Craigslist fun times.... or maybe not so much

1. "5 Year old Paint QH Stallion - $300   Doc is a beautiful paint stallion....We got him to breed with our mares and he did that... His previous owners said he was ride-able??? But he is way to aggressive for me. We thought if he calmed down we would ride him and then cut him but I am not gonna deal with that. Make an offer... Will trade for a calm gelding or? Has Current Coggins... ONLY SERIOUS CALLERS "

Their other ad for him.

"Horse: Paint QH Stallion. 5 year old - $1- Paint Quarter Horse "Stallion". Not PAPERED. Has current coggins. Make an OFFER. Willing to trade? Call or text. Good home ONLY!"

Seriously? You want him to be less aggressive and calm and you think letting him loose with a herd of mares (and donkeys apparently) to have sex and nothing else, is the way to go?! If you want him to calm the fuck down, geld him *FIRST*. Oh, I'm sorry, you clearly know he should be gelded, but you don't want to 'deal with that'. 

Well, I think you're a lazy sack of **** that is dumping their problem on CL for some other idiot after making more future grade spotty horses that will probably also not get gelded or worked with because, god forbid, that's actual work! No one is going to trade their calm, broke gelding for a hormone crazed stud with a funky shoulder, nestastic neck, thick throat latch and apparent lack of butt. 

Ugh. Breeding lots of spotted babies and then dumping the sire for a whopping $300 or best offer. If your stallion is only worth $300..... DON'T MAKE MORE. YOU WILL NOT MAKE MONEY.  And you don't need a spotted baby of your very own- you just don't. If you do feel the need just go to the auction and pick one up for $15-45. In other news, he'd probably make a cute little trail gelding. 

2. "for sale mare breed horse - $425

for sale breed QH grade mare blase face red sorrels three & half years old breed to red blanket butt app stud very gentle an halter broke well, green broke on saddle asking 425 obo call are text (removed) can text pics of horse" 

Yes, because clearly your grade done nothing, totally unspectacular sounding mare realllly needed a baby but it’s okay because it’s from a sooper special stud with a blanket- on his butt!  My money is on “we didn’t know ‘ol sorrel would have sex with her little friend, they’d always done played so nice together! Couldn't even be bothered to upload a picture, then again they didn't bother to proofread at all either.

3. "2yr.old paint for sale and new saddle - $400.  I have a 2yr.old paint with new saddle still in box, lead rope and halter for sale, just the saddle alone is worth 200 so your getting a steal. The horse is very gentle and my 11 yr old son rides him bare back in the round pin. Her name is Honey Badger and she will follow you around like a dog. Im only selling her because where I have her is no longer available to me and I don't have room at my house. She is currently on a 70 acre pasture. She also has up tp date coggins. Like I said earlier your getting a steal so the price is firm. If your intrested you can also text or call." 

First off, is it a him or a her? Honey badger apparently takes a lot of shit from people and needs a new name. Honey badger wants better food and grooming and your helmetless kid to get the hell of its underdeveloped back. Honey badger would also like a good curry because that fur looks funky and uncomfortable. 

Good lord, that back (I know being butt high will hopefully even out with age, but age won't help that shoulder or neck or insanely awful croup.) and oh the poor baby just screams "upgrade me!"

3."Quarter Horse Stud Service - $300  We have 2 stud horses that have award winning blood lines. If you would like to breed your mare, please give us a call...

1st - Mister Playboy To You - "Mister" is a Palomino that has produced great babies with wonderful dispositions

2nd - Chocolate Nickster - "Nickster" is a Chestnut with 3 white stockings and his mother was "Nickidator", with ROM acheivement"

Why are you a stallion?! Also, which one are you? You sure aren't either listed.  Oh, Wooops, okay blonde moment. I *think* the two stallions are actually in the back half of the picture and partially hidden. Thank god. Let's just hope they aren't breeding that one. But really, if you're trying to sell breeding services... you might want to make sure that people can see the horses you're offering! God forbid you catch them and take real pictures....

Presenting, today's classy Arkansas breeder of the day!

4. "3 year old gaited Gelding - $600 3 year old Spotted saddle horse. The mare and stallion are both registered. He has one blue eye and very gentle, easy to handle, Brown and white. Started braking him today (10-21-12) No buck no crow hop stood still to get on very smooth. Will make someone a great horse. "

Nice halter there....

All I can say is thank god it's a gelding. But those pictures?!!! Why?! You couldn't even bother stealing a halter off one of the other horses for some pictures? That lead rope makes them look real classy. That neck is the poster child for bad upside down necks. His expression is just plain ugly (mine would be too if someone had bred me like that) and the neglected looking mane..... Who'd pay $600 for that?! This is proof that registered stock do not always create nice foals. 

5. 9 year old spotted saddle horse mare - $600 Register spotted saddle horse mare. Tricolor 13.3 hands. Beautiful horse needs riding. will make a wonderful horse. Very flashy and Smooth.

Beautiful would be one of the many words I would *not* use when describing that mare. Because everyone wants a runty sized spotted horse with awful conformation.... Just look at those turned out feet and itty bitty chests. Well, the big black/dark bay on the end actually look that bad at least.

6. 

