Pitzer Ranch Auction- reposted here from Off Course

[Candle]

I read the other thread on ranch horse auctions, but didn’t want to hijack, so started my own. I’m looking for two horses who can handle beginners, are moderately athletic, and have great brains. I want versatile, all-around horses who tie, load, bathe, clip, go to beginner cow sorting things, beginner mounted shooting, and pack well-balanced, nice beginners around on a trail ride. I’d love to go to the Pitzer auction and pick up a nice pair of mares, but I’m in KY.

Is it worth the drive, should I go to the fall or the spring one, and can I reasonably do that for under 5K? Does anyone have any good advice? I’m tired of going through private sellers, driving all over looking at horses, and worrying about drugs/sedation. Pitzer’s reputation as well as having a lot of horses in one place, having them vetted already and having a soundness and no-drug guarantee is really appealing to me. I haven’t seen any bad reviews or heard any bad publicity about them, they seem to be a real class act. Can anyone give me some advice on when to go, how it all works, where to stay, etc?

[goodhors]

The problem we see is when folks buy the ranch horses, the people don’t ride them enough to keep them civil. These horses expect to go out and cover some miles, at least a couple days a week. They are not used to standing around a week, eating good grain and hay, to only be ridden one hour on the weekend days.

The horses from out west get kind of pushy, maybe broncy, with plenty of food yet little or no use after working almost daily in their previous life.

Horse is not 'bad" but he may act poorly for you in that kind of situation. He is most likely exactly what he was sold as, but you changed the situation by reducing his daily work life. He has much more energy for acting up than he did when he was doing many miles each day out on the range.

I am going to say such horses are NOT for beginners, because the horse expects to be given directions from the rider “in charge”. Most beginners are not brave, over react if horse does things unexpectedly, so they can hurt the horse or even fall off because beginner lacks basic skills like balance. And one bad action leads to MORE reaction by both horse and rider. A few rides like that can destroy the rider confidence and teach a nice horse to act badly.

Beginners NEED older horses who are not reactionary to riders with low skill levels. Such horses probably have some physical issues from previous using life. Doesn’t mean they can’t be fun to ride and enjoy, just that you might want to keep an eye on them as part of daily care. You may find such good horses priced higher than you would think for age and looks, but you are buying DEPENDABLE, confidence building horses to learn on. They don’t go silly if you make a mistake or get surprised. This is VERY important in keeping you from getting damaged or hurting the horse because you NEVER thought horse would DO THAT!

How many lessons have you had to develop your riding skills? This really is not something to jump into for learning as you go. Having a Trainer to watch you ride, give you tips, correct bad things you do because you don’t know any better, will save you getting hurt. You will progress in skills, ability to read and direct the horse much quicker with Trainer teaching you.

[Shermy]

I went in April, 2013, was my first time doing anything like that.

Will go down as one of the BEST weekend’s EVER! Was totally outside my box and everything that could go right, did…

I have an older horse, I have done everything on him, just a good guy, but got him out of his pasture, was lame. We had a good ride the day before, so he must have taken a bad step, found out he had two tears in his Lateral Collateral Ligament. Took 7 mos to get him back, this happened the Fall of 2012. Realized at 17 yrs old, it was best I semi retired him, I ride a lot, still rode him, but needed another younger horse to take off some of the load of my old guy.

Looked around, couldn’t find exactly what I wanted. Decided that I prob would not be buying too many horses in my life, so decided I wanted a little more cowy that what is found around me.

CJStarkey helped me a lot, she answered me when I did what you are, posted here about ranch sales. She told me about Pitzer. I was gonna go to the CSU sale in Colorado, but not as many horses and much farther of a drive.

Took a friend, headed out to Nebraska. We had spent a lot of time before, looking at videos, narrowing down the horses, I think we had 47 geldings on the list by the time we got there. There was 320 ish horses for sale in that auction.

Hung around the preview day, talked to the trainers/owners, found them very open and honest. Narrowed it down to THREE horses, I wanted one of them.

I ended up getting the one I wanted the most, THO, there were a LOT of very nice horses, so I prob would have been happy w/several of the horses.

