Since my last blog I have been researching the idea that there exists an array of real jobs out there for those of us who love horses and who would like to earn some sort of living – even if it amounts to part-time pay to ease our money stresses – that relates to horses in some way.

Well, I found the usual careers, such as farrier, equine veterinarian, horse trainer, and riding instructor.  I also found a niche for those of us who are artists and love to draw or paint horses.  Horse boarding of course came up.  There is always someone who has or wants a horse and who needs a place to board one.

Then, I found a few ideas that I hadn’t thought of before.  While they may bring in only a small amount of money and won’t perhaps replace your current non-horse-related job, they still include earning some money and – here’s the real plus – they still include horses in some way!

These jobs include things like working in a tack store, having a sale using your own garage (or using the services of Craig’s list or eBay) to sell those saddles, blankets, and apparel items you haven’t used in a while. These may include anything from riding boots you no longer wear to the never-used halter someone gave you.

I even found suggestions concerning working as a caretaker on a ranch.¹

This week I will focus on those “caretaker” jobs I heard about.  One thing I strongly suggest you do if you may be interested in these types of jobs is research as much about them as possible.  Find out if this type of work would be right for you, and just what is involved in this hard yet rewarding job.²

Just where are they and how do you find them? 

First I typed, “ranch caretaker” into my little Google search box and clicked the hour glass icon.  From there I got an entire page, as you may imagine, of all kinds of links and bold advertising claims.

Hmmm, where to begin? 

Well, I clicked on the first link Google gave me. (Not always the best choice, but I had to start somewhere.)  I got a questionnaire type of search page prompting me to enter what country, what state, and even the prospective employer’s ID number (if I knew it) to get a listing of those specific jobs.  I directed the site to look for jobs in the United States and clicked.  I got a list of about 30 different jobs.  These jobs were in New York, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Tennessee, etc. etc.  Some were looking for cooks, some for a nanny, some for a dog care giver, and – ah yes – some specifically for horse ranch caretakers!

I clicked on one of these, a remote ranch in Colorado.  It sounded wonderful.  It was an arrangement in which you were provided with an apartment on the ranch and boarding for your horse(s).  Per the description the apartment included appliances, utilities, phone, internet, dish TV and furnishes.  The description also made it clear that there was no cash wage.  The exchange was the ability to have full use of the property’s trails, stalls and apartment.  This one was “long-term” and other offers listed ranged from 12 months to 12 weeks in duration.

Okay, so there many, many, many such links on the web for care-taking jobs, and it didn’t take me long to come across probably one of the best sites to find such jobs, The Caretaker Gazette.³  It has been around since 1983 and you can even subscribe, depending on just how serious you are about finding a care-taking job.  It is also a great place for someone looking for a caretaker to advertise.

Citation bilbliography:

¹ Chris, Five Star Ranch Staff Writer. “Finding Horse Jobs. How to Monetize Your Interest in Horses” 2004-2012. Five Star Ranch  <http://www.fivestarranch.com/articles/horse-job-ideas.html>

² Grabianowski, Ed.  "How Ranch Caretakers Work"  01 December 2009.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://adventure.howstuffworks.com/outdoor-activities/ranch-life/ranch-caretakers.htm>  17 February 2012.

³ The Caretaker Gazette. 1983.< http://www.caretaker.org/>

Hello out there.  As you know it is winter time and it is cold outside – at least in many parts of the country.  If you don’t have a fairly warm indoor facility available to you for working and riding horses you are probably not doing much with them right now.  Maybe you are thinking how great it would be to earn a decent living doing something with horses.  Well, I’ve been thinking about that too.

Anything is Possible

While it is possible – anything is possible – to earn an income with horses (many people do it) there is quite a range of just how much you are able to earn.  As an example, take animal care jobs. Available animal care jobs are growing fast, and the prospects of finding such jobs are excellent but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best paying jobs.¹ It is best to do your research, and not just by looking at various websites and articles boasting how “easy” it is to do but by looking into Dept. of Labor statistics and good, sound sources that will provide you with reliable, realistic information.

