Are Horse Dealers and Breeders Horrible People?
I just read a post about a woman who was apparently called a horse dealer in a negative tone. She assured everyone that she took good care of the horses, they got everything they needed, and she shed a tear when the horses were sold.
I can relate!
I’ve been dealing in horses for over 20 years, and I’ve been breeding for almost 40 years. In fact, it’s gotten harder over the years when I had to part with a horse, so I’ve stopped.
So who is it that looks down on dealers and intermediaries? Is it jealousy because we make money off the horses (I should add that nowadays, you don’t get rich from horse trading)? Is it because they can’t afford to buy the horse they want, or what is it?
I can say that if everyone stopped breeding and dealing horses, then people wouldn’t be able to buy any horses at all.
When I was active, I saw myself as someone who helped people find the right horse, I helped riding schools find horses, and I assisted people who wanted advice on which horse to buy. I felt happy that I could make someone happy, and I always hoped the horse would find a good home. I continually receive updates about the horses that have been in my care, how they are doing, and many have come back to buy a new horse when they needed one.
Why do people become dealers?
They love horses, and it’s a way to avoid going to a job they hate. You gain a lot of experiences and continue to educate yourself throughout your life.
It’s not an easy profession, and you have to work very hard to make a living.
For my part, I wanted to keep them all, but that wasn’t possible. I had a few “own” horses, but those were the breeding horses.
The horse dealers of the past no longer exist, those who had a big wallet and sold bad horses to unsuspecting people. Today, there are so many requirements for sellers, vet inspections, and insurance.
We know it’s expensive to buy a horse, and the dealer hasn’t gotten the horse for free but has paid a sum for it. Then you need a stable and preferably an indoor arena so you can operate year-round. The horses don’t stop eating in winter. Farrier and vet care are needed before you can hand the horse over to its new owner. You never know how long you’ll have the horse before it finds a new home. However, there’s always haggling when buying from a dealer, because the horse is just too expensive (even if it’s cheaper than all the others). The worst thing for a dealer (or at least for me) was when the horse came back. I felt sorry for the horse, having to move back and forth, and it was always a loss for me. Even if you might have another horse to exchange, you were nervous that even that one might come back. It’s not always the dealer’s fault.
Breeders have also struggled over the years to get properly paid for their offspring, so they can at least cover the costs involved in breeding.
Think about that when you criticize a dealer! They generally do their best, and they can’t know all the horse’s past illnesses, nor can they help you find the breeder abroad if the horse has an unknown pedigree, etc.
Make sure you’re informed before you start looking for a horse! Consider what type of horse, size, gender, and training level before you start searching.
Do you want to know more about how to think when buying a horse? Then you can become a member of Happy Horse Hub, where there’s a completely free course on what to consider and look for.
