Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Horse needs a home

 We are hoping for $1000 for Peppy, but we will go lower 
> as long as the price remains above auction prices. 
>  If you are interested or know someone else who is, please email me.>
Amber Carroll

I'm sure this is a worthy program, but this seems sort of like an
extortionist threat. "If you don't buy him he'll die...sorry"  I've
bought and sold a lot of horses. I've never had to send one to an auction
and 99% of the time made money while matching the horse with the
appropriate rider.  ESPECIALLY if someone has given me a horse free I
feel a strong responsibility to do right by him...make a little profit
maybe, but when it was free there's plenty of room to make some profit...
not "minimum price set by killer".  I'd never consier donating to a group
that had that attitude. 

 I've had experience with 2 handicapped groups. The first in this area
was a little alarming.  The second has been a big improvement as more
horse people have been involved.  The first  group had a mare donated to
them that I knew was the world's biggest hussy when in heat and DANGEROUS
in the spring. She WANTED A MAN AND SHE WANTED ONE NOW!!! She used to
board at my place and had been ridden plenty by a 13 year old girl who
knew what she was doing...jumped, shown English, you just had to know how
to handle her.  She traded her even to a total rookie for his horse.  He
had trouble with her and donated her to the handicapped program.

  I called them in November and offered them $400 for her (didn't want
her but knew they shouldn't have her).  They were quite confident I was
stupid and told me they were very happy with her thank you.  I said, O.K.
have fun in the Spring.  In April they called.  Must have asked all over
town to find me again. >g<  They very casually said, "You were interested
in Kelly? We're willing to take $400 now.  I cracked up and said, "It's
Spring isn't it?"  Turned out Kelly wouldn't let them catch any of their
other horses in the 40 acre field (which foundered their herd like
clockwork each spring) and was coming after them.

 I offered them $300 and they said, "Come get her, just slide the check
under the door. (They did not know me well enough to trust me like that).
 I said, "When will you be there, I'm free to come any time"  They pretty
much said they would NOT be there...period.  They they just sort of threw
out, "You are bringing help aren't you?"  I told them not to worry. 
Found out later they'd already tried to sell he to the local killer and
they couldn't catch her with roping horses and all.  I went up alone. I
caught every horse in the field one by one and took them out the gate and
tied them across the road.  Had a good chance to see the lack of hoof
care and the dirty stock pond where they got their water.  Each time I
caught another horse I chased Kelly away as if I didn't want her. 

Finally as I caught the last pony she practically knocked me down to get
her head in the bucket before him.  I knew her well. You could catch her
easy as pie if she had on a halter, but you could forget it if she
didn't.  By the way, she'd gained about 300 lbs. on their pasture and had
gone from an English looking registered QH to looking like a Suffolk
Punch.  I grabbed her around the neck with my arms and she spun one full
circle with me dangling there then stood still like an angel.  Put a
halter on and loaded her in the trailer by myself with the use of two
long ropes rigged a rump rope and she was quietly loaded and came home. 
I sold her to a lady who has a nice stud and keeps her mares bred.  She
says she's the best riding horse she's got.  She leaves a safety type
halter on her in the field.  I could have gotten a lot more if I'd sold
her by the pound though.

$1000 is pretty steep for an 18 year old horse you got free and needs and
experience rider. I would be looking for a 16 year old with limited funds
and unlimited courage to match with that boy.

Angie

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