02/28/2020
“The Unicorn”
What does your unicorn cost? Is there an appropriate price range to look for one? Can any budget find “the one?” Is there a written rule of what must be spent to have fun?
There have been debates and discussions in a few forums lately about the, “searching for a unicorn,” posts. Most of these posts have a budget listed of under $10,000 and it’s making some people less than happy; but - - should it?
A recent post in a Reining Forum regarding this topic sparked my writing side today. The post reads:
“I've noticed a lot of people posting wanted ads in multiple different reining groups looking for these Unicorn horses priced under $10k and $5k... Since when did this become a thing? I've never seen most of these so-called unicorns priced under at the very min $15k most are around $20k or $25k and above... Yet I see so many post daily of people looking for these horses under $10k or $5k (sound)...
Most of the top trainers cost $1200 to $1500 a month and this doesn't even include vet care. There's a lot that goes into these animals. That's not even including the breeding fee it cost to get them on the ground or the feed it cost to keep them. So I'm just wondering how everyone else is feeling about these unicorn posts and have you noticed any changes in the way prospective buyers go about it given this current trend?”
The comments range from - - down right discouraging and mean to up lifting and happy:
—“People want something for nothing”
—“Thank you!!!! They want high class horses at auction barn prices!!!!”
—“I always say good luck”
—“I think everyone has a different definition of a unicorn and they are looking for that horse at their price range that will make their dreams come true. We all have different dreams and I think there is a horse for each. “
—“I have had two nice green rider/ rookie horses. I paid 4-6k for. The second horse has money earned in Novice horse and lower level NP. They are there. Took years to find them. I don’t have 20k let alone more for a horse. So I showed at the level I could and was happy.”
—“I just bought my unicorn sound as can be. It’s possible if you are patient “
—“We got two unicorns, one for free and the other for $5000. Both are the most amazing horses. One took my daughter to Oklahoma City for the youth championships. The other, she is well on her way to start showing her soon. It never hurts to ask what's out there. You might be surprised at what you find and the amazing people you'll meet along the way.”
—“Why should my mom pay more than 5 for a horse she might not even be comfortable enough to do anything more than ranch riding? To him he is a unicorn to me he was limited but good hearted 7 year old 71 on a good day horse. Why should she spend 25+ to lope a pattern because shes too scared or rusty to go fast? Should he be priced at 25 just because that's what you decide the entry cost is for a green reiner?
My definition of an unicorn is a 74 at the futurity. My moms is something safe, sound, and sweet. Fun and trustworthy”
Now, I try to be careful what I comment on, but I feel this is a much-needed discussion. Isn’t our goal in all equine disciplines to grow? At all levels? Weekend showing to major events. Growth, that’s what we want, isn’t it? For our big time Open trainers to our trainers who have a day job and ride 5 when they get home. There are places for all customers and buyers to go.
My comment in response to the forum thread now has over 95 likes and 30 replying comments in under an hour reads:
“I probably shouldn’t, but I’m going to step on my soap box...
So your irritated people are trying to get involved, start showing and want to find their unicorn with the budget they have? No one said you had to sell them a horse worth $50k for $10k.
I have seen the posts; they are not looking for a level 4 open horse. They are looking for the absolute best they can with what they can spend. What is wrong with that? Is this really what we want to do? Discourage people because their checkbook size doesn’t fit your ego? If you have legit nice prospects, they will sell for their respected prices. The market has been great. Those people shopping in a lower price range are not lowering the value on great ones. They are looking for what they can find that is their unicorn in their budget. They will search till they find it and what better way then to make a post.
And just a FYI this gelding below I paid $7,500 for because I was patient and knew what I had to find. While I normally buy stuff that’s not finished because I can buy them cheaper and ride them decently enough on my own..does that mean I shouldn’t go show because I’m not dropping $50k on a non pro horse? Does that mean I shouldn’t be involved? Does that mean I shouldn’t be breeding because btw my daughter of Chic that’s produced just shy of $160,000 I paid under $3k for....My derby mare now has taken me a lot of riding and work but she’s my unicorn, I absolutely love that mare and I paid $6,500 for her as a behind 3-year-old. She can now plus every maneuver I just need to learn to show better. My first real show horse which someone who commented on here knows well I paid $2,250 for as a youth kid and I was damn near impossible to get around in the Reining, Cutting and Cow Horse in our region.
So for all those people who are going to read this thread and now feel discouraged to even try to get involved in the reining and showing because they can’t drop 50k on one to go show ... hold your head high, go buy what unicorn fits your budget and smile big when your kick butt! Put in your riding time, get your pattern placement and go have fun. Your checkbook size doesn’t have to determine your level of fun to go show if you have the right attitude. If someone wants to spend $500k on a rookie horse or $1,500 it should not matter. It’s what they want or have to work with.
It absolutely sickens me we get so snobbish on what people can write a check for. Just because they don’t fit your life style and status doesn’t mean they can’t come play. Doesn’t mean they need to be in your barn. Doesn’t mean they need to buy horses from your program. We have plenty and I mean plenty of big pockets to tap into to sell horses to of all levels. So don’t go hating on the people who are TRYING to be apart of our sport. There are trainers and programs that would love to have these people and need these people.
And don’t go deleting this thread, people need to be able to read this stuff and know regardless of others judgmental opinions they ARE welcome... no matter how big of a check they can write...”
Now, I can name a few big time NRHA owners who started with those $5,000 unicorns in small trainers barns and grew a passion that’s now led into multimillion dollar programs.
Would we have lost those people had social media been so big back then? Would they have read one of those downgrading comments about the budget and left? I have personally seen many many instances where the people looking for that first “unicorn” actually have the financial status to go buy a really fancy one for over $100k, but they are NEW to either the sport or horses. They don’t know what or how much they need to spend to go play where they want. So we are going to degrade and belittle them because the don’t have the education to know what they might need?
How many people have you talked to that go “WHOA, $10,000?! For a horse?!” They look at you like your insane but at different levels of every discipline $10,000 for a horse can be pennys on the dollar or looked at like the holy grail of horses.
How downgrading and distasteful is it to be getting involved in something and looking for that first one with a $10k budget and being looked down upon for it. That person could spend $200,000 on the next, but they were never even given the chance. Why would we ever want to do that to someone trying to be involved? We never want to push people out or away because of money. HELP them find someone who is best for them to either ride with or buy from or take lessons from that’s in their financial range. Those trainers need customers too.
So my question to you - - What’s your unicorn? How did you get started? What drove your passion to keep going in the horse business? We want to see them! Post below and share why YOU do this!
