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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
   
Location: N Texas | della - 2018-04-18 2:46 PM
horsegirl - 2018-04-18 1:39 PM
stayceem - 2018-04-18 3:21 PM horsegirl - 2018-04-18 11:17 AM I thought I had nothing to lose when I purchased a grade mare for a cheap price. I figured if I could sell her for $3,000 or $3500, then I'd be perfectly fine since I paid about half that to buy her. All was good and well until she become constantly lame. After pouring $5,000 in vet bills over one year, I ended up with an unregistered, unsound mare nobody wanted. My only option was to donate her to a breeding center as a recip mare. (See my 6 page post on here)
DO NOT DO IT.
 I remember your post and I am still very sorry for your situation. However, is it really any different than a gelding? Here is my deal, I generally buy to keep and so if the price is right, the horse fits my style then I say go for it. Obviously I prefer papers in case something were to happen... but it can happen with a papered gelding. I have ridden a lot of grade horses in my life, all competitive and all worth their weight in gold. Sure, IF they went for sale, they sold much cheaper but if the horse is proven, papers are a lot less valuable. The whole point of papers is generally to set yourself up with the best recipe for a nice barrel horse. If they're already a nice one... then nothing to prove. Now if you plan on buying to sell and make money then I wouldn't...
But are all thoes mares fall into the safety net of simply having a registered uterus worth breeding?
I get what everybody says, you can always breed, but it a grade broke horse fits your wants and needs I would not hesitate to purchase, accidents can happen she could get crippled but Im just not one to just breed because I can't ride, so I do not even consider that. Just because they are registered does not instantly equal value as a brood mare.
And I have a yard full of old unsound retired horses what's one more (I get im lucky to have that and not everybody does )
I agree with you. Everyone says "well if she goes lame, just breed her!" WHY?? There are already so many horses out there, that unless the mare is stellar on her own, breeding her just because you can is irresponsible. What if the cause of her lameness is hereditary?
I saw an ad on FB the other day for a mare that was batsh!t crazy and people were telling the owner to breed her because it might calm her down. In reality, it'll probably just bring another batsh!t crazy horse into the world that someone will have to deal with. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 141
| The downside is resale value and the upside is unlimited.
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 Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | I ran a super nice grade mare I bought cheap and put miles on her, seasoned her she finished in 2/3D in Florida tough competition but I only sold her for $5500 because she was grade. The people who bought her really wanted a papered mare but she was worth it because she ran so nice and was honest. I guess if you’re not breeding them or re selling then what does it matter | |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | 1DSoon - 2018-04-18 11:55 AM
I love grade horses.
You can't ride papers
Â
No but you sure can sell or breed them | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| RnRJack - 2018-04-18 9:17 PM
1DSoon - 2018-04-18 11:55 AM
I love grade horses.
You can't ride papers
Â
No but you sure can sell or breed them
Problem is cant prove age, too many crooked people out there, even buying a registered sorrel horse can be sketchy if the papers are actually the papers of said horse
Edited by cheryl makofka 2018-04-18 11:23 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 502
Location: United States | I would not buy a grade mare. I passed on one I REALLY REALLY liked and it was hard to walk away from her. If the grade mare doesn't work out for you, whats the exit plan with a grade mare on top of the financial loss, plus your time and emotion involved. Then, someone else may buy and breed the grade mare because she has ovaries to produce another grade horse. Grade mares should be spayed like cutting a grade colt. This is just my strong opinion that some may not agree with and that is okay! | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I have bought grade horses, roping and barrel racing, and will again if I find one I really like. I have prepurchase exams done on them, just like a papered horse, and use a vet that can age one. It's not foolproof, but nothing is really. I don't buy to resell and am not interested in breeding so that makes it easier I think to not mind buying a grade horse. I have seen some really nice papered horses beaten by a grade horse. Not often, but have seen it done multiple times through the years and in stiff Texas competition. | |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | If I were horse shopping and found a grade horse that fits what I'm looking for I'll buy it in a heart beat if the price is right.. I rather buy grade that is built correct and good mine over a dink of a register horse thats blowed with a pea brain and legs coming out of the same hole. If I question the age on a grade I would have my vet age it for me.. I dont sell I keep for life so really papers dont mean much to me and its a bonus if planning on reselling later down the road, to me a horse is a horse and I have seen better grade horse's then register in my life time, a papered horse just sell's better and for more money if bred discent. | |
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Location: NE Texas | 1DSoon - 2018-04-18 11:55 AM
I love grade horses.
