Now I understand importing new bloodlines, breeding stock, especially with foreign breeds such as QH and Appaloosa.
But I really have a problem with the importation of gelded riding horses.
The AQHA and the ApHC are small societies in this country and the reason you have at this moment in time a healthy show circuit, and events calender is due to the efforts of those peole who breed them over here.
If you havent noticed how many nice young horses, home bred, for sale on this forums classifieds, then you should be looking.If you have not the expertise to bring it on yourself, then employ a good trainer!
The more remain unsold, the less the breeder can ask for them, note recent price reductions.Soon breeders wont be able to afford to produce their horses, the fewer entries there will be at the shows.
Then where will all those of you be who have bought abroad be? All dressed up and no where to go.
Support your local breeders and trainers, they have a wealth of experience are dedicated to what they do.Buy British!

And while I am on a rant, if you want a safe plod, buy a cob, instead of a criollo. Ever considered what a pitance must be paid for those horses in south America before they are brought over here!
Is it ethical to import horses from abroad when the UK is so overstocked that tradgedies such as Spindles farm are in the news everyweek!

I have posted this separate from the recent thread on Import, as i am aware that when you have horses and wish to move, it must be very hard to part with your best friend, I meerly wish to give you food for thought. I know i will get minus Karma for this. But if I make a few people take another look then I am happy.
Post edited by: appynospots, at: 2008/04/12 11:31

Post edited by: appynospots, at: 2008/04/12 13:59

You've raised some interesting points.

Re Criollos, I tend to agree as these horses undergo an awful journey by sea en route to Europe, but having said that for those that make it and cope with the journey there is a chance for a better life than they might have in Argentina, but that's another story.

In terms of buying British, whilst I agree with the thrust of your argument, I think the problem lies in supply. If you want a nice, quiet QH, not necessarily a world beater but a horse that has been started, proving pretty much unphased by life, to have some fun with on the show circuit, just try and find one. Anybody who advertises a horse like this and the horse is genuinely as described could sell that horse twenty times over, at least. Sure there are plenty of quality QH youngsters on the market and good trainers, but not everybody wants a horse that needs to be brought on. What do yu ride in the meantime if this is your only horse? Look at the glut of quality QH youngsters on the market at the moment. I can well understand people looking abroad because the other consideration is money. The horse I have described above carries a premium because of all those desirable qualities and you can import a QH from the US for almost the same price and with plenty of choice. There just aren't enough well brought on QHs in the UK, with enough mileage to have got beyond the 'youngster' phase and those that have them tend to keep them. Look at the posts from people searching for these animals. And it's not about novices either. Sometimes experienced people who have ridden at a high level come back to it but for whatever reason, whether age or inclination they want a different pace and look for a straightforward uncomplicated horse. These carry a premium regardless of type and breed.

Im with scotty on this one.. now Im not going to say you have to import to get a nice ridable horse but im sure unless your very lucky the cost will be less, there just isnt enough nice western horses availible there are lots of youngsters and then older horses with issues I bought a horse that dident work out for me,but he has turned it to a great horse for my trainer
I now have a 4 year old jays smokin story gelding who I had as a weenling ive learnt a lot, and ive been very fortunate to have him started by David Deptford and his trainer Andrew Plant who have done a realy
great job.. im green and buddy still needs work the point im making is I would maybe have been beter to buy a more fininsed horse and that probbly means importing overheads are less in the states and as a result training costs less, with more horses in training some not makeing the top grade become avalible im sure its like english horses.. there are horses that didint make race horses so are avalible may make eventers or just riding horses or are not as good as hoped but still have lots of training .. western is so small over here there
isnt the back up that there is with the english disaplines...
Post edited by: Roland, at: 2008/04/12 17:54

Post edited by: Roland, at: 2008/04/12 17:59

appynospots wrote:


And while I am on a rant, if you want a safe plod, buy a cob, instead of a criollo.

Your post is a joke, designed to wind people up isn't it? You can't be serious - can you?

Re: imports - if you can buy something from abroad, that does your job better, for less money why would you support a breeder in the UK? Complete stupidity. Its called the laws of supply and demand and anything else is communism, and I think we have worked out thats not a great sucess. In a competitive industry you either have to adapt and improve to compete or you go under.

Criollos - if you want something balanced, athletic, with manners to burn buy a Criollo. If you want to be walked all over, barged into, tanked along with (when its not napping) and bored senseless buy a cob. The two are so far apart they shouldn't be in the same sentance.

What our Criollos cost in SA is unimportant, they were in fact both bought for less than a "good" cob in the UK. What is priceless is that today he has on his first outing as a 4yo stallion been placed in dressage and done a 16km ride with a strange mare in filthy weather and ground and come home as much fun as he went out. Everyone that actually noticed he was entire, commented on his "incredible manners" When the Brits cull their crap instead of breeding from it, it will make a huge difference.

Post edited by: laura, at: 2008/04/12 22:16

Post edited by: laura, at: 2008/04/12 22:17

does seem like a wind up not sure why importing horses is going to "ruin the shows" more like improve the standard and give people a chance to enjoy showing by having a nice horse to ride and not get demoralized to the point of giving up.. re using UK trainers yes good idea but sadly most people can only afford a few weeks
for a tune up not the monthes it takes to realy get a young horse 100%.. oh and ref breeding I do think it should be more regulated and some idea as to the quality of what is being
produced and for what purpose.. we dont want it to end up like puppy farming

So how much someone in a third world country is earning has nothing to do with you . You want a thing you must have it? Ethics does not come into it? Welfare?
This is not stupidity, its called a social concience.Moral responsibility?

Shows are run, believe it or not to show case breeders/trainers produce.Yes some other people come along but a show is that, primarily. Horses are taken out and competed, so that they may demonstrate that their siblings and/ or progeny have the same atributes, be it althetic ability/tempermanet or conformation.

Cobs are not all like that, the old saying, 'There is no such thing as a bad horse, just bad horseman' is more true here. A little education on the part of the owner can have a cob, hunting, eventing or doing western in just such a mannerly and athletic manner as any other type/breed. i know quite a few.


It does not take a long time to get a nice youngster going well enough to enjoy the shows. The achievement of having done it yourself with a little help from a regular trainer is the best feeling ever.cost is not only counted in £/$.

But as with every thing in this world today, 'not having the time', is the excuse for a quick fix, one way or another.

Culling! yes well horse slaughter is going/has been banned in the states, wonder where they are sending all their unwanted horses?
I dont support breeding horses because you have a mare and dont know what to do with her. But there are loads of truly quality horses out their waiting to be turned into dream horses, should nt they be given a chance!

Post edited by: appynospots, at: 2008/04/12 23:38