Delimas, delimas. What am I to do?

[ASB.Immortality]

One of my best friend's called today wanting to know if I would be interested in leasing a proven show horse. A horse that I have been in love with for about two years now. I would love to buy him but don't have an extra $70k just lying about to buy one with.

Right now, we are looking at having two horses sold after the first of the year. And my choices are lease him or get a pony. As for the pony, I haven't totally found one I really like yet. What would you do?

Here is the guy that I can lease:
http://www.donharrisstables.com/sales_Periaptus.html

[Helene]

I know I wouldn't lease another horse again, not even from good friend. For me it's either I'll buy or pass.
Draw up lots of paperwork for lots of different scenarios! Carry insurance on the horse! Get a vet check before picking up the horse and on the day of returning him. Take lots of pictures of all sides of the horse....Maybe have a witness or two who will look, in person, over the horse, look into the mouth, under the tail ....
I was accused of something I didn't do, would never have done, would never ever do.... Heard about it -after over three months -after the horse was returned, not when it was supposed to have happened (which was supposed to have been within days of returning the horse). No chance for me to take the horse to a vet right then and prove the accusation wrong. The horse had healed when I heard about it.
No leases for me......EVER again.

[ASB.Immortality]

If I lease him, he will stay in training where he is at now under direction from his owner. He is the barn owner and one of the trainers there. It is pretty common to lease show horses with ABS. Lots of folks can't afford to outright buy them. As for owning on halfs, no way. Been there, done that. I will take a lease anyday.

I won't bring something home for me to work unless I own it. That way if there is a screw up it was on my part and mine only. With a horse you never know what will happen. ;-)

[Moniece Dickerson]

If he was a stallion and you could get a foal before having to give him back the lease idea wouldn't be bad but he's a gelding.How are you going to feel when you have to give him back and have nothing other than memories?Are the memories and experiences you will keep with you forever worth the money you will be out when you give him back?In the end memories and experiences is what you would be paying for.How bad do you want a pony of your own?Enough to pass on the memories and experiences with the gelding?If you waited to find the right pony you would have memories,experiences,and always have the horse.If you go with the pony I would definitely say not to settle when you picked one.The pony would have to be enough of what you want to make you never regret your decision or you'll end up with the pony and still longing to lease that gelding.Hope this helped ;-) .Your friend,Moniece

[CarolU]

Starr, only you can answer that question.

Whichever choice you make, I would NOT buy a pony untiil I found the right one. I've had/trained almost a dozen of the little buggers and most are way TOO much pony for kids. Take your time and shop more. A good kids pony is worth the several hundreds dollars you'll pay for it.

[ErinC]

ok let me ask, this....
if this is a proven show horse, and wins what fun will you have??
you can jump on and you know you will win. to me that would not be fun...

I would want more of a challange...

I know when I was showing saddle seat, I had more fun winning when I was on a horse newer to the ring.. When I went around the ring on the farms/ judges fav. horse, I knew I was gonna win so I was just a passanger, and was like ya I knew we would get a blue, lets just get this over with.

no fun in it, I have more fun showing when I did the work, and Earned my blue.

but thats just me.... :-?

[Terri]

He is beautiful!!!! It is your birthday, go for it. But 70K for a gelding? He must be incredible! I bet it would be a thrill to ride him.
I do see Erin's point though, it is challanging to take something with lots of potential and "make it" your own. But everybody has different goals. And, in my opinion, as long as you have 4 legs and hooves, and you are using your equine partner in a way that brings you joy and maximizes his/her potential - well it doesn't get any better than that!

[jodiTowne]

It'll be a while before your child will truely be old enough to safely ride a pony so don't fret that end.I have seen very young children on ponies, but why chance that she might fall and never want to ride again. My girls have had fun brushing their pony but it was just the last few months that they really wanted to ride and still have MORE fun just leading him around. They are 3 1/2.

[ASB.Immortality]

Actually, the pony isn't for her... it's for me. :D We have been looking for a cob tail or harness pony.

One of these little fellows, this is a cob tail that I would give my right arm for. I am pretty sure I could find a way to drive him with the one I have left. ;-)
http://www.heartlandhackneyfarm.com/breeding/graphics/equality/celebration2_big.jpg

Also, as for breeding, we aren't really into that. Very, and I mean VERY rarely do we breed. It has to be something that we have researched long and hard before we do and know the mare and the sire.

[jodiTowne]

OH.....THAT kind of pony!

