When I was a kid, my family boarded horses, and at any given time we’d have 20 to 30 roaming the pastures. Occasionally someone would leave a gate open, or some section of fencing would fall down, and the horses would get out. Not as serious of an ordeal as it would be these days, since we were mostly bordered by other property. One edge of our pasture though was adjacent to a lake, and there was a gate there that some inconsiderate person left open one winter day.
Well, the horses all got out, and for some strange reason, they wandered out onto the ice. Maybe they thought the ice-fishermen had some tasty treats for them, who knows. Anyway, my brothers and I were sent to bring them home. We didn’t have any problems catching them, and we were doing fine leading 4 of them while the others followed, but the ice started to crack.
It’s amazing how fast horses can move on ice, given that their hooves are prone to slip on the stuff. There was really just no slowing them down once they got it into their heads that we all needed to get off the ice pronto! Stopping them was impossible. Keeping up with them was, too. That pretty much just left sliding on the ice while they pulled us along. And that is how we invented horse-drawn ice skiing.
The Stories, horses
horses
Horse traders are not generally known for their honesty. In fact, they have a reputation for being low-down liars, cheats, and thieves (my Mom excluded). I once new a horse trader who took a bet that he could not sell a horse that he absolutely guaranteed would not hurt anyone. He led the challenger (and a bunch of us on-lookers) into the barn and showed us a horse that he in fact could guarantee wouldn’t hurt anyone. He won the bet, because the horse in the barn was dead as a doornail, having passed away in the night. While he may have won the wager, he didn’t do anything to improve his reputation, or that of horse traders in general.
Which is why I was so surprised to see this Craigslist ad for a horse for sale (text copied from the original ad):
Big grade gelding. Been used as a pickup horse until he got hooked by a bull. Think he has a split personality, some days he’s great, some days he’s a real prick. No secrets here, you need to tranq him to shoe him or he will try and kick your head off. He has been used for branding, moving cows, ranch roping ect. And like I said, some days he is great, we have had beginner riders on him and they have done fine, I have ridden him in the hills or gathered on him and he was fine,He is not great to catch, although we have him turmed out on 140 acres so he can leave if he wants, but in a smaller pen he is much better. he just needs someone that isnt going to take his shit on a regular basis. He needs to be taken and used. If you are looking for a horse that you can ride twice a year, well then this is not the horse for you., But if you use your horse as often as you change your pants then he will probably suit you perfect. We bought him with the intention of selling him and because we have more than enough horses he has gone to the bottom of the priority barrel. He is not a horse for the faint hearted, if you are handy and need a project or if you think you are handy and need to try and prove it. Please call 406-239-8634. I think he is about 11 years old. 15.3 hands. Anwsers to the name of Dick. Ok, he doesn’t anwser, thats just what I call him. $2,500 obo.
You have to give this guy credit, he tells it like it is. What a refreshing change of pace!
horses
horses for sale
Well, one of the two yearlings we had for sale on our Horses For Sale page has been snapped up. A young lady took a look at Lonestar’s picture, came out to see him a few days later, and picked him up today. Proof that good matches between horses and owners can be made over the Internet.
horses
horses for sale
The world of print, and now also the internet, is filled with heart-warming tales of the bonds of love that develop between a child and her or his first pony. They relate the absolute trust between mount and master, the obstacles they overcome together, and the life-long memories of all the happy times on the trail or in the ring.
If you’re looking for such a story, forget it. You won’t find it here. Here, you’ll discover what many first-time buyers find out the hard way: most ponies are stubborn, cantancorous, and mischievous.
I got my first pony when I was 7 years old. My Mom eventually became one of the most knowlegable horse buyers in the state, but at the time she was just starting out. She bought “Casey” (or maybe it was “K.C.”) because he was small, cute, and cheap. Boy, did we learn that in a pony, those qualities just aren’t enough. Read more…
The Stories, horses
horses, ponies
See our updated Horses For Sale page for information on Lonestar and April, two young, smart, and friendly horses for sale. Remember to leave a comment if you’re interested in either of them. They would make great 4-H project horses, or just all-around kid-friendly mounts.
horses
for sale
First Glimpse
One of the extra horses we had for sale we acquired from a family who had themselves only had her a little while but could no longer afford to keep her. When they got her, there was some question about whether or not she was in foal. We sold her to a lucky young lady, and eventually we realized she was surely going to get two horses for the price of one! Yesterday, when I walked by the kitchen window for a 2nd cup of coffee, I spied an extra set of legs out in the pasture. Read more…
horses
filly, foal
While we’re not in the business of buying and selling horses, occasionally we find ourselves with more horses than we have butts to put on them, and need to part with one or more. With that in mind, I’m introducing our Horses For Sale page. Only one entry right now, but I’ll have a few more up over the next few days. Some will be ours, but some will belong to friends of ours who’re in the same boat. Maybe you’ll find your next 4-H project horse, or just a good trail mount. Enjoy!
horses
horses for sale
