Re: [RC] buying on a budget - TypeF \(Jackie Floyd\)
Getting them as youngsters does not require that
you have 6 ft. high fences. I can't remember what it was (been awhile) but I
know it wasn't that. The horse camp my daughter attended for 5 years adopted 3
yearlings every year for the kids to work with. When the kids went to the camp
for 6 years in a row, they were given the Mustang of their choice. Most of those
babies went to live with the kids who went to the camp. The rest were sold when
the owners retired. We purchased one my daughter worked with. I myself, would be
leary of adopting an older horse (having had experience with an older Arabian
rescue who was set in her ways), but after seeing how well all these
youngsters turned out, would not have a problem adopting another
one.
But I'll definitely agree, it's not for everyone.
And I think the original poster probably assumed we were all good horse people,
not Joe Q. Blow off the street. Wait, we've had this conversation before
...
Other things to factor into the BLM program costs
(ps I am not against the program):
Cost of building a fence big enough to keep the
equine in: in TX it has to be 6ft tall and a certain minimum sq
footage<--- That alone will buy you an already trained
horse
Cost to get there, ie how far away is the
'auction'-then bidding process
Injuries during the gentling process-time off
work, doctor bills, etc
Gelding the colts/stallion-this is upwards of
$125 plus the care afterwards--my guess hosing off a somewhat wild colt would
be another interesting challenge. --My dressage instructor says gelding
are made in heaven.
Broken tack-best to use the old stuff but still
something to consider.
Broken fences, disruption to other horses you may
have.
However, there are a lot of great success stories
if you can get thru all the extra risks.
This past weekend, I saw some 3yo qtr horses
being ridden by green riders and the horses were not bothered by
anything. They appeared to be 'working' qtr horses so were not so bulky
in muscle.
A good disposition can go a LONG way over looks
unless one really likes those 'extra challenges'.
A local trainer is 'sortof giving away' a
warmblood she has been working with for over 2 yrs.. he just likes to 'rodeo'
and won't stay 'trained'. We take a risk with every horse we ride
or try to train. Remember, the injuries you sustain will return to
mess up your life later on. Moderation is a good thing. Bull
riders and bronc riders eventually have their injuries catch up to them.
Personally, I still want to be riding at 75!!!
Happy Trails, Mary Ann
Subject: Re: [RC] buying on a budget
In a
message dated 9/7/2004 5:41:45 AM Pacific Standard Time, whytrotfarms@xxxxxxxxx
writes:
if you are serious about buying a good endurance horse
and paying a rock bottom price, get a mustang! you can
find one of just about any size, shape or color. prices start
at $125 for younger stock at the blm adoptions, but you can find
some 4 years old and up for $25! thats right, $25! that is
what i paid for a five year old mustang
stallion,
