Raffle for a horse? Good idea or no?

[Mischievous]

I ended up with a student back in the 80’s who won a 3 year old Arabian gelding in a short story writing contest. She and her family knew nothing about horses, other than this young girl loving them from afar. She wrote quite a touching short story.

Anyway, they contacted a local horsewoman about going to KY to pick up the prize and boarding him at her place, and she got them in touch with me for lessons. I worked this youngster for about a year, while giving the girl lessons on a school pony. We finally put the two of them together and they did very nicely…lots of trail riding and some local shows. She had me sell him for her when she headed off for college, and he went to another great home, where he stayed until he passed on, just recently.

I always did think it was strange to “win” a 3 year old green broke arab when one had no knowledge or experience at all, but in this one case it did work out.

In general, seems like a bad idea.

[Ladylexie]

I was able to find out that this is a retired show horse rescued from the kill pen so this horse faces yet another uncertain future which is sad in my opinion. I contacted the horse show and they wanted to be sure they have nothing to do with this woman holding the raffle. I believe that since the woman donates a lot of money they are feeling a little held hostage by her. You would think a real horse person would know better than to pull a publicity stunt like this.

[enjoytheride]

My friend raffled off a horse in her breed club, a person had to submit an essay as part of the raffle and be a club member. She kept track of the horse and took it back two years later when the father lost his job.

[Nootka]

As mentioned before, a very well respected breeder does it for Leg-Up Equestrian Assistance Program, Inc.- IRS 501©(3). Their mission is to organize, develop, raise and distribute funds to help equestrians and equines suffering from catastrophic events, illness, accidents, injuries, to help those that find themselves in an untenable situations and/or to just pay it forward where we can! Great foals…

http://www.leg-up.org/

Website isn’t up to date… but you can’t see them. I love last year’s foal. I wonder which one will be this year I may buy a ticket this time!

2011
http://www.avalon-equine.com/beetlejuice-davalon---2011-raffle-foal.html
2012
http://www.avalon-equine.com/moulin-rouge-davalon---2012-raffle-foal.html
2013
http://www.avalon-equine.com/elixir-davalon---2013-raffle-foal.html
2014
http://www.avalon-equine.com/gold-sovereign-davalon.html

[OveroHunter]

The first thing that comes to mind is that this is a god awful, terrible idea for the poor horse.

I guess if the winner is vetted and a first right of refusal contract is written up, it could be ok… But I still don’t like it.

I just picture some ticked off parent at a fair with an annoying kid begging them to buy a raffle ticket and the parent does it to shut the kid up assuming the chances are so small that they’ll even win… Then next thing you know they are the proud owners of a old kill pen rescue lesson horse and no where to put him.

[HPFarmette]

[QUOTE=Flash44;8051126]
It worked for National Velvet![/QUOTE]

Okay I take back my first response.

[IronwoodFarm]

It’s not what I would do, but I have a friend who won a young Fjord gelding in a raffle. Fortunately she is a serious horsewoman and Fjord breeder. She kept him for a number of years, trained him, and sold him to another experienced horse person. So it can work out. I just would never take the risk.

[Belmont]

We never win anything, ever. NO drawings, no sweepstakes, nothing.

We had a breeder friend put one of her colts up for raffle at a local show banquet. We put in like $20 worth of tickets (people were buying $100’s worth…), and guess who wound up winning the freaking colt? US.

Of course, he grew into a decent horse. My stepdad wound up loving him, but he just had no time. So he sold him to a cutter friend.

Unless I reaaalllyyy want another horse and can afford it, I will never enter another raffle, again.

[VTMorgan06]

There is a big breeding farm in my area that has held an annual foal raffle for many, many years. To the best of my knowledge it has always worked out for them, although I’ve always had to question what happens when I completely unhorsey family with a pony crazed little girl wins a weanling! I expect often the horse remains at the farm for training (perhaps at a discounted rate) and then is sent to the owner. I’ve also heard of several winners turning down the horse and receiving a tax deductible donation instead.

I’ve never bought a ticket, the last thing I need is another horse!