Where There is A Will ...

There are many very successful people who earn a sizeable income with horses.  Some train horses, some teach others to train horses, some are
excellent instructors to both rider and horse.  It would seem these individuals are in niche markets and are proven experts in their particular
areas.²  But for most of us who are novice horse folk, what do we do to earn at least an acceptable income with horses.  Just like there are many, many well-skilled and talented actors in the world – for example - an extremely small percentage of all actors hold the vast majority of the best paying acting jobs.  Keep that in mind since most horse trainers and instructors may not be well-known and wealthy, but don’t let it bring you down.  Where there is a will there is a way.

Make a List

I suggest the first thing you, personally, do is make a list of what your interests are.  Then create another column listing out what you are
skilled in.  Maybe you are great around horses and have good skills in training them.  Perhaps you are an artist and love to paint, draw and/or
photograph horses.  You might be a writer who would like to write about horses.  Maybe you enjoy teaching other people to ride horses.  The point
is to find a general area of interest and skill.  Where those two points meet concentrate on a specific niche. 

Find Your Niche

For example, if you love creating art with horses as the subject and you love photography you may consider becoming a photographer for horse owners who desire high-quality portraits of their beloved horses.³  You can further pare down this niche by specializing in, say, dressage competitors.  Your imagination is the only limit to the possibilities.

Citation Bibliography:

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Animal Care and Service Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos168.htm

²  Thompson, Laura. “Top Five Horse Jobs Best Careers for Working with Horse.s” Horses at Suite 101. Dec 2008. n. pag. Web. Top Five Horse Jobs:
Best Careers for Working with Horses | Suite101.com http://laura-thompson.suite101.com/top-five-horse-jobs-a84373#ixzz1j9sZW1yh

³ James, Joyce. “How to Make Money Photographing Horses.” Demand Media. Chron.com. undated: n. pag. Web. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/make-money-photographing-horses-34455.html

Question:  How do you train a horse?

Answer:  You train yourself first.

You train yourself in horse language. You observe horse expressions. Watch them out in the pasture with other horses. Watch when a new arrival enters the herd. Watch the positions each horse is in - even when they are doing something seemingly as trivial as grazing. Believe me, there will be signs even then of the social structure of the group.

As humans we rely heavily on the spoken language. While horses do have vocal expressions, they have a far greater number of physical expressions in their repertoire. You can call it "horse whispering" if you'd like. The bottom line; your understanding of equine behavior is vital to your success in horse training or any type of horse handling.

If you've had horses or been around them for any length of time you already possess insight into how to read them. You have already developed skills in knowing what to "say" in their language to one degree or another. Continuing to improve that skill will only improve your relationship with horses. You will find anything you do with horses more enjoyable.

Horse Training Tip #1: Observe Horse Behavior

• Watch horses as often as you can. In this way you will become familiar with their language and each horse's individual personality. Horses are unique from one another as any horse person knows.
• Become Familiar with How Each Body Part "Talks." At the end of this article there is a link provided to a down-loadable chart of equine behavior. I suggest you print it and look it over. It is very handy as a general guide.

Here is a breakdown of some horse body parts and how they are used to communicate:

• EARS - When flat back, a horse is saying, "get out of my way or I'll bite. If you don't move after I bite I will kick" You get the idea. It is an aggressive position used as a warning. If the ears are floppy from side to side, a horse is sleepy and relaxed. When you are working with a horse it's a great feeling to have an ear tipped toward you. That's because this ear position means the horse is listening to you.

• HEAD & NECK - When alarmed or curious, the head and neck will be held high (the ears will be tilted toward the direction of interest).
  

• EYES - In the "head & neck" example above, if the horse is curious the eyes will be fixed on the subject of interest, but if alarmed or scared the eyes will be wider. In fear the whites of the eyes will be visible.

