Double Registered Market is Strong (AQHA/APHA)

In general, the market for double registered (AQHA/APHA) horses is strong. Demand for DR horses is strong, but quality has to be present. Remember the old adage "You don't ride the papers."

Recently a question was posed about the market for a double registered Quarter Horse / Paint Horse weanling colt. The qualifying white was his facial marking, and he has Regular Registry papers with APHA. This particular colt has a sire who is no longer of popular blood, and his dam is "well-bred" but unshown. Even if she has a fantastic pedigree, since this is her first foal, few people will be inclined to reach deep into their pocketbooks.

Most novice or new buyers don't know enough to specifically look for a double registered horse as a defining characteristic. (And I am hopeful that most novices are not out looking for a weanling colt anyway). Additionally, many buyers of all levels compete in events not sanctioned by a particular breed association, like rodeo and jumping. In these instances, registration is simply an added bonus, not a requirement.

Double registered riding horses and prospects are often sought out my a more experienced buyer who is interested in showing in either or both breed associations. Often, they have the assistance of a trainer or agent when making a purchase. With that in mind, a double registered horse must be of above average quality to attract this more knowledgeable buyer.

Generally, the market for colts (being sold as stallion prospects) is a different group of buyers than the market for geldings (being sold as show prospects). Without a powerful pedigree behind him, it's my opinion that this colt should be gelded.

In this past year, under pedigree and conditions similar to this colt's, I have seen average double registered prospects sell for $3,500 to $6,500. I have seen DRs that are started under saddle sell for up to $15k. And, I know of a young DR who is showing successfully in both associations that just changed hands for $30k. Proven or exceptional horses naturally have sold for more.

Breeders might want to consider the amount of money it takes to keep, maintain, train, and eventually show one, to get to the various price points. And, they should also consider what they think the market will do (remain, fall farther, rise) before setting a price and determining when they will sell.

Breeders will continue to demand DRs backed by excellent pedigrees to expand the marketability of resulting foals within several different market segments. As show prospects, pedigree is less important than the double registered horse's talent, movement and temperment - the same characteristics anyone would look for in a show horse. Once proven successful in competition, the DR can potentially make its own bloodline more relevant and therefore more valuable.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this...

Congress Sale: Dramatic Improvement Over Last Year

October 22, 2010
Press Release

In the early morning light of Saturday, October 16th, Quarter Horse breeders, trainers and owners began to trickle into the Ohio Expo Center for the Congress Super Sale.

People roamed the stalls behind the sale arena in the Lausche Building, getting a last minute preview.

The high seller of the event was Huntin For Chocolate, a renowned western pleasure stallion. Purchased for $300,000 by Darol Rodrock, the 1996 gray Quarter Horse will remain in Morgantown, Kentucky at Gumz Farms.

His 2011 stud fee will be $2,000, with concessions going to point earning mares and mares with outstanding bloodlines.

Statistics for the sale were up across the board, with the sale grossing nearly $1.2 million, up 36 percent from last year. The average sale price was $8,085, which is up 40 percent. 80 percent of the horses sold, with the top six, including Huntin For Chocolate, selling for more than $20,000.

The top selling yearling, Biodiesel, went for $14,800 to Sherry Valo. The colt by Diesel Only and out of a Thoroughbred mare, Sun Rea Teck, is an outstanding hunter under saddle prospect, according to previous owner Page Quarterman.

Overall, however, proven performance horses sold better than prospects. The average yearling sold for $4,891, while the average three and four year old sold for more than $6,000.

For full results of the Congress Super Sale, please visit www.professionalauction.com.

Currently being circulated on the Internet

MEMO

TO: President Barack Obama

RE: Economic Recovery Stimulus Ideas

Mr. President, it has come to my attention that you're having some challenges with the economy. If I understand things correctly, we're in a recession, consumer confidence and spending is down, credit is tight, investors are spooked, we need renewable energy, and health care costs are through the roof. Trillions of dollars, not to mention our future, are at stake. Mr. President, I'm just a regular citizen, but I think I have a solution.

Give every American a horse.

My proposal may not make sense to you at first, but let me give you a little background. First of all, horses in the U.S. are a multi-billion dollar industry, and that's just at my house. I suggest you have your economic advisors do a little research on the spending around horse ownership. You'd be surprised, Mr. President.

Start by visiting the tack and clothing retailers like State Line or Dover . Look at the variety of goods available there. Now take into account that every horse owner, especially if it's a woman, is buying not just one or two, but tons of these items. Believe me.

So my thinking is that if you give every American a horse, starting when they reach the horse-receptive age of 10, you're going to do two things: boost consumer confidence and boost spending immediately.