[Polly Aulton]

We just considered leasing a stallion for the 2007 breeding season. I talked insurance with Bryan Meinert who gave me tons to think about. It all became so much that we chose not to lease a horse at all.
In addition the very idea that this gelding is worth 70K is just ridiculous. That's one of those "if someone offers me that much I'll sell him" kinda numbers.
Don't everyone jump on me for saying this but the horse is not and never will be worth 70K except possibly to the owners of the stallion and mare that produced him. And that only if he keeps winning and if that breeding continues to produce the same quality of horse. Genes line up differently all the time--a repeat breeding might produce total cr--! :shock:
Polly
www.pojoranch.net

[cowboy ed]

run the other way as fast as you can!!!!!

[Barbwire]

Get the pony! Get the pony! Get the pony!!!!http://www.jammerbabe.com/flotilla/images/smiles/frog4.gif

[Cindy]

Polly, $70,000 for a top gelding show horse in that breed is not unusual.

[ASB.Immortality]

Polly, $70,000 for a top gelding show horse in that breed is not unusual.

Absolutely correct. This past Fall sale at Tattersall's proved the ASBs are on the rise again. The two sales toppers brought a little over $200k each. Both were young and neither were show proven.

[Heidi]

Can the money be made back after spending $70k on a gelding or $200k on unproven horses (assuming they are mares/stallions with breeding potential to warrant the $200k).

This seems very much like TB racing with horses being sold on bloodlines, prospects and hoping for the best...? Not all make it to the track.

[ASB.Immortality]

I know there are some here that can't imagine the $70k plus price range for a horse but this will give you an idea of what you deal with in the ASB world. This post was one of the comments given on the idea of purchasing a new first horse:
...

As far as price, you need to decide what you will spend, but my rule of thumb is: spend what you would on a new car (and then drive an old car). There are a lot of very nice horses out there for about $30,000 to $40,000 that can compete with $75,000 or up horses. Prices vary and you will find some people wanting $100,000 for $25,000 horses, but also motivated and realistic sellers and trainers who sell $75,000 horses for the range I suggested. If you are just wanting a nice horse to show at the small shows, you can find them for less. If you are dealing with sellers and they are fast talkers or you smell some BS, don't deal with them. There are tons of horses out there and a whole bunch that you will like and that will be suitable for you.

I love the young ones too, but a nice well-mannered four or five year old (or older) horse will probably give you more enjoyment because you can ride and show it immediately. You should be able to find a real nice late yearling for about $10,000 to $15,000, but keep in mind you are a year or two away from the show ring and you riding the horse, except maybe a little at home.


*** This is why there are so few ASBs out there. Breeding isn't much better with the low end fees being close to $2k and the higher end being $7500 or better. Yep, definately going for a pony. Much cheaper.

[Mellifluous]

You SHOULD go for the pony - you have been wanting one FOREVER. The right one WILL come along. ;-)

[ASB.Immortality]

Here is one of the ones, we are wanting to look at:

http://www.joekryzerstables.com/show_stock/twin_willow's_all_that_jazz.htm

He is priced reasonably, and seems to be the perfect first pony.

I am going either Friday or Saturday to look at Harmon Stables. I spoke with them today and they have a few ponies that fit what I am looking for.

***HMMM... can't get that link to work, you will probably have to copy and paste it.

[Fuego]

$70,000 wouldn't be outrageous in many breeds and disciplines for a proven Nat'l level top contender show gelding.

Not everyone is in horses to make money. For many people, it's all about prestige ( winning and having the very best horse their money can buy).
Some poeple just like having the ability to say they own a $70,000. show horse...

I'm often astounded at the money people will pay. But perhaps if I was sitting on $20 million, I'd buy what ever horses I wanted, regardless of cost, also.

A horse's worth is relative. Any horse is worth any amount someone else is willing to pay to buy it... worth is in the eye of the beholder.

[Barbwire]

Here ya go Starr, honey, baby-doll! Cute pony, btw. :D



http://www.joekryzerstables.com/images/Jazz005.jpg

[ASB.Immortality]

Thanks Barb! I thought about doing that but wasn't sure about it. I would say their bandwidth goes nuts for a bit. LOL!!!

[Minouri]

I'm trying to wrap my brain around spending that kind of money on a horse. But....

If you can afford it and it is what you want....then I can't see why you wouldn't do it. I don't think the price tag matters as much as the damage it will or won't make to your budget. I've seen unemployed people buy cheap horses and thought they were nuts. I don't think it's crazy to spend a lot of money that you have to get what you want.

Wow, imagine all the Scooters I could buy for 70k. Whew. lol

[Jasfino]

:shock: Just 70,000 :?:

Take two at that price. He's a bargain.... :D

[Mellifluous]

I think the 70K price tag is why she is considering leasing...


GET THE PONY ALREADY!