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Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth: Is this Horse really FREE? By Diana J. Canaday

    The down turn in the economy has resulted in an abundance of Free horses. Many of our customers come to us with tales of the FREE horse syndrome (FHS). The tale starts like this “I got a FREE horse off the internet…from a neighbor…from a relative…etc… When we got the horse home we can’t ride it…it was lame…it was stupid…it was sick. We invested money in its care and training and the horse is still dangerous or unusable. We spent all our money on this horse and want to trade it even for one of your horses.”

     Although we are sympathic, but our answer is always “Take the horse to the sale and sell it. Then come to the barn and we will be happy to match a horse to meet your needs. In fact, we are so sure of the quality of our horses we will give you a 10 day trade back guarantee.” Many a potential customer is unhappy with this answer.

     They have an unreasonable expectation of getting a return on their investment in the FREE horse. In reality when you accept a FREE horse you are getting someone’s PROBLEM. When you see the words FREE horse, substitute the word FREE for PROBLEM or better EXPENSIVE PROBLEM.

     The sad fact is horses cost money, both in the initial purchase price and the monthly up keep. There is a monthly feed bill, farrier service, and worming. Then there is the yearly cost of a Coggins test which can only be performed by a licensed Vet.

    Look a FREE horse in the mouth to determine if it will let you handle its mouth? Resistance to handling is an indication that the horse either hasn’t had enough training or has an attitude of ingratitude. The horse may even be hard to bridle. 

    Look a FREE horse look it in the mouth to check its teeth. We had a horse that had a broken molar that required surgery and antibiotics to control. If the teeth are nearly gone, you will have to buy special feed for the animal. I know people who give away really old horses (over 25 yrs) because they don’t want to incur the extra expense of feeding and the final expense of burying the horse when it dies.

     Look a FREE horse look it in the mouth to see if has a cut or deformed tongue. When a horse is a problem during training, many an individual will go to a harsh thin wire bit. Hence, when pressure is exerted the wire cuts the horse’s tongue. The tale-tell sign of a cut tongue is that the horse is only ridden with a halter or hackamore. Indeed, when questioned why the horse isn’t ridden with a bridle the owner may say “Oh, the horse doesn’t need it.”

     These are just a few things you can do to evaluate whether the FREE horse is a worthwhile hobby or an expensive lesson. At Circle H Stables, our first concern is your safety. Your safety begins with a horse that is sound and sane. Hence, we offer seasoned trail horses for beginners, advanced beginners and experienced riders. Stop by the stable and look at our friendly horses.