$350
Aug 16 2011
The first horse I bought set me back $350. I had been saving for him my whole life. He was a registered Quarter Horse with a pretty face. He had Poco Bueno top and bottom, but I didn’t know what that meant, I was a dumb 14- year-old kid and just knew he was fast and pretty.
This was back in the 70’s and my horse was considered a pretty good buy. He was adequately bred and broke enough for me to survive our first few years together until I learned to ride. A fancy horse from a breeder cost about $500.
With the horse business tanking from so many directions I thought I’d peruse the want ads and see what around $350 buys today.
This lovely horse was an international reining champion and a winning all arounder. If he can’t find a place to land nobody can.
According to the ad he’s a kind, sound 23-year-old gelding with no bad habits that can be ridden after six months off without a snort of attitude. he goes English, Western and has tons of trail miles on him. All for $250.
The next mare is AQHA, 12-years-old, fancy colored, decently broke, non-spooky and a proven broodmare. Her price was $500. Goes to show color doesn’t help much in today’s market. What a nice looking mare.
Horses of this caliber are hard to find, she looks solid and sturdy and unless the seller is lying his pants off about her being rideable, then she should be like stumbling across a pot of gold.
This one breaks my heart. A well trained team of drafts is a rare and beautiful thing. How did this happen? This team is in it’s early teens, have a long history of time in harness and their owner is practically giving them away. These two could easily end up on a truck. That’s alot of meat for $500. That’s for the pair BTW.
These next horses have definitely been hit by the fugly stick, but for the price they might be worth a shot.
I mean who wouldn’t want to invest in these guys? I know I searched the world over for a horse with wicked cow hocks like these and both front legs coming out the same hole, and all for only $400.
Who’s great idea was it to breed this little sucker anyway?
Although I have to credit his owners, he stands tied, leads through obstacles, clips and stands for trims. Now if these people would just have enough sense not to breed any more of him.
Of course you can always find the obligatory crappy looking stud at any price range. He was so sweet we had to keep him a stud, besides my husbands entire ego is wrapped up in riding one at the Friday night gymkhanas here in Outhere Kansas. And since we’re too cheap to geld him you can breed your mare our $500 piece of crap.
This is an unedited exerpt from his ad. Go figure.
“…if interestred he can be double registered as Foundation QH with i believe 94% foundation in his bloodlines. Of course you could register him Palominio as well. He has only one baby on the ground – born this year – a perfect pally filly.
(this was an opps baby when he got out last year) He was started under saddle as a three year old but has not been ridden since so will need some work. It should be fairly simple as he is a total ‘in your pocked’ horse.”
AAAAAUGH!!!!!!
Now we get into the sneaky snakes. Those people who like to pretend they’re responsible breeders but are nothing more than morons who thought they could make some big money in horses and ended up with horses they can’t unload on the biggest gomers in the horse world.
Can you say “already showing HYPP symptoms and a breeding stock to boot?”
Again, the ad says it all. “Born 4-5-11, sorrel, solid bred paint stud colt. Hypp N/H Stands approx 12 hands at the wither. Sired by an own son of the great GQ Eclipse ( World and Reserve World Champion in Halter) His dam is a Granddaughter of Kid Clu. Her dam was a Reserve World Champion in APHA and her sirewas top 10 at the AQHA World. This colts pedigree is chock FULL of Champions!!!
This colt sould halter and then RIDE. He is broke to lead, picks up his feet,and has had his first farrier visit. This colt will make an EXCELLENT 4H or breed show prospect.
consideration to youth show home.” I love it, dump him on some poor unsuspecting kid and watch his heart break when his colt collapses into a quivering wreck and falls on him.
Here’s a great one. This idiot has 60 broodmares which he continues to breed because “all the big breeders have quit producing babies.” So he thought he would breed all of his and now can’t move them. Come one, come all, come buy a substandard colt! This guy has millions of them. He’ll even donate the real losers to the “right” person. What a guy. His prices only start at $500 so he must be a big time breeder. I have visions of a loose stock sale coming up for this crop, he’ll have to make room for the next batch.
Finnally, best of the night. This little guy must be valuable, he’s an mini unbroke stud. He hasn’t killed any kids yet so he’s considered gentle. He’s for sale at $5oo smackeroos and ready to breed every other mini on the block, your goats or the cat.
There’s my list of horses available to us all for around $350.
In the 70′s it cost me $2 a bale for hay. Shoes were $12.
My thoughts? Get yourself a knife and a bottle of whiskey and have yourself a gelding party. The whisky is not for the horses.
For those of you who love grays, check out this lovely young mare at Mid-Atlantic Horse Rescuein Maryland!
84 comments to “$350”
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Hey, you know, these cheap horses are often times gems that haven’t been polished. That’s all. The most I paid for a horse was $4,000. And that was WAY pricey for me. I bought 2 for $2,500 (each). And I’ve bought 2 for $1,600 and $1,800 (fantastic horse he is!!). I paid $1,200 for my first horse- bought her for the equivalent of 6 months back board the owner had not paid on the mare. Loved that mare. My first baby and she was wonderful. God rest her soul. I miss her every day.
I’ve had a few others in the $1,000 range that were Ok horses, too.
But, I’ve also bought the $500 horses, too…
This one: (hope I do these pictures right, not sure which code to use, so I’ll try 2)
[IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e393/KShai/dixie1-1.jpg[/IMG]
She’s a mini I paid $500 for WITH cart and harness. Of course, over the years, I’ve gotten her a new cart and harness. She’s a good girl, goes out driving on the roads, and has done 5 mile drives! What a trooper and a very good little horse.
And my ultimate gem:
[IMG]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e393/KShai/show3.jpg[/IMG]
Cart $1,200. Harness $800. Pony? $600. LOL. He has won every driving class we’ve ever put him in, except the one where he came in 2nd to a saddlebred with national standings.
Gotta love the cheap ones!
What a lovely pony! You used up two lifetimes of luck on that one. (Not that you have done a great job of caring for him, showing him, and, probably, training him. Just a super lucky offering that you had the good sense to buy.)
Auuhhggg! That should be “Not that you haven’t done …”
Where is the first gelding located?