"2 year old Spotted Saddle Horse filly - $400 Mare and Stallion are register in Spotted Saddle Horse and the stallion is also register in Missouri Fox trotter. Brown and white."

*Sigh* That's it. No more breeding for you. Not ever. That roan actually looks like a decent mare (if that's the mother) so what piece of shit stallion did you breed her to in order to get those foals? I'm assuming they bred them-  if not- someone did anyway. Maybe they didn't, heck maybe they bought the mares from a sale already bred... I can dream right? Right? But the stall picture is obviously all on you.  Nothing like advertising your poorly bred/built horse in a mass of manure to spark a buyers interest and make your horse look better by comparison. Then again, maybe someone will take pity and upgrade her? 

7. Double registered Gaited Stallion - $750 Double registered -SSHBEA (spotted saddle horse) and MFT(Missouri fox trotter) stallion 7 years old. Black and White with Blue eyes Colts on farm to show offspring. Very good Disposition

Found him!   So this is the stud to all of the spotty fuglies above. What is up with that back end? I notice they  don't say that he's smooth, could that be because his conformation would make his gait horrific? I think so... If that was my stud and he produced babies like these, I wouldn't brag about it and I'd get him gelded so fast his head would spin. 

Sorry, I'm not adding the nice things today because we just finished picking up and unloading another hundred bales of hay (thankfully not in 106 heat this time) and I'm all itchy. Have I mentioned that I'm allergic to hay.... and horses... I chose a smart passion to pursue!

Craigslist goodies

Here are some CL/HC ads- you'll see a lot of these. I'm going to try and say at least one nice thing about each ad in addition to the bad. 

1. 

"Bella is a beautiful 5 year old finished western pleasure show horse. I have owned her since she was 6 months old. My husband and I trained Bella. I have show her the last 3 years. As a two year old she went to the Mid South Futurity. When she was a three year old I won high point halter mares and high point Jr. Horse with her. Bella is easy to show and you dont have to ride her to death to get it done. She is 14.1 hands tall and when in show condition she will weigh in around 1200 lbs. Bella is a solid sorrell with a star, strip and snip. The only reason she is for sale is I have recently purchased a finished cutting horse and im gonna to do more of that this year and do not want her to just stand in the pasture. Im askimg $4500.00 for this show mare and for what she is thats a great price. Dont miss out on this wonderful horse. She is currently in the pasture and has not had a winter blanket on."

You know, this actually sounds like a nice little horse with decent owners and a good looking future. But the pictures they chose are just….. what? At least, I’m assuming it’s just a funky picture angle- it looks like they took a picture of their computer screen for some reason. The front legs in the first picture are terrifying! The head looks like it was mutated and in reality I’d bet this is actually a really cute little horse- even with the small feet and short legs. I bet she would make a nice youth mount. This is an example of a good ad, nice sounding horse, but sabotaging pictures. Seriously, you are only as strong as your worst picture. Replace them asap and I’d bet you get a whole lot more replies. If you’re going to ask a higher price than most CL ads, you’re going to have much better pictures than everyone else too. Hopefully someone will look past that and she'll end up carrying around some excited teen to a ribbon. 

Now for a worse ad.

2. "he is a good horse he bean having truble...black and brown" 

(Yes that really is all the information- the he is a good horse part came from the title, not the ad)

Ad Type: For Sale Status: Available Name: lighting Breed: Thoroughbred

Gender: Gelding Color: Black Height: 17.00 hands Temperament: 8 (1 - calm; 10 - spirited)

Age: 14 yrs Registered: No Price: $ 500

Umm, anyone want to bet how much TB that horse actually has in it? If that's a 17 hand horse, then my draft cross is 19 hands.... ((he's 15.1)) That looks like a god damn pony. The good: Uh, at least they don't have a huge shank in his mouth? 

On to Ad three! 

3. TRAIN AND BRAKE A HORSE - $1

LOOKING FOR SOMEONE IN THE AREA THAT CAN TRAIN AND BREAK A 2 1/2 YR OLD MARE FOR ME I'M THE ONLY ONE WITH INCOME TAKING CARE OF A DISABLE HUSBAND AND GRANDDAUGHTER I BOUGHT THIS HORSE FOR MY GRADDAUGHTER THE HORSE WAS FINE FOR THREE DAYS AFTER THAT THE HORSE RAIRS UP AT HER PLEASE CALL ME WITH A OUOTE  THAT YOU

Oh my god. That horse doesn't even look like a yearling! Bet's on how much the last seller lied to them? What's with the fencing?! Where do I begin? Oh, I know. Sell the horse and get a nice older horse for your poor granddaughter- or don't have horses since it looks like that's your only one and it doesn't sound like you know anything about having horses yet.  So they probably don't have good tack- if any- no wonder the horse rears. It's probably never even been ridden before and was in shock. Lessons- have them instead of paying for training.Even if it isn't a yearling it clearly has a lot of growing up to do. Please sell the horse to a  good home before someone gets hurt. Please. I'm sure they probably have good intentions, but this is NOT what your granddaughter needs and I really don't want to see this horse a few months later end up on the slaughter truck or starving. The good: Umm.... Ummm... Uhhh, oh! The halter looks nice and flashy and they don't leave it on in the pasture! 

My mother told me to choose the very best one and you are it!

