newbie seeks buying advice

[bird]

I’m looking into buying a team for use around my farm and for pleasure. Mostly I’d like to do a little low-key logging on the back forty.

I’m not new to horses but new to drafts and driving.

What advice would you offer in choosing an appropriate team?

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Bird, Have you considered how you are planning to learn the skills of working with draft animals? I definitely am in favor of folks seeking out mentoring situations, although I realize they come in many different arrangements. Some are close by and help is often available, others require you to put more time and effort to learn any thing. The only reason I mention this is I believe any time you spend working with some one else will help you form your own ideas about what you want and why. This will be invaluable when you bring your first team home.

[bird]

I’ve done a little of that. I have a friend who farms with horses but she’s far away. I’m planning on attending some workshops and the like. I live in WI but I plan to go to SE draft animal days next week while visiting my brother.

I don’t know of anyone in my area with these skills, but I’ll bet they’re around.

I really appreciate your input. Thus far, I’ve learned that I’m looking for a slow, mellow team: “old man” horses (though I’m not a man.) 🙂

I think I was really asking for tips when actually visiting horses. There seem to be quite a few available and a vast price range and then there are these auctions . . . which look like a bad place for a beginner to buy.

[Jean]

Bird, take someone you trust with you. If they say they drive, have the owner make them drive, if they come up with excuses why they can’t walk away.

[Donn Hewes]

Here are my suggestions for some one that need not know anything about working with drafts. First, Jean’s suggestion of taking someone with you. Second use a veterinarian that you know and trust. Finally, judge the animals and the person selling them by the atmosphere. I my opinion animals at work should be calm, relaxed and alert at all times. This is also a horses natural state when nothing is bothering it. The teamster should be the same.

A raised voice or an over reaction from the animals is a real turn off for me. Definitely see them do or preferably do yourself (with help) all the things the are said to be able to do. This might take a few trips. It would be time well spent.

[Theloggerswife]

When I purchased my team, the seller allowed me to keep the team at my farm for a few weeks to make a decision. My mentor came over and we drove them, we rode them, we drove them, we drove them, and we drove them again. Once I decided to purchase them, I had a little more leverage…they were at my farm and it is Novemeber. This is the price I am willing to pay, come and get them and feed them through the winter again or agree to my terms. 😀

My mentor made all the difference in buying situation. I also had my vet come and check them. An expense, but I knew exactly what was ahead of me…teeth to float, etc. but other wise in sound health.

I am not an experienced buyer…Just a new teamster who just purchased her first team three years ago.

[Donn Hewes]

That is a good deal for the buyer and not that good for the seller. Just don’t expect that from everyone.

[CharlyBonifaz]

be sure to also check on things one would take for granted – picking up feet f.e.

[blue80]

I come across a lot of teams that are “kid broke” but haven’t worked in a year or two. Or “amish broke bombproof team” that has only pulled a wagon for the past several years. It seems such teams can obtain some pretty bad habits during their down time. Life is full of excuses, beware of excuses why a team doesn’t stand or work well at sale time…You are going to have to work these bugs out..

It is nice to make a couple trips to see your prospective horses; out west, teams for sale seem to be a consistent 5 hr radius drive so this isn’t really possible….but some other thoughts,
1/ If you make your first trip to see them casual and enjoyable, a check for conformity, health, and interview the owner, they may
act completely different when you come to harness them next time.
2/It’s nice to get the owners permission to drive by the property and check them out from the road, see how they move and interact in the field
3/Find someone trustworthy to purchase from. I was sold horses that were drugged at the sale, and drugged also before I returned with a trailer to pick them up. I didn’t really care, just choose not to do business with them again; for $150.00 I was was getting what I paid for….The owner didn’t even know, the trainer took the responsibility on himself to do this.
4/If they are mares and the owner doesn’t know how/when they cycle, chances are the owner hasn’t done other health diligence….
5/It is nice to be on site early for the owner to catch, lead, and harness the team himself, I like to sit back and watch how things go. Let the owner talk, and watch how the process works in the horses environment without them worrying about you and your new smells and processes…..
6/Horses that have been resold a lot may have a reason….Be sure to get the previous owners contact and give them a call. This can be invaluable. Sometimes a great teamster and working environment sells a team to someone who spoils the team. Sometimes you can get a good deal on a team ascertaining that it is the owners lack of ability rather than the horses….
7/Nice to get near a busy highway, within a fenced area, and also near some shiny equipment. Amazing how some bomproof horses well trained can be scared to death of chrome….!
8/NIce to find out who the farriers have been, they can often give temperment advise on the horses.
9/If they are an older well broke team just not suitable for heavy work, this may be an excellent choice for you. In this case I would recommend a round of bloodwork through a veterinarian. Red blood cell counts, kidney function, liver assesments, worm counts, etc. can all be given an overview. Some horses work healthy till 17, some till their late 20’s. Nice to get a health picture of what they are doing.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

[bird]

Thanks so much for all your thoughtful replies.

I’ve looked a couple of teams and am right this minute pretty close to buying a pair. I did many of the things suggested. Went out, chatted, helped with harnessing, drove them, watched the owner drive them, and so on. Picked up the feet–that’s a big one for me!

Everyone (horses, me, dog, cat) is treated with respect. One day after I looked at the horses another buyer materialized. These horses have been for sale for awhile and suddenly . . . I don’t know what to make of that. Maybe it’s real. I’m being shown every consideration, but of course, it gives the owner negotiating leverage.

This is such a friendly site–glad I found you all.

[dominiquer60]

It does give the seller more negotiating power only if there is another warm body willing to pay more than you offer. Just remember if it doesn’t work out at a price that you are willing to pay, then perhaps it was not meant to be. I have had the “there is another buyer” line, I have also been called back after the other buyer doesn’t pan out for what ever reason.

“If don’t come easy than you’d better let it go” I don’t remember who sings that one, but sometimes Nashville offers some good advice too:)

Erika

[Author]

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