You can't ride papers
Â
Ditto. But also would not breed a grade mare, unless she turned out to be a unicorn, then still probably wouldn't b/c I would sell her. lol | |
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 Hugs to You
Posts: 7551
Location: In The Land of Cotton | 1DSoon - 2018-04-18 12:55 PM I love grade horses.
You can't ride papers
Yes you can - he is now a Pink Buckle Stallion - | |
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 Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | horsegirl - 2018-04-18 2:39 PM stayceem - 2018-04-18 3:21 PM horsegirl - 2018-04-18 11:17 AM I thought I had nothing to lose when I purchased a grade mare for a cheap price. I figured if I could sell her for $3,000 or $3500, then I'd be perfectly fine since I paid about half that to buy her. All was good and well until she become constantly lame. After pouring $5,000 in vet bills over one year, I ended up with an unregistered, unsound mare nobody wanted. My only option was to donate her to a breeding center as a recip mare. (See my 6 page post on here)
DO NOT DO IT.
I remember your post and I am still very sorry for your situation. However, is it really any different than a gelding? Here is my deal, I generally buy to keep and so if the price is right, the horse fits my style then I say go for it. Obviously I prefer papers in case something were to happen... but it can happen with a papered gelding. I have ridden a lot of grade horses in my life, all competitive and all worth their weight in gold. Sure, IF they went for sale, they sold much cheaper but if the horse is proven, papers are a lot less valuable. The whole point of papers is generally to set yourself up with the best recipe for a nice barrel horse. If they're already a nice one... then nothing to prove. Now if you plan on buying to sell and make money then I wouldn't...
Not true... I had a really Nicely bred papered young mare that is now 6ft in the ground cause freak shiz happens... I agree with it being a crap shoot either way... If I like a horse I like a horse, papered or not papered... For the paper lovers, they will only look to buy on those... I would buy on performance long before pedigree these days, or knowing I like what I like and what's on my horses papers currently no one would probably think much of anyway... other then me and a few that are getting to know the lines  | |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| cindyt - 2018-04-19 11:57 AM
horsegirl - 2018-04-18 2:39 PM stayceem - 2018-04-18 3:21 PM horsegirl - 2018-04-18 11:17 AM I thought I had nothing to lose when I purchased a grade mare for a cheap price. I figured if I could sell her for $3,000 or $3500, then I'd be perfectly fine since I paid about half that to buy her. All was good and well until she become constantly lame. After pouring $5,000 in vet bills over one year, I ended up with an unregistered, unsound mare nobody wanted. My only option was to donate her to a breeding center as a recip mare. (See my 6 page post on here)
DO NOT DO IT.
 I remember your post and I am still very sorry for your situation. However, is it really any different than a gelding? Here is my deal, I generally buy to keep and so if the price is right, the horse fits my style then I say go for it. Obviously I prefer papers in case something were to happen... but it can happen with a papered gelding. I have ridden a lot of grade horses in my life, all competitive and all worth their weight in gold. Sure, IF they went for sale, they sold much cheaper but if the horse is proven, papers are a lot less valuable. The whole point of papers is generally to set yourself up with the best recipe for a nice barrel horse. If they're already a nice one... then nothing to prove. Now if you plan on buying to sell and make money then I wouldn't...
And I am not understanding the financial loss??
A few horses I have known or helped sell.
Black grade gelding - bought for $3000 finished and sold for $3500 (no loss) - he was a 3d/4d horse, great playday horse. Super safe, awesome pole horse.
Appy Grade Gelding - bought for $2500 and sold for $5000 - he was a somewhat hauled and got finished/mosre consistent. 2d/3d horse.
Sorrel Grade Mare - Paid $2500 and she is old now, but offers have been well over double for her.
Buckskin Grade Gelding - Paid 7k finished rodeo horse and sold for $9500. 1d/2d horse, all-around ability.
Bay Grade Mare - she was born and raised (issue with Dam's papers) but sold for $35,000. 1d mare, rodeo money earner, etc.
I don't understand the money loss??? If you don't pay too much for it, I don't think I can recall someone not selling it for what they paid or more?? | |
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | Most of the time I put more into them then what I make, I also board mine so take into consideration that cost as well, I have come up over cost a few times but not by much. I buy and sell because I like doing it, I like watching people run what I put my hard work into, it’s self gratifying For me. One of the best mares I had was grade, although I knew the sire he wasn’t proven for anything anyway. She is a 2D youth horse now and I love watching her and her little girl.