I wanted to have another auction report, the two monthly sales were this weekend, but unfortunately couldn't  because I still had my two projects. We had someone come try the mare and liked her, they were going to take her but didn't because they want her coggins redone. It's a nasty thing to get so I can understand the concern, it's just frustrating and time consuming- especially when it's out of my pocket. Her coggins doesn't have a name (because in all honesty they pretty much never do at an auction), says 'adult' in the age but mainly because the horse on the paper doesn't have a star and a lot of places won't accept a non exact match. It concerns me because we forgot to ask for a deposit and we've been burned by buyers in the past who talked themselves out of buying the horse during this kind of thing.
They lazy ass auction vets didn't draw on her goddamn very visible star- but they did draw and write that she has a partial sock on a hind foot. I'm going to call up my vet tomorrow and see how long it takes to get a coggins back from him, if it's more than a few days (I think it is) I'm probably going to trailer her and the gelding (his was from before the auction) to the Conway Sale barn on tuesday between classes which start that day- eek, and have them do the one hour coggins there. It's what a lot of people do because it's I think it's $30 and anyone can get it done.
I used to get really excited when I'd go to look for a project and see a  NICE looking horse outside and I'd wait and wait for it to come through and it never would. I was very frustrated until I learned that they were just there to pull coggins. *sigh* Glad they weren't being run through in the long run. Anyway, I'm not worried about her being positive or anything (the test tube number went with her tag number, they had her hind sock, we've had her for 3-4 months, I (sort of) know the previous owner (I've talked to him at auctions and sat by him a few times so we chatted then and when I got her- and after when I had some questions.) it's just frustrating!

So, now that I've got that out of my system, I'm going to talk about what I look for when trying to find a new rehab project at auctions. In reality I rarely buy the horses on my list that I've checked out- normally one comes into the ring and I just go *Oh! That's the one!* because I didn't see them before or they weren't saddled or tied.
(I think the first one who I had listed was a grulla AQHA mare they were riding outside- cute but 'smeh' build then. Same owner had her since birth and just needed to downsize she was a good age and had decent papers. Here's a picture because, well, I like showing off horses and because she got a whole lot better looking with conditioning. I got her, extremely late in the night, for $400. Never would have gotten her if she had been earlier because she would have gone out of my range.

When going to an auction: (I always bring a mini notebook and pencil- if I find a horse I like I write down the number and what I find out about the horse- especially color and sex.)

1. Most people know to check for a horse who's been drugged (see if they respond when you wave a hand at their eyes quickly- this will also show if they're blind) or gassy eyed just standing there lifelessly. You can also ask most of the people there- many will be happy to rat someone out, especially if they're selling a horse themselves.
2. Look the horse over for injuries- old or new. If  old, how bad do they look? Did it possible cause nerve or muscle damage?
3. Check the feet- while overgrown cracked feet can be trimmed, they're also a sign that the horse has probably been out to pasture for a while and not worked. Overly short indicates they just trimmed them- probably that day- which could mean they hadn't been touched in  while as well. Shod horses generally indicate a working horse- you don't really shoe a horse you never ride- but I prefer barefoot.
4. Look at the mane and the tail- are they brushed? Are they snarled and twisted like no one's brushed them in years? Because if so, they probably haven't, another sign of a horse who will need a tune up. Do they show signs of someone very recently yanking or cutting out dreadlocks? Is it show sheened with a bridle path (preferably shaved not snipped)? If so, the owners actually care about presenting their horse as best as possible and the horse has probably received regular attention and grooming. This one is a good sign.

(She also had pancake feet)