• TAIL - When a horse is afraid or alarmed the tail is usually held tight, or clamped, against the butt. In curiosity it is held up away from the butt. You will see horses out in a pasture relaxed and grazing. Their tails will be casually swishing at flies.

Horse Training Tip #2: Observe Other People as They Handle Horses

Observe all kinds of horse handlers. Be just as observant with how they communicate with horses as you need to be at observing horses themselves.

This includes the successful ones as well as the not-so-successful ones. Of the good horse handlers, bend the ear of every one of them. Learn what the good ones do that works and utilize those skills. Ask them all kinds of questions.

Learn what the not-so-good ones do and make a mental note as to why their methods don't work. Be sure to keep the non-successful actions out of your methods.

Horse Training Tip #3: Tap into the Grape Vine

People talk. Word of mouth will always be a valuable way of finding out who is doing what in your area, who has done some great training with horses and who has not.

There are jewels out there undiscovered. You may have a tremendously gifted horse trainer close by. They may not advertise. They may keep a low-profile. You may never discover them if you don't tap into the local grape vine!

Horse Training Tip #4: Read, Watch, Do, Repeat

There are so many books, videos, DVDs, CDs, television shows, etc. out there regarding horse training. Take advantage of them. In doing so you will likely find one or two trainers that you connect with.

Some training philosophies - even though they are all after the same goal of a well-trained horse - are easier to follow than others. Like horses, we all have our different personalities. What works for one person may not work for another. So look into many different approaches. You will find the one that works for you and your horse.

Horse Training Tip #5: Two Heads Are Better Than One

Find another avid horse person who has similar goals to yours when it comes to horses. The more friends you find the more people you have to keep you motivated. You will all help to inspire each other. Horse training is fraught with ups and downs. Often you find yourself taking ten steps forward only to feel like you're taking eleven steps back the next lesson. Keep going and lean on your companions when needed. They will need you too.

Horse Training Tip #6: Perseverance

Don't stop. Things may get difficult. Your horse may do just the opposite of what you are trying to get him/her to do. Don't give up. If you stop you will never achieve your goals. Stopping is what prevents us from reaching our goals.

If it were easy everybody would do it, right? Maybe you and your horse will need to take a break for a day or so. Maybe you will need to call in an expert to get you and your horse over a bump in the road to your destination. Press on, take heart.

I am willing to bet every horse trainer on the planet has had those days when they'd like to sell every horse and quit horses for good. But most of them don't. They press on.

Well I don't know about you, but learning about horses is absolutely fascinating to me! I just never tire of watching them. In fact, it took me twice as long as it should have to write this article. I kept breaking to sip my morning coffee and watch my horses out the window!

- Happy Trails... and happy training!

As we discussed in Part 1, “Know the Body Language of a Horse,” the more aware you are of how horses communicate, the better a horse handler you will become.

How is horse behavior determined by seeing into those incredible eyes horses have?  We all know how expressive and beautiful they are. Okay, okay so I’m getting wishy-washy I know.  I can’t help it.  You’ve got to admit, their eyes are gorgeous.  Anyhow, a horse’s eyes tell us a great deal about how the horse is feeling and the attitude the horse is having at that particular time.

Here are some basics in reading a horse’s eyes and their meanings.

EYES:

Eyes Narrowed (like when a parent or teacher scolds a child): 
This position is an expression of anger, warning or just plain annoyance.  This eye position is normally accompanied by a set of pinned ears.  Horses will do this in the summer along with stomping their feet and swishing their tails when the flies are swarming them and there is no relief.  It is also what the eyes will look like when a horse is warning another to get out of the way!

Eyes Droopy:
The horse is not focused on anything. Horses do this when they are resting and/or bored. It often goes along with those floppy ears we discussed in part 1.

