Hanoverian Question-Is free a good deal?

MikesMate · #1 05/30/11, 11:53 AM

I have an opportunity to get two Hanoverian mares from a lady that just wants to give them away. I haven't seen them up close yet, just out in the field. I have talked to the owner and gotten the quick rundown on them however. They are 9 and 11, broke to ride (though it's been a while) and one was started on jumps. They are both maiden mares, so they don't have any breeding history. Both are in good health.

I am not familiar with this breed other than what I read on the internet. The lady is aware that if I take them I will most probably try to sell them. She is okay with that she doesn't want to take the time or effort to do it. My question is due to the horse market, how easy would these mares be to sell. I am into Quarter Horses only;however, my clients are QH, paints, and all types of gaited and ponies and their markets aren't great either.

So my question is how good a deal could free be? Thanks for the input.

jill.costello · #2 05/30/11, 11:57 AM

I would buy them both from you for $1200.00 cash. Let me know!

jill.costello · #3 05/30/11, 11:58 AM

Oh, caveat....they must be REGISTERED with the AHS...American Hanoverian Society....or at least eligible to be registered....

nduetime · #4 05/30/11, 12:01 PM

"free" is always a issue with me. There has to be some reason that horses that young and seemingly in good health are not being sold for something. Just saying....

As a sidenote, the market is low everywhere it seems, unless you are into a specific purpose ie:reining, jumping etc. it seems the market there is lower but still a well trained horse can bring a fair price. Good luck!

Stonybrook · #5 05/30/11, 12:12 PM

I think you need more information and pictures (or at least to have laid eyes on them). There are some good deals out there on horses who are free or very cheap, but you need to have some confidence that the reason you are being told they are free is the truth. You might still want a PPE unless you know this person and can trust them. You will also want to know if they are registered or eligible to be registered. You might also want to know if they have behavioral problems that are forcing the owner to give them away.

Again, though, I have heard of some people getting some fabulous horses for free or very cheap. You just have to do your homework on the front end to make sure what you are getting. Unless, you are one of those kind-hearted, generous folks who is willing to take the horse in whatever condition it is and give it the best life possible regardless. In that case, bless you for your generosity.

wolffeathers · #6 05/30/11, 12:16 PM

Are they sound? Do they have papers?

I would lay eyes on them and their papers before agreeing to anything. If you are looking for a quick turn around, you want to know how much money you're going to have to put into them. Are they emaciated? Are their feet going to need special treatment? Are they carrying any contagious diseases? You just want to be sure how much money you are going to have to put into them before you can get them into sale condition.

SFM in KY · #7 05/30/11, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikesMate

So my question is how good a deal could free be? Thanks for the input.

You may not make much but you probably won't end up out of pocket. I'm in the warmblood "world" to some extent still. I've downsized to mostly sportponies but still have contacts with active warmblood breeders, particularly in the VA area.

One: they need to be registered, either with the AHA (American Hannoverian) or ISR or RPSI. I've not dealt with the Hannoverian registry but registration at their age, if they are not already approved and registered can be tricky ... and expensive ... and they would have to go to an inspection. (Isn't like the AQHA or other American type breed registries).

Two: they will probably be more marketable if they are at least going quietly W/T/C and will vet sound. There is little market for broodmares right now in the warmblood world, especially for older maiden mares. I see quite a few broodmares for 'free lease' and have for the past couple of years as most breeders are cutting back and there has been very little market for weanlings and yearlings ... what is selling is mostly 3 year olds and up ready to start under saddle or going under saddle ... the only high-dollar warmbloods being sold are the proven performance horses ... dressage, eventing, jumping, hunters.

MikesMate · #8 05/30/11, 12:30 PM

Yes, these mares are registered. They are not emaciated, if anything they are too fat. I only know this woman through one of my clients that I have had for several years. The owner has tried to sell them in our area, but we are pretty much in a dressage "black hole". These mares are pasture pets.

I have plenty of pasture and hay, I do my own farrier work, other than coggins and vaccinations I'm not out any money. I don't know the woman that owns them personally other than talking on the phone with her, I will be contacting her today to go out and take a look at the mares and get a feel for them.

Jill, I'll let you know if I take them, by the way they're both gray.

Stonybrook · #9 05/30/11, 03:35 PM

If they are sound and at least started, I think you might be able to make a little money. People are going to auctions all the time, picking up project horses they know nothing about that may not even be registered, putting some training/time on them, and then re-selling them. Given that you have plenty of hay and pasture, you won't have to put so much money into feed or farrier work. It might work out okay for everyone and the horses.

