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Money to buy a horse

4K views 28 replies 14 participants last post by  Ninamebo 
#1 ·
I wasnt exactly sure as to where to put this, so I apologize if this is in the wrong location...

Anyways, here is the story. I recently started working at a harness racing barn. I have been around horses my whole life so this was easy. I own one horse already. That isn't the point though... I fell in love with one of the race horses at the barn. His name is Smooth Power. I would really love to buy him. He has been going into claiming races for about $15,000 though... I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on ways to get money and/or saving money? Please and thank you.

P.S. Just in case you are wondering, Smooth is a big bay with a star :)
 
#2 ·
Who is Peaches? Your profile shows two horses, not one.

$15,000 is a lot for a horse. How old are you? Your ability to make money depends a lot on your age, education, and work experience. Your age will also determine whether or not you can legally enter into a sales contract.
 
#26 ·
Sadly, knowing a horse's registration info won't always make it easy to track them/owners down. Ask me how I know :wink: I'm sure a good chunk of other members here know this first hand as well.

Also, prices change over time. No guarantee he'll still be a $15,000 horse whenever you're actually able to save up $15,000. By the time a 15 y/o saves up $15,000 there will be other bills to pay (rent, groceries, car insurance, college ...your current horse:wink:)
 
#9 ·
what would you do with him? retrain him to ride? he is a harness racing horse, so he is not even trained to ride, correct? and as a race horse, he would need a lot of help transitioning to a non-competitive lifestyle. are you really up for that? will he make a better horse than you curently have? if so, could you sell your current horse to buy this one?
 
#11 ·
I up for it. And I sometimes wish I could sell my horse, but I have asked my family, and they have told me no because they think he loves me too much. And if I got Smooth I would retrain him. Probably in eventing. I love this horse's personality, it's not his training that matters to me... I guess you would have to meet this horse to understand... He is just so funny and is very well mannered.
 
#13 ·
If you truly want him and are willing to put the time into retraining him (for eventing it would take a very long time), keep tabs on him and wait until he retires from racing. At 7, chances are that will be in the next few years. Then, you'll be able to get him for next to nothing if he's a gelding.
 
#14 ·
Midnite711, it's hard to explain... But I love my horse, but he is just... He drives me crazy.... He is afraid of everything. Like he isn't at first, but when he starts to get bored or tired he starts spooking at nothing... He just frustrates me... Really badly...
 
#29 ·
Just a side note- I had this issue with my horse simply because I didn't know how to properly engage his mind enough during our sessions. He would spook at the invisibles out of boredom due to my lack of creativity. After getting a different trainer and adding some tools to my box of tricks to keep his mind engaged, he no longer spooks and we have a much more enjoyable time together. Just a thought.

As for the actual price on this horse, it doesn't sound worth it at all and I'm generally in line with many of the other members' opinions on that.

As for money saving, get a savings account, get a job that pays really well in tips (like a barista or a waitress) don't spend extra cash on any random thing, network for house, pet and babysitting jobs (honestly I could easily make a living off all the dog walking jobs I've collected over the years) collect any spare change you have, bike places instead of driving (once you come of age for that as an option) just the little obvious things that get overlooked. Just be smart with your money.
 
#15 ·
If he's a gelding you may very well be able to pick him up for next to nothing when his racing career is over. If you know the owners, let them know you're interested in him for retraining (if you are), so they keep you in mind if he isn't claimed. The best thing to do is probably just wait until his price drops.
 
#18 ·
Ahh, yes my Arabian was a spooker too when I first got him, however we worked through it and in the process bonded. Every horse develops a bad habit now and then it is really up to you to help him get through it and re train him to not do what frustrates you. You'll figure it out, I'm sure. Good luck.
 
#20 ·
And it's also the fact that honestly, I just haven't clicked with him... He loves me, but I honestly only feel half of that back. And it makes me feel bad.. Because he has sooo much to give, but he just doesn't like to do what I like to do. He is an endurance type horse, I prefer jumping... He will jump, but I can't tell he doesn't enjoy it...
 