5. Does the horse have any cuts on their forehead- recent or scarred? This is usually a sign that they injured themselves in the trailer ride so they could be hard to load or not used to ever being near a trailer. Could also mean the other horses with it are just violent.
6. Is the horse okay with being handled all over? This only applies when you can actually go in the stalls before the sale-be careful not to be kicked by your horse or another one with them.
7. Check the teeth for age or sores (if they have sores you can pretty much count on a behavior problem as their reason for being there-idiots.)
8. ALWAYS check for balls. Stallions should always be in a pen by themselves- but sometimes they're just tied instead. Also look for milk bags with mares.
9. How friendly is the horse? Does it come up to you looking for treats or petting? This usually is a good sign the horses owners treated them with some care and attention and didn't just beat the ever living shit out of them. I always show up with my pockets stuffed with carrot bits.
10. Is the horse biting the others in the pen or kicking them? Not always a sign of an aggressive horse in real life but good to notice.
11. If possible, try to talk to the owner. Sometimes you can ask people around the horse if they know anything or who the owner is. If you can find and talk to the owner you can find out information and sometimes even ride the horse first. Good owners will often try and hang out by their horse for this reason or be riding them outside. Be warned, these horses will always go for more money because it's not as much of a gamble.
If the owner is riding the horse and willing to let you or anyone else ride, it's probably a pretty nice horse. While they will go for more, it's worth it. I once saw a horse, unregistered, average height and a non flashy color, sell for $1300 because the person was outside for hours before the sale riding it and they even did a back flip off the horse. The trader who owned the horse has a pretty good eye for horses and actually trains the ones he gets- he's also fairly honest and once informed me about another seller's dishonesty. This brings me to my next point.
12. Don't assume the horse is kid broke because a kid is on it! Those kids are usually little broncy bastards who'll climb on anything. The person above told me about a guy who had a horse with his two little girls on it who told me a whole long story which sounded nice and flowery. (I actually watched the horse during all it the speech which told me the truth anyway and wrote 'Do not buy!!!' on my paper.)
13. The auctioneer probably knows jack shit about the horse; even if they say they do. Common phrases include:
Anyone can ride! Buy the best! Kid safe horse! Best horse of the night! And so on.
14. I always look for a kind eye.
15. In the ring- are they ridden though? If not, do they say they're broke to ride- if so, why the hell aren't they riding it or paying someone else to? Probably a sign you don't want to climb up there either. If they are ridden through, do their ears ever go back to the rider  looking for cues or are they clearly terrified of what's going on? This should never be a deal breaker because it's a scary time for any horse.
15.  Is the horse dehydrated? If so, they're either too nervous to drink or the owner hasn't given them anything to drink all day or even longer- which may make them much more docile than normal.
16. How upset does the owner look? They probably aren't a trader if  they do look really sad or upset to be there- it's probably just bad luck or something. This type of person usually actually has nice horses. They'll usually be happy to talk to you after the sale as well.
17. Don't believe anyone who says their horse is broke to ride that does't ride them through or at least lead them. This is a huge warning sign! Do check for white rub spots though- then it might actually be true. More likely is that the horse has some real issues to work out under saddle.
18. Did the horse rear or buck in the ring? Could be behavior but most horses are in too much shock/panic to act up. Often this is because the rider didn't adjust the bridle to fit the horse or is spurring them nonstop. Gaping mouths and head shaking is usually because of that and a strange bit.
(It can even be because asshats in the back are torturing them right before with sticks or cattle prods. They do this so the KB's can get them as well as "sport". Someone once had to physically restrain me from beating the ever living shit out of someone who was hitting a fallen horse. The horse had clearly never been touched and had fallen down because of all the horses and couldn't get up because they kept stepping on him. Really wish I could have hit the guy, would have been worth getting kicked out.)
19. Ask people who the kill buyers are. They'll tell you.
20. Find out who the big traders are. If they're overweight they probably just buy from one sale, put them on pasture and take them to another without doing anything.

I kind of give every horse a semi behavior free pass during the sale- it could just be nerves and a new place. I've been told I bought a mean horse or a kicker who turned out to be a big softie who never started any fights.
I'm sure I have more but I can't recall them. It's really a 'feel' thing for me.

We can't always get what we want......

So I'm going to complain about some of the dumb "Wanted" ads I see all the time. Now, I guess it never hurts to ask....except when it's on the internet and everyone can see it and you seem like an entitled asshole. Then it does. So here are some ads and  why you can either get a 'custom' horse and pay the price, or you can take a nice non flashy horse for your price range.

Anyway, this all started because my mother asked me what I'd do when I'm finally going to shop for a horse for myself (once my gelding passes away- hopefully a very long time from now. He's between 17-21 and came abused and a body scale of 2.) which really made me think. In all reality I'd probably just fall for one of my rehab projects and keep them. BUT if I really went another way, I'd want a foal or a yearling that either hadn't been messed with or had been messed with in a way I approved of.  It would be kind of nice to have a horse that no one else had the chance to screw up yet. That hadn't had a shitty life... The only way to do that would probably be in utero or from a respectable farm I could go to often until weaning. 

I'd feel guilty bringing another horse into the world but the type of horse I'd be breeding for would be really hard to find at a semi reasonable price once born. 

(Peruvian Paso Stallion- CKG Terosoro)

(I did really want a foal out of this handsome boy- his hair got even longer, he was sweet, easy to handle, show record, well kept and so gentle a child could handle him. He and our paso mare would have made an adorable bay baby if she had only been registered.... or I needed a foal.)

I admit, I'm a sucker for Andalusian's  Friesian's and of course, my Paso fino's and Peruvians. I love hair and spirit and a sassy intelligent attitude. I'd probably have to breed for the Andalusian or Friesian but I wouldn't breed for the Paso- I can find a really nice weanling for well under $3,500. 
Thinking about this I decided to browse horseclicks for those type of babies. Which is where I found these lovely gems- some awful and some not so bad.

1. "I am looking for a friesian,gypsy or an Andalusian. I would like to have a horse the color preferably back and the horse doesn't have to be a purebred but I don't want a stallion. I will take a gelding and I won't go more than 100 miles from my home. I would like a horse that is 2-15 in age. No calls I more than likely wont answer. And I would like a horse as soon as possible." 


And I want someone to give me lots of money and free tack and for people to stop breeding crappy horses as soon as possible but you know what, we have to make reasonable requests.

The price they have listed? $1,000. It’s a good to have an idea of what you want when horse shopping, but if you get too specific, especially if you aren't willing to pay a lot, it's going to make sure you never get a horse.  Especially if it’s a breed that’s popular and flashy that a lot of people want. You want them for the same reason everyone else wants them and that is why they aren't cheap! 
 Also, “I want a horse asap but won’t answer calls” makes you sound rather like an entitled brat. Take that out if you want even a chance of someone replying.  I'm really hoping they're like 14 or something...

