Via Craigslist, a free* Buttermilk Buckskin. As many of you know, I have a special spot in my heart for Buckskin colored horses.
Free horses can raise flags to the horse shopper, but in today's market, an average, healthy, yet unremarkable horse is difficult to sell at best. Sellers who hold out for a certain price usually spend more money keeping the horse than they ultimately make at the time of sale.
I am looking, albeit half heartedly, for another horse. No, not to replace Smokey, who I feel has at least another good three or four years left in him. I'm looking for the horse to bring up behind him when he is ready or retirement, to further challenge my riding abilities, and to carry my luggage and groceries on pack trips.
I'm in no rush, however, and I feel that the right horse will appear at the right time.
*Most horse owners will tell you that a "free" horse really isn't. While you may not pay any money up front, these four legged hay processing plants will cost you in feed, vet bills, and hoof care, at a minimum.
6 comments:
MIght be something interesting and worth your time, might be worth what it's being sold for - zero (or less if there are real problems). You'd have to do a lot more inquiring to find out - good luck if you decide to pursue it!
He is 'so, so smart' could mean OMG, you will NOT outwit this guy! "He is a horse that needs a job to be happy" probably means, if it's not nailed down and indestructible, you will find it scattered in pieces around his paddock. "He will test you but if you have the right attitude and training..." puts the pass/fail responsibility solely on your shoulders. If he doesn't work out, it's obviously because YOU are lacking because HE is the perfect horse ...which is, of course, why he's free.
I'm skeptical just reading it, but I know you have a soft spot for buckskins/duns and he is definitely that. From the pictures alone, based on his ears, posture and eye placement, I would say he's an 8 or 9 on temperament (1 being totally quiet, 10 being totally high strung). Pictures can be deceiving. It might be worth meeting him in person if he's local. Questions I would ask are:
What KIND of natural horsemanship (Parelli, etc.) and what level has he achieved?
What is his typical 'testing' reflex (balk vs buck, etc)?
Let us know what you find out. It's always fun to go look.
: )
I can tell you that I am the only one I know who has lost money on a free horse not once but twice. I thought I was in a no lose deal on both of them. So that old saying about not looking a gift horse in the mouth does not fly around here.
I wonder if the present owner would let you work with him a few times at her place. See if your personalities work well together. If he is a horse you have to always be on alert with more than most, will that suit you? He is pretty, but he may be mentally exhausting as well. If you are ready to start looking, then go see him. It could be educational and fun. If this is too early for you to begin looking, I would skip it. Good luck!
It doesn't hurt to have a look BR, but he does seem to come with a lot of strings attached. Ask lots of questions he may just work out for you (as long as you don't mind the former owner in your hip pocket).
I like him, but the wording of the ad seems a little iffy, like the above poster pointed out about the horse being so, so smart...
I'd check him out and get an extensive vet check.
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