The FreeRepublic Saddle Club thread - Thread TWO!

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Hello, home from work.

I'm going to ask a rhetorical question that could turn into a rant:)

I have actually gotten a response about Harley from one of the internet ads I placed. I just talked to the lady. They are coming out in the morning to see him. I really doubt they will buy, she already said I was asking more then they want to pay, but want to see him in case they don't find something in the price range they want.

In the course of the conversation she was telling me that her daughter 10 years old, has been taking lessons at a local stable. I know it, it's a pretty highty tighty one:), for a bout a year.

She proceeded to tell me that one reason they really don't want to pay so much for the horse is they will board it at this stable, and it is very expensive place, because they horses are so well taken care of, (this is my rant), stalls, shavings, good feed, etc, etc.

Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with that stuff, BUT in my opinion that stuff doesn't mean a hill of beans, and can cause problems for a horse. Why or why do people think that because they are providing all this stuff means anything to the horse. IMO, horses are happier being horses. Horses stalled are not happy horses. (I'm not talking about the way you do it either, I use to stall my at night in the winter till they got free choice). AND why or why would someone take an old cheap horse that they bought for their kid and then pay for that ole cheap horse to have that kind of care???? Does that make sense.

I don't know if I'm saying what I want to say:) But this just doesn't make sense. When they call in the morning, I'm going to ask a few more questions, and may just blow it off. I don't want to deal with idiots again with this horse, even if they did pay my price:)

Becky

[MissTargets]

There are mats in the stalls and the aisle. It's flat and low here, and we do get a lot of water laying around, in wet weather. The barn does sit up higher than the ground, so it stays dry.

Thanks for the info about posting pics.

[HairOfTheDog]

I wouldn't want a horse stalled either with little or no turnout. I don't think it's good for a horse. If that is really what this other place means, I have no idea why they think it's good. Big money places I know to board at have nice stalls, nice barns and offer good feed, but they also have daily turnout, rain or shine.

[deaconjim]

Another good link:

http://www.www.stablewise.com

[CindyDawg]

Well all the affection and time in the world won't stop me from shooting her if she becomes uncontrollable.Money might be a selling factor and her saving grace though:')

[CindyDawg]

Maybe I'm the wrong person to butt into your conversation with Hair but if these people can't afford Harley, they sure aren't going to be able to afford his keep. To some I think it's a status thing. For me it was insecurity. I felt like the more I could do the less chance something would happen and I would cause my horse to get injured or die. Maybe that's where they are at.

The not turning them out sounds strange though. all horses get good feed here. The one's in the pasture don't get as much but they don't need it. I don't know what you are asking now but I figure they are looking at around 4800 dollars a horse for just for a years stalling!

[CindyDawg]

How's Sugar doing?

[CindyDawg]

So how do multiple pictures work? I've been copying and pasting and then going back and getting another one.

[HairOfTheDog]

if these people can't afford Harley, they sure aren't going to be able to afford his keep.

To a large extent, I agree. They have to be able to take a few thousand dollar hit without bankruptcy... but on the other hand, Harley is at the high end of the pleasure horse price range. His price is a factor in most people's budget, where it shouldn't be the deal breaker on a $1000 horse.

I've been a potential customer looking at boarding stables... some of them are nice and bright and new looking, and some of them were built 30 years ago, are run down and many of the boards have been chewed through without repair. It's eye appeal, and access to things like arenas and trails, that would be the big factor for me, in addition to pasture turnout.

[HairOfTheDog]

That's what you have to do... She's talking about something else.... having the pictures lay out side by side instead of vertically.

[CindyDawg]

I could see that, buying one but to board an older, not as presentable one might actually offer the best care.

[HairOfTheDog]

They might, but when fences and stalls are rickety and in poor repair, manure isn't picked up and there's no where to stand but mud, you get a feeling for the care they put into it. Lots of horses are hard on a place, and those spiffy, landscaped stables look awfully nice. I hope to be one of those spiffy places someday.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well, ecurbh and I are going to go out... on a date of sorts.... to our pub for some pizza. See you all in awhile.

[CindyDawg]

Have fun:')

[Duchess47]

Oh, this is a great link it looks like. I'm pinging CindyDawg on this too so she can look through it. Thanks.

By the way, how's Sugar doing?

[tuffydoodle]

Hey, you left me in the middle of that animal slaughter discussion and now they are trying to slaughter me.

[tuffydoodle]

Anybody want to help me in a debate over kosher slaughter? I'm sorry, I just don't see slitting an animals throat and letting it bleed to death to be a humane way of slaughter.

[CindyDawg]

Cindydawg just did the cutest thing. I heard her crying and went to see what was wrong. She was in the garage. Eddie had left the door up. I closed it and she hushed and walked on in the house.

[CindyDawg]

Maybe later. I'm mellow tonight and want to stay that way:')

[tuffydoodle]

Yeah, I don't blame you one bit. I think I'll bow out of the argument for now. Getting back to it is pointless, anyway. Nobody is going to change their minds and they are starting to get hateful. Leave it to the people who like being cruel to animals to also be mean to people.