——————————————————————————–
Dreamhorse.com
AEH CROSSFIRE (Crossfire)
Horse ID: 1713832
The little 23 year old Arab is in Washington. I found him on dreamhorse.
aaaarrrgggggg! *where* are those drafts?! I’ve been looking around for a “dead broke” team here in N. Texas…ain’t none
my first horse was a AQHA/walker cross and I think my Grandad paid $100 for her. Loved that mare, she broke out easy and I rode her all over our end of town. Absolutely broke my heart when he sold her, because his new wife was afraid of her. I decided right then and there…any more horses *I* would buy so no one could sell another chunk of my heart. My ex tried….divorced him and kept the horse.
Craigslist
Draft Horse team – $500 (Granby, CO)
——————————————————————————–
Date: 2011-08-02, 12:58PM MDT
Reply to: sale-ehdmh-2526395332@craigslist.org
——————————————————————————–
Mother/Son team approximately 12 and 16 years old. Have been used to pull a sleigh, to log with, to cut hay with, to plow with and just to play with. They need someone who knows what they are doing with a team and they do not come with any harness. This price is for both.
Hmmm… Good information, well written and no names/locations/cussing… Would I be correct in assuming that this is the new writer’s first post? If so, then awesome. I may actually have to start reading here again, if this is the quality of posts we will be seeing, regardless of who’s posting.
You’re right, this isn’t Fugly herself…
…but I don’t agree this post is anywhere near hers in quality.
There are a ton of grammatical mistakes here. It’s/its errors, spelling mistakes and syntax errors. There are also several awkward passages, including this one:
“These next horses have definitely been hit by the fugly stick, but for the price they might be worth a shot. I mean who wouldn’t want to invest in these guys? I know I searched the world over for a horse with wicked cow hocks like these…”
That was an awkward mix of sarcasm and seriousness.
Most of all, however, the real Fugly would posting the links to the advertisements for these horses, so that we could all, as potential adopters, be able to see the original ad and contact the seller. The grammar errors don’t bother me nearly as much as that does. C’mon, post the links, quail wants to adopt that draft team!
I hope we see better quality posts in the future.
Like anything else, writing perfectly takes a lot of practice. I don’t see anything wrong with the post. While the style isn’t Cathy’s, there is no reason to pick it apart. Personally, I like the fact that there are lots of photos and a lot of food for thought.
Show me any blog where the grammar is always correct! I like the new direction and hope this writer continues to develop his/her voice in this direction.
Nice posting and personally? I like the fluid French. I use it, I read it and I would like to see it continue. We are adults and if you want censored information, read a magazine or watch RFD TV. This is a blog and words should flow freely. Write on!
I am a bit surprised that Kathy left her photo up as the Avatar. Nice post though… =)
Off topic on today’s post, but those of you who feel as strongly as I do about the Tennessee Walking Horse Big Lick industry, take note!
The Tennessee Co-Op is a chain of feed and farm supply stores throughout Tennessee. It has endorsed and is promoting a Horse Protection Act violator (unilateral soring, violations of scar and equipment rule) in its publication. Myself, along with other residents and concerned parties have contacted the Co-Op to inform them of our intent to take our business elsewhere.
Promoting your horse feed by using Big Lick trainers with violations is like a pet store hiring Michael Vick to sell dog food. yeah, it may appeal to a tiny percentage of people, but it’s going to turn away the vast majority. We need people to let them know this.
Help us make a statement! More information, a sample letter, and contact information for the Co-Op can be found at:
http://boycotttheco-op.blogspot.com/2011/08/tennessee-co-op-features-multiple-horse.html
Thanks, I absolutely will!
There’s a picture of this guy on the cover on their facebook page here
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=231237110246591&set=a.103898322980471.4376.103408856362751&type=1&theater
What a hideous picture! Stupid gigantic stacked shoes and chains. I have transitioned from Paints to Tennessee Walkers about 3 years ago and have to say they are some of the most amazing animals I’ve ever been around. Like most horses, they really try to please their owners. How any human could abuse and cripple them to such an extent is beyond me. Why a chain of feed stores would choose to feature and promote “big lick” horses has to be corporate suicide.
Good lawd I wouldnt breed that mini to a log. Geld that little sucker…now! Ppl are so stupid.
My first horse errrr large pony was bought for me when I was turning 13 after many years of begging from a horse crazy kid. However I had ridden a few and played with the neighbors pony I wasnt an owner until then. He was a mixed breed grade pinto gelding purchased from a girl I knew in school. He was 13 years young and was a little onery but I thought he was the best. He was pretty well broke and would go virtually anywhere you asked him for the most part. THe previous owner’s son used to take fire crackers and set them off under “Tony’s” feet just to watch him run so he was a little bit scared of anything that made a snapping or banging noise but he wouldnt run away with you or anything like that just jump a little and try to walk the other way. Cant realy blame him. He was purchased for $350 dollars that included the saddle and bridle both back in 1983. I learned alot with old Tony……my faimly broke up and most of the farm animals got sold off to who ever came first to buy. My mother told me he was sold to a little girl to ride which I hope was the truth. He had feet tough as nails (they were white, so another myth buster about white feet), winter coat to cover 3 horses, tolerated alot of BS and great beginners horse (large pony….he stood 14.3 on the money). To me, at the time, he was worth a million bucks.
To many fools out there wanting to breed everything they get thier hands on. Garbage breeds garbage. (this includes the Human race also) Every GREAT now and then you get lucky. But i’m not into looking for luck that may never come my way. I dont do the breeding thing unless I have a darn good shot at a good offspring. To many idiots shopping at Idiots R Us.
Forgot to mention that I like the Grey in the video. Is she a OTTB? Looks like she might make a nice little hunter with some work. She likes to look around but doesnt seem wiley or anything….pretty quiet really. I hope someone with some sense adopts her and gives her a good home.
It amazes me when I browse Dreamhorse or the like and see so many horses that haven’t exactly nailed down a championship listed in the mid to high 4 figures. How is that possible when the market is flooded with some really nice $500 registered, broke animals? I wonder if those ads get any calls at all.
