Thoroughbred Logic, Presented by Kentucky Performance Products: The Good Buyer
“Some of these humans — those who buy, board, ride and compete these horses — are fantastic. Many, well … no so much. In the world of selling/rehoming Thoroughbreds, I have the chance to encounter the fullness of that human spectrum.”
Welcome to the next installment of Thoroughbred Logic. In this weekly series, Anthropologist and trainer Aubrey Graham, of Kivu Sport Horses, offers insight and training experience when it comes to working with Thoroughbreds (although much will apply to all breeds). This week ride along as Aubrey shares her logic on the what makes a good horse buyer.
Ironically, I love horse people — and especially horse trainers — for the fact that for most of us the idiom is true: hell is other people. We work in horses because somewhere early in our lives, those equine quadrupeds provided a form of truth and kindness, adventure and risk that maybe we didn’t find elsewhere. Maybe some folks happened into the business of horses through their families, but I’d wager that even if that was the origin, any who stuck with it did so out of the nagging, impossible-to-escape passion for the animal. However, unless there is a limitless trust fund, the only way to survive in horses is through other people. And therein often lies the rub…
Some of these humans — those who buy, board, ride and compete these horses — are fantastic. Many, well … no so much. In the world of selling/rehoming Thoroughbreds, I have the chance to encounter the fullness of that human spectrum. Aiming to focus on the positive while there are still snow flurries (warm the hell up, please!) in late March in New York, this article tries really hard to focus on the good ones and the various components that define them. But first, the selling aspect needs some context.
Why is it still so cold?!?! Wolf (Louisiana Moon) and Koops on a chilly morning. Photo by author.
Horse traders have a well earned reputation through history for the good, the bad, and the ugly. Hell, anytime I say anything nice about one of my “available” creatures, I feel like buyers think I am joining the ranks the smarmy cars salesman with the slicked back hair and polyester suit. That horse salesmen are swindlers, cheats, and only interested in the income might be true for some, but I’d wager that most of those type of folks have moved on to other industries in today’s world. Most of the sellers and rehomers I know (and in particular, those who deal in Thoroughbreds) are in the game for the horses, at the expense of what dealing with the people does to their sanity and savings.
I have written in the past about how the goal with selling horses is to find what job they will love and match them with a rider who wants to do that job . Good sellers take the time to get to know the horse, ride them, challenge them with different situations and activities, and think through what they need to be happy. They watch them in the paddocks, handle them in the barn and decide just how skilled an owner is going to need to be to bring out their best. And then we all sit down at our phones or computers, edit endless hours of video into short, digestible films that show off the horses’ potential and hone our photo skills with the conformation and under saddle shots. We often then blunder our way through website design and social media posting, trying to keep horses looking approachable and desirable, while writing earnest ads that include their quirks, foibles, and challenges. Most sellers know that rushing or misrepresenting a sale only leads to the horse bouncing from that home to another, to another. Ultimately, the goal for each horse is the ‘right home,’ not just ‘any home.’
Still in it for these sales kids. Photo of Manhattan (Ten Bits). Photo by Lily Drew.
Buyers can help on that front. They can make it easy to get the horse to the right home… or they can make it difficult. But ultimately, even if I might not have the right horse for every human, hell is less other people when buyers tend to follow these 10 general guidelines (which many do naturally):
1. READ THE AD
For the love of all things holy, read the damn descriptions. In there, unless a seller missed it (which happens), there is the name, height, age, gender, and location of the horse, as well as likely a narrative about who they are and who they are suitable for. There are usually links to video and potentially more photos. If it is on Facebook, there might be a vague categorization of “carrots” (price) and/or a website to find out more. And in case that drives folks nuts, I’m sorry. Facebook doesn’t allow the sale of animals, so placing prices on horses directly gets you sent to “jail” and unable to post for days, weeks or months. Read the full ad, click the link and read the rest of what is there — it is likely a LOT of information.
I’m a former professor and these ads act as a syllabus for the horse. I used to make my classes read through the syllabus out loud with me on the first day. It was pedantic and I would make fun of myself for making them do it, but it worked. They knew assignments and their deadlines, they knew policies — like it’s totally cool if you want to re-write that crappy paper, just turn it in by the end of the semester — and they knew where to look to answer their questions. Anyone who asks me about due dates or what assignment, etc. just got, “see syllabus.” Anyone who asks about info in the ad equally gets “see ad above.”
Flashy ponies like Box N Ben require even more reading ability so folks don’t just jump to the “need to have” based on the color. Photo by Lily Drew.
And as an aside, Thoroughbreds can sometimes be more complex in their management and riding. Good readers inspire me to think that if they are that conscientious about their horse shopping, they’ll aim to take equally good care of their horses. Often that alone inspires me want to work with someone to get them the right horse — even if it’ not one of mine.
2. Communicate politely
Like most horse people, “grumpy” is par for the daily course. However, ways to make myself and other sellers ever-so-slightly less irritable about selling you a horse (and find the right one for you) is to be kind. Read, follow instructions, and then do a crazy thing like use full sentences. I love when folks message me and introduce themselves, tell me a bit about who they are and what they are looking for and then ask specific questions about a horse. I don’t need (or want) a novel, but the basic kindness inherent in “Hey, I’m so and so, and I saw your ad on X horse. I’m currently competing at Novice and hoping to move up to Training, but willing to take the time to bring along a relatively fresh restart. Do you think this horse would be suitable for mid-level eventing after letdown and training? Thanks!” goes a long way.
Single word demands — “Vidoes” or “Price” — sent to my phone or commented below the post just makes me think that such a person is the type of who snaps at waiters in restaurants. Nope, I don’t sell my horses to snappers. These smart, driven, kind horses don’t usually appreciate that type of demand-driven ride either.
