Anybody know these mares?

That’s in my neck of the woods, but they seem under the radar. 12yo green broke?? Hmm, not to deter, just an observation.

I am going to have a look at this team Sun. Turns out they’re connected through a few degrees of separation. I’ve gone over to help vet them 5-6 years ago and they were fine for vet. Underused is the biggest issue I hope.
Not sure I really want another team, but will enjoy the time spent looking.

Jared, I heard that there is a guy (last name Ford?) in Cambridge that has been trying to sell a team. Have you seen them advertised? If it is news to you, try contacting Dennis (Julie’s Father) at Crandall’s Corner Farm in Easton. http://www.localharvest.org/crandalls-corners-farm-M34996

I went over last Sun AM to have a look at the team, and here are my thoughts:

They look like a good team, knowing that one is relatively old and one is relatively inexperienced.
They have a good attitude, walked right up to us in the pasture, and are gentile. Both halter and lead well. Both have no obvious faults in conformation or any lameness that we could detect. The elder mare will pick up her feet, and held them for 30-45 seconds. I could keep them longer but did not try too hard. The younger mare would pick up her feet but would not hold them up very long at all. There is some training needed there, but not enough to put me off, I think. The owner says they typically trim in the stocks and do well. There were stocks present in the paddock. Both of them need a serious hoof trimming soon. There is a major split in the elder mare’s left front hoof, in the inside edge. This crack extends horizontally and shallowly about 1″ below the coronary band. I was glad I brought my father along. He is a veterinarian and his opinion of the crack is that it would not limit the mare’s ability to work. It would be best managed with proper trimming and being shod year round.
We then harnessed up the elder mare and I watched the owner drive her before driving her myself. The mare was a pleasure to drive- very light on the reins with a snaffle bit. Walks, gees, haws, and backs on command. The collar she currently has is 3-4″ too small, and the point of draft too high. She worked in an open bridle. She stood well for harnessing and unharnessing, and did everything asked of her in a 10 minute drive.
In the interest of temperature we did not drive the younger horse but did tack her up. She was good to catch and tack, though she did lift her head several times as we put the bridle on.

I think this would be a good team for someone who has a little time to tune them up before asking for production work. I would buy them either for my own use or to train and resell. The owner strikes me as honest and caring. She says she’s been too busy to get the horses out often, and the reason for selling is a pending divorce. The price is reasonable, and negotiable.
The reason that I am not going to buy them is that I feel I should spend my time this summer working with Zeke as a single, and maybe with other horses on our farm.

If anybody wants to know more, I’m happy to talk to you.

I’m all for free horses, but $2400 for two horses plus harnesses and saddles seems like she’s in the ball park. Not the team, or time for me, but those are the kind of deals that catch my attention.

Carl

Even at $2400, I would not consider buying a 17 year old horse even paired with a younger green-broke horse. I can see the value of buying an older “dead-broke” team for someone starting out, but I would still opt for paying more for a younger team. I paid $4500 for a pair of 5 YO. Yes, a good chunk of money but I have done a lot of work with that team and they have many years left. Even at a youngish 12, my team is slowing down a bit compared to their prime. Along with age and loss of stamina, you also have a greater chance of inheriting a host of degenerative health conditions that come with age.

George

I was just thimkimg the tack could be worth over $1000…. I have no opinion on the horses…. On the surface they seem aged, but $1400 for the horse flesh is pretty low dollars for two. But probably too much for a headache.

Carl