#21 ·
Honest question; what makes you think a successful racehorse will make a better under saddle horse than your current one?

To be successful, racehorses need a certain temperament, and that isn't always conducive to retraining as a saddle mount.

I think you have some Disney-esque idea about this horse that isn't grounded in any kind of reality.

Just because he may be sweet on the ground and you believe you have some kind of connection means exactly squat. Plus, he may not transition well from the racetrack to jumper. What then? Will you decide he's useless, just like your current horse?

If he's claimed by someone else, your involvement with him ends anyway. New owners aren't going to want some starry eyed teen demanding to know what's happening with their horse.

Sorry kiddo, but what I'm seeing is a lot of fantasy with no actual plan.
 
#22 ·
If he's sulky racing, and has that crazy trot gait thing, I wouldn't get him as an eventing prospect. That's just me, though.

I know what it's like. My grandpa had a sulky racing stable in California, and I practically grew up around cal expo, so yeah. See a cute pony and get to work it a bit and you get attached sometimes. It happens. But hun, I'm 17 and I can't even come up with $15k. If I could, you bet yourself it'd be in my '2014 Camry fund' in a heartbeat! :) If you aren't clicking with your current horse, try figuring out the problem. Maybe it can be fixed? If not, wether you sell him or not is your call and nobody else's business (except your family, of course! I'm talking about friends and people on here, mainly.) but check for things more realistic. Yeah, that million dollar eventer is perfect, but there are horses for much cheaper that you can either send to a trainer or get an instructor to help you train yourself until you can compete. Sometimes it's the better choice.

Good luck! :)
 
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#23 ·
Honestly if you have had spooking troubles with your current horse for such a long time now, I have a very hard time seeing you training a horse like the racer. I would get help and work on your current guy because there are plenty of ways to work with a spooky horse. Be grateful for the horse you have!

As for making $15000, I can't help ya there. That's a tall order for a majority of people out there, and I am talking adults saving up that much. For a young person in your age group, it seems darn near impossible to be honest.
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#27 ·
I remember that at your age I had a crush for a horse. His name was Orfeo, and he was a sorrel anglo-arab with a white star. I thought that he was the most beautiful horse ever. I dreamt of him and made fantasies about riding him and I wrote his name everywhere.

He was a young horse with a rising career in jumping shows. They asked 20k for him. Buying him was never an option.

So, I fully understand your feelings, really.

First thing I wanted to say is, if you don't like your horse, then sell him. There's no such a thing like a horse who "loves you too much to be sold". Your horse would love ten thousand times more a rider who likes him and makes him do the things he enjoys. Tell your family this.

You have the immense luck to have a family that bought you a horse at 13 and you are all over a horse that is most likely a bad fit for you, and he's way out of any reasonable prize range if you are not showing and needing a winning horse (winning in the right category, so in this case, you don't need a 12k racing horse if you're not going to race).

I could afford a 12k horse if I really wanted it; I don't work but my family is wealthy enough, but you know what? I just want a horse to play with and to ride on trails, and for 12k I could buy a new car and a horse that fits my criteria. I'm not going to ask my family something so unreasonable.

Want my advice? Forget this horse. He's not the one for you. Sell your current horse too: put effort into it so you can find the best owner for him. Make your family a part of it, so they can see that he'll be happy.

Then put effort into finding another horse to buy: set a budget, set your criteria, and look hard for a horse that is everything you need; likes to jump, has a nice personality, and really clicks with you when you ride him, a horse who looks awesome and is nasty/unfit for you under saddle is not right.

If you do this and find a horse to own and love, you'll forget this child's dream of a horse that you don't need.
 
#28 ·
If you're 15 then you should know how to get money and save it: you get a job, open a savings account, stick as much you can in there.

Keep in mind that it would take you a couple of years working minimum wage and full time in order to save that much money. Assuming some thing else didn't come up to make you spend it.
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