Here is an option of a *good* wanted ad that I found.

"Hello, my name is (removed) I'm looking for a horse that needs to fit these qualities:
1. Broke to ride 2. Safe for a youth/beginner 3. Fine around cows 4. Under $500 5. Above 14 hands. Doesn't HAVE to be a Quarter horse. I would ride it around a farm so it needs to be used to dogs, cows, etc. Please comment if you have/know of a horse that fits! I've been looking everywhere and can't seem to find one! Doesn't have to be a gelding, I had to pick one." 

I like this person, they seem young but reasonable and they took the time to proofread- yay! No mention of color, breed, or most importantly age. If you're looking for a kid safe horse under $500, you will probably need to be okay with a horse in its teens or older. I hope they get the horse they're looking for as they seem like a decent home just from the ad. 

I've been seeing the following ad for almost 2 years, and they will never get what they want because it’s well, just a little unreasonable. There are plenty of nice horses out there if people would just get over something like color. You don’t ride color- you ride training, conformation and temperament. 
2. "Wanted Horse Trail, Playday Show Loud Color
Want to buy a Finished, Trail, Show Playday, Trick Or Trail Horse. No Buck,Spook,Rear or Kick. Like Gaited also Bald face overo Blue Eyes but does not have to be. Have Cash for the right Horse. Will have a nice Barn plenty of Hay,Feed and attention. Bombproof Loud Colored.Cal Text or e-mail Pics and Price." 

This is the bad but not too bad one. At least they mention the good home part and don't want a super rare breed and they didn't say under $xxx. It's slightly implied, but you can't have everything without doing some work. In the past they also had gelding and some more things...at least it's getting better? But what's up with the weird capitalization? 

'What do you mean I can't have everything! TV told me I deserved it and shouldn't settle for less!'


3. "I am looking for a friesian that is bomb proof kid safe with a wonderful personality that is wonderful at dressageI want a gelding and I do have a budget so this horse can't be crazy expensive if you have a friesian email me at..." 

 I will say this once- and in all honesty probably many more times-  you will not get that type of horse at that price!  And that is a good thing- it means the market isn't completely dead. You can be super specific and pay a lot more or you can try and find the right horse. Because paying over $14,00 for that type of horse isn't very crazy expensive. 

 I don’t particularly like washy colored sorrels with huge heads, bad conformation and a body scale of -2 but I still bought one and he’s still with me 9 years later and I wouldn't trade him for any horse. Never regretted buying him…. (Okay not entirely true- he’s pulled some pretty bratty acts.) But he fit my price range and eventually filled out into a decent looking boy and great partner who will never be sold.  A good horse is NEVER a bad color. 

4.  “NO HORSE FOR SALE! I am looking for a Friesian Gelding that has all the classic characteristics. Long thick mane and tail, and feathers. Must be broke and a calm temperament! I will not pay a penny more than $2,000! It doesn’t matter if the Friesian is registered  or not. He must not have any vices and be 100% sound. Please contact me if I have your dream horse! Would be willing to trade my QH gelding for the perfect horse!” 

Sure, I have your perfect horse…for about $9,000-25,000….. If you can’t find one within your price range anywhere, there is probably a reason! 

Now in a moment of sheet luck a few years back I actually did find a Friesian cross mare, black, decent amount of hair for $800. She wasn’t super tall and they’d trimmed her feathers for some unknown reason. They listed her locally as a TWH and said she was stubborn, hard to catch, etc mare. I jumped on the phone the moment I saw it and called before anyone else. “I want your mare, I have cash and I can come with a trailer tonight!” He couldn’t show her until Monday- longest weekend of my life. Filled with calls saying “You haven’t sold her yet right?! We are REALLY interested.” He told me a whole list of faults: high strung, didn’t stop, bolted, barn sour, didn’t turn, didn’t stand for saddling, bla bla bla. I saw a dream project. I said I didn’t care- I've wanted a Friesian for years and have never been able to afford one- I’ll work with whatever. I’m sure I've ridden worse. 

To break up the text, this is the mare. Note the lovely burrs in her hair and huge saddle sores and bot eggs. 

 

 I went and saw her and her main problem (the owner who had no business owning a breed like that without knowing how to work with them) paid in cash and loaded the terrified thing up. Upon bringing her home it became clear that while she needed a tune up, she was puppy dog sweet, willing and followed you everywhere. After her tune up and some training she was beginner safe- throw someone who had never touched a horse on for a trail ride safe- and smooth and responsive.

Finally, NO one is going to trade their Friesian for a Quarter horse. Unless by some chance you have a REALLY nice expensive show horse…. Unlikely. Oh my, a quarter horse, how rare, oh where could I possibly find one of those?! 

It's fine to have ideas about what you want, if you're willing to pay the going price. If you aren't going to do that... well.... You can't always get what you wanttttt (even in a buyers market)!

(No, not even if they make faces like this when you scratch their face.)

