I Don't Get It

Every once in a while, when I am bored, I look through the ads on Craigslist for Arabians. It's just for fun and to see what is out there. I am floored by the number of horses for sale that have never been ridden and the owners think that makes them worth selling.

For example- this ad was titled "Won't Somebody Cowboy Up" in all caps.

"I have two beautiful home raised sibling Tobiano paint horses for sale. The Gelding is 12 yrs, Dun color, the mare is 11 yrs. Bay color. Both are part Arabian, ( their dam was APHA & Half Arabian reg, but they are not)... Both are 15+ hands, have good dispositions, halter trained, stand for farrier, vaccinations, worming, wear fly masks, love to be brushed and fussed over. They are used to being around dogs & other horses.. They are both UTD on vacc, worming and hoof work. The gelding has had some ground work, including under a saddle, the mare has had less but it has been a while for both of them. They will both need training to refresh their memory to make them all they can be! ( NEITHER of them have been ridden) I think they would be great for the right person with the time and experience to work and get them there. I would love to see them have a job. Can go together or separate . Asking $700 each, OBO...."

Ashke was seven when I brought him home and he had great ground manners, but had never been ridden. He had been sent to the trainer at the age of 5, then sent home because he was unbreakable. He was also free. Both of the horses in the ad are 11 years old and neither have ever been ridden. I know you are just aching to take these horses home and try to kill yourself training them. Whoever posted this ad was also really upset that they hadn't sold yet and the Cowboy Up was a challenge to come take these here horses.

And then there was this one:

"This is Razor, a nice 8 year old registered Arabian gelding. He is in great condition, current on shots, just had his feet done, and ready for his next level of training. He is halter and lead broke, gets along well with other animals, and loads pretty easy. He probably needs an experienced horseman to get him to the next level. 350.00. 


He's not a bad looking horse, but all three pics are with his head down. And again, not broken to ride. And "loads pretty easy" can mean such a wide range of things, really. And my favorite line is "probably needs an experienced horseman to get him to the next level". In other words, I tried to ride him and he tried to kill me. Ha! This one, however, is going for $275.00 now.

And then there's this . . . 

Beautiful Arabian stallion 7 yrs old great attitude easy and fast learner started under saddle great with kids and dogs not a mean bone in his body beautiful bay been breed once before needs a loving home that has more time for him great easy going attitude and gets along with everyone lives with geldings right now and there has been no issue he does not fight with other horse and is a big push over has not have shoes on but has been getting his feet trimmed and does great for the farrier doesn't not take well to being hit though. 

Really? Why in the world would you keep this horse a stallion? And he doesn't take to being hit? Wonder what this stallion would do if you pissed him off? The picture included shows him with a fancy western saddle on his back, snubbed to a fence. Yes, please, let me buy him and then need to get him gelded (at my expense) and then get him broke, because you haven't done anything with this horse. 

I think backyard horse breeders are even worse than backyard dog breeders.

Anyway, that was how I spent my morning . . .