Jackie · #10 05/30/11, 08:07 PM

I say load em up.

Gailann Schrader · #11 05/31/11, 11:27 AM

Sounds like a great deal - I've tripped over these deals off and on. Not with Hanoverians, but still...

My only caveat would be that there may be something else going on... Like an ex-husband that actually owns them or a lien or something. Hano's don't usually end up "free" but it's not completely unlikely. Does she have access to the papers (the registrations as everyone else has suggested)?

If she's been unsuccessful in selling them perhaps it's because there are too many other more trained animals in the area...

I'd say go hitch up the trailer and go for it!

Good luck, have fun!!!

Irish Pixie · #12 05/31/11, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikesMate

Yes, these mares are registered. They are not emaciated, if anything they are too fat. I only know this woman through one of my clients that I have had for several years. The owner has tried to sell them in our area, but we are pretty much in a dressage "black hole". These mares are pasture pets.

I have plenty of pasture and hay, I do my own farrier work, other than coggins and vaccinations I'm not out any money. I don't know the woman that owns them personally other than talking on the phone with her, I will be contacting her today to go out and take a look at the mares and get a feel for them.

Jill, I'll let you know if I take them, by the way they're both gray.

Be sure to find out which registry, as they are "too fat" check for laminitis issues, and since both are grey melanomas (and not just under the tail, they can show up as solid lumps under the skin)

MikesMate · #13 05/31/11, 04:55 PM

Update on the free Hanoverians. Went to look at them this morning. They're fat, slick, and healthy. Looked at papers, registered with the AHS. HOWEVER, couldn't catch them, owner couldn't either, even with feed. She said they're okay once they get to know you, but like I said she couldn't catch them either. They've pretty much been out in a LARGE field for about 5 years with no handling. Their feet from what I could tell were pretty good, no lameness, but they needed trimming (good luck with that). She said I could come and work with them if I wanted to and get them used to me, she just wants to get rid of them, she's taking care of her father and their farm and doesn't have time for them. I told her I'd think about it but trying to halter a 16'3, 1300 lb horse that didn't want to be caught in 90+ degree heat may be more than I want to take on. I'll post pictures if I decide to take them on in a brief moment of insanity. Thanks again for the input!

wolffeathers · #14 05/31/11, 06:16 PM

Is there a way she can pen them up?

If she's feeding them, maybe have her stop, so they'll come for food. If she's not feeding them, maybe a handful each once a day will get them in the habit of wanting grain and might change their mind.

They might calm down rather quick once caught. I've had horses that if left to their own devices acted like they've never seen a person before, but once caught were old pros.

If you have a 4 horse + trailer, you could always take it over there and open it up. Put some grain and sweet smelling hay in there and wait. I've known horses that were trailer broke and would get in the trailer out of curiousity or boredom. Once loaded, don't unload them until you have them in a corral or small pen at your place.

Sounds like a great deal.

lamoncha lover · #15 06/01/11, 06:17 PM

where in kentucky are they? If you need soome fool to come help you load..and its not too far I will help you. I would not pass up on the deal if I were you

wr · #16 06/01/11, 06:20 PM

MikesMate, are you handy with a rope or know somebody who is? That's about the quickest way to resolve the situation. If you don't have a roper available, I'd be happy to send you mind but should warn you up front that he's happy to work for a good meal but he eats enough to feed a good sized village.

krische1012 · #17 06/01/11, 11:14 PM

Where in KY are you? If you are nearby I'd be happy to lend a hand if I can. That is a GREAT deal!

Stonybrook · #18 06/02/11, 06:10 PM

Yay! It's a wild horse round-up!

Just kidding. They probably will be okay once they are caught, especially if you can separate them in a small enclosure (from each other too) so that you become their best buddy. I bet they just have not needed anything from people in awhile so why bother with people. If they have any place that is smaller that you can lure them into or if you can run some temporary electric fence, you will probably be able to catch them without too much difficulty. Maybe just s touch of feed once a day will work.

Linda J · #19 06/02/11, 07:37 PM

I'm thinking a couple of ropers is what you need. If I were closer, I'd come out and watch. I'd bring iced tea. Looks like fun. And you know they are probably just being brats, when you get them in the round pen with halters and lunge lines, they'll shape up in no time. They've had it good, just being pasture ornaments.

starjj · #20 06/02/11, 07:39 PM

Are you close to South Central KY?