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Where can I find Big Lick TWHs for sale?

26K views 42 replies 24 participants last post by  TurnNBurn625 
#1 ·
I want to rescue one and turn it into a trail horse, but I'm having a hard time finding sale ads for them...

I'm not ready to buy one this minute, but I want to get an idea of the average price.

I'm hoping to get a 2 or 3-year-old that has been started under saddle but hasn't been totally destroyed yet.

This is the only one I could find: Tennessee Walking Horse - Non-resident Horse - FAMOUS FABLE
 
#2 ·
It may be easier/more logical to go to a Big Lick barn and find one that hasn't been trained into one yet - the working Big Licks are hard to find because they are being showed and used and nobody wants to sell their show horses.
 
#4 ·
Tennessee, Tennessee, Tennessee! You may just want to take a few days off and cruise down around Shelbyville (the home of the Big Lick). Stop by at a barn and ask what they've got. The barns down there are huge, well-kept, and the horses are pampered. I have no doubt that they have staff there 24/7 (or the staff lives very near).

But like I said - it'll be hard to buy a showing, working BL - most likely they will be outrageously priced (afterall, they ARE show horses).
 
#6 ·
That's a good idea. I'll do that. And that's another reason I want a young "prospect" - lower prices.


I can't imagine it being easy to find them. The Big Lick industry is generally pretty sneaky and sleazy and they don't usually mingle with the rest of the horse world. From what I've gathered, they only do business inside their own realm. That's why you never see them in the normal classifieds or at regular shows and whatnot. You would probably have to go to Big Lick barns and ask around for horses for sale. A lot of those horses tend to be pricey, too.
Yeah, I figured that and I've already planned out what I'm going to say to them. If they ask who my trainer is or what my plans are for the horse, I'm going to tell them the name of my old Saddlebred trainer (I trained with him for 10 years) and I'll tell them that he's a Saddlebred trainer but wants to get into showing TWHs. It sounds believable to me.




Found one! Magnolia Farms, Lewisburg, TN. - Tennessee Walking Horse

They don't have much for sale, though, and don't have prices listed.
 
#5 ·
I can't imagine it being easy to find them. The Big Lick industry is generally pretty sneaky and sleazy and they don't usually mingle with the rest of the horse world (I've only had experience with the ones like that, however I doubt that all BL people are sketchy). From what I've gathered, they only do business inside their own realm. That's why you never see them in the normal classifieds or at regular shows and whatnot. You would probably have to go to Big Lick barns and ask around for horses for sale. A lot of those horses tend to be pricey, too.
 
#7 ·
I was just down at the Tattersall's sale in Lexington, KY and it includes padded horses.

This year was a little different, because there weren't many padded horses there. Usually the whole Saturday sale is for padded horses, but they changed the format and had flat-shod horses on Saturday as well because of so few padded ones.

I hope this is an indication that Big Lick is going out of style. . .
 
#8 ·
There are usually several sales around Shelbyville through the year. Waterfall Farms comes to mind as one of the big ones. I know they have a big sale before the Celebration. Anyway, you might have better luck at the sales, I don't think they really care who you are as long as you buy the horse. I think most of the no-name padded ones that go through are the ones that aren't really making it as a padded horse anyway so they just want to get rid of it.
 
#11 ·
^ I've seen that a lot actually. I guess because TWHs are so smooth? :) Dunno, but it's funny.
 
#13 ·
For Big Lick listings start with the Walking Horse Report:

Welcome to The Walking Horse Report Online

Here's the sale page:

Tennessee Walking Horses for sale, Tennessee Walking Horse Stallions at Stud - Walking Horse Report

Get a copy of the Voice and look there, too.

If you're not familiar with Big Lick practices be REAL careful. It's not uncommon for yearlings to be in "colt packages" by 12 months of age and under saddle by 18 months (so that they can compete as two year olds). A lot of damage can be done very quickly (even without the use of illegal practices). Chronic lameness and life long difficulties in movement often result.

Shopping around the Big Lick barns is not a bad idea, but they're going to try and sell you a show prospect. If you make it clear, up front, you want a trail horse they'll find something for you but somebody pays for the upkeep and pampering on those fancy places; be prepared for some "sticker shock."