I also got my first horse at 14 for $150 and he was fast and reared – we were cooool! Here it is, umm, 30-something years later and I could buy one like him for the same price at auction! Doesn’t boast well for where horses are heading.
On a second note, lots of new ad’s and is that a slightly different writing style I see? Is that still you Cathy???
*So* not Cathy. But happy to see a new post and new comments. Welcome new writer! Good luck at the helm of the Fugly Blog.
Good job, new fugly.
OK, on price, I too enjoy browsing and watching horse prices. I figure that the middle is now gone in the horse market. It’s either cheap or expensive. Gone are the good $2500 horses. They are all either $7000 or $500. Sooo.. I know some one with a half fresian mare she wants to sell that’s barely ridable. Based on what I see, she’d be better putting $7000 price on her and acting like she’s rare and valuable then $2000 where it is more reasonable and what we had been use to.
And Zanne, I hate to burst your bubble, but your wonderful pony probably did not go to a little girl. My first horse reared and was more than I could handle, so my vet helped me have him removed…The previous owner ( a teenager who wanted mag tires for her car) ignored my pleas for help…Years later I heard the previous owner bragged that he had gone to a little girl and was loved until he died. Little did she know that a sad ending came of her gelding she cared so little about.
I too was told the bunnies I lovingly raised as a child went to other kids. Found out later they did. Only it was not for them as pets but to eat. Times were tough.
This reminds me of the neighbor I had growing up that got a dog named Macho for their son. The dog lived in a dog run in the back yard since they didn’t want him in the house. The dog was quite large and the son was small, only 5 or 6 at the time. The dog barked and howled constantly. They finally took Macho to the dog pound. They told the son he went to live on a farm…
We had a dog that used to jump our fence and run loose in the streets. My parents gave him to some friends of theirs and he went to live on their farm. This dog was lucky and actually did go to a farm – we went to visit him several times and he did in fact live on the farm.
Are you going to introduce yourself to us mystery writer? Do we get any details of the new set up? Will Fugly guest once in a while?
Hee. Hee. Hee.
You know, I may be crazy but, if I could use “N/H” as a negotiating tool to get that colt for $200, geld him, and let him grow up naturally…….I’d go get him. I love the ‘good’ Impressive-bred horses, and one of the best I’ve ever owned I got as an ‘untested’ 12 year old mare — for free — from an old coot whose farm was in foreclosure and had no where for his last 3 horses to go. Saw her papers, got her tested, results came back N/H. Kept her outside 24/7, paid attention to her diet, kept Karo in the trailer just in case, and hauled her all over the southeast without a symptom. A little bit of management was worth it, in her case. It’s not something I’d necessarily recommend to a casual owner (I’m rather fanatical about nutrition, fitness, and hay quality anyway….)
It WOULD bother me, however, to give the asshat breeder the satisfaction of selling an N/H colt.
“It WOULD bother me, however, to give the asshat breeder the satisfaction of selling an N/H colt. ”
I agree 100%. Better to make them give the poor horse away and then geld the stud so he doesn’t produce anymore N/H foals. I once got a pony for free from a hoarder because I refused to give her any money and reward her for the way she was keeping her animals. She had 11 horses, no money for hay, no place to keep them, and she was afraid to handle them. She wanted $500 for each horse. I waited for weeks for her to finally give the pony to me. After that she gave all the other horses away, too. It cost me way more than $500 to get the pony healthy, but at least the money didn’t go to the asshat hoarder.
Back in 1998 I paid $800 for what I thought was a quality Arabian (I now know better… my poor fugly has bad feet, a straight shoulder, no hip, low pasturns, etc. etc. etc.). Since then I have had many other horses (most better than what I paid money for) and have gotten them into good, forever homes. I know where every horse I’ve sold is and get updates about how they are doing. If one is sold, then I follow up with the new owner and stay in touch.
It seems to me that good horses are basically free right now. I just acquired another nice mare for $1. She’s a pinto mustang mare who’s owner was afraid to ride her. For me, she goes just fine and just needs some consistency and regular work. She’ll be a gem for my SO…
A lot of the buyers in my area (Bend, OR) are drunk, on drugs, or both. They want ridiculous amounts of money for crap. It boggles the mind… apparently most of the breeders in this area don’t quite get it yet. But give it another year and they will. People aren’t paying what they used to and they had best adjust to meet demand. I feel sorry for those poor critters…
Hi Mugs! I had a sneaking suspision you might be the new writer… happy to see I was right.
What makes you think the writer is Mugs? (I’d be thrilled if it’s her, I’m just asking if you have proof. The writing seems a bit rough for her usual.)
I so wish I could take the 23 year old reiner. That guy deserves a deep stall and trail rides for the rest of his life.
No proof, but I’m 99% certain it’s her. When the blog was up for sale, Mugs was saying on her blog that she potentially had a new writing opportunity, and after the sale Fugs said on her facebook page that the new writer was someone readers would be familiar (and happy) with. And the fast and pretty QH with Poco Bueno top and bottom, bought by a 14yo in the 70′s? Seems like too much of a coincidence for that not to be Mort.
I suspect the roughness is due to Mugs trying a slightly different writing style, one a little closer to Fugs. I suspect that will smooth out as time goes on.
And if I’m wrong, then hi new person! Happy to have you writing for us!
I was thinking about the same thing. Mugs usually spends months polishing her stories, she wouldn’t have that luxury here. If it’s not Mugs, there’s an awful lot of coincidences!
Big welcome, whoever you are! Anyone Cathy likes, we’ll like too.
What’s the location on the draft team?
Craigslist
Draft Horse team – $500 (Granby, CO)
——————————————————————————–
Date: 2011-08-02, 12:58PM MDT
Reply to: sale-ehdmh-2526395332@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
——————————————————————————–
Mother/Son team approximately 12 and 16 years old. Have been used to pull a sleigh, to log with, to cut hay with, to plow with and just to play with. They need someone who knows what they are doing with a team and they do not come with any harness. This price is for both.
You can find the draft team here http://denver.craigslist.org/grd/2526395332.html
Okay. I thought one of the drivers looked vaguely familiar. Glad to see it is NOT who I thought it was dumping those horses that cheap. Hopefully somebody with a use for them will pick them up.
