Who's to Blame for the Poor Horse Market?

There has been a lot of finger pointing over the last few years over the crash in horse prices. Professionals blame backyard breeders for indiscriminately breeding horses, hobby horsemen blame the professionals for producing large numbers each year in the search for a big winner. Horse overpopulation coupled with a ban on slaughter and the economic downturn resulted in the market taking a nosedive.

However, fewer foals have been produced each year since then. The number of foals registered each year in the American Quarter Horse Association has been falling for several years, a trend reflected in other breeds as well. The results from the 2013 American Quarter Horse Association convention indicate that 2012 foal registrations were down by nearly half from 2004 (http://www.aqha.com/Showing/News-Articles/03082013-AQHA-Convention.aspx). So, if supplies are going down, shouldn't prices be going up? Law of supply and demand, right?

Unfortunately, it's not that simple. Demand is strong for well-broke, well-mannered horses who are good at their jobs, whether that be showing or trail riding. Young horses, green horses, and those with vices are worth next to nothing. What's the solution?

GET OUT AND RIDE! As horse owners, we have a responsibility to our animals that includes making sure they are productive, useful members of society. Yes, there are people who enjoy having horses as "pasture pets," but wouldn't they be a lot more fun and more likely to appeal to new owners if you could ride or drive them as well? Get that young horse started, put more miles on the green one, seek help with correcting vices or bad habits. We need to put more effort into developing those well-broke, well-mannered horses that everyone enjoys riding. Yes, it's going to take effort and/or money, but it will make you a better rider and your horse more marketable should you ever want or need to sell him.

INTRODUCE NEW PEOPLE TO HORSES! Be welcoming to newcomers and those who express interest in horses. Invite them to come meet your horse, recommend a place to take riding lessons, be a helpful, friendly ambassador to the horse industry. Common misconceptions such as "you have to be young to learn to ride" and "horses are too expensive" discourage people from pursuing an interest in horses. The more people who are involved in riding, driving, and horse ownership, the more homes and demand there will be for horses. This doesn't just affect horse prices, it affects the availability of horse-related goods and services. More people with horses equals more shows, more tack stores, more riding trails, all sorts of good stuff that benefits us all.

So stop the finger pointing, stop complaining, and get out and do something about it. The past is the past, and can't be changed, but the future is wide open.