CLOSING THE SALE

What all this adds up to is a "33". Since this is less than "50" and no category has more than two listings of a "5" and up, this horse is a fairly safe purchase provided the rider has some skill, is big enough to handle him from the ground, and has the patience to begin the task of restoring the mount's confidence in man.

.33% x $650 = $214

Now is the time to look at the papers. If he is a registered American Quarter Horse, and if the going price for what was advertised is, say $650, then by converting the ''33" points into percentage, and subtracting that from the base, or $214 from the $650 norm, then it is apparent that the asked price is reasonable.

Top Price Paid Locally $650
"33" points = 33% =-214
total worth 436

Advertised Price $425

If it happens that the registration is not valid, transferable, or happens to be ''lost," then our figures change. Supposing that the top price paid locally for a grade gelding is $400. The advertised price of $425 would seem realistic— until the ''33" points, or 33% which here equals $132, is subtracted.

Top Price For Grade Horse $400
Less: 33%-132=268

So, we offer the seller $268, explain why, and expect to bargain. Most likely he will, quite validly claim that the cost of a recent shoeing should be reimbursed ( $16-20): he might offer to deliver (another $20) and toss in a halter (worth about $5). But, we don't consider that shots, worming, un-paid vet bills, no matter how the owner cries, are the buyer's responsibility.

Our top offer is $313. That old cuss won't budge. Now is the time to consider how much extra that flashy quick stop is worth. Well... at least half the difference between the two figures, and counting out the money we make a final take-it-or-leave-it bid of $369, and head for the door. Bet you he will change his mind real quick.

So far I have left the question of age out of the example. If the birthdate is given on a registration paper, still take a look. Teeth don't lie. On the evaluation form 5% is added for each year of difference than what was advertised. This gives the buyer some clout, for if the seller has been misrepresenting the horse by 10 years, you can prove on paper that his value is 50% less.

Of course, adding ten years to our example horse, and subtracting a total of 83 percentage points leaves a low of only $68. This isn't very realistic, as other factors apply. Check further on what a sound, well mannered, but aged gelding is selling for and re-figure from that. I hate to mention it again, but many so-called horsemen will not sell for less than what the canners will pay. The rock bottom price is always influenced by this fact.

Whatever, let me leave you with a happier thought. At this writing the horse population of the United States is over 10 million. Don't look at any horse to buy — look to look. And, eventually you will find a perfect mount, at a proper price.

May you always ride a good horse.
Barry Murray

The next three pages you can print out of a work sheet, bill of sale, and the Horse Evaluation Checklist that you can take with you when examining a horse to buy.