I could tell immediately that this wasn’t Cathy… But the writing style reminds me a lot of Mugwump!
Whoever it is, I hope you do an introduction post
I love this post. Sad though.
Felix, my little Fjord X was $500. He was ungelded, and a heathen. He’s going to be really lovely some day, and worth every penny. If he was gelded and cleaned up with an UTD trim and a paddock that was not hock-deep in mud he would have gone for more.
You can see him here:
http://www.felixfjord.blogspot.com
If in fact this is the new write of the Fugly blog – glad to have you
My first horse was a bitchy, P.I.T.A b.s paint mare, 22 years old, $400 saved from the meat buyer
2nd horse, 9 month old percheronXqhXarabXbelgian stud colt, $800 from crazy BYB wannabe PMU rescue
3rd horse, 10 year old half arab buckskin pinto (profile pic) crazy as all get out, super pretty, free + resulting ER bills
Current horse, very well bred, 7 year old Weltmeyer daughter hanoverian/oldenburg, in dressage training… Free (EPSM issues)
Bought my first horse in 2000 for somewhere between $1000 and $1500, from a guy who only really sold her that cheap because he had a conscience and I’d been leasing her for several months, so most of the training she had was courtesy of me, AND I’d been paying for the privilege. She was a saint. I sold her only because she fell in love with the most wonderful little girl in the world and wanted only her girl–”Mom” was now grown up and unworthy of attention when there was a sweet child to adore instead. The girl’s parents wanted her and I let her go. God rest her soul, that mare loved and trained and fussed over a budding champion (the kid is at a national competition this week) until a tumor she’d never shown signs of killed her. If the girl rode another horse, the mare paced and screamed the entire time.
Second horse was free because the owner couldn’t ride him, her kids were scared of him, and the trainer’s solution was to starve him. Six months of reminding him that people were really not all so bad later, I gave him to an adult beginner who had just lost her first horse, who she’d adopted when he was in his 20s and she in her 50s. He has a home for life with her.
Third horse was $350. Bought at kill price, spent that much on knee surgery immediately. He’s incredibly talented and athletic, but unsound. Looking at another surgery soon; if that gets him sound, the local shows will have quite a shock at his origins and purchase price. The few times I’ve really had him going well, he drops jaws.
Fourth horse, found via Fugly, was $500. I’m becoming a big spender! Nine years old, unbroke former broodie with an excellent pedigree and conformation well above average. She’s a pony sized Arabian and has already proved that the “brainless Arab” thing is a complete myth–she’s been home for a little over a month and already wears a bridle and saddle, longes, and lets me lay across her back while she stands stock still. She’s a little spooky at new things, but she does a stop, snort, sniff spook, which is fine by me. As long as they’re being curious and surprised, not panicking, I don’t mind a spook. She’s dainty, moves like a warmblood at the trot, and sweet as can be. I’ll get her under saddle for a few months and then start looking for her permanent home–either a family with kids (and at least one old enough to ride the greenie until she’s really seasoned for the younger ones) or an older adult who wants a small, uncomplicated horse that will really bond with her. She’s already the “meet you at the gate nickering” type and she barely knows me, plus I insist on traumatizing her with new experiences on a daily basis.
(By the way, three of the four here are Arabians. One is the Muddy TB.)
Sometimes I fantasize about having a really expensive horse, but I never will, even if I come into money and could swing it. The pricey ones colic and break legs as easy as the cheap ones, and it’s nowhere near as satisfying to get them somewhere. I’d rather find a bargain stuck in someone’s back pasture or on the slaughter truck and make something of it for fun, as opposed to paying a lot of money for a prospect and feeling obliged to make something of it because I spent so much. I don’t enjoy showing when I feel like I brought the fanciest horse and I’ll be a laughingstock if I can’t win. I like showing when if I win, I can tell anyone who asks that this is my almost-hamburger, yes he’s lovely, don’t count the rescues out.
I love posts like these, feels a little like early Fugly Horse. Mugs? Is that you?
I got my first horse in 2000 for $800 and he was the best little guy around. He was a grade, 18 year old dead broke school horse who had done his duty to the children and was looking to retire from lessons. For my first horse, I couldn’t have had a better or more patient teacher.
I love the drafts.
Our cheapest was about £800 at the sales and the most I’ve ever paid was £2200 for my mare as a backed 3 year old. Would have got her for about £1800 if I’d been able to negotiate the price (she was on loan with view to buy as I had income but no captial) and have generally paid about £1400 or so for them.
The price for a decent horse doesn’t seem to have dropped anywhere near so badly in the UK as they have in the states.
$400 for a starved ancient Belgian draft gelding was the absolute best horse for me to get back into horses as an adult with. Forgiving, willing, entertaining and gentle with the grandkids. He died last year and is greatly missed.
http://broadviewranch.com/Image:Thunder.jpg
I’ve actually purchased some very nice prospects in the last few years for as little as $300. Nice fillies with correct confirmation and with parents who are well proven with money earnings and pedigrees. If you shop around, they’re out there. It breaks my heart to see all the junk that’s floating around the horse market! When there’s so many nice horses to be had!
My first horse was a 10 yr old appaloosa mare we paid about $500 for. No mane or trail, with a big blanket and lots of spots. I could not have asked for a better mount! She took me every where I ever wanted to go, then we sold her and she’s brought up 2 or 3 more young riders. Just one of those horses that are few and far between.
I have been looking for a horse just like the first gelding for over a year now for my daughter. I can’t find anything like that for under $4000 around. I would be very interested to find out what ad that came from and some contact information.
Welcome to blog !!! Great start, keep it the fun and show us all the nut jobs out in horse world!!!
After leasing horses for many years, my mom bought me my first horse 22 years ago. She paid $750 for him as a 7yo reg QH gelding. I still have the old guy now, he is 29, I am 35. We did dressage, eventing, showjumping and lots and lots of trail riding. Best money ever spent. We splurged on a 3yo TB filly who was a whopping $1500 in 1994. That was a lot of money for us but what an investment. She was approved by two major european studbooks, produced and amazing sporthorse who sold for 20k as a 3yo and I ended up selling her to the person who had her on a breeding lease from me for over double her purchase price.