I got my horse (almost 4 yr old) in the first 45 mins, he was the 13th horse, got a heck of a deal on him, so we got a little silly and got ANOTHER one as a project.

The project horse (almost 5 yr old) was super nice too, ended up selling him to a friend, she loves him.

They both have very good brains. I would agree w/they wouldn’t do good if didn’t get a lot of exercise. Both live out 24/7, when I got them, they hated being stalled, now, they will tolerate it for a day or two, but DEF would not be happy if they were stalled a lot.

So, they would not do well how some people keep horses if it requires them to be stalled a lot. It would stress these two out, big time.

They had/have older ranch horses that would prob be more been there/done that, but those go for more money than the younger ones. I do think getting TWO for your budget, may be tough and would prob not be for beginner-beginner riders.

Mine is very sweet, BUT if you tell him to GO, he will, so he isn’t exactly beginner safe, if the rider doesn’t know the basics or have much balance.

I got both of mine for a little more than your budget, but I will admit, I got VERY lucky!! This last sale, I would have just left w/ONE horse, prob not as nice as mine, but still a nice horse. The prices were that much higher, was crazy!

I ride a lot, my friend is most a weekend rider, both horses have happy lives, since they can move around, I don’t see my friends horse act much different than mine, even tho, mine gets ridden more often. So, I think if they can move, can still be happy not being ridden a lot. Confinement w/NO riding, would NOT be a good combination for either of these horses, tho!

If I get another horse way down the road, I would DEF go back to Pitzer!! There were soo many super nice horses, you def had a lot of variety and choices.

I was lucky, got TWO nice horses. Mine is just a really good guy, grand sire is Nu Chex to Cash, so is cutting, he is very agile, sweet and laid back. I LOVE him, he is fun to ride. The project horse is half Pitzer bred, so roping and reining, he is more sensitive, but VERY sweet!

I have watched some of the sales since I went, THIS Spring I would have been crying…I would have been outbid for a long time, I prob would have still gotten ONE horse for about what I paid for TWO, at the end, nice horses were going for $5,500 ish. On the last sale (April 2015), the horse average was almost DOUBLE of what they were the last several sales.

It was crazy, so before this last sale, I would have said, you could probably get a really nice horse for a very reasonable price, but now, I just don’t know. There are a lot of horses and if you are patient w/an open mind, you can still find a deal, but people weren’t afraid to bid up horses they wanted.

If that was any indication, the horse market is def a lot more healthy now than it was the last few years.

If you have any questions, let me know. The place is really nice & people were very friendly. We stayed in Ord, which was prob 20 ish mins away from Pitzer. Was a cute town

Like I said, it worked out great for me. I would totally recommend going

[Candle]

These are great things to consider. I keep my horses out 24/7, but they aren’t going to be in hard work for a few more years until my toddler can ride with us. Surely there have to be some horses that just don’t really like working all day? I’m experienced and can switch horses around to put some tune up rides on everyone at least a few times a week, so they wouldn’t just get dull to beginners, but I need the brain that can handle rookie mistakes. Are there any other good sales in the southeast?

[Shermy]

I am not sure, been over two years since I looked, I seem to remember there was a sale in Missouri, BUT didn’t have the prestige of Pitzer, so some horses may be misrepresented.

That is one thing about Pitzer, the people know if not honest, they will not be allowed to future sales. Pitzer guarantees that horses are sold free of vices and sound, UNLESS stated in description. That is the unusual thing about Pitzer, took some of the auction fear away, at least for me.

We talked to the trainers of the horse I got, they were honest, said had no reserve, told us lots of details on the horse, which proved to be 100% true.

I hauled my trailer, but they had a list of horse shippers going different routes, so it seemed pretty simple to get a horse hauled, so mayb just go and watch the Fall auction?

It is very interesting, in the sandhills, very pretty and has tumbleweed

The Fall will have a lot more horses, sometimes do it over two days, but a lot are yearlings. I cant promise, but it seems like the numbers of broke horses have been around the same in the Spring and Fall, but they have info on their website, total of horses and the average price it sold for in auction.

http://www.pitzerranch.net/horseSales.html

If you keep them out 24/7 and can polish them up, then it sounds like it could work. Both of the horses had very good minds, are calm and sweet.