I would buy a grade gelding but would be pickier for a mare because I have a tendency to flip them. If it was a nice enough mare and the right price I’d still buy probably knowing I won’t get much for her.
Edited by RnRJack 2018-04-19 1:40 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1612
Location: Cocoa, Florida | Two nicest grade horses I’ve sold:
Red mare, ended up 2D/3D with me 1D locally sold for $5500
https://youtu.be/iB822KQ8Rq8
https://youtu.be/Yt4Znae2aqU
And then this guy I sold super cheap I know it was under 4K, he’s cash for cash, rocket wrangler but they didn’t register dam
https://youtu.be/PE-2zf2k-Xg | |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | 1DSoon - 2018-04-18 11:55 AM I love grade horses.
You can't ride papers
BAHAHA, This comment is Gold 1D...
LOL I see your humor...  | |
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Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20917
Location: LouLouVille, OK | stayceem - 2018-04-19 1:28 PM cindyt - 2018-04-19 11:57 AM horsegirl - 2018-04-18 2:39 PM stayceem - 2018-04-18 3:21 PM horsegirl - 2018-04-18 11:17 AM I thought I had nothing to lose when I purchased a grade mare for a cheap price. I figured if I could sell her for $3,000 or $3500, then I'd be perfectly fine since I paid about half that to buy her. All was good and well until she become constantly lame. After pouring $5,000 in vet bills over one year, I ended up with an unregistered, unsound mare nobody wanted. My only option was to donate her to a breeding center as a recip mare. (See my 6 page post on here)
DO NOT DO IT.
I remember your post and I am still very sorry for your situation. However, is it really any different than a gelding? Here is my deal, I generally buy to keep and so if the price is right, the horse fits my style then I say go for it. Obviously I prefer papers in case something were to happen... but it can happen with a papered gelding. I have ridden a lot of grade horses in my life, all competitive and all worth their weight in gold. Sure, IF they went for sale, they sold much cheaper but if the horse is proven, papers are a lot less valuable. The whole point of papers is generally to set yourself up with the best recipe for a nice barrel horse. If they're already a nice one... then nothing to prove. Now if you plan on buying to sell and make money then I wouldn't... And I am not understanding the financial loss?? A few horses I have known or helped sell. Black grade gelding - bought for $3000 finished and sold for $3500 (no loss ) - he was a 3d/4d horse, great playday horse. Super safe, awesome pole horse. Appy Grade Gelding - bought for $2500 and sold for $5000 - he was a somewhat hauled and got finished/mosre consistent. 2d/3d horse. Sorrel Grade Mare - Paid $2500 and she is old now, but offers have been well over double for her. Buckskin Grade Gelding - Paid 7k finished rodeo horse and sold for $9500. 1d/2d horse, all-around ability. Bay Grade Mare - she was born and raised (issue with Dam's papers ) but sold for $35,000. 1d mare, rodeo money earner, etc. I don't understand the money loss??? If you don't pay too much for it, I don't think I can recall someone not selling it for what they paid or more??
I never said what I had in her... which was plenty... for me...but she was worth every penny...
I lost the most money on a papered out his azz to run dink back in the 90s... learned my lesson on him...
Horses are my hobby, not my business... never have been... so I buy what I like and don't care what anyone thinks of them.... But my grade horses from the past... Never lost a dime on um.. not one cent... They usually sold for at least 3 times if not more then I ever had in them... wouldn't trade any of those experiences for nothin... So you and I have done alright ;) we aint rich but we have had a good go :)
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | 3canstorun - 2018-04-19 10:52 AM 1DSoon - 2018-04-18 12:55 PM I love grade horses.
You can't ride papers
Yes you can - he is now a Pink Buckle Stallion -
I have to ask this question,, What is a pink buckle stallion? | |
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A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | cindyt - 2018-04-19 2:16 PM stayceem - 2018-04-19 1:28 PM cindyt - 2018-04-19 11:57 AM horsegirl - 2018-04-18 2:39 PM stayceem - 2018-04-18 3:21 PM horsegirl - 2018-04-18 11:17 AM I thought I had nothing to lose when I purchased a grade mare for a cheap price. I figured if I could sell her for $3,000 or $3500, then I'd be perfectly fine since I paid about half that to buy her. All was good and well until she become constantly lame. After pouring $5,000 in vet bills over one year, I ended up with an unregistered, unsound mare nobody wanted. My only option was to donate her to a breeding center as a recip mare. (See my 6 page post on here)
DO NOT DO IT.