Now days I always set my dreamhorse parameters for a max price of $500 and like to see what turns up. At the moment in my area there is a free oldenburg broodmare, who is broke to ride and breeding sound. Nice mare and I do hope she ends up in a good home. She isn’t old and is sound, it just astounds me what the market is like.
I have a 17 year old Appaloosa that doesn’t in any way act her age that I got for $250 almost 2 years ago and I love her to death. When I bought her she was a polo horse and I was on the polo team so I had already ridden a few times and new what her problems were when i bought her. She was one of those horses that had played polo for to long and had come to hate the game. She hated getting run into or crowed amongst all the other horses when they would get in a pack so she started biting and kicking out at them. When the coach decided to sell her he wanted to know jokingly if I was interested. If I didn’t buy her than he was going to take her to the auction. I thought about it for a couple of days and went over a few things to see if I could afford to keep her. I knew that I could pretty much train all of her bad habits, like the worst head tossing I have ever seen and her rearing on the ground, out of her. I found out a lot of her head tossing had to do with the tie down and her bars and her palate in her mouth were bruised pretty badly so we had to go bitless for a while to let those heal. She still tosses her head every once and a while but it is mostly a learned behavior for when she gets frustrated.
Here is a Picture of her http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=669054817059&set=a.522433482389.2069780.43803103&type=1&theater
In Texas you can buy weaners for under $100. I saw one on Craiglist the other day for $35. THIRTY-FIVE DOLLARS.
Also saw an ad for a pony stud for $75. “Buy him today or he goes to the auction on Saturday!” It was the sorriest looking horse I had seen in a long time. PLUS- he was NOT halter broken OR handled, but “he breeds those mares just fine!” Scrawny, rump high, cowhocked, rat-tail mane. You name it, he had it.
Guess what? Monday his ad was back up. Guess no one wanted an unbroken, unhandled pony stud after all.
I did not breed any of my mares this year.
I told my husband last night, “you know things are bad when a round bale costs more than a horse.”
Isn’t THAT the truth!?!
Just on today’s Dallas/FTW Craigslist I saw three freebies and two ads for horses under $75…. One had EIGHT horses for $50 each-come pick yer own…. one chunky nice looking buckskin gelding with a cloudy eye for $225…. buy the foal get the mare for free…. ad nauseum.
*sigh*
My first horse cost $850. Unregistered “12″ year old (more likely in his 20s, poor guy) TWH gelding. Didn’t kill me or even hurt me aside from stepping on my foot once and costing me a toe nail, making him a worthy investment for a 19 year old girl without a lick of sense. Taught me a lot, my boy did. I wasn’t the best owner for him but I did my best and he died of old age still under my ownership. Best $850 I ever spent.
Off topic, but I need some ideas and input. We do a cowgirl retreat every year, where 12 of us girls all travel to do horse clinics and ride together for a weekend. This year we’re returning to the same facility and clinician that we had last year. And we need some ideas for things to work on. Keeping in mind that it’s 50% intermediate beginners and 50% intermediate/advanced riders.
We have 2 days of riding (Western) and day one we’re doing some horsemanship stuff and day two we’re doing cattle work.
I’m looking for ideas of things to work on or input from fun retreat style clinics you guys have attended.
Thanks a bunch!
doggonnit, now you got me jealous. I’ll come up with some ideas if I get invited.
My filly has nearly the same muscle tone as that colt and she has zero Impressive breeding in her. And as you can also see, hers is pretty natural from running any second she isn’t munching in the pasture. She’s out of my mare from when I sold her and bought her back 7 months later for the same price. So I guess a free baby minus the costs of the vet check, right?
She is in a pretty gangly yearling stage now though… lol
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d101/brendascott/IMG_0478-1.jpg
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Did anyone read the Chronicle of the $700 Pony? You can follow her continued exploits as a eventing pony at http://shiverandemmy.blogspot.com
Ultimate cheap find and upgrade!
On one hand, I really wish I could check out the drafties and the reiner. On the other hand, I DON’T NEED ANY MORE HORSES! If you doubt me, ask my husband! But I do torture myself by looking at other horses from time to time. (Is that like looking at other men when married?) My first horse cost $500 with tack, a 16 year old grade palomino mare who was perfect. I don’t remember her ever doing a thing wrong with me, and the fact that she ran away with all my cousins/sibs and wouldn’t let my Dad near her just added to her charm in my eyes. I was so lucky to have her. I can never pay more than 5000 for a horse. That is what my daughter’s perfect horse cost, and she has stated that no horse can be bought at a higher price than her perfect horse. (I suspect she would make an exception if the higher priced horse would be hers.) Welcome mystery writer, who does have a familiar writing voice. Just saying. Great idea for an entry btw.
I have really lucked out and gotten horses for cheap and they are worth their weight in GOLD:
6 yr old mare I bought for $400, professionally trained. She is a dream to ride, love her to pieces. The gal who owned her was getting married and needed the money for her wedding. She has her own special little girl who just loves her to pieces and I get to ride her whenever I want.
The 2 2yr year olds, one I paid 150.00 for and shes gonna be great under saddle, and the gelding I got free, hes gonna be a superstar kids horse when he gets broke.
I dont own them anymore, but can see them anytime I want. They are in a great home, and spoiled rotten. Wish I wouldnt have had to get rid of them, but I had too, its a really really long story as to why I had to get rid of them. There is also a lifetime return contract, if they ever cant keep them, which I dont see any problem there, I have first right of refusal, and I have to meet and future owner and approve before they can be rehomed.
My last horse I just bought was for only 300.00. The horse that I bought before her was 1500.00 plus 2 weeks in the hospital with a broken pelvis in 3 places, 6 months recovery, lost my job, gain fear of riding, gave 1500.00 horse away to horse dealer. 300.00 dollar Craig list deal is a 20 year old mare that has given back my love for horses that I had thought that I lost for ever. Thank God for 300. 00 dollars horses.
So you dumped the injured horse at a dealers. You know where he most likely ended up, don’t you? Nice.
And you’d agree that even a $300 horse can be injured? Most won’t spend much on vet bills if their cheapies are injured though. Not when you can dump them at the dealers and make a few bucks that is.
