Originally posted 09/07/2013

We had an opportunity last year to purchase a mare for a very reasonable amount of money…think, a few hundred dollars. She was being sold by a high school kid who had acquired her in trade for a load of hay from her breeder. Red flag #1.

Her pedigree touted some well-respected Warmblood breeding on her dam’s side and she was sired by a decent Quarter horse stallion. Thanks to a Google search, we found footage from her original sale video which showed some lofty movement, even at a young age and a nice overall balance. But when the filly came trotting straight toward the camera, it mysteriously moved to a shot of the arena floor. Red flag #2.

Despite this, we drove the 2 ½ hours one way to see her in person. She was very cute, personable, pony sized and as it turns out, very incorrect in her front legs. To say that one front hoof pointed to the East while the other pointed to the West might accurately describe it. It all became clear then, why the red flags. She clearly had poor front limb conformation and the breeder did their best to hide it. Suffice it to say, this flaw is what had led the filly to be traded for a load of hay.

We took a good look at her, spent some time evaluating her and told the seller thank you, but she is not what we are looking for in our breeding program. She will make a kid a great 4-H project horse or even a quiet trail pony, but she was not of the caliber for breeding.

In a stressed market, such as that which we have experienced for the past several years, sometimes an opportunity is a good opportunity. Other times, an opportunity is one that does not align with your long-term vision and goal and that's when it’s a good time to say ‘no’.