Animals have been the main means of transport for human beings for much longer than the combustion or jet engine. In agriculture, industry and the army, they were indispensable. They have been used since the earliest times because their strength, speed and tractability makes them such useful creatures. Busy trade in them has left permanent marks on many languages. There have been horses for sale for centuries, and the ensuing trade has made its mark on many cultures.
When so many mounts were needed they were traded regularly at markets. Dealers, like automobile salesmen, enjoyed the reputation for being shrewd bargainers. The idiom, 'horse trading' these days has little to do with buying and selling animals, but refers to the hard bargaining that often goes on behind the scenes at conferences or political rallies.
At markets in the past buyers and sellers negotiated prices around the real or stated claims made concerning individual animals. Faults in animals not as easy to disguise as they are in motor vehicles. Where a second hand car can be spruced up considerably with paint, water and grooming, a weary old nag's age was hard to disguise. A canny buyer would not take the dealer's estimation of age at face value, but instead look at the length of its teeth to determine its age for himself. If the animal had been a gift and the recipient still looked into its mouth, he was being ungrateful, and rudely, 'looking a gift horse in the mouth'.
The advent of cars, and then aeroplanes had dramatic effects on the buying and selling of horses. Horseless carriages replaced modes of transportation that had been used for centuries. People in the hay and horse industries had to adapt, or die. The sale of horses diminished markedly, but did not die out altogether.
The market for thoroughbreds horses never died. The rich and privileged, and the not- so- rich but ever hopeful gamblers kept it thriving. Auction sales of yearling thoroughbreds are still lively affairs. There is always an outside possibility that a great race horse will be picked up for a song and go on to make a fortune for its owner on the race track. However, in most cases bloodlines are carefully studied and the progeny of famous sires and dams fetch famous prices.
In addition there are sales of ponies for other uses such as polo ponies, carriage horses, show jumpers, dressage mounts and three-day eventers. In fact, the long and noble history of the horse as a domesticated animal ensures that the demand has never fallen away completely, even when air and space travel began to occupy the attention of city dwellers. Young girls, in particular, never lost their interest, and kept markets alive
Leisure horses for sale have continued to attract the attention, mostly of young girls and their sponsors. Though muted the demand for hacks, polo ponies, show jumpers and ponies has persisted. In recent times the old military practice of three day events involving dressage, show jumping, and cross country gallops has been revived. This has further promoted the number of horses for sale.
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.
When so many mounts were needed they were traded regularly at markets. Dealers, like automobile salesmen, enjoyed the reputation for being shrewd bargainers. The idiom, 'horse trading' these days has little to do with buying and selling animals, but refers to the hard bargaining that often goes on behind the scenes at conferences or political rallies.
At markets in the past buyers and sellers negotiated prices around the real or stated claims made concerning individual animals. Faults in animals not as easy to disguise as they are in motor vehicles. Where a second hand car can be spruced up considerably with paint, water and grooming, a weary old nag's age was hard to disguise. A canny buyer would not take the dealer's estimation of age at face value, but instead look at the length of its teeth to determine its age for himself. If the animal had been a gift and the recipient still looked into its mouth, he was being ungrateful, and rudely, 'looking a gift horse in the mouth'.
The advent of cars, and then aeroplanes had dramatic effects on the buying and selling of horses. Horseless carriages replaced modes of transportation that had been used for centuries. People in the hay and horse industries had to adapt, or die. The sale of horses diminished markedly, but did not die out altogether.
The market for thoroughbreds horses never died. The rich and privileged, and the not- so- rich but ever hopeful gamblers kept it thriving. Auction sales of yearling thoroughbreds are still lively affairs. There is always an outside possibility that a great race horse will be picked up for a song and go on to make a fortune for its owner on the race track. However, in most cases bloodlines are carefully studied and the progeny of famous sires and dams fetch famous prices.
In addition there are sales of ponies for other uses such as polo ponies, carriage horses, show jumpers, dressage mounts and three-day eventers. In fact, the long and noble history of the horse as a domesticated animal ensures that the demand has never fallen away completely, even when air and space travel began to occupy the attention of city dwellers. Young girls, in particular, never lost their interest, and kept markets alive
Leisure horses for sale have continued to attract the attention, mostly of young girls and their sponsors. Though muted the demand for hacks, polo ponies, show jumpers and ponies has persisted. In recent times the old military practice of three day events involving dressage, show jumping, and cross country gallops has been revived. This has further promoted the number of horses for sale.
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 inside information on exactly how and where to find buyers in the lucrative trade of horse sales now in our guide to everything you need to know about horses for sale and horses for loan in the UK.
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