Arkansas Auction Reports (older)

Arkansas Horse Auction Report:

Terms:

KB: kill buyer       FAKB: Fat Asshat kill buyer (He’s the one who buys the fat, nice, broke horses because they have more weight and has no problem outbidding a private owner. Even the other KB’s don’t like him.)      TD: Trader or Dealer       NRT: Not ridden through     RT: Ridden through       NS: No sale    PO: private owner

Weekly horse auction: Conway AR, Tuesdays at noon. Average number of horses: 3-20 Average number of KB’s 2-3. There aren’t a lot of PO who come to bid here and the people who bring horses usually pick this one because its soonest and they want to dump the horse quickly.

1.       8 year old, 15.2 hand sorrel gelding, registered with papers as a Missouri Fox Trotter, broke, RT. They said he’d been hunted off of and stood tied nicely.  Decent looking horse, nothing fancy but a nice healthy horse and he reined well from what I could see;  he was a little too big for the small ring and about hit his head coming through the door. Sold $260- KB.

2.       10 year old B/W pinto MFT mare, 15 hands. Cute face, long mane, good weight, shiny and flashy. Sat on bareback. New shoes on all 4 feet, needed pads- hoof problems. Sold: $160 or so, KB.

3.       A underweight, wormy looking “rescued” pony colt or mini, bought from the same sale previously and fattened up (or so they said) taught to lead a little, nasty looking oozing leg injury, fugly. $10.  Guess what? It’s not a rescue if you take it back to the same sale!

4.       9 year old dark palomino MFT mare, 14.3 hands, pretty, carried herself nicely, cute face, little on the chubby side, needed a hoof trim badly, reined very nicely, ridden though and was responsive and willing. $250 to FAKB. (I’m kicking myself for not picking her up and I was tempted to bail her even though I didn’t need another horse.)

5.       7 year old chestnut MFT gelding, 15 hands, RT, rode okay, healthy weight, kind of nervous, sold $250 FAKB

6.       10 year old QH gelding, white with ‘freckles’, about 14.3 hands, decent weight, okay feet, RT, pretty nice horse overall. $160- KB/TD

7.       Pinto MFT gelding, fugly, allegedly 10 years old, stunted growth, skinny and looked like a damn yearling. Broke (they claimed). $40 KB?

8.       Palomino MFT mare, 14 y/o, plain head, bad build, underweight, claimed she was broke to ride or pull but NRT. $120

9.       Beautiful bay mare, 10 y/o, shiny, fat and with good feet, said she was broke but hadn’t been ridden in a while, NRT. $435 or more to FAKB. Probably going to “flip” her up north.

Conway: 6/26/12

1.       9 year old spotted saddle/racking horse, mare, black and white, been ridden by a 12 year old, kind of nervous, RT but not responsive. Bidding ended at $235 to FAKB, owner NS wanted $300.

2.       4 year old, easily 16.2-16.3 hands, very attractive bay TB gelding, with papers, sweet, RT, rode decently well. $300 to PO who wanted him for chuck wagon racing.

3.       9 y/o registered APHA gelding, flashy buckskin paint, 15 hands, nice looking, fat, ridden through in a halter but he froze up in the ring. $150 to FAKB.

4.       Chestnut mare, fairly cute, underweight run through and she looked young- maybe 2 or 3 years old. $12.50.  TD/ KB

5.       11 y/o black 14.2 hand gelding, super cute face, decent build, healthy, RT, feet needed a trim and he was ranch branded. Gaited. I outbid the FAKB at $335.  Puppy dog personality, rode pretty well after a tune up.

Renamed him Diablo (Little Devil) sold to a young teenage girl with a couple hundred gorgeous acres. 

6.       Chestnut mare, okay looking, nothing said about her but she had a white rub spot on her withers so she may have been broke, run through. $135 to FAKB

7.       Big sorrel, fugly with dreadlocks. $150

8.       Bay roan gelding, slightly underweight plain head but cute overall. $70 PO

9.       Young sorrel filly, maybe a yearling or two year old, good weight, nice build, pretty head, very cute. $175 TD

10.   Very skinny horse, bay, looked old, incredibly sad eyes, matted hair, rain rot, looked sickly, no bids at $2.00. Didn’t sell and the owner dumped and ran. 

 More proof that it’s not mainly skinny, old, mean horses go to slaughter- our KB’s don’t want them either. No money there. So they’re keeping horses like this on the market and shipping the nice, stocky ones to slaughter instead. Hooray.

11.   Donkeys, fugly, males: $2.00 each

12.   Female fugly donkey, $9.00

13.   Young stud colt, maybe 2 years old, black, great build, pretty, would make a nice gelding. $17.50 ns. Owner wanted $60.

14.   Fugly donkey and cute spotted baby, of course she was bred back, 3 for one special! $50.

Beebe: Once a month, tack from 6-9, horses from 9 pm until done (around 1:30-3 am). Average number: 130-250 horses. Average number of KB’s- 10-12

1.       Yearling sorrel filly $45 TD

2.       Grey Arabian mare, cute, broke and RT bareback but nervous in the ring. $255 KB

3.       12 y/o Dun gelding, about 15.1 hands, decent build, with papers, would have been very cute but it looked like another horse had been using him as a chew toy or kicking target. Very scratched up all over. Bleeding on his forehead and one leg. NRT. $170 to KB – owner NS- wanted $500, he said it was broke after he NS’d. (Things that are good to mention in the ring, come on people!)