Horses make us feel good, and once Americans all own horses (at the government's expense, of course), they will all logically fall into the pattern that every horse owner succumbs to: accessorizing. For starters, we need horse-care implements like buckets and muck rakes, hoof picks and curry combs. And we need at least basic tack, halter, leadline, saddle, saddle pad, bridle and bit. But then the fun begins.

Zebra print leg wraps. Neon bright fly masks. An assortment of sheets and blankets for all seasons; you've got your cooler, your lightweight blanket, your medium blanket, your heavy blanket. Then there is your stable sheet and your pasture sheet. Also your hoodie, and tail wrap items.

And that's just the clothing for the horse. Don't get me started on the clothing for the rider, even if he or she doesn't show. Since most Americans don't have a basic riding wardrobe, the stores would be swamped for jeans, boots, breeches, T-shirts, dozens of pairs of cute boot socks, and the ubiquitous ball cap. Tell the retailers to get ready. It'll be Christmas all year long.

Now lets talk about support industries. In addition to the usual veterinarian and farrier expenditures, people also give their horses chiropractic, massage and acupuncture, not to mention buying more beauty products for their horses than they do for themselves. All those professions and industries will benefit. And of course there will be a big spike in hay and grain demand, so the farmers will be happy too.

You see, that's the secret to jump-starting consumer spending through my stimulus package. People will spend money on their horses when they won't spend money on anything else.

But, your advisors might say, there's a catch. Aren't we paying the price, in global warming, of the large number of livestock animals we currently have? They produce all that methane!

Ah, Mr. President, here is the real beauty of this idea. When you introduce the Methane-Assisted Natural Unrefined Renewable Energy plan (M.A.N.U.R.E.), you'll be a hero for coming up with an alternative, renewable, home-grown source of clean energy. Just challenge the energy gurus to come up with a methane gas collection system that can harness all the natural resource produced by all those horses to power our cities. Talk about shovel ready projects:Â M.A.N.U.R.E. fits the bill!

And you keep stressing how we need new industries for investment; well, under the M.A.N.U.R.E. plan you can sell Petroleum Offset Opportunity units to investors. By buying these units, investors can help us gradually convert from a petroleum-based economy to one based on horse P.O.O.

Health care costs will go down, too, as everyone cares for their horses their stress levels will go down. It is great therapy. You can give tax credits based on the amount of time people spend working, riding and hanging out with their horses, which will automatically make them healthier. (Don't tell the docs, but most horse owners already get their own basic healthcare from their vet.)

One more thing: everyone is annoyed by these corporate CEOs and their big bonuses in a down economy. So give the executives, say, one horse for every $100,000 of bonus money they've received. Those bonuses will be plowed back into the economy in no time.

Finally, because you, Mrs. O, and the girls are such role models, you can encourage us all by getting a pony for Sasha and Malia. It will teach them responsibility, help the First Lady plow the garden, and as a bonus: free fertilizer for the Rose Garden.


If you don't believe me that horse ownership stimulates spending, go ahead, Mr. President. Buy that pony for your girls.. You'll see.

The often overlooked TRAIL HORSE

I have seen an increase in the number of inquiries from casual or weekend riders. While competitions report a decline in entries, and showing becomes more expensive, it seems that backyard horse lovers are thriving.

And why not? There's never been a better time to buy a horse - and get the most for your money. Prices of mid-range show horses have fallen so much that even weekend Trail Riders can afford something with miles and show ring achievements. A mare with over 100 AQHA points would have likely brought $20-25k back in 2007. The owners could no longer afford to show her, so she sat in a pasture for a year, and then sold in April for $7,500.

If you are a seller, make sure you honestly evaluate your horse's potential to become a backyard pet, casual riding companion, or mount for a novice horse person. Show horses are used to routine and a regular exercise program. Not all of them will transition to a seemingly idyllic life of daily turn out and just one or two rides a week. Even fewer will relish the opportunity to explore unknown territory outside of the arena without balking.

This is a great opportunity to help your show horse stay mentally young by incorporating a trail ride or "out of arena" work into your regular program. There's a recent article in Horse & Rider where Al Dunning talks about the value of getting your horse out and about.

And, if you're looking to buy: make sure you test the horse doing whatever you plan to do, whether that be on the trails in a national park, along the beach at a remote coastal area, or down the road of your residential development. Your safety and the horse's happiness and willingness to do the job are paramount in your buying decision.

I got the chance to participate in a private trail ride at the foot of beautiful mountains in New York. My mount was a sturdy solid black gelding with good ground manners and patience. I felt confident and safe riding him along unfamiliar terrain, through streams, under branches, up hills, and around large rolling fields. He many not look like much or be a beautiful mover, but his mind made him priceless...