Eyes Focused on Something Specific:
The horse is focused on something it is curious about. For example, whenever a new horse in my pasture first sees a flock of wild turkeys saunter through the pasture, the eyes will look this way.  Sometimes the turkeys terrify a horse who has never seen them before, but more often than not the horse just experiences good old curiosity.

Eyes Averted:
A horse is being submissive when the eyes are averted.  The ears will be kind of floppy and the head will be held low.

Eyes Wide with the Whites Showing: 
A wide-eyed horse is telling you he/she is afraid and very concerned about something.  The eyes will be fixed on the source of the concern.  Every horse has moments when they become afraid. But this is definitely not an emotion you want your horse to display habitually.  Good, solid training that includes building trust and desensitizing the horse to things it is afraid of are what a fearful horse needs.

Please feel free to add your own experiences of a horse’s ears and their meanings in the comments field below.

See you next week where I’ll cover another body part and its horse language.

When I owned my first horse I was pretty much clueless as to how horses communicate with people and with each other.  I would often find myself perplexed when another, more seasoned, horse person would remark about a horse’s attitude.  “How do they know that?” I’d wonder.

Well, thankfully, after years of owning and working with horses I have become much more tuned-in to horse behavior from the sounds they make, their movements, and their body positions.  As with any information on horses knowing what a horse is saying to you improves your ability in training horses and will, naturally, improve your relationship with horses.

Natural horsemanship trainers (as well as other horse trainers) possess highly astute abilities when it comes to reading a horse.  This skill is necessary in successful horse training and is the key to any horse training tips in order to be successful.

But professional horse trainers are not the only ones who benefit from knowing equine behavior cold.  Anyone who spends any time with horses will benefit from being able to identify horse expressions and their meanings.  Besides, it’s just plain fun to watch horses, isn’t it? 

Each week I’ll cover a different body part or area.  Here are some basic ear positions and their meanings (I’m sure you have a horse with its own individual, quirky expressions as well).

EARS:

• Both ears pointing backward and laid tight against the head:  This position is an expression of anger or of warning.  It can also tell you a horse is afraid. Sometimes the whites of a horse’s eyes will be more visible than normal. This position is a threat to move or else you’ll get a bite or even a kick.  It’s pretty normal amongst horses out in a pasture, but you don’t want it directed at humans, or other horses when under saddle.

• Both ears pointing backward: The horse is likely listening to something behind her/him.  It may also mean the horse is afraid.  Some horses do this when they are a bit sleepy (mine lets his flop to either side.) If afraid there will be other indicators, such as wide eyes and head held high.

• Either ear tipped: The horse is being attentive and is listening to something or someone. A horse will do this when listening to something.  For example, when you are longing a horse – if the horse is being respectful and is listening to you – the ear closest to you will be tilted toward you.  When you are riding, the horse will put one and sometimes both ears back slightly to listen to you.  These are good signs that the horse is focused on you.

• Both ears pointing forward or straight up: The horse is on alert and is listening to something.  Often times the head will be held high and tilted a bit forward when curious.  Both the ears and head will be pointed to whatever it is the horse is taking notice of.  If scared, the head and neck will be held very high and straight. (In fear the horse will normally blow or snort).  If you are riding and a horse does this make sure to get the horses attention back on you. 

• Ear back or to the sides (but not flat back):  My lazy, goofy gelding does this one often – ears out to the sides.  This means a horse is bored, sleepy, or dozing.  This is fine out in the pasture on the horse’s own time, but when you are training your horse and/or riding you don’t want this.  It means the horse is not focused on you at all.  It is the equivalent of a pupil staring out the classroom window during a lesson.

Please feel free to add your own experiences of a horse’s ears and their meanings in the comments field below.

See you next week where I’ll cover another body part and its horse language.

* Get your copy of the Equine Body Language Chart

Hello out there everyone!  

Remember my blog of October 3, 2011, "A Note About the Legalities of Buying and Selling A Horse" and my final words?  