4.       Huge +16 hand, mammoth mule gelding, “broke” but NRT. Same owner as the dun- he brought a lot of mules and some horses. $63.50 to KB- owner NS

5.       Small but stocky bay stud, nothing fancy. No reason for him to have his manly bits. $25 TD/KB

6.       Fugly flashy paint mare, skinny with wild eyes. NRT, no one said anything. $70 to KB

7.       Another big chestnut mule, 13 y/o, about 16 hands but extremely skinny, its hips looked like the owner wanted to use them as knives.  Claimed it was broke but again, owner was too cheap to pay someone $10 to ride him through… this one was too skinny to ride anyway. $25 KB

8.       Fugly bay gelding, skinny and very long backed, ewe necked, NRT $45 KB/TD

9.       Big sorrel mule, thin, his back looked like the owner wanted a picnic table to go with the previous knife mule. Fugly with a huge head even for a mule. $140 N/S owner wanted $600- Come on now; no one needs a new table that badly!

10.   Fugly, roach backed palomino pinto mare, plain head. $55 I think to a KB

11.   Reg 1998 AQHA flashy red dun gelding, big, stocky, good blood lines, super cute, been roped off of, said he had professional heading horse training, and seemed very well broke. $600 to P/O- this was a great deal.

12.   Stocky sorrel gelding QH, plain, 14.2 hands, ridden through. Rode okay. $310 PO

13.   Registered with papers bay MFT mare, cute, smallish, RT, rode okay- $135 KB

14.   Registered with papers, good lines, AQHA 2 year old gelding. Super attractive dark blue roan, stocky and already a nice height of 15 hands. Sweet disposition and very people friendly. Someone jumped up on him bareback (I doubt he’d been ridden before and certainly not bareback) and they rode him with just the halter. He was scared but very willing. One of the best horses of the night, hopefully someone will give him a year or so to grow into his body so he’ll still be a nice horse in his 20’s.  $1310 PO

15.   1997 registered haflinger mare, small but very cute face, good build and of course, it had a uterus so it was going to have a baby! $200

16.   Weanling sorrel stud colt, small but cute. $30 TD/KB

17.   Bay weanling colt, blaze faced, cute as a button- he’ll grow into a nice gelding if someone lets him. $65

18.   Bay hackney pony mare, runty and jumpy. $35 TD

19.   Red and white paint gelding, probably young, okay looking but certainly not pretty (at least it was gelded!) RT $70 KB

20.   Cute and stocky bay mare, NRT Seriously fat also looked at risk for founder. $350 to one happy kill buyer.

21.   Fugly, fugly, fugly, appy pony mare, majorly ewe necked, Looked incredibly stunted. Ridden through by someone who was way too big for her. $155

22.   Small black Shetland gelding, cute but sassy, RT by hugely oversized and obnoxious child who made him crow hop and act up. Didn’t blame the horse a bit. I’d buck too if my rider didn’t adjust the bridle to fit me and if they kept spurring and hitting me nonstop.  $22.50  TD/kb

23.   1998 registered paint, flashy overo and cute, nice build, ridden through and handled well. $300 PO

24.   9 month old cute paint stud colt (well he’d make a fairly cute gelding anyway). $45 KB

25.   4 y/o buckskin gelding, not ridden through, okay build. $95 TD

26.   21 year old fugly red appy gelding, ridden through, they said he’d worked on a trail string (but apparently not long enough to earn himself a good retirement, asshats).  $120 KB

27.   Red pinto mare, young, said she’d had about 4 rides under saddle- they saddled her but didn’t ride her through. Nervous and long backed. $160 TD

28.   Registered 2002 AQHA sorrel mare, cute and stocky, good height, RT/ led bareback. $560 to KB (I assume to flip)

29.   Registered TWH, ex show horse (big lick) had been on pads, black gelding, big plain head. Moved awkwardly but the owner claimed he hadn’t been sored… $200

30.   14 y/o red roan MFT gelding, rode well, good build, 16 hands, pretty but very upright pasterns and his hooves were way too vertical.  $450 NS owner wanted $700

31.   2 y/o registered TWH, dark bay, fugly head, gelding. Ridden through. $135 kb

32.   Okay looking “saddlebred” (read: no way in hell) chestnut mare. Looked pregnant and ewe necked. $85 TD

33.   2 year old stud colt, chestnut with a plain head and scared in the ring.  $45 KB

34.   Bay appy, 5 y/o stud. Seriously fugly and runty- why it had balls I don’t know, probably because it had spots, not that it saved him in the end. $57.50 KB

35.   15 y/o broke palomino mare with young palomino stud colt at side, would have been cute except she was very skinny. Claimed she was great with kids but NRT. $155- owner NS

36.   Fugly “kids horse” parrot mouthed bay, looked quite old. $60 kb?

37.   7 y/o buckskin ewe necked mare, decently cute, “kid broke” but NRT. $120 PO

38.   8 y/o chestnut gelding, RT, super feisty and hot, did barrels. Spooky, stocky with a plain head, good build though. $360 PO

39.   Small 4 y/o green broke B/W pinto mare, NRT, cute but pony sized, good build. Would have been very nice if she was bigger. $135.

