I just dont get it?

[kaykay]

It seems lately there have been so many people getting in and out of minis in a matter of months. Its getting downright scarey! Or they are buying one day and selling down the next. Or they are so excited about a new horse and in 4 weeks the horse is up for sale and they have bought another new horse they are so excited about. Or how about the horse that is for sale and then isnt. And then is. And then isnt. I dont understand??

I do know there are cases where a life event happens and you have to sell. I have had to do that myself. But I dont do it consistently!! One minute they are selling out due to life circumstances and the next week they are buying again.

Please before you buy think ahead 5 years and where your life will be and your goals as a breeder. Breeding programs do change but not in a month.

It just makes me so sad to see these horses constantly moved from farm to farm. I have a mare here now that is 6 yrs old and has been transferred 6 times. She had a reputation of being a "nasty" mare. Well after a couple months of being handled daily she is NOT A NASTY MARE. I wouldnt feel too great about people either if I was moved every year of my life!

And just be aware that people do notice. I myself note this and would never sell a horse to someone who changes their mind weekly or monthly. Little King posted here once awhile back about being LOYAL to your horse. I liken it to always looking for the next best thing when the next best thing might be already in your pasture but you havent really looked in awhile

 

[Jill]

I'm not really for sure which farms you are talking about. It's never happy to see someone really going out of the business.

I know that personally, my goals in minis have changed really drastically over the past 18 months. I bought my first mini in 1999 and have had riding horses since 1995. My purchases before 18 months ago were exactly what I wanted at the time but my goal have changed from "just pets", to driving for fun and mid level showing, to a higher level of showing and breeding. It was necessary to have higher caliber halter type horses to get there on both counts. It doesn't mean I don't think my previous purchases are wonderful horses, however, some of them just do not fit in with the stallions I have or the current show aspirations.

So, to be fair to all my horses, it has been necessary to let several go on to homes where they will fit in and get more attention. It's not easy.

I've wondered (and I'm not saying you had me in mind -- I beleive the saying "You wouldn't worry what others think of you if you knew how seldomly they do"), but I have wondered if people think here Jill is buying these new horses and then selling these others. But, truly, there has been A LOT of thought put into the horses on all sides here and I think I'm there now. I have exactly what I need to move forward and have just one mare left to sell (who I've yet to advertise). I feel that with the exception of moving this one mare to her new home, I am pretty much set now and have what I need to do well at the shows and produce horses that will do well for myself and others at shows in halter and driving.

It's been a happy thing to me that I'm seeing the sale horses go on to people who are so excited and happy to have them, and they are going where they will be "the special ones", which is just as it should be.

Honestly, because you learn more and more about what you like in horses as time goes on, I do not feel it's at all possible to move forward with a goal and improve if you do not allow for change within your herd. I simply do not have the space nor the time to keep everything I have owned.

BUT, I am proud that really every horse I own is a better animal for having been mine. They've had their training furthered. Many learned to drive and do inhand performance as my horses. They grew from foals to healthy adults. They are leaving me better then they arrived so I feel I have done right by them all.

Also, I've got a few horses who could sprout a third ear and loose their tails. Turn green and cross eyed. They are NOT going anywhere because they are so special to me. This would be horses such as Derby, Lou, Eclipse and Sunny. Luckily for my eyes, they are awfully easy to look at but they are just all around easy horses to love and enjoy.

 

[Frankie]

Sometimes there are major, major life changes, we have no control and we hang on as long as we can. We think it is settled, under control, and here comes another one.

No matter the situation, as long as good homes, good people are found to care for them.

I'm sure it is not easy/simple for anyone.

 

[kaykay]

jill NO I WASNT TALKING ABOUT YOU.

And I have sold horses that I didnt want to due to circumstances such as our move from illinois to ohio. It does happen no doubt. And breeding programs change but its usually a gradual thing such as yours.

 

[Ginia]

Good mornin' Kay. Guess I'm going to kind of "echo" Jill's post here, my goals seem to have shifted over the past couple of years without my really noticing it for awhile. Got into the mini's in '95, with a goal of building up and "trading up" to get the quality and bloodlines I wanted in order to be breeding the quality foals I wanted to produce. Also do some "showing". Completely un-noticed by me for awhile, time kept marching on, and retirement years are no longer a far-off eventuality, but a face-to-face staring us right in the eye reality. Now, with my barn full to capacity with exactly what I was striving for, I realize that I really don't want to lay awake for weeks and weeks on end watching the foaling monitor anymore, 2 or 3 babies a year is plenty of responsibility and worry. And showing will consist of "maybe" 3 or 4 close-by breed shows a year and a little handful of county fair open shows with a 52" and under halter class and hopefully in the near future an open driving class (for those of you that haven't participated in open shows, I found out while I showed Arabs that they are WAY FUN. Not much stress, not much expense (just show out of your trailer), and hey guys, THEY HAVE PAYBACK.) So now, after having acquired what I wanted, I've made the decision to move a few of them on to other homes, cut back to just 6 to 8 horses, and find the time and energy to just ENJOY them. Do some driving, share them at nursery schools, nursing homes, etc., find a parade or two, and just sit out in the pasture and watch them. And again like Jill, those that I keep will be kept even if they have 3 ears, no tails, and are green or purple. After all, a gal can only be just "so" practical and sensible, we gotta have a few weaknesses, right?