And don't even suggest that you want to "rescue" something. You'll likely be escorted off the place.

Good luck in your search.

Guilherme
 
#21 ·
For Big Lick listings start with the Walking Horse Report:

Welcome to The Walking Horse Report Online

Here's the sale page:

Tennessee Walking Horses for sale, Tennessee Walking Horse Stallions at Stud - Walking Horse Report

Get a copy of the Voice and look there, too.

If you're not familiar with Big Lick practices be REAL careful. It's not uncommon for yearlings to be in "colt packages" by 12 months of age and under saddle by 18 months (so that they can compete as two year olds). A lot of damage can be done very quickly (even without the use of illegal practices). Chronic lameness and life long difficulties in movement often result.

Shopping around the Big Lick barns is not a bad idea, but they're going to try and sell you a show prospect. If you make it clear, up front, you want a trail horse they'll find something for you but somebody pays for the upkeep and pampering on those fancy places; be prepared for some "sticker shock."

And don't even suggest that you want to "rescue" something. You'll likely be escorted off the place.

Good luck in your search.

Guilherme
Thank you SO much!




there is TONS IN TENNESSEE!!!! i know of some if your intrested. its a big thing down here. but expecially in my area and in shelbyville. theres also a lot on kentucky around louiville area. but the best quality are always i tennessee!!! ive got one that im planning on making into a big lick horse.and no im not planning on any abuse!!!i dont know why people get stirred up about that. it all depends on the handler. the shoes arent bad as long as there used rght!
Well, people get stirred up because it's completely unnatural. Even IF there happened to be a BL Walker who is NOT sored, was NOT started at twelve months old, and is not abused in any other way, they are still being forced to move like giant spiders. You will NEVER find a TWH without pads that moves even remotely like they do. It's bad for their body, plain and simple. If you walked around with your knees bent, they would start to hurt pretty quickly. If you did that every day for years, you would start to develop some serious problems.

And I'm not somebody coming from QHs or TBs or another low-stepping breed saying that it's abusive just because I think it looks weird compared to MY breed. No... I'm coming from Saddlebreds and I think that's abusive. Want to know why? Because Saddlebreds move like that naturally! TWHs do not.


I'd steer clear of that one for the reason that he has almost definately been sored most of his life. It says "Good Feet" that equals minimal to no scarring from the chemicals. I do want to say that Walkers West is an amazing place with amazing horses. And they would never sore their horses. That is why they note the 'non-resident' horses.
Thanks for the heads-up. I wasn't really considering him... I'm looking for something younger.



However, I work at a BL barn in Fairview, TN sometimes and they have some horses for sale most of the time. If you'd like I can get some info on some of the padded ones for sale and let you know. I'd need your price range though.
That would be great if you could do that. I'm not ready to buy right now - I just want to get an idea of the average price.



I think that is the reason she posted him, she wants to take a big lick horse and "rehab" it into a normal horse again... correct me if I am wrong CM.
Yeah, that's right, but I'd rather not have one that's already permanently ruined, since I want it to be a trail horse. That's why I'm looking for something young. I wasn't even really considering the horse I posted... I was just saying that he was the only one I could find.



To me I would think that you would be dealing with a lame or unsound horse for the rest of its life. Moving like that (and they start them young) has to do a lot of damage to the horse's joints. Plus I would think that after being trained to move like that they would continue to move similar even after the pads and chains were removed, and I am not sure that is something I would want to ride down the trail.
Well, I've talked to a few people who have rehabbed them and they use them for trail horses. They move just fine (although they're pacey... another way the big lick industry is ruining the breed... but that can always be fixed). It's so unnatural that they pretty much go right back to normal as soon as the pads are taken off.


The last sale I went to there were two TWHs in the kill pen, and one in the saddle pen. The two in the kill pen went for $45 and $100 (and both were decent looking horses) and the one in the saddle horse pen went foe $300. Why don't you look there instead of spending 6000 on a trail horse?
The reason I want to do this is because there are thousands of people out there rescuing horses at auctions. For them, they either get rescued or shipped to slaughter. It's all over in a matter of days. These Walkers have to deal with this **** for their entire show career, and by the time that's over they're lame and ruined. There's hardly anybody out there rescuing them.