• "For me, it's pretty cut and dry.  Sally should win this case hands down.  She did nothing wrong.  Barbie, however, gets an "A" in stupidity and an "F" in responsibility."
  

Well, Sally wins the case and doesn't have to pay Barbie the buyer a nickel.  That is how it should be.

So I'll say it again, read up on the legalities of horse buying and selling and protect yourself from the sellers and buyers out there who are not willing to be ethical and responsible when it comes to buying and selling horses.

- Happy Happy Day, Sally ;-)

Since the last blog on horse boarding, I discussed various options regarding boarding fees, the amount of turn-out time, feed, etc.  Today I would like to address the differences in various types of housing for your horse.

When determining where you will board your horse, housing is a key factor.  Here are some important factors you need to keep in mind;

Will the horse be able to move around and not have to stand in manure and/or mud for long periods of time?  What to do for thrush is more about making sure a horse has the ability to get out of wet areas.  While thrush is a very common condition it can be painful and cause lameness issues if left untreated or if a horse has to stand in wet earth and manure for any length of time.

So if you will have a horse in a stable with little turnout time – I don’t recommend a horse ever be left in a stall all the time unless there is a medical or other necessary reason for it – you need to make sure the stall is cleaned at least once daily.  If your horse will have access to a run-in shed you need to make certain the area surrounding the shed is lower so that water is unable to pool inside the shed.  The shed should also contain sandy, gravely soil so that urine will drain.  It too will need to be cleaned of manure, but not as often as a stall.

STALL or RUN-IN SHED: Pros vs. Cons

Stall Pros:

• A Stall provides a great space for tacking your horse.  
• It’s a good place for the farrier to work.  
• It’s a nice place to groom your horse in inclement weather.  
• If your horse should require stall rest due to a medical or lameness issue a stall is the ideal spot. 
• It may be easier to determine just how much your horse is consuming and how much he is pooping and urinating.
• Stalls keep dominant horses and passive horses separated when you are concerned about a horse’s safety.
• While your horse will likely not appreciate it, it will stay much cleaner than if left outside to roll and play in the dirt and mud.  

Stall Cons:

• Horses are built to move.  They are happier and healthier when they can move around and get exercise.  Horses are herd animals and enjoy the company of other horses. A horse in a stall should be exercised daily.  
• Stalls require more maintenance, including mucking stalls.
• Stalls are more costly because they require regular bedding changes. If someone is hired to maintain them there is an extra cost for labor.
• Because they are enclosed there is more dust, more concentration of ammonia due to poorer ventilation.
• Stalls are an easier place for flies to gather.
• If stalled too much horses can very well develop vices such as cribbing or pawing, not to mention they just get painfully board being in a stall for long periods of time.

Run-In Shed Pros:

• A run-in shed is much cheaper and easier to build.  Some can even be movable.
• Horses can come and go out of shelter as they please, allowing them to be happier and healthier.  
• Run-ins are less expensive to maintain because they do not require regular bedding changes and mucking. Every few days the shed will require manure removal and a few times a year it will need to be cleaned out with a tractor and new sand or gravel added, depending on the number of horses using it. 
• Being more open, sheds have far less dust and ammonia concentration than stalls. 
• There is far less chance of a hose developing vices such as cribbing when they are free to move around and run.

Run-In Cons 
(some of these will not be issues if your horse is the only horse using the run-in*):

• You will need a place to groom, tack, and have a farrier and vet work with your horse, such as an empty stall or other covered shelter with a flat surface.  Run-ins are not good candidates for these things.
• If there ever is a bad storm, a run-in will not protect your horse as much as a stall from heavy, driving winds and blowing rain, snow, or hail. 
• If there is a dominant horse, that horse may prevent your horse from entering the shed, as well as eating and drinking. This can be a very stressful situation for a horse. *
• You will need access to a stall if your horse should ever require stall rest. 
• Since your horse is with other horses it will be difficult to determine how much your horse is eating and drinking. Monitoring poop and urination will also be very difficult. *
• Being allowed to enjoy life as a horse, your horse will be dirty more often than clean.