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[kaykay]

I think you all are totally missing what im talking about LOL. For ginia and jill its not like you are selling out one day and getting back in a week later. Ginia youve been doing this since 95 so its not like you made a sudden decision to sell down. Not at all what this post meant.

Ive said twice there are life circumstances that make changes neccessary!! Those are not the people i am talking about.

Guess I shouldnt have posted this sorry!

 

[EAD Minis]

It is sad, I have herd alot of people talking about getting out of the minis and then deciding not to....its very confusing!!

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

Kay I thinks for some people and I do know some.. it is the high of a new purchase and then later the high of a sale that keeps them buying and selling over and over again each time with the "perfect" horse till the next perfect one comes along

which is of course very different then a breeding program and changes ect.. not always a bad thing that "high" buying but not always a good thing either

 

[littlesteppers]

I think I know what you saying..I seen farms selling OUT..EVERY year..turn around and buy new horses..

Makes you dizzy!!

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[OhHorsePee]

I know what Kay means! And I know she wasn't singling out anyone or trying to say selling is bad. She is wondering about when you see people starting out and then only having the horse for a very short time. Then keep a cycle of buy a horse and love it, swear you wont sell it, then BLAMMY! It's up for sale and they are buying a new one within a months time. I started out with unregistered and not so great conformation in horses. Kay has helped to educate me in these areas and point out these areas so my goals could change or at least have a goal. She is not against goal changes at all. She is just wondering what peoples opinions are of the why people switch so quickly. I have learnt on this forum that some times it takes a little time for a horse to "settle in" to their new environment and be the horse that they really are.

Fran

 

[Ginia]

I understood what you meant too Kay, guess I was just "vocalizing" my own situation and trying to figure out WHY things can change so drastically, WHY what sounded like such a great thing to me 2 or 3 years ago now seems like it isn't the thing to do :no: , and WHY this realization has come into being without, thank goodness, without any major crisis -- rather just a slow realization of shifting/changing goals. If we ever get to the point where we can fully understand the human mind (especially the one that dwells within our own head), it will be a GOOD thing LOL.

 

[Songcatcher]

When looking at ads that say they are "selling out" or "must drastically reduce thier numbers", I think a lot of it is just to get attention. I have seen some people who have been selling out for three years now and they still haven't sold out. Face it, "I want to sell because I want the money to buy something else" is not the best marketing tool. If we are to improve our breeding program and the breed overall, we have to cull and upgrade. What is a cull for one breeder may be an upgrade for another.

Of course, there are those whose numbers have gradually crept up on them and they decide they need to really cut down. And, I also know one person who bought four unregistered (and very poor quality) mares and a stallion a few months ago and was going to make big money on them. She had no idea what she was doing and now has them all for sale and is going to raise dogs.

 

[wcr]

Kay, don't worry about the wisdom of posting this as it is a good thread. I think we all need to sit down and figure out who is just changing horses constantly and stay away from them and those that are truely trying to better their herd. The majority of people get minis, get hooked and realize they were barn blind to the quality and then start upgrading. Very few people start out into horses in general and put together a solid plan before they start buying.

Sandy at Eclipse is one of the few I know who did this and is way ahead in her game plan but she had Michelle and I to guide her in the right direction and bought top horses from the beginning. I am not barn blind and know I have some areas that I should improve but I am too attached to some of my horses so I live with it.

I dispersed my paint herd and have just gotten back into them for the next couple years because my new daughter really has a passion to learn from the ground up about the horse game and I am the best to give her this knowledge. I met her when she bought my last paint and now this stinking horse is back in my barn along with a new halter filly and the kid is riding with a world class trainer and showing breed shows. For a 17 year old girl she has some real horse power sitting in my barn. I was ready to slow down and sell off most of my minis and here I am with a new stallion to start promoting and a new breeding plan and I only see my show schedule starting to fill up again.

Life happens to all of us and change is not a bad thing and sometimes that means changing horses but not to be confused with the thrill seekers of buying and selling.

 

[Loess Hills]

I've noticed, also, there does seem to be a lot of people getting in and out of the miniature horse business. Seem to be lots of farms dispersing, or retiring, or something going on! You're right, some seem to purchase a new horse, are all excited about it, advertise, blab about this wonderful horse, and then, a few months later, it seems, the horse is for sale.

I guess everyone knows the average market is not real great, but a quality horse is always a quality horse, and you hope they'll be in a good home.

