Horses For Sale Through The Web
For many centuries animals were the main means of transport. They were the tractors on farms, the cavalry in armies, the taxis in towns and the long distance trucks on the roads. It is little wonder that languages have so many words to do with animal uses. Furthermore, many human trading and dealing practices still relate back to the age when there were many thousands of horses for sale.
The shrewd bargaining and jockeying for position that goes on before political or business decisions are made is referred to as 'horse trading'. The words are the only connection with actual animals, but the once bustling trade has enriched the English language.
Like car sales people, horse traders had their reputation for embellishing the truth. There are more ways to disguise the true state of a car than there are to hide faults in a horse, but sellers of horses at markets tended to shorten an animal's age by a few years, since age is an important factor in a horse. Consequently buyers would tend to mistrust a dealer's estimation of age, and would check for themselves by looking in the horse's mouth to see the length of its teeth. If the horse was a gift from someone, such an action would be an insult, since it would suggest that the recipient was more interested in the value of the gift than the generosity of the donor. So, we have another idiom: 'To look a gift horse in the mouth'.
When animals had so many uses, buying and selling was a robust affair, involving a variety of actors. With the coming of the combustion engine many of these fell away. The market was reduced.
One market that has persisted to the present age is for thoroughbreds. There are still annual yearling sales, conducted by auctioneers in many countries. Keen buyers vie for steeds that will perform miracles on the race tracks. In rare cases, yearlings bought for a song go on to make millions through their racing deeds. However, because bloodlines and breeding histories are so thoroughly studied, the progeny of well known sires and dams tend to command very good prices.
Young girls, often but not always, the offspring of wealthy parents, have kept the markets alive. There is always a demand for hacks, show jumpers, polo ponies and even carriage pullers. The very old military discipline of three day events has survived, even as an item in the Olympic Games. The long and noble history of the horse as a helper to humanity has ensured its survival in the face of change.
But recent developments have actually widened markets beyond what might be termed the leisure market. Equestrian events have become popular on TV, and with huge audiences assured they are once again regaining popularity. With public attention guaranteed, money is once again flowing into the industry.
Also in recent times, the Internet has transformed most aspects of life, including horse trading. Horses for sale can now be found on many websites which give extended information, the quality of which has never been exceeded. Buyers of horses have the luxury of looking up details of a possible purchase without the sharp eyes of a horse dealer watching their every move. Horse trading can again be a profitable trade though very different to what it was in the past.
The shrewd bargaining and jockeying for position that goes on before political or business decisions are made is referred to as 'horse trading'. The words are the only connection with actual animals, but the once bustling trade has enriched the English language.
Like car sales people, horse traders had their reputation for embellishing the truth. There are more ways to disguise the true state of a car than there are to hide faults in a horse, but sellers of horses at markets tended to shorten an animal's age by a few years, since age is an important factor in a horse. Consequently buyers would tend to mistrust a dealer's estimation of age, and would check for themselves by looking in the horse's mouth to see the length of its teeth. If the horse was a gift from someone, such an action would be an insult, since it would suggest that the recipient was more interested in the value of the gift than the generosity of the donor. So, we have another idiom: 'To look a gift horse in the mouth'.
When animals had so many uses, buying and selling was a robust affair, involving a variety of actors. With the coming of the combustion engine many of these fell away. The market was reduced.
One market that has persisted to the present age is for thoroughbreds. There are still annual yearling sales, conducted by auctioneers in many countries. Keen buyers vie for steeds that will perform miracles on the race tracks. In rare cases, yearlings bought for a song go on to make millions through their racing deeds. However, because bloodlines and breeding histories are so thoroughly studied, the progeny of well known sires and dams tend to command very good prices.
Young girls, often but not always, the offspring of wealthy parents, have kept the markets alive. There is always a demand for hacks, show jumpers, polo ponies and even carriage pullers. The very old military discipline of three day events has survived, even as an item in the Olympic Games. The long and noble history of the horse as a helper to humanity has ensured its survival in the face of change.
But recent developments have actually widened markets beyond what might be termed the leisure market. Equestrian events have become popular on TV, and with huge audiences assured they are once again regaining popularity. With public attention guaranteed, money is once again flowing into the industry.
Also in recent times, the Internet has transformed most aspects of life, including horse trading. Horses for sale can now be found on many websites which give extended information, the quality of which has never been exceeded. Buyers of horses have the luxury of looking up details of a possible purchase without the sharp eyes of a horse dealer watching their every move. Horse trading can again be a profitable trade though very different to what it was in the past.
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Get exclusive inside info on exactly how and where to find buyers in the lucrative trade of horse sales now in our overview of all you need to know about horses for sale and horses for loan in the UK.