Regardless of which type of housing you choose, I strongly suggest – at the risk of sounding like a broken record – you ensure your horse has as much time as possible to be outside where he/she can move around and just be a horse.

-          Happy Trails

Like so many horse owners, you may not have the space to house and pasture your horse at your home.  So the question of how much board will cost, and where to find it are first and foremost in your mind if you are not already fortunate enough to have your horse at a good boarding facility. 

Prices can range from under $100 to over $700 a month, so pay attention to what is offered or not offered.  Read over the boarding contract and make sure you understand exactly what it includes.  Will you be charged extra if you want your horse blanketed or if you want any other special care out of the normal feeding, stall cleaning and turn-out?  Will you be charged extra if someone at the facility handles your horse for the vet or farrier? Often times, if you request supplements or grain to be given to your horse, you will have to supply them or reimburse the facility for them.

Let’s go over what you need to consider.  There is quite a range of choices available to you, depending on where you are located and what you can afford.  I would say the dominant deciding factor is going to be what you are able to pay each month.  Once you have a sound budget figured out you can determine what you can choose.

FULL BOARD (these are the usual things you get – always verify):

• Adequate hay given at least twice daily
  
• A constant supply of clean, fresh drinking water
• Cleaning/mucking of stall or run-in shed on a regular basis
• Regular turn-out on a daily basis, some facilities offer 24/7 turn-out
• Tack storage
• Scheduled vet checks (you pay the vet)
• Scheduled farrier visits (you pay the farrier)

FULL BOARD EXTRAS 
(some facilities will offer these – again, always verify):

• Regular, rotational deworming, administered about every 8 weeks
• Use of an indoor and/or outdoor riding arena
• Riding lessons
• An on-site vet
• An on-site farrier
• Trails for riding 

There are many facilities that will allow you to barter for the board fee, or at least part of it.  You can work out a schedule wherein you clean stalls, exercise horses, etc.  If you can instruct others in riding you may even be able to give lessons at the facility in exchange for some or all of the board.

SOME KEY POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND:

• How much turn-out will my horse have?  Horses are built to move.  Have you seen horses that sit in stalls day after day with little or not turn-out? They never look very happy do they?  The ideal situation is a set-up which allows a horse to come and go out of shelter as they desire.
• Does the facility provide good, quality horse-grade hay? Make sure the hay fed is not moldy, and has good color.  Make sure your horse will be fed enough hay.  Generally the average horse needs between 15 to 20 pounds of hay daily – depending on the individual horse.
• Does a farrier come on a regular basis to the facility?  You will want to make sure your horse’s feet are well-maintained. That will require regular farrier visits every 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the time of year and your horse’s needs.
• Does the vet arrive annually or semi-annually for check-ups and shots, and is the vet available readily in an emergency?
• Are the areas where the horses are kept free of protruding nails, screws, etc. that may cause injury to a horse? Horse owners frequently chuckle about how accident-prone horses can be.  Making sure a boarding facility is kept clean and free of anything a horse may be injured on helps to keep accidents from occurring.  Old farming equipment, metal, glass, etc in pastures and housing areas are accidents waiting to happen when it comes to horses.

As with anything it is a great idea to talk to other horse owners.  Who do they recommend? Who do they not recommend? Find out why and why not.  How do you relate to the people running the facility?  Do you feel comfortable with them?  Do you feel they will take good care of your horse?

Remember, it’s not just how fancy a facility is, or is not, that you consider when making a decision.  It has a great deal more to do with how safe and well-cared for your horse will be, what quality of life will be offered, and what you can budget yourself for.

Happy housing … and - as always - happy trails!

Recently a friend and fellow horse owner - whom I'll call "Sally" from here on -  was sued by a disgruntled horse buyer - whom from here on I'll refer to as "Barbie."

