a trainer's perspective

The following is a slightly paraphrased account from a racing trainer posting on a well-trafficked bulletin board. It illustrates some of the frustrations that trainers experience in trying to find their retirees good homes.

Please read it and think about how they see the selling process; and remember, we want trainers to make these horses available for second careers!

If they feel like selling through CANTER is a big waste of time, then that could literally cost a horse its life--because in the view of many trainers, it can be easier to send a horse to the killers than to deal with a lot of "tire kickers".

Think before you call.

Please.

The horses deserve a chance.

"I have to BEG you all, PLEASE don't call me and ask me the same information about the horse as is posted in the listings—or on the FAQs section of the CANTER web site!

My CELL PHONE has been ringing off the hook with buyers who are NOT serious buyers, who are NOT ready to buy now, or who just want to chit-chat about the horses then tell me 'What I am REALLY looking for is....'.

If you are not serious about buying this horse, please DO NOT CALL me.

If you do not have the money NOW to buy a horse, please don't call me.

Trainers want their horses sold but don't want to be insulted by a potential buyer who asks if the trainer can keep the horse for a month for free while they arrange shipping.

• DON'T ask if the trainer can ship the horse for free.
• DON'T call/e-mail trainers with pictures/details about your horses, telling them you should be given their horse for FREE.
• DON'T tell trainers how their horses should be priced.
• DO NOT tell trainers that they MUST adjust their price to accommodate shipping prices because you live x hours away. Figure the shipping costs ON TOP OF the price of the horse, as any serious buyer does. And if you cannot get the horse shipped for several days, be courteous and offer to pay the trainer a day rate ($15-$20/day is the norm) to feed and care for the horse until he/she leaves the track.
• DO NOT ask the trainer if you can trade another horse, tack, hay, or anything else for their horse.
• DON'T ask if you can make payments or take the horse out on trial - these horses are priced very cheaply and if you can't pay the full asking price upfront, you probably can't afford a horse at all!
• DO be prepared to pay in cash; trainers don't typically accept personal checks or credit cards.

These horses are NOT giveaways, they are listed to be SOLD, and at rock bottom prices already because the owners need the stalls or don't want to feed the horse anymore, depending on individual case. I hate to seem rude but I am REALLY afraid to open next month's cell phone bill because of non serious buyers calling me just for the heck of it. I am just doing this to try to find these horses a new career.

Also please don't tell me that killer price is only $300 because right now they ARE bringing $500 - $550. If the meat man offers $500, he still has to ship it to the auction, pay the sales barn commission, and figure in his time to make a profit. He wouldn't offer $500 if he was only going to sell it for $300.

And as far as I am concerned, a sound, conformationally correct individual with no vices, ready to go into IMMEDIATE retraining as a show/riding horse is worth at LEAST $1500. Then you have to adjust for the individual horse. Most trainers expect you to haggle a LITTLE bit (unless the horse is already under $1k). By being HONEST and representing these horses as accurately as I can to the best of my ability you know that you are going to get the horse home and he WILL measure at what I have stated in the ad, and they WONT have undisclosed vices or behavioral problems.

Thank you for listening."
-A Trainer