Would be worth possibly checking it out. They put the catalog online about a month or so before the auction. Any horse that has roping experience will go for more money, it is tech a roping auction, so stay away from those.

I just could not imagine THAT many horses in very tight quarters w/NO issues. In fact, there is a HUGE outdoor arena that was used for preview, there were prob 100 horses tied shoulder to shoulder to the inside of the arena, mostly asleep. So in that way, most are been there, done that, but like I said, if a newbie gets on my horse, kicks him to go, he will GO… if they lose balance, they will go off.

My old guy, would stop and prob fill in under them, to try to prevent them from going off, I think horses gain that w/experience.

I would put a newbie rider on my old (almost 19 yr old) horse w/out a worry, but prob not my new one. It isn’t mean at all, but can be pretty responsive and if you are not prepared, it could be bad for someone w/little balance.

[goodhors]

OP said horses for beginners, so I was pointing out possible issues. They known for their working horses, ridden by skilled handlers. It is ALWAYS a gamble on how tolerant a horse is to unskilled rider handling.

[LJStarkey]

I think Shermy gave you the highlights on how to handle the Pitzer – or any – ranch horse auction.

“kid-broke” horses are going to go for more money because EVERYONE is looking for exactly the same thing you are – a quiet, safe, kind, well-mannered older horse.

HOWEVER, when you go to a ranch auction and they throw a kid up on a horse’s back to show how safe the horse is, keep in mind that kid has been riding since she was 2 – possibly younger – and is in the saddle most days. That cute little innocent-looking 8-year-old with one pigtail in her mouth can ride the hide off a horse. Safe for a ranch kid is not the same as safe for a beginner.

Also, the legendary Four Sixes Ranch in Guthrie, Texas, is hosting its annual Return to the Remuda sale with consignments from five other really big ranches. I’ve been to that auction and it’s awesome! Visitors pretty much have free rein to poke around the historic ranch with lots of polite cowboys yes-ma’aming you any time you ask questions.

There’s a nice preview day, then on the sale date, there’s a chuckwagon where you can buy lunch. All of the ranches will have tents where you can buy logoed apparel.

http://www.6666ranch.com/quarter-horses/sales.html

The Sixes stand some amazing performance and racing stallions, and it’s a chance to see them in person.

http://www.6666ranch.com/quarter-horses/stallions.html

As far as buying two mares, horses at the Sixes sale will have impeccable bloodlines, but most of them have only been lightly ridden, so probably not exactly what you’re looking for. BUT STILL AN AWESOME WEEKEND. Wish I could go again this year.

If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask:)

[Plumcreek]

I designed a barn for a first-horse couple who bought their two horses from the dude ranch where they had vacationed for a couple years. The ranch was cutting down on mares, and the two they got were beginner perfect and sound. I was impressed with how smart that couple was. Large dude ranches going into off season might be something to investigate.

[Equibrit]

[QUOTE=Candle;8204942]
I read the other thread on ranch horse auctions, but didn’t want to hijack, so started my own. I’m looking for two horses who can handle beginners, are moderately athletic, and have great brains. I want versatile, all-around horses who tie, load, bathe, clip, go to beginner cow sorting things, beginner mounted shooting, and pack well-balanced, nice beginners around on a trail ride. I’d love to go to the Pitzer auction and pick up a nice pair of mares, but I’m in KY.

Is it worth the drive, should I go to the fall or the spring one, and can I reasonably do that for under 5K? Does anyone have any good advice? I’m tired of going through private sellers, driving all over looking at horses, and worrying about drugs/sedation. Pitzer’s reputation as well as having a lot of horses in one place, having them vetted already and having a soundness and no-drug guarantee is really appealing to me. I haven’t seen any bad reviews or heard any bad publicity about them, they seem to be a real class act. Can anyone give me some advice on when to go, how it all works, where to stay, etc?[/QUOTE]

I would think there would be some summer camps selling their horses in fall around the Lexington area,