It doesn't have to be $6,000... That was just one I posted. And I'm going to turn it into a trail horse a resell it. A good trail horse can go for at least a few thousand around here.


I think you've gotten good advice - if I were you, I would consider a younger one, but then you wouldn't be rehabbing it, you'd be saving it from its further training down the road. So if you want a trail-horse, I'd say get a baby - if you want just a rescue (not for trail/heavy riding), get a BL. A horse shown its whole with a possible chance of leg/joints issues has a higher chance of future problems that rougher riding may worsen over time.

Well, they aren't all "good" enough for the show ring. So by getting one that has already proven itself as a prospect, I KNOW he's going to go on to be a performance horse. If I get a baby, I have no way of knowing if he was going to end up as a trail horse anyway. But by "prospect," I mean a horse that's a month or two under saddle. Not a couple years or anything. And anyway, there are plenty of people out there who are looking for a sane trail horse they can do mostly walking and a little trotting on.
 
#14 ·
there is TONS IN TENNESSEE!!!! i know of some if your intrested. its a big thing down here. but expecially in my area and in shelbyville. theres also a lot on kentucky around louiville area. but the best quality are always i tennessee!!! ive got one that im planning on making into a big lick horse.and no im not planning on any abuse!!!i dont know why people get stirred up about that. it all depends on the handler. the shoes arent bad as long as there used rght!
 
#17 ·
I'd steer clear of that one for the reason that he has almost definately been sored most of his life. It says "Good Feet" that equals minimal to no scarring from the chemicals. I do want to say that Walkers West is an amazing place with amazing horses. And they would never sore their horses. That is why they note the 'non-resident' horses.

It may be easier/more logical to go to a Big Lick barn and find one that hasn't been trained into one yet - the working Big Licks are hard to find because they are being showed and used and nobody wants to sell their show horses.
That is a great idea, but CALL AHEAD! If you show up without an appointment or having called and warned the trainer, you will probably not get a good welcome. They like to hide stuff when people are coming in.

However, I work at a BL barn in Fairview, TN sometimes and they have some horses for sale most of the time. If you'd like I can get some info on some of the padded ones for sale and let you know. I'd need your price range though.
 
#19 ·
To me I would think that you would be dealing with a lame or unsound horse for the rest of its life. Moving like that (and they start them young) has to do a lot of damage to the horse's joints. Plus I would think that after being trained to move like that they would continue to move similar even after the pads and chains were removed, and I am not sure that is something I would want to ride down the trail.

The last sale I went to there were two TWHs in the kill pen, and one in the saddle pen. The two in the kill pen went for $45 and $100 (and both were decent looking horses) and the one in the saddle horse pen went foe $300. Why don't you look there instead of spending 6000 on a trail horse?
 
#22 ·
I saw that you are looking to train and resell so obviously confirmation is something you are looking into as well, one thing to look out for is stables hiding bad confirmation by parking out horse on a hill with his rear end on the lower side. Or making them stretch way to far out.

Good:



DreamHorse.com Horse ID: 1368566 - Double Shot of Gold

Bad:
DreamHorse.com Horse ID: 1516008 - Starfire

DreamHorse.com Horse ID: 1495063 - Yogi !!! PRICE REDUCED - MUST SELL !!!


(in case you didn't already know!) :)
 
#23 ·
I saw that you are looking to train and resell so obviously confirmation is something you are looking into as well, one thing to look out for is stables hiding bad confirmation by parking out horse on a hill with his rear end on the lower side. Or making them stretch way to far out.

Good:



DreamHorse.com Horse ID: 1368566 - Double Shot of Gold

Bad:
DreamHorse.com Horse ID: 1516008 - Starfire

DreamHorse.com Horse ID: 1495063 - Yogi !!! PRICE REDUCED - MUST SELL !!!


