the links to the videos showing how it happens.
I was surprised how many breeders use outside stallions where the stud fee
Eventually, we settled on a sweet,
alone exceeds the value of the horse pro-
pretty bay mare; an eventing type of Polish
duced. You add vet cost, mare care, bring-
descent. She was one of the first horses
ing the horse up until it can be started un-
I looked at and I was instantly smitten by
der saddle and then in many cases there
her. It took me months to decide to bring
are also trainer’s fees. The number gets
her home because I could not get over her
pretty large pretty quickly and still a horse
sire. I kept thinking about her and compar-
is only worth what it is capable of doing
ing her to every prospect I saw. I under-
or the value to the person that can utilize
stand that you ride the horse in front of
the horse’s talents. Or as Willis has said
you. But it is nice to know that if a riding
for years a horse is worth what someone is
mare were to have a career ending occur-
willing to pay for it.
rence that it would be possible to breed
Our girl had been for sale since she
her. Eventually, I made the observation
was a weanling with no takers. She is now
that she defied her pedigree and I made a
six. While lovely she was not worth what
deal with myself. I simply would not breed
the breeder had tied up in her. For our
her since those traits I found undesirable
purposes she was a PROSPECT that pre-
would always be a part of her. Our girl was
sented some risk and we were not will-
bred to be something other than the little
ing to pay for a show horse pedigree that
eventer that popped out. She does have
was of no value to us. I assume that if the
the heart of an Arab race horse and a “can
breeder had been able to sell our girl into
do” nature. I am sure she got those traits
a show horse family that would have been
from her Polish ancestors.
concluded long before we came along.
Probably one of the toughest things in
A variety of experiences is a good thing
this situation (and there are many, many
in a sport horse prospect. Variety and cross
...a horse is only worth what it is capable of doing or the value to the person that can utilize the horse’s talents.
training are highly desirable when considering any young horse. It is a big plus if a horse has been out some to local shows or similar for experience …totally different concept from a “show” horse. While the horse needs to have certain experiences to make them safe and fun, that experience can be gleaned at the local 4-H show, at a fox hunt’s hunter pace, or in your own backyard pond. I like schooling some on baby cross country courses with young horses because they get to experience a good variety of water, jumps, terrain, etc. I am a big fan of ponying a young horse to
Willig Willig Photo
let them see the world. A purchaser cannot pay for all the class A shows the horse was taken to as a baby to be shown on the line when it adds no
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