Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, my problem horse has pretty much proven that he'd rather become an even bigger problem than allow himself to be worked with. We're simply going to have to sell him. He's EXTREMELY intelligent, and being a beginner in this horsey business, I am not the person to be trying to deal with this lunatic. Everyone in here has told me to send him to horsey boot camp, and I agree, but I think I'd rather not spend $1000 (which is almost what I paid for him) when I could just sell him and put that $1000 in training toward a good horse that I don't need to work with or be concerned about.
Now, how do you go about pricing a horse? He's gelded, he is BEAUTIFUL registered paint horse, about 14.2, and he has barrel racing bloodlines. He's 6 years old, going on 7, and talk about a smoooth ride. BUT, he is currently fearful/distrustful of people (I do NOT understand why, I think he's nuts!!!!), runs away from people, and is nearly impossible to get a lead rope on unless you clip it on him when he meets you at his stall door. Otherwise, to bring him into the barn, we have to bribe him with grain and have him follow another horse that I am leading. However, he's not mean about it. He doesn't kick or anything, and when I did ride him he never bucked. He USED to be ridable (with the use of a tie-down though, he gets his head up high and then takes off running, but with the tie down he was a little gentleman), he's a very smooth ride as I said, and he's got some Walker in him, and I think he may be gaited. I'm in Northern VA and I bought him from the NC/VA border for $1250. Should I simply ask for $1250, or has his value gone down below that, or is there a chance I can ask for higher? (Only want higher so I can afford to get a better horse) Higher wouldn't even be significantly higher... maybe just an even $1300 or $1400. Every little bit would help. But I'm still open to reason, and maybe there's no way in the world I can get more than $1250 out of him.
*sigh* What a shame. I really loved this horse before he went nuts... and no one can seem to explain it

I'm glad you made this decision to be honest. From what you have posted in the past, he seems like a horse that an experienced trainer needs to deal with. If he hasn't gotten better since you purchased him, I wouldn't raise his price, but some people get lucky with that stuff.
You said you have a couple other horses right? I, personally, would put the money toward a round pen to work on equitation (balance, etc) with my other horses. this is me, of course, and you definately don't have to listen to me
But I do tell you what, you ride a horse in a round pen bridleless.... it will give you quite a work out!! It also fine tunes your communication skills with your horse.
Good luck!

Ah good point, the roundpen! Of course Actually we've lucked out. Dad and I were cruising around tonight and noticed this place with a few paint horses and we decided just to be nosy to visit them and talk. Turns out they've been in the area just as long as we have (forever), know horses up and down, would be willing to let us keep them at their place, work with Pistol, teach me to work with Pistol, AND give me LESSONS on my good horsey! I'M SO EXCITED! We've already put our horses in their third paddock and the man said he's going to start working with Pistol tomorrow. And heck, if he decides he likes him enough, we could just sell him to this man instead! I'M SOOO THRILLED! These are people who even taught my *crappy* riding instructor a thing or two Amazing what being friendly neighbors can achieve. They said they used to have 30 horses and the man used to be in rodeos all the time and train horses and all sorts of things, and the woman is a vet and is just as big into horses as he is. Could I have asked for better?

Pricing can be tricky In fact, its the part I hate the most about selling horses!

To make matters worse, right now is a rough time to be selling horses because you're in the middle of winter (when people don't ride as much, and don't want an extra mouth to feed) and even worse, the economy is still struggling right now so a lot of folks just don't have the money right now.

So it boils down to what can you sell him for? And be careful, because you also want to be sure when you sell him, that he's going to someone who can handle him, not someone who just bought him because the price is right. I've sold horses before for less than what they were truly worth because they didn't fit with my program but I needed to get them moved on and in doing so, had to turn down many sells to people who were wanting to buy the horse only because the price was low - even though they had no business buying the horse. I won't sell a spunky youngster to someone as a child's horse - someone will get hurt.

I'd price him at what you bought him for, and until he sells, do as much ground work with him as you can, and be willing to negotiate on the price if the right person for the horse comes along. Good luck with him!
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PH Cody
HorseHobbyist Site Coordinator

How I wish more people were like you! We wouldn't sell him til Spring anyway, and like I just said to Botchlaeter, I am SO excited! We happened upon some great people this evening who not only are willing to work with him, but are HAPPY to! They WANT to! It was THEIR IDEA! I'm so thrilled. Even if he still ends up not being safe to keep, he'll be worth something to someone and I won't feel so bad about selling a crazy horse. Maybe we can uncrazy him And don't worry, Dad and I have the same concern you do. Only sell to an experienced person who wants to work with him. Besides, his sale would probably be fairly hush hush and only among a few horse people we know around here.
Wish us luck!

>>How I wish more people were like you! We wouldn't sell him til Spring anyway, and like I just said to Botchlaeter, I am SO excited! We happened upon some great people this evening who not only are willing to work with him, but are HAPPY to! They WANT to!

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PH Cody
HorseHobbyist Site Coordinator