Out With the Old and In With the New: Horse Turnover

Horses Can’t Stay Forever

Sometimes our ranch seems like it has a revolving door. I learned early on not to get too attached to the horses; everything has a price tag and the goal of our business IS to sell horses (at a profit).

Out With the Old

In 2020-2022 , we sold 7-9 horses each year (26 total). Not just any 26 horses; not weanlings, but horses we’ve ridden and had around for years. And now 2023 is starting off with a bang- having 7 head already consigned to auctions in February and March.

This is how the business works and selling a horse for a satisfying price tag is a measure of success, but it doesn’t mean that its easy on the heart strings.

We’re not horse traders, but trainers. We add value to a horse during his time here. They leave here with a better disposition, knowledge, training, practice, and tons more hours under the saddle, all resulting in a better broke horse that’s ready for the next owners.

Kids Can’t Stay Forever Either

I find it similar to the example of a third grade teacher. Kids (and horses) arrive and you try to teach them all you can in a set amount of time. At the end of the school year, you’re sad to see some go, but you are confident you’ve taught them to the best of your abilities (and theirs). A horse and a child can’t stay in your classroom forever. There comes a time that you need to let go.

It’s All Part of The Process

We take pride in the training, but it’s sometimes challenging not to bask in the rewards.

This, I parallel to the idea of myself as a future mother-in-law. I’m investing all of these years of nurturing, teaching, and training our boys. It isn’t a lost cause, but my efforts will really be enjoyed by someone else: their future wives and families. I take great pride in that and strive everyday to make them the best men they can be, despite knowing that as soon as they’re close to perfection, another woman will come along and reap the benefits.

Our job as parents and trainers is to prepare “them” for the future and whatever comes their way. Who knows what they’ll see or experience but you hope the knowledge you’ve passed on to them will carry them through whatever comes at them- Anything from not getting that promotion, to a Walmart sack blowing in the wind; a bad breakup, to being tied onto a cow double their weight.

We Do it, But it Isn’t Always Easy

Tears were shed over some of these horse transactions. I can’t disclose who did the shedding. Emotions run high as a sale is made, whether in an auction ring or in our driveway. And I can’t deny that I’ll be crying happy tears during the boys’ milestones: graduation, wedding, etc.

Owning a horse and raising kids are emotional experiences no matter what the time frame. There are days of rides where you’d like to kill them and others that end with unsaddling and a “thank you” whispered in the horse’s ear. Similar thoughts are associated with parenthood: the good and the bad. Thank goodness for unconditional love or child auctions might become popular!

In With the New

I continue to update our horse inventory. Who knows what the rest of this year will bring? Or next? My plan is to love and use the horses we have here- at each given moment.

I’m planning a similar approach to our boys. I’m going to cherish the time they’re still at home.

I can’t wait to share our experiences in the up-coming year. I plan to keep promoting so the revolving door doesn’t jam up.

Another goal is to not take any horse ride or parenting memory for granted. No two horses are alike and these years and memories are priceless.

I take consolation in the fact that Casey can always make me a new one-A new horse that is, the boy production line has been shut down, LOL.

Check out our horse inventory and the Sold sections on our website.

Updates & Success Stories

We love to hear from our horse buyers. If you have purchased one of our horses in the past, please share your news, photos and any other updates with us.

And if you haven’t bought a Schwieter Horse yet, what are you waiting for?!