WHERE TO BUY

One of the most successful horse dealers (honest type) I know started out as a used car salesman — and claimed there was little difference between the two. "After all," he explained, "I knew enough to check the mileage (teeth), tires (hooves), but most important of all, I always bought right."

He did not attend an auction expecting to find a "steal." The odd thing about horse sales is that those that buy think they are robbing some poor cowboy blind. ("He must be drunk ") Those that sell, know that an auction barn is the place to unload the cripples, the outlaws, the unwanted grandmothers.

About the only reason a beginner should ever think of going to an auction is to sit back and watch a real showman fob off a package of trouble onto someone caught up in the spiel of the auctioneer. I have bought completely green stock at a few sales (having taken a good look before the horses were brought into the ring) and come out all right horsewise. But, I will admit that it took me awhile to learn not to bid my own damm bid up, and that I could buy a comparable horse at a better price direct from a private party.

Who buys at auctions then? The other type of dealer —not so honest. By attending week after week, they know which horses have been through the ring before. They make a point of knowing — through connections, experience, and time spent looking the consignees over beforehand — exactly where to stop their bidding to allow enough profit so they can turn right around an unload the animal on you.

I keep referring to dealers, so I had better correct a mental picture of a sign, swaying in the wind, directing a person up a shady lane to "Honest John's." Many hide the fact that they dabbte in horseflesh as a hobby, hoping, perhaps, one day to write a funny book entitled Confessions of a Horsetrader. If you notice, over a period of time, the same telephone number in an ad for an ever changing list of "Family Horses," or an unbelievable bargain used over and over again for "bait and switch," that's the fellow.

Some come right out and admit they sell a few horses. "Nah, not enough to be licensed," but they will stand behind their horses (not literately) and will replace a purchase if you aren't 100% happy, happy, happy. What happens here is that one mistake is traded in (with a little to boot, his way) on another mistake, again and again, until the buyer is too tired, broken up, or embarrassed to complain.

Riding stables are always willing to sell a "beginners horse,'' which is another name for a plug. Horse farms always have a few "real show possibilities" to unload, at a price worthy of a Pretty Penny Paddock product.

Where then to begin the search for a perfect horse, at a reasonable price? Call your local farrier for advice, visit feed stores, and study the ads in your local newspaper. Listen to my car salesman friend look for the model that has been a well cared for pet. An owner that really loves his horse usually wants to know who is buying, and what sort of a home his friend is going to.

Also, nobody sells a good horse that he has room, feed, and use for. One good bet would be to find a 4-H horse program member that is leaving for college. Unfortunately, the term "4-H," is overused, mostly with, "Prospect," following. "Good Home Only," costs a few extra words to say, and if they mean what they say, the animal could turn out to be a working cutting or roping horse that can't stand the pace anymore, and the owner wants to retire his partner to play in a big pasture with a bunch of kids. Then again, "Moving," could be an abbreviation for,''Moving...this crippled, sway-backed, walking can of dog food off of my property."

About the only way you can tell what means this, and what is that, on the telephone is to be downright skeptical, almost rude. Flat out ask, "Now really, what's the real reason you want to sell?" Sometimes the story is too good to be true. Go and take a look anyhow. The only problem here might be that the owner wants too much money for the wrong reason — sentlment. A light touch is required here. Do not criticize his horse to drive the price down. Rather, appeal to that soft spot every good horseman has in his heart. "Gee-e-e, I love-e-e this horse, and he sure is worth $5,000, but all I have in my piggy bank is $199.52."

But, if the dream of dreams does come true, by all means do look a gift horse in the mouth. Diplomatically run through the soundness checklist on the pretense that if you found anything wrong you could stop by the vet's on the way home. Failure to do so could cost you many times the asking price of a usable mount. If it is a relative that wants to be generous, it might be better to ask for an ugly vase instead.

Right now I am in the process of thinking about, possibly, maybe, selling a mountain horse of mine that anybody can ride with a halter and voice commands. Problem is, though he is a gentle old gelding in mixed company, he has become a bully to some of the other horses in my herd. Since he and I have seen a few sights together, at times I think it would be better to put him down myself, rather than take a chance of allowing him to fall into the wrong hands and meet his final reward at the canners.

A few of my friends know I have been "thinking." Word has been passed around I am looking for someone I can trust to do right by him. Somebody's going to get a real bargain. And this is the best way of all to find a good horse. Ask people that ride. Join a saddle club. Hang around feed stores. Wait to catch someone with a right horse, in the right mood to sell at the right price.