Um, the way *I* read it is that SHE is the one in hospital and injured, not the horse!
And yeah, cheapies create vet bills. The biggest vet bills I ever had were from FREE horses. And we lost both of them.
Expensive best buys: In 1980, my mother purchased a leopard POA oversized mare (14.1hh) for $750, which was darn pricey for an unregistered horse back then, even a young broke one. I put her down about six or seven years ago, and she is without doubt one of the best horses I’ve ever known. I turned down thousands for her later, JUST because she was such a safe, sweet horse.
My son’s Walking Horse mare was $2,000 as a four year old. The owner let us take her out on trails, ride her all summer, take her wherever we pleased, until we were certain that she truly was a babysitter and partner in crime for my son. Since then, they have won Rookie Horsemanship at a fair in which they were essentially the only gaited combo there. They have gone to shows, hit the trails, and generally loved each other for the last three years. She’s a forever horse, and I don’t regret one cent of what I paid for her.
The Cheap best buys:
A couple of years ago, I ran into an Amish mare/pony/horse/whatever at the sale barn who I recognized. She wasn’t completely sound, so I got her for $150, complete with ringworm. She will pack ANYONE, with patience, grace, and a bit of passive resistance. I can trust her with anyone, of any size. She rules the herd with an iron fist, but I’ve never yet seen her trap another horse in a corner. I’ve already turned down $1,000 for her, as a child’s mount.
A pony I picked up when I was 15, because his eyes had the look of the eagles, and because he nickered every time I walked by him at the sale barn– just me, not anyone else. That pony taught me more than any other horse I ever owned, both the good and the bad. I made so many mistakes with him, and through it all, he loved me unconditionally, and trusted me over and over. When I finally felt I was too big and heavy for him, I sold him to a 4-H family with a buy back policy. I’ve kept tabs on him through the years– He’s getting old now, and in his permanent home with another 4-H family that loves him to death. He cost me a grand total of $160.
What this has taught me, all through the years, is that the price doesn’t determine the horse’s quality, and while a good horse is priceless, all the money in the world won’t guarantee you a good horse. I’ve learned that good horses DO slip through the cracks, bad ones are very clever at pretending to be good sometimes, and there is no substitute for finding a seller who will give you time to get to know the horse you want to buy.
Yes, Wonderful horses do fall thru the cracks. If they did not I would not have my $400 5 year old Tennessee Walker Gelding. Last spring, he was just a rather clumsy 4 year old who refused to load in a trailer (you could scream and whip him all you want – he was not going in). Found out later previous owner (in a hurry to get out of horses, I guess) trailered him so fast a mare next to him slid under him, he straddled her and when they got to her destination and unloaded them she was o.k. But he had to go to another farm and I guess they beat the snot out of him to get him back into the trailer. But he walked in our trailer for me without pressure (apples helped)
Works both ways though, we had a bargain horse one time who it turned out was a real bad at being led around, and tied by halter, something in his past maybe, he would just collapse, or panic. Took him to a sale, saw a guy walk in the stall take him out lead him around, I swear the gelding looked like a different horse and the guy bought him.
Well this came at a good time! I’m preparing to start shopping for my first (adult paying for everything myself) horse!
We had bad luck with horses when I was a kid. My first horse was an old roper I think we got him for 1,000 from a friend of my riding instructor. He was an awesome horse, but he was 21 when we got him we ended up only having him for a yeah before having to put him down
After that we got a 4 year old grade filly that was exceptionally green. We paid 1,700 for her! We got taken for a ride on that one, but I was young and far less knowledgeable than I thought I was, and my parents are not horse people. Needless to say she was a little more horse than I was ready to handle, so we cut our losses and ended up selling her shortly after we got her. After which my mom declared there would be no more horses on her dime.
Now after making it through school and finally finding a full time job I am almost ready to start shopping again! Just have to find a place to board that doesn’t cost more than I’m paying to rent my apartment. I might end up having to hold off till spring, but by golly soon! Soon I will have my very own pony.
I want a palominio in your pocked horse that breeds opps babies! I can be the first on my barn row with one of those!
If anyone wants a great OTTB around Louisiana please contact me. My husband is buying a new horse and we want to sell his other horse. She’s JC registered and 16hh & 11 years old. She was a give away from a farm that was getting rid of 60 mares. We put so time and effort into getting her riding good again. She’s $1500 but negotiable to the right home.
Not my first horse, but check out this gorgeous boy.
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I got him as a 4 year old half arab (unregistered NSH) gelding. He was not broke and needed a lot of groceries, but look at him now. Price I paid: $100
My other horse was $400 out of the kill pen – a 7 year old OTTB with lameness in both front feet. Probably the best $400 I ever spent.
We’ve been really lucky with our horses. I think the only horse we ever actually paid for was our first horse. He was a purebred arabian gelding that my sister took to Class A shows in Saddleseat. He cost, 1,500 in 1990. She showed him and garnered a top five on him at regionals. The rest of our horses were either free or trades.
Our next horse was a free National Show horse. Supposedly unrideable. Wasn’t broke til he was 7. My sister got with a trainer and ended up taking that horse to Scottsdale and U.S. Nationals for Arabians. He went top 10 in scottsdale and went 11th at U.S. Nationals. Out of like 60 to 80 horses. She went champion at regionals as well. Talk about a diamond in the rough.
Our next horse we got on a trade. We still have him and won’t ever sell him. He has been the best 4H horse ever and has the coolest personality. You can leave him for a year and hop on him and he’s fine. He’s the only horse that I have seen that will gauge the riders experience level and act accordingly. I also went top five with him at regionals in Showmanship.
There was also a purebred arabian that my sister also got for free. She ended up successfully showing him on the A circuit in hunter pleasure. Then she traded that horse for a yearling arabian gelding. She raised him up and is now her current horse. He is a flashy boy and has been shown very successfully hunter. I showed him halter at regionals this year and got reserve champion. He also just went in his first western class ever and went 2nd out of 14 horses! Not bad for a horse that was free.