Buyer Barbie claimed the horse had been misrepresented to her by Sally, resulting in Barbie being injured.  Barbie was seeking restitution in small-claims court. She demanded Sally take the horse back AND pay Barbie the full price of the horse PLUS her alleged medical bills and other associated expenses.

Well, let me tell you.  I was there and witnessed first-hand most of the conversations between Sally and Barbie.  I also had my own conversations with Barbie.  You see, I boarded the horse involved in this transaction.  My personal view on this entire situation is that it is a complete fiasco.  

Here's why:

1. The ad Barbie put up for the horse clearly stated the horse was for an "experienced rider" only.

2. The ad made NO promises about the horse.  It didn't say he would never buck, rear, or that he was sound.  It made no promises.  No surprises, incidentally, to any of us who know anything about horses, right?

3. When Barbie arrived to see the horse, she asked Sally why she was selling the horse, Sally told Barbie the horse had too much go for her.  He was not a quiet, gentle horse - although that's how he was advertised to Sally - and was jumpy and moved out too quickly.  Barbie chuckled at this and said she liked a horse with some go.

4. Barbie was told the horse had tried to buck a trainer off when asked to lope.  She was told the entire situation IN DETAIL.  She was told about this situation not only by Sally, but by the trainer and by me.  Remember I know, I was there.

5. Despite being advised about number 4 above, Barbie wanted the horse almost immediately.  

6. Barbie watched as Sally rode the horse at a walk.  Then Barbie got on the horse and rode it.  She only walked the horse.  She was asked if she wanted to trot or lope the horse but declined. 

7. I told Barbie she was welcome to come see the horse anytime and to bring anyone with her, such as a trainer, to ride the horse and make sure the horse was what she wanted.  Barbie thanked me and said she just loved the horse and wanted him. She said she could tell, just by being on his back, that he was a good horse.

8. A few weeks later Barbie showed up with her husband, payment for the horse, and an empty horse trailer. She was obviously eager to take the horse home.  Barbie mentioned the bucking, but said it didn't matter. She said she wasn't worried about it since the horse was going to her trainer anyway.

Barbie and her beloved new horse pulled out of the driveway. All seemed good.   Sally was glad to have sold the horse and was now anxious to find a gentler, quieter horse for her to learn to ride on.

Thinking on Barbie's arrival the day she picked up the horse, I remember watching her maneuver around the horse and struggle getting him to load.  She used tactics like the old "rope behind the butt" and "here's a carrot, please get on?" techniques.  I was surprised at how inept she appeared.  The day she'd come to see the horse she bragged about her riding skills and her lack of fear.  She had commented several times on her own perplexity at Sally's fear of the horse.  

Well, there you have it.  There is the run-down of the events as I recall them.  

In a nutshell;
The horse was NOT misrepresented, 

NO guarantees about the horse were made, 

No lies about the horse were told, 

Every opportunity to ride the horse, have the horse vet-checked, have the horse ridden by a trainer or other expert rider were available to Barbie at any time.

So why then is Barbie demanding Sally take responsibility and blame for Barbie's failure to have chosen a horse better suited to her actual riding abilities?  Why did Barbie fail at every opportunity to have the horse ridden in all gaits and had it vet-checked, etc?  Why didn't she use a checklist, such as the one I highly recommend at Equine Legal Solutions?

Here's my tip, folks.  The next time you buy or sell a horse please protect yourself.  Go to Equine Legal Solutions and read-up on as much as you can about buying and selling horses.  Sellers - make sure you protect yourself against the "Barbies" out there.  Buyers - please do your homework before you buy.  It is YOUR responsibility and remember, "Let the buyer beware."  

Since the judge in this case was lacking in the legalities surrounding horses and the buying and selling of them, he is "researching" the matter.  So, the verdict is still out.  

For me, it's pretty cut and dry.  Sally should win this case hands down.  She did nothing wrong.  Barbie, however, gets an "A" in stupidity and an "F" in responsibility.