I remember your post and I am still very sorry for your situation. However, is it really any different than a gelding? Here is my deal, I generally buy to keep and so if the price is right, the horse fits my style then I say go for it. Obviously I prefer papers in case something were to happen... but it can happen with a papered gelding. I have ridden a lot of grade horses in my life, all competitive and all worth their weight in gold. Sure, IF they went for sale, they sold much cheaper but if the horse is proven, papers are a lot less valuable. The whole point of papers is generally to set yourself up with the best recipe for a nice barrel horse. If they're already a nice one... then nothing to prove. Now if you plan on buying to sell and make money then I wouldn't... And I am not understanding the financial loss?? A few horses I have known or helped sell. Black grade gelding - bought for $3000 finished and sold for $3500 (no loss ) - he was a 3d/4d horse, great playday horse. Super safe, awesome pole horse. Appy Grade Gelding - bought for $2500 and sold for $5000 - he was a somewhat hauled and got finished/mosre consistent. 2d/3d horse. Sorrel Grade Mare - Paid $2500 and she is old now, but offers have been well over double for her. Buckskin Grade Gelding - Paid 7k finished rodeo horse and sold for $9500. 1d/2d horse, all-around ability. Bay Grade Mare - she was born and raised (issue with Dam's papers ) but sold for $35,000. 1d mare, rodeo money earner, etc. I don't understand the money loss??? If you don't pay too much for it, I don't think I can recall someone not selling it for what they paid or more??
I lost the most money on a papered out his azz to run dink back in the 90s... learned my lesson on him...
Horses are my hobby, not my business... never have been... so I buy what I like and don't care what anyone thinks of them.... But my grade horses from the past... Never lost a dime on um.. not one cent... They usually sold for at least 3 times if not more then I ever had in them... wouldn't trade any of those experiences for nothin... So you and I have done alright ;) we aint rich but we have had a good go :)
I loved all the grades I had all threw my life, when I was a little girl grade horses were the only type of horses my parents could afford for me, and every body always wanted my mutts, lol.. | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| stayceem - 2018-04-19 1:28 PM
cindyt - 2018-04-19 11:57 AM
horsegirl - 2018-04-18 2:39 PM stayceem - 2018-04-18 3:21 PM horsegirl - 2018-04-18 11:17 AM I thought I had nothing to lose when I purchased a grade mare for a cheap price. I figured if I could sell her for $3,000 or $3500, then I'd be perfectly fine since I paid about half that to buy her. All was good and well until she become constantly lame. After pouring $5,000 in vet bills over one year, I ended up with an unregistered, unsound mare nobody wanted. My only option was to donate her to a breeding center as a recip mare. (See my 6 page post on here)
DO NOT DO IT.
 I remember your post and I am still very sorry for your situation. However, is it really any different than a gelding? Here is my deal, I generally buy to keep and so if the price is right, the horse fits my style then I say go for it. Obviously I prefer papers in case something were to happen... but it can happen with a papered gelding. I have ridden a lot of grade horses in my life, all competitive and all worth their weight in gold. Sure, IF they went for sale, they sold much cheaper but if the horse is proven, papers are a lot less valuable. The whole point of papers is generally to set yourself up with the best recipe for a nice barrel horse. If they're already a nice one... then nothing to prove. Now if you plan on buying to sell and make money then I wouldn't...
And I am not understanding the financial loss??
A few horses I have known or helped sell.
Black grade gelding - bought for $3000 finished and sold for $3500 (no loss ) - he was a 3d/4d horse, great playday horse. Super safe, awesome pole horse.
Appy Grade Gelding - bought for $2500 and sold for $5000 - he was a somewhat hauled and got finished/mosre consistent. 2d/3d horse.
Sorrel Grade Mare - Paid $2500 and she is old now, but offers have been well over double for her.
Buckskin Grade Gelding - Paid 7k finished rodeo horse and sold for $9500. 1d/2d horse, all-around ability.
Bay Grade Mare - she was born and raised (issue with Dam's papers ) but sold for $35,000. 1d mare, rodeo money earner, etc.
I don't understand the money loss??? If you don't pay too much for it, I don't think I can recall someone not selling it for what they paid or more??
Feed, farrier, worming, and vet. Did you calculate those bills into the profit? | |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I didn't hesitate on buying a grade mare. She was exactly what I was looking for and I loved how she rode. Now I don't breed and I didn't pay a whole lot for her so IF I did decide to sell (I really love her so doubtful she will go anywhere) I don't think I would have an issue getting back what I paid for her. | |
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