I made a trade the other day that was probably both the worst and best trade I have ever made. I had a six year old double bred Poco Bueno / Jesse James mare that has always had a miserable attitude. She had all of the breeding, conformation and athletic ability I could want in a horse, but was always hateful and bad tempered. I could ride her, of course, but I always had to convince her she needed to do as I asked, and she always let me know she was doing it, but she really didn't want to. She made every ride WORK.

The other day my 13 year old daughter was holding her on grass to graze while I worked another horse, and this mare struck a hoof out at a baby across the fence about 20 feet away, and in the process struck my daughter in the leg right on top of the thigh with a shod hoof. There was no reason, no purpose, just bad temper. So I loaded her up and hauled her to a breeder/friend of mine and traded her straight across for a 8 month old filly. The filly is better bred(double Jackie Bee, double Doc Olena) better built and has the sweetest, friendliest disposition.

So financially, I probably pulled a real bone-headed deal. But, I don't have to feed a horse that acts more like someone's ex-wife than a partner, I don't have to worry about a horse that cares nothing about the well fare of those around her, and I can raise and train and enjoy a new baby that is an absolute delight. And she's cute too.

Sometimes, we just have to remember it's not about the money, and make decisions based on the joy and fun of horses, and forget about the bottom line. If I had gotten into horses to make money, I would have sold everything on the place several years ago!

Here's a couple of pictures of probably the most expensive baby I've ever bought. Her name's Nikki.

73--

that baby's a keeper! and yes, if i had such a mare as you did...i won't question your decision.

i do wonder, if it could have been hormonal???

betsey

OK, I've read your thread a few times and still can't find your bad trade. A horse with a bad attitude puts you and your family at risk of injury and only experienced folks can ride her. Who wants a horse like that in their barn, and you sure don't want to breed her, lord knows you didn't need two of her, so, again I say, where was the bad trade?

I think you did a smart thing. There are too many good horses available to waste your time on one you don't enjoy?

I owned a ROM halter and pleasure pt. palomino gelding. His looks turned all sorts of heads, but he tried to kick you, bite you, was a jerk in the arena and after he ran over me twice while getting ready for a show, I put a LOW price on him. The new owner had always wanted him, and I told her everything, but she could handle him, guess what, she just sold him too.

Attitude is everything.

GOOD FOR YOU! And your filly looks GREAT!

Ditto me CTH's responce! If you didn't enjoy her, and she was such work and acted like someone's exwife ...I think you made the wisest choice ever!
And you new filly...she's a doll with a sweet disposition...what more could you possibly ask for She is already worth double what the other mare was,in disposition alone. IMO anyway.

Beautiful and sweet looking filly, GOOD MOVE!!

She is beautiful and you probably made the best deal of your life! I think there are those out there that don't have a problem with ill mannered horses and hopefully she will get matched up with someone who likes to deal with that. For me personally, I'd rather have a horse that is kind than one that has all the breeding and bells and whistles. Sometimes you're lucky to get both. Everyone has their standard set as to what is or isn't acceptable for them. You were smart in your decision and thankfully before someone got seriously hurt. Nikki is stunning..beautiful color.

The mare went into a broodmare band and probably won't be ridden much, if ever. I know the stud she will be bred to, he's Nikki's sire. He has a great temperment. But I'm of the opinion that a foal is often closer to 70% of the dam, and bad mommas make bad babies. A mare will often pass her disposition on to the foal, and worse yet, teach it to behave obnoxious after it is born. So I myself am not sure I would have even used her for breeding. As I get older, I feel more and more that there are too many good horses available for me to waste my time always dealing with a grouch. I just don't have to. The time I get to break free and spend with my horses is so hard to come by and so valuable, I don't want to burn it up fussin' all the time.

They tell me Nikki is what is called a rose gray. But I guess you never know with these babies until they shed out in the spring after their first winter. She was born dark brown, then she grayed out, now she has developed the rose high-lights down her side with her winter hair. It should be interesting.

I just saw a rose gray for the first time and he was very pretty. You'll have to update us as she grows with new pics.

Nikki turned 1yo on April 21, thought I would send an update. She's turning out to be all I hoped for in attitude, disposition and natural athletic ability. She don't look bad, either.

Ohhhhhhh..... she's lovely, 73Sharps! I'm glad for you she's turning out as well as you'd hoped, dare I say, she's exceeded expectations? What a lovely girl! Looks like you're in for many years of mutual enjoyment.

She looks fantastic! I don't think you made a bad trade for a second! Family first.

Gorgeous baby! I've never seen one with that color before, but she's beautiful!