BREED

There are two basic types of a horse you can buy. A registered horse of a recognized breed as Arab, Appaloosa, Pinto, Quarter, Tennessee Walker, to name a few. Or the "Horse, Horse," more commonly called a grade animal.

A registered animal usually costs at least three times the price of a grade horse, but that is no indication it is worth more. A brand name doesn't automatically stand for quality. Nor, is it a guarantee for five years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Of the breeds, Thoroughbreds run faster Quarter Horses can stand the strain of roping better Arabs are noted for endur" ance: Appaloosas are pretty the Tennessee Walker is a comfortable ride — but mix them all together and what do you have? That's right, a Horse, Horse. Call him a range bred cayuse, bronc, mustang, or cuss him out, he's the horse that won the West ' If this is beginning to sound as if I am promoting GRADE Horses, I am.

The reason I am doing so, is lately the breed associations have been bragging so loudly that the pampered, papered, product that is the great-great-grandson of Golden Trueblood is the greatest horse that ever lived. Some ads in the horse magazines bubble like soap flake manufacturers, with headlines that read , " New , " and, " Improved . "

About the only time, "Horse, Horses," make it into print is when they are rounded up for being a nuisance by living on range that wouldn't support a jack rabbit. Nothing is new or improved here. Just as it was in the days of Grandaddy Ripsnorter, only the strongest, the most able, survive.

And, since the death of writers who actually rode the range, as Will James, many so called horsemen have been looking down their Roman Noses at the common Old Blues, Smokeys, Big Enoughs. We had both registered and grade stock with us on our Mexico to Canada ride, but the five keepers in my string now are all mustangs - and I am proud of them. So, you will have to excuse me a bit for raising my voice to be heard about my herd.

If you must have a registered animal to enter a competition where a horse is judged on performance, rather than line, look for a gelding that is out of style . Within breeds, fashions change as to what is the perfect build. Anybody that wants proof of this need look no further than the past records of the Quarter Horse Association.

Also, for the above reason, if you have been bit by a stable fly and your dream is to raise horses, let me warn you that the requirements for foundation stwk will go far beyond the scope of this book. Truthfully, it is a very expensive undertaking ( many do go under ) best left to full time ''show bizi' professionals .

That's what raising horses has evolved to an endless circuit of horse shows to collect points competing against milF ionaire sportsman in the game for a tax write-off. You have to have: the right breed, the right build, the right color,the right trainer, at the right time, and the right place, to make a champion, so you can sell the offspring at the right price' Needless to say, when it comes to the horse business, cow ponies need not apply.

What's the old movie cliche'? Pop will loose the farm to the bank unless Little Nell and Rag Tags save the day by winning_______________ . You fill in the blank, and pay the bank, 'cause it rarely happens in real life.

Yes, but you aren't interested in competition, showing, or raising horses. You are willing to compromise to keep within the budget. You just want a registered anima1 to ride - after all, it doesn't cost any more to feed " the best."

So, again, in real life, here is what could happen. Your bargain basement buy, especially something with "hot blood," might be a hard keeper, which would mean higher feed bills. And, vets, being doctors, might charge according to what the owner thinks his animal is "worth." But, worst of all, there is a real possibility that, when looking for a reasonably priced "registered" horse, a dealer will sell you something that isn't.

The villain is never caught either. I know one. He goes to auctions, buys anything that can walk, and assigns papers to the whole truckload. It doesn't matter if it's an up-dated photocopy on something he sold years ago, or maybe a counterfeited copy of a well known breeders dispersal sale brochure. Paper is paper. It's surprising the number of buyers looking for a bargain in a registered horse get caught by his winking and whispering, '"Wellll now, let's saveee a couple hundred ( about $15 ) in transfer fees. I'll just pass the papers that came with the horse on without saying anything. Yah know what I mean?"

I guess the reason he's never been branded for fraud is that advertising a "Quarter-type'' mare, or an "Appaloosa spotted" gelding, is everyday reading in the newspaper classifieds. This doesn't mean you shouldn't go out and take a look at the animal.

Just remember that a certificate is not worth the paper it is printed on unless it is a permanent registration of a recognized breed, and is transferable to the new owner. Pointing this out might reduce the price.

Also, please note what I have been saying - that what really counts is Mother Nature's stamp of approval, something that cannot be counterfeited.