(in case you didn't already know!) :)

Thank you : ]
 
#27 ·
Try Stonewall Acres in KY. We "rescued" a mare from them two summers ago. She was on pads, had been sored, had severe phobia regarding her ears and the farrier, but she can rack a hole in the ground. We sold her to a friend and the mare is now a fabulous trail horse. But, of course, the two of them are very well matched. Lots of love, calmness, and trust.....
I was told that she had been on pads for 9 months and was never sored. Her pasterns tell us that she was sored and the mustard oil, heavy chains, and whip by the door confirmed it. There was no way we were going to leave her behind.
Best of luck to you! But if you are looking for a beautiful TWH mare that has NEVER been padded or abused in anyway, doesn't have anything but trust and love for humans, with respect, and is a sound experienced trails horse, then I have a wonderful girl for you.
 
#29 ·
The BL industry is full of controversy, some say its ok some say its not. I have known a few padded horse, in fact the horse I own now was at one time padded. I was told that when they padded him he would not big lick. I bought him for pennies. He has a bloodline to die for, looks to kill, common sense you search for ever for in a good gelding... He is only three, and when he is under saddle he refuses to canter as he has some issues with it. He stumbles over everything, we have actually had him trip and fall over a small rut in the dirt, his feet will never be the same. His legs had already begun to turn and shift into an unnatural angle, and he has some serious trust issues.
Due to the miss use of these pads a good three year old shpow quality horse was ruined. He will never be able to do his natural gaits. Some can say this is natural but I think the pads are cruel and inhumane. I would seriously consider being aware of these big lick horses. I have found one around here and will post her link for you.
Reg. Tennessee Walker REDUCED!
Just another thing to add, i knew a lady who owned an 18 year old and a 2 year old walker, both had pads and were showing, we could stand in the barn 4 stalls down and listen to theses poor horses moan and rustle in there stalls because they hurt so horibly after a ten minute walk around the arena. :shock::?:evil:

Im sorry it was so long but i feel very strongly about this.
 
#30 ·
When I was younger, I rode a former Big Lick horse who actually made it to the celebration and placed second. He was a doll baby and we only had a few issues that directly came from him being 'Big Lick'. He had hanging skin on his shoulder from the loss of muscle after the pads were off. It never really hindered his movement but he had a biggggg canter and you were constantly fixing his saddle because he couldnt wear a breast collar. Secondly, he came to us with what they though was heaves. He was just out of gas. Some of them need to be a horse for a year before they get back into riding. He was young, he never had any trouble breathing afterwards and til the day he died he had more stamina than any other horse at the barn. He had great feet...he was sored and he did recover. He was incredibly gaited and never paced...the only thing that stayed 'Big Lick' on him was his canter. We attempted to show in as a plantation walker but when he appeared to be rearing while cantering (no exaggeration) we were docked points. The only concern I would have as a trail horse is that as youngsters, they're not really exposed to the outside world much. You know this from saddlebreds im sure but put em in a show ring with an announcer and bunting hanging from the rafters and they're fine...show em a deer on the trail and they will fall over dead. Good luck in your search and if you find one near PA...shoot me a PM. I might just scoop him/her up!
 
#32 ·
Its a wonderful thing you are doing, 1 less walking horse in the world to suffer, words cannot desrible what I would like to see happen to these people that cause the suffering on these beautiful anmimals.

I own a beautiful TWH stallion, he is the most gentle kind animal. I am so glad he will never have to feel the suffering that so many of his kind have to feel. Its so hard to believe that there is nothing being done to stop this. I would love to see the whole celebration shut down and everyone in it punished. But all we can do is give our own horses the best lives possible.
 
#33 ·
There is an auction in london KY that has horses run through tesdays and sometimes fridays. I have seen padded horses there that have been taken out of showing. the last one i saw was a gelding that had been shown in pads.he wanted 400 for him. i would rather see someone get them off the auction circuit and give them a good home then out of a show barn. i understand the same auction has a "horse" auction on fridays.i have only been to tuesdays auctions.there is also rumors of really nice twh going through richmond auction, i have never been to it.if you plan on getting one out of a show barn then you are going to pay a pretty penny. in stanford there is mike wilson stables, oliver stables , heartland stables and several more. you could look in the phone book or do an internet phone number search
 
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