The horse that I currently ride, I got for free. He is a National Show horse and although it took some time and lots of work on my part, he is showing hunter pleasure. And we actually just got 3rd at our last show! I was so proud of him.
It just goes to show that quality horses are out there, you just need to know where to look and what to look for. Who knows, your next free horse could be a National Champion! They just might need some extra polish.
Oh, I didn’t even realise that this wasn’t Cathy. In fact, I was beginning to wonder if maybe she had decided not to leave.
This was a good post though! I love the subject.
I got my first horse in 2004, (I shared him with my sisters), for $300. Mum bought him, but I still cannot believe how cheap he was. He was an incredible, bombproof horse that would carry you around and trail ride with you and he never put a foot wrong. We all loved him, but sadly I stopped riding for a little and mum sold him to a little girl, for her birthday. I would take him back like that *clicks fingers* if he needed a home, he was a trooper.
My next horse, Lady, was bought in 2009, for an early Christmas present from my lovely boyfriend. She was $800 and I can’t believe what a great deal she was, either – she’s bombproof and very willing. I love my mare <3
In USA $800 is probably a fair amount, but I'm in AUS and the market over here is not so bad. Most bombproof horses go for $4,000+, so finding one for $800 was just GREAT!
Next was Sunny, who I picked up from a meat pen for $500. She was a good little pony, who I broke in and rode around for a few months – getting her used to water, trail riding, cars ect. She was reasonably priced – she could have been sold for more privately, but considering I bought her from a meat pen, she wasn't exactly 'cheap'. Anyway, after that, I decided it was time to find her a home and she went to a very nice girl who trail rides with her.
I got another rescue gelding, Jack, for $300 and decided to keep him. He has come such a long way and was well worth the price I paid. I originally got him for free, but I didn't think to get a receipt, because he was free. The owner then decided 5 months later that he wanted some money for the gelding he abused, neglected and was going to shoot for dog meat. So now, he is my riding horse (as Lady is currently retired) and I am planning to show him once he gets a bit older. I still have a lot of work to do with him, but he is coming along very nicely and he is perfect for me – we don't always 'get along', but because of him I am learning more and more about training and gaining respect. I'm teaching him how to be a better horse and he is teaching me how to be a better rider and trainer, I love him.
Those are all the horses I have owned. There have been some lease horses and my boyfriend has a mare, but it seems I have already written a short novel, so I will leave it at that =D
http://www.operationhorserescue.blogspot.com
Perhaps the owners of the retired reining champion will be doing careful screening of all potential buyers to find the best fit for the horse. The low price may be to not scare away a good home.
Maybe it will be the same for those charming draft horses. I am dumbfounded at how many people think a teen-aged horse is old. The main drawback I can see with the drafts is that they may know more about driving than most people.
Estate Planning
It is a bit off-topic, but I found this article on horses and estate planning interesting and informative.
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=793
I think I want almost every horse on this page, LOL! *Almost.*
The old reiner, want. The red dun mare? Oh god yes, WANT. Did you see the feet on her? The draft team? Want. Although no clue what the hell I would do with them, but when the tractor gets stuck in the snow I always fantasize about how nice it would be to have a draft team around while I’m shoveling it out. I’d even take the cow-hocked little chestnut and that paint colt with a neck that is half the size of his body. As long as they aren’t crazy, they’d make nice little riding geldings with some time and work.
And yes, I’d even take the little N/H colt, although I feel the same way some others do about giving a breeder money for something that should never exist in the first place. I would have to dispute the statement that he’s showing signs already, however. His muscling just doesn’t show it. He looks like a lot of other Impressive-bred colts – actually BETTER because his hocks have actual angles and his pasterns aren’t perpendicular to the ground. People have to remember, the Quarter Horse is *supposed* to be a heavily-muscled breed. HYPP exacerbates that tendency and forces it to an extreme, but an otherwise-healthy AQHA colt that is running and playing and being a baby horse, should have a good-sized rump on him. If you don’t want that look – go buy a TB.
Oooh, here’s a fun idea! Why don’t you reveal a little at a time in progressive posts! So we now know that your first horse was $350, a registered QH and you were a kid. Maybe next post you could give another hint and then maybe the 5th or 6th post, the big reveal!
Welcome to the new fuglyblog author! So nice to know I’ll continue to get my daily dose of fuglyblog. I’ve been an addict for years and have read every single post back to the beginning despite never having owned a horse.
I have a quick question. What is an “own son”??? I see this all the time in ads, but can’t get any info on the phrase online. Why not just say “Spiffy is the son of Darter” instead of “Spiffy is the OWN son of Darter.” Either he’s Darter’s son or he isn’t… right?
Please explain…
Thanks!
“Own son” is just one of those expressions that has found its way into the horse pedigree lexicon like “top and bottom.” As in he’s “Midnight Sun top and bottom ” meaning that Midnight Sun appears in his pedigree” in both his sire’s and dam’s lines. Another is “He’s Pride of Midnight top and bottom close up” usually meaning that Pride of Midnight is his sire’s sire or grandsire AND his dam’s sire or grandsire.” (I used walking horses as examples because like many people in the Deep South those are the horses’ pedigrees I am most used to discussing
)
If someone said “He’s an own son of Midnight Sun” they are saying that Midnight Sun is that horse’s sire. Of course, if you could find an “own son” of Midnight Son now, he would be at least 50 years old.
Welcome, New Fugs! I really enjoyed this post! Like many others, it reminds me of the early Fugly Blog.
It’s amazing what you can still get cheap! I found a smokin’ deal this spring. A scraggly little AQHA filly sired by a pretty nice NCHA $ earner and her dam was by a $ earner as well. Not a top-of-the-line pedigree on the bottom side but still respectable. The yearling put me back a mere $300. It wasn’t too late to put the feed and farrier to her and she’s now looking pretty snazzy, especially for the investment. She’s going to be a fun little riding horse for me in a couple years.
In regards to breeding anything, as a stallion owner, people would be amazed at how many mares are offered to me for “free.” The typical lines are: “She’s a well bred Quarter Horse but I can’t sell her and have been giving my horses away due to the poor economy.” “People just aren’t buying horses.” “You should breed her and make lots of money selling her foals.” Blah, blah, blah. My question: How exactly am I supposed to make money selling foals out of a mare that you can’t even give away? And one was an Impressive bred mare who “looks in show condition just standing in the pasture.” The owner has never heard of HYPP…I can just bet what her results would be. I’m not saying that all free horses are junk. Sometimes you’re just in the right place at the right time but mostly, you get what you pay for.