40.   Stocky 5 y/o mare, never been touched, fell down from panic when they tried to get her in the ring, hit her head. Hyperventilating. Mainly white but fat. $160 to a cheerful KB

41.   Very pretty registered 4 y/o bay AQHA mare, stocky with a beautiful small head, show quality. Ridden through and had just spent 3 months with a professional trainer. $345 PO

42.   Cute pinto but small, NRT. $120 KB

43.   Stunning white Arabian mare, 8 y/o ridden bareback, they said she was kid broke. She had a delicate dished head, black points, and decent build. I saw her get kicked by a witchy horse in the same pen- cut her leg open and it started gushing blood all down her pretty legs. This was a nice looking, quality mare, I’m sure she had papers at some point. $75 TD (I was bidding but the auctioneer either didn’t see me or chose to ignore me- not unusual)

44.   Sorrel stud colt, $20. Kb/TD

45.   7 y/o gelding, buckskin, ridden bareback, nice looking horse. Good build. $380 PO

46.   7 y/o fugly bay stud “good breeder”…… Well now, how special and valuable he must be with that rare talent! $25 kb

47.   Leggy chestnut, 6 y/o registered TB $240 TD

48.   Big +16 hands, 10 y/o red mammoth mule, nice looking, stocky and fat. Said he rode and worked. $360- NS wanted $600

49.   2008 reg. QH palomino mare. Poco Bueno lines, cute, okay build. NRT $175

50.   Reg. 2003 buckskin QH mare, attractive $385

51.   10 y/o palomino mare, ranch and trail ridden. Stocky but too fat, good height, nice headset, nice looking mare. $380 PO

52.   11 y/o chestnut stunted mare $12.00 KB

53.   Big 16+ hand chestnut saddlebred or American show horse stallion, no papers of course, fugly as sin but interesting looking with a horrible neck, upright shoulder, kept screaming at everything in the pens and pawing.  Blind in an eye. $25 TD/KB

54.   9 y/o bay pinto mare, smallish, skinny, slight roach back, RT- rode okay, somewhat cute. I outbid the FAKB out of pity for $150.

 (She suckered me into it; she started licking me all over when I saw her in a pen, too sweet to let the killer get her and he was the only one bidding. It appears the previous owners felt dumping the mare at a sale was an acceptable means of weaning a foal.)

Named Sugar- sold her to a nice young family who started her on barrels

55.   Fugly bay gelding, reg QH, RT, ewe necked. $55 KB

56.   Bald faced palomino, 5 y/o, stocky, roached mane, creepy wild eyes, rode okay. $510

57.   12 y/o red and white pinto MFT mare, cute, RT, didn’t ride well in the ring, sweet in the pen, okay height, decent build. Said she was smooth and had plenty of “go”, hated bits and that she saw goblins everywhere. They’d only had her about a week and a half (and they’d been riding her hard in a crappy saddle with no conditioning every day of course! She had fresh saddle sores and was favoring her left front leg.) I outbid the KB for her at $350.  

She’s very pretty after her bath and is a nice mover, very sweet, gentle and calm. Quick learner and not spooky or hot like they said. She’s also fine with a bit. 99% of the time the owner is the problem.

 Honey went to a lovely first time owner and I get regular updates. :)

58.   Stunning 16.2 hand sorrel gelding, built perfectly, show quality, good feet, fine with being touched all over, I’m sure he was broke but he was NRT, no one to talk about him. A KB’s dream. Sold $560 to FAKB- I’m assuming to “flip”. He was my first choice and I waited all night to bid for him.

59.   7 year old red and white paint gelding, about 16 hands, decent weight, big ugly scar on his face, okay feet, ridden though, claimed he’d done trails, loped barrels and had 90 days professional training in heading. I outbid the FAKB for him at $390.

Sweet boy, cleaned up nice, loves everyone, rides okay- certainly not a heading horse but a beginner/ husband friendly horse.

Named Cowboy- sold him to a lovely family who had bought another horse of mine before.

Little Bit- previous project

60.   Donkeys- about 50+, sold anywhere from $45 (a gorgeous black donkey with white points) to $2.50 a head.

61.   32 year old palomino mare, okay weight, okay feet, walked though, owner said she just needed a “good home” to live out the rest of her days. Thankfully owner NS at $6. Seriously, what the hell did you think was going to happen?! If she gave you 32 years the least you can give her is a few months of retirement or euthanasia. Asshats. People like this are nothing but selfish pieces of shit. Sorry but if you want them to have a good home- man the fuck up and be it. 

62.   HUGE 14 year old chestnut percheron gelding, just been a pet apparently. Stood a solid and stocky 17+ hands easily and weighed 1800 lbs according to the scale. $260 FAKB

63.   8 year old, gorgeous, nice show quality dark dappled grey MFT gelding with black points, blue papered, great build, nervous. Owners were showing and riding him around outside, they seemed like nice, knowledgeable people.  Ridden in bareback, did pretty well. NS at $1100- owners wanted $1,500. Took counter offer at $1350.  High sale of the night and they got a steal.

64.   Buckskin paint, fugly head, good build, ridden though, did okay $240 TD

65.   Buckskin mare, 10 y/o, 15.1 hands, pretty, nice build, ridden though, nervous but did okay, $360.

66.   Youngish stud colt, fugly, small/stunted, chestnut, claimed he was broke but not ridden through. Okay build. $55 dealer/KB