My current horse was about to get dumped in a, and I quote, “yahoo lesson program”.
Then when I told the owner I’d take him on and give him a home for life and let her come ride him any time she felt like, the other trainer decreed that I was “taking advantage” of her.
Bish, please. If I was going to nefariously steal a horse (aka “walking board bill”), it wouldn’t be a 12yo ottb with no resume or resale value.
People will do literally any conceptual backflip to avoid considering the possibility that maybe they are the problem.
My sister got a great OTTB from CANTER. He was exactly as described and made a wonderful ammy adult hunter. He was a real character and a joy to work with and show. She still has him, though he’s retired and living the life on pasture (inside the barn at night) in Washington state.
I second or third Secretariat Center. I’ve adopted two from them. But, no you cannot take any part of this as a tax deduction. You cannot deduct the purchase price, which is what this is, of a horse where the market value of the horse equals the purchase price. And where an agreed-to sales price is that amount that a good faith purchaser is willing to pay, and a good faith seller is willing to accept is an arms-length transaction and that amount constitutes the “market price”. It cannot be a “donation” if you receive back something of equal value – i.e. a horse. Same as if you go into their lobby and buy a T-shirt for ten bucks. That ten bucks is not a donation, either. You are receiving a shirt. Now, if you put that $10.00 in a jar on the counter and walk away with nothing, then THAT is a donation.
My DH used to be on the advisory board for the this facility with the prior director (he’s an attorney). I hope they are not telling folks that any of the price is tax deductible.
Though definitely go see their horses!! They always have some nice ones.
She has a horse now, The Big K, I watched him race in Charles Town track. He was really lovely for his groom and all class at the track. Moved really nice and he was able to stay sound at that track, you are probably good. Footing is crazy deep there.
I am on the board of Finger Lakes Finest and do quite a few of the listings. Feel free to message me for assistance. This time of year is slower, but the listings will pick up quite a bit in August/September, and especially October right before the track closes. The average prices now are $3500-$5000 right off the track. We had a few go for $10,000 last year. They do still pop up in the $1500-$2000 range but those are typically smaller or mares or …etc etc etc.
The horses that “check all the boxes” so to speak for what everyone seems to be looking for (clean legged, big, quiet, geldings, lightly raced, under 4 years) tend to get snapped up the quickest, especially if they are under $5000.