 

[capall beag]

I think that is an excellent post Kay!

You know I have done it too, quick turn around that is, but I didn't intend to and one in particular I really regret because he was an awesome horse and I should have just kept him!

I do think with Minis it is exaggerated because people often start out with a 'cute' mini and then as they gain knowledge they want/need to upgrade.

I also know I have sold on horses that I had planned to keep but they just did not mesh with everyone else and it made it too hard going on me to seperate everyone!!

However, that said I think your point is completely right and I think I have made bad decisions, I did make sure they went on to good homes but still it isn't right, IMO!

Some of it comes from buying over the internet and getting not what you expected! and you know it the second the ramp drops on the trailer!

However, for some people they are really just fancy livestock but for me I think they are much more and I do think the way so many horses change hands so rapidly is sad.

I am glad you posted, for me it reiterated what I already know but it was a good reminder to me!

Thanks!

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[Ashley]

When looking at ads that say they are "selling out" or "must drastically reduce thier numbers", I think a lot of it is just to get attention. I have seen some people who have been selling out for three years now and they still haven't sold out. Face it, "I want to sell because I want the money to buy something else"

I dont think that is the right way to look at it either. In my case I am cutting back. I want to get down to 4 or 5 at the most since im haveing a hard time decideing who to sell to get down to 4. I want to cut back because I want to go to school, and I need less to pay for up keep on. And after last weekend with my colt I relized just how fast a big vet bill can hit you. I couldnt afford school and have as many as I do, plus have a good chunk set aside for each of them should I need it for emergancys.

 

[SWA]

 

[Songcatcher]

When looking at ads that say they are "selling out" or "must drastically reduce thier numbers", I think a lot of it is just to get attention. I have seen some people who have been selling out for three years now and they still haven't sold out. Face it, "I want to sell because I want the money to buy something else"

I dont think that is the right way to look at it either. In my case I am cutting back. I want to get down to 4 or 5 at the most since im haveing a hard time decideing who to sell to get down to 4. I want to cut back because I want to go to school, and I need less to pay for up keep on. And after last weekend with my colt I relized just how fast a big vet bill can hit you. I couldnt afford school and have as many as I do, plus have a good chunk set aside for each of them should I need it for emergancys.

Sorry, I didn't mean it to sound like I didn't ever think anyone was actually reducing or selling out. I know some actually do and I have helped a couple of people reduce/sell out because of circumstances. I was referring to some who have advertised they are selling out and asking outragous prices. I know of one in particular that has advertised that she is selling out for 3 years now and still has the horse (very over priced in my opinion and evidently in others also as she still has him.) If a person was truely serious about selling out, I would think they would lower their price to what the market will accept within that amount of time.

 

[nootka]

Hm. Yeah, I notice it, too.

I don't think some people give the horses the credence a living thing should get, as in, it feels insecure and nervous in new surroundings, also they are creatures of habit and often don't do so well when moved around constantly.

There's a person in this region that buys horses almost obsessively, only to sell within weeks, sometimes months, but always it's a "hurry come get this horse now" to the point of having to give them away. I don't know if they are looking for some perfection that doesn't exist, but when they buy, they brag on this or that quality, how perfect they are, etc. In some cases, they buy back the horses they just sold and so on. I would guess in the five years or so that I have known this person, they have bought and sold their "herd" at least a dozen times from watching the sales ads. Many times it's a case of not wanting to have minis at all, other times, not breeding, the next time they are looking for breedable mares, so I am confused, though I would guess there are mental issues. Just glad none of my horses went there since I think they care well for the horses, but will sell them within a short amount of time anyway. It's just that predictable.

Aside from those types, I guess there will always be people who don't know how the horses will impact their lives, also they have to learn from experience and can't find out beforehand how having the horses will change things and can they live with it, i.e., do some research.

Liz M.

 

[whitney]

I've ALWAYS wondered WHY sellers feel COMPELLED to EXPLAIN in a general sale ad their reason for selling. Don't tell unless your asked by a prospective buyer. I find those kinds of ads suspect. Because of exactly what KayKay is saying "in one day, out the next", just a way IMHO of getting rid of the undesirables.

I judge the horse and could care less why they are selling it. If I don't catch defects I doubt the seller would point them out to me. I have NEVER read a sale ad that listed ANY defects as the reason behind why they are selling.

When I read "my breeding program is taking a new direction........................that translates to me the seller feels they have an undesirable horse, in their eyes. If they don't want it neither do I.

I buy horses for LIFE. So I buy horses of breeding/show quality. And because I have them for LIFE they are EXACTLY what I am looking for. Because one of the questions I ask myself BEFORE I buy is: Will you be happy with this horse for 30 yrs? Granted over the years I have purchased horses that needed to get out of their current home, but I always purchased them KNOWING I would train them and then PLACE them in the best possible home. And thank GOD I have never been forced to sell a horse because of money or family circumstances.