Congrats and thanks for allowing the Fugly Blog to continue.
2 Things.
1- ya might wanna change your avatar pic.. its Cathy. LOL
2- ya might wanna change yer name from FTHOD to something else..it could confusle people.. LOL
I wanted to share my latest cheap find. I saw an ad about 2 weeks ago for a pair of shetlands for 100. WITH their harnesses. Brothers or half, cute as can be, broke to ride and drive….supposedly 8-9 yrs old.
Actually 13-15, previously foundered, but they seem to be in no pain and are not overweight, I will have to have them radiographs done to see the rotation if any. They need their feet done..
I got them for $40 dollars apiece, it cost me that in gas to get them and back so almost the same price in gas as the cost of the ponies.
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My niece is THRILLED!! she has her own pony now, and we have a “spare”.
I took in an arab gelding for free several months ago, former endurance horse, WP trained too, regional 25/50 mile winner. I decided he needed his own person and traded him for some pork, I have a new friend now AND less than a week after she got him, I found her a gorgeous arab mare, top blood lines, Class A halter winner up till she was 2, trail horse (Too sensitive for current owners)- FREE.
I am in contact with another person who needs to place a horse by this Sat as they are moving, they are asking 125.00 for him, needs a little bit of training to be wholly comfy on the trail but just moisies along..
Horses are so cheap now, they were slow when I got my first horse, $500 for her, 100 for a used argentina park saddle, a rope for a headstall, a bit (a d-ring snaffle) from an antique store, and my lead rope for reins.
I had so much fun with her when I was 16.
Most expensive horse I have ever gotten 1200 for a starved belgian who came with his harness.
I’m a great fan of cheap horses. One of the best we ever found was a starved down wormy 22 month old TWH colt. He was pretty wild too, even in that poor condition. It took four men and some cattle panels to trap him so we could get him on the trailer. And the vet had to sedate him so we could get him home in one piece. It took almost 9 months to get him fit and ready for a trainer so we could show him in the flatshod classes- liteshod and plantation.
He placed first at his first show with just 30 days under saddle. He placed reserve at the first (and only ever) Strolling Jim Memorial Heyday (billed at the time as the new flatshod “Celebration” in Wartrace, TN) with just 90 day’s training. He was the only horse not from Tennessee to do so well. He was the National High Point Versatility Horse in the Promotion category one year, too. He won lots of flatshod classes everywhere except at The Celebration (politricks- we didn’t have the “right” trainer, he wasn’t from TN and he was one of the first to speak out against soring)
When my husband died suddenly, I had to sell all our horses and he was bought by a man who wanted a sheriff’s posse parade horse, so he was gelded (no stallions allowed in the posse) as an 8 year old. He was still living at age 27 a few years ago having traveled all over the country to be in some pretty fancy parades including one of the Rose Bowl Parades. Anyway before he was gelded, he sired only three horses that anyone bothered to register with the TWHBEA.
His most well-known and successful son is a 21 year old stallion and former European show champion now living in Gernamy named Double Delight of Pride. His other son, that I have been able to find, was a successful flatshod show gelding with an impressive show record of more than 50 blues and a like number of reds to his credit. He was returned to me for retirement through HorseReunions.com. three years ago.
Unfortunately, I have never been able to discover the fate of the third son other than finding out that he didn’t “make” a built up show horse so his owner sold him as a “road horse” to someone in Mississippi. Not a bad breeding record for a skinny, wormy colt who cost all of $350.
I really do believe that just ’cause a horse is cheaply priced, doesn’t mean he or she isn’t a good horse given a chance and the right circumstances.
Yup, we have a freebie Miniature that someone gave us, and that guy is three Championships away from his Hall of Fame in Western Country Pleasure driving, was Reserve Grand in his WCP at Nationals last year and we are headed to Nationals again in four weeks. Free/cheap doesn’t always equal bad horse…
Of course, you can also get free horses like the killer Shetland filly that was psyco mare. She was gorgeous, exceedingly well bred, moved like a dream, and totally insane. Traded her to a fellow who knew how to handle her for a filly that should be named Shadow. Follow you anywhere, just hangs with you, not a mean bone in her body.
Hi New Fugs. I am so off base I thought you may be a dude. Sorry. Welcome and I look forward to reading your blog. Don’t let the grammar police throw you off course.
The 23 year old arab gelding is now $250
AAAAAGH! Anybody know why?
I got my first horse for $350. I was told she was a 5yr old 16.1 Standardbred mare, she turned out to be 7 and 15.2 but I was still happy. She was green broke and had some pretty horrific training with previous owners (bred her as soon as they got her so they could have a ‘cute little baybeeeee’ and then to ‘re-break’ her they threw a heavy western saddle with weighted saddle blanket on her and galloped her around her paddock til she was in a lather, didn’t put the saddle on lightly either) so I get this mare who didn’t like being caught, hated tack, wouldn’t pick up her feet, pig-rooted with every transition, never been in an arena before, never jumped, never had a companion and she went to a facility with day paddock and night stable, always a horse on each side of her, loads of kids and dogs and cats running around and cars coming and going and people everywhere and working in the arena and jumping etc. I had her or a yr and a half taught her to go quietly in an arena, stopped pacing, doing dressage and jumping, competing and whooping ass every time, and being a great all round little horse. When I eventually sold her she went to someone to gain their confidence, then they passed her on to a dressage rider in Queensland and she is now competing over there. Owning her was a huge learning curve for me, I was the one who was riding everybody else’s psycho horse and went on to riding my own as well and I loved it. Unpredictable, especially on trails to begin with, and dumped me off on more than one occasion, breaking bones on more than one occasion and I actually competed with my ankle in a cast once too cos I had paid for everything and wasn’t gonna miss out on it. Oh, did I mention I was offered $2000 for her by a riding school but ended up selling her for $1800 to the woman that brought her.