Oh, and also, when communicating, keep it reasonably within business hours. It seems like I shouldn’t have to say it, but 11:00 PM texts about a horse literally are never reasonable.
Dixie (Unwanted Input) rocking around the jump field for the first time. Photo by Lily Drew.
3. Be clear about riding realities and goals
Being honest about your current riding level/ability (not your 20-year former self) and what you’re looking for (short and long term goals) is so important. If you’re not sure, ask your trainer to describe your riding. If a rider is jumping two-foot on school masters now, they don’t usually need a horse who is geared to go gallop around Prelim. And there’s nothing wrong with a nervous rider or one who does not want to handle a horse prone to buck or have fast feet. These are just things we as sellers need to know to point folks in the right direction.
4. Share video
If a buyer is inquiring about horses, it is always handy if they have recent riding video (flatwork and over fences, if applicable). I ask for video pretty regularly — especially if I can’t tell one’s riding ability from a quick stalk on their social media. And while most folks are lovely about providing quick clips, some apparently take offense. Comically, I have even had one woman threaten to sue me for requesting video before letting her come swing a leg over my young Thoroughbred. No, honey, if I can’t see how you ride and there’s no evidence of horses in your life online, you’re not taking my just-off-the-track pony for a trial spin. But if I see that good riding kid has soft hands, horses who might have initially been thought too sensitive may now be possible candidates.
Indy (Star Player) will eventually be looking for said good riding kid. Photo by Lily Drew.
5. Know the budget and the wiggle room (and have talked to your partner, husband, bank, parents, etc.)
I mean, this should go without saying. But if your budget is $10,000, that’s great. If it is $4,000, that’s great, too. I don’t actually care. I can either find the horse that works, or I can point one in another helpful direction. But unless that $4K budget has $6K of wiggle room, the $10K horse should never even come into the conversation. So make sure partners, banks, wallets, and whatever financials that need to be consulted are consulted first. Considering horses that one just can’t afford is ultimately a huge waste of time. That said, it never hurts to ask if there is wiggle room on a price, and “an easy sale” — no or minimal PPE and a pick up in the super near future can hold quite a bit of bargaining power.
6. Have an idea of what imperfections you can live with
Just like knowing one’s riding ability and goals, if one knows what imperfections or maintenance they can live with and which they cannot, fantastic! I don’t mind if a buyer is scared off by things I find normal — I just want them to know what those things are to the best of their ability up front. Don’t look at the horse with the imperfect back if you know the kissing spine rads are going to cause you to run for cover. And on the flip side, if you know you can live with a little hind end maintenance and the horse looks a little bilaterally “hock-y”, well no big deal and good to set up a trial ride/PPE on a recently off track and still a bit tight youngster. But having a sense of the imperfections that are OK and those that are deal breakers also helps shape the search and keeps everyone from wasting each other’s time.
Sews (Lord Darnley) has kissing spines, but they don’t palpate sore and don’t seem to bug him under saddle. But totally OK if someone finds that to be a reason not to look at him. Someone else won’t mind. Photo by Lily Drew.
7. Show up on time (not late and also not early)
Speaking of time, being on time is critical. I’m perpetually late — everyone who knows me knows this. But if I were trying horses, I’d be pulling into the driveway at one minute before the appointment (same thing for a phone call). Why? Because that matters. And if I got snagged in traffic, I’d be sending updates as frequently as reasonable. Barns run on insanely tight schedules and here we often have vets, riders, and the day-to-day worked around the appointments. Best to just be on time. And also, best not to be early. I’m not sure which makes me more grumpy — the early folks or the late folks. Early folks (even if they just sit in their car) add pressure for me to hurry up in what is already a dead sprint. Worse though, having folks I don’t know hanging out in the aisle or walking around petting horses just makes me batty. Best to just grab a coffee somewhere and wait to be able to pull down the drive on time.
8. Commit to the horses you’re trying
When coming to try horses, spend the time to commit to each of them ahead of time. I struggle with buyers who want to “sit on as many as possible.” I’d so rather see a buyer carefully consider the ads, take the seller’s advice (they know the horses), and really commit to wanting to ride one horse (or each horse they schedule) than just show up hoping to swing a leg over multiple nameless creatures. Be excited about all of the ones you might try, and if you’re not, that’s a super good sign not to waste anyone’s time.
Testing Dixie’s hack-ability (she has hunt experience) by riding out with Littles. Photo by Lily Drew.
9. Listen to the seller’s advice
At the end of the day, these folks know their horses. Please listen if they say that a horse is not appropriate, or suggest one who might be more suitable. Listen when they describe the horse’s quirks and needs. If the seller is responsible, it is going to feel like you are all on the same team. So when they say, “this one is a straight dressage prospect” and you want to event, it is worth considering that a seller would not limit a horse’s reach unless there was a very good reason to do so. Perhaps head towards the one labeled: Eventing Rockstar instead.
Finch (Morning Artie) would love a dressage only home, so that’s how he’s marketed. Photo by Lily Drew.
10. Send updates after purchase
Good buyers naturally do most of the above things. They are kind, respectful of time and effort and have boundaries and knowledge of what they want and what they don’t. But my favorite buyers are those who get a horse home and send updates. I love watching these horses flourish in their new homes. Went to a show? Wonderful – send a photo! Managed a first trail ride? I’ll enjoy that blurry ear photo, too! And even when things are sideways or struggling, I appreciate knowing what’s happening and seeing if there’s any way I can help. No, again, I don’t need a novel every week. But a photo, video, or quick update go a very, very long way to making my (or any rehomer’s) day.
So in the world where buying and selling horses requires interaction with people, I can only hope that everyone on all sides works to make it less hell and more pleasant. So go ride or shop or sell folks, there’s fun in there somewhere.
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