Combustion and jet engines have replaced them now, but horses for sale has been a common term in the English language for longer than the combustion engine. For centuries before the model T Ford the beasts transported people, hauled carriages and heavy loads and charged enemies in battle. They have earned their place in human history, and certainly in the English language.
When so many mounts were needed they were traded regularly at markets. Dealers, like automobile salesmen, enjoyed the reputation for being shrewd bargainers. The idiom, 'horse trading' these days has little to do with buying and selling animals, but refers to the hard bargaining that often goes on behind the scenes at conferences or political rallies.
Like car sales people, horse traders had their reputation for embellishing the truth. There are more ways to disguise the true state of a car than there are to hide faults in a horse, but sellers of horses at markets tended to shorten an animal's age by a few years, since age is an important factor in a horse. Consequently buyers would tend to mistrust a dealer's estimation of age, and would check for themselves by looking in the horse's mouth to see the length of its teeth. If the horse was a gift from someone, such an action would be an insult, since it would suggest that the recipient was more interested in the value of the gift than the generosity of the donor. So, we have another idiom: 'To look a gift horse in the mouth'.
The market for horses was drastically reduced with the coming of the combustion engine. Buying and selling Henry Ford's 'horseless carriage' replaced the activity in horse trading. It was one of those times in human history when adaptation was needed for survival. But though horse markets shrank, they did not die.
Thoroughbreds, the aristocrats of the horse world, managed to get by like some of their human counterparts. They entertained by running, and continued to attract the attention of the rich and privileged and hopeful gamblers alike. Auction sales of yearlings persist. Some buyers hope to find a bargain that will win races and become famous. In most cases the study of bloodlines will result in huge prices paid for horses for courses. There are likely sprinters, hunters and long distance athletes.
Young girls, often but not always, the offspring of wealthy parents, have kept the markets alive. There is always a demand for hacks, show jumpers, polo ponies and even carriage pullers. The very old military discipline of three day events has survived, even as an item in the Olympic Games. The long and noble history of the horse as a helper to humanity has ensured its survival in the face of change.
But recent developments have actually widened markets beyond what might be termed the leisure market. Equestrian events have become popular on TV, and with huge audiences assured they are once again regaining popularity. With public attention guaranteed, money is once again flowing into the industry.
Since 1991 the Internet has transformed the world and revitalized many old industries. There are now many horses for sale on the Internet. Detailed information is available on many websites. Interested buyers are able to access more reliable information than ever before, and sellers can find buyers in the once again lucrative trade.
When so many mounts were needed they were traded regularly at markets. Dealers, like automobile salesmen, enjoyed the reputation for being shrewd bargainers. The idiom, 'horse trading' these days has little to do with buying and selling animals, but refers to the hard bargaining that often goes on behind the scenes at conferences or political rallies.
Like car sales people, horse traders had their reputation for embellishing the truth. There are more ways to disguise the true state of a car than there are to hide faults in a horse, but sellers of horses at markets tended to shorten an animal's age by a few years, since age is an important factor in a horse. Consequently buyers would tend to mistrust a dealer's estimation of age, and would check for themselves by looking in the horse's mouth to see the length of its teeth. If the horse was a gift from someone, such an action would be an insult, since it would suggest that the recipient was more interested in the value of the gift than the generosity of the donor. So, we have another idiom: 'To look a gift horse in the mouth'.
The market for horses was drastically reduced with the coming of the combustion engine. Buying and selling Henry Ford's 'horseless carriage' replaced the activity in horse trading. It was one of those times in human history when adaptation was needed for survival. But though horse markets shrank, they did not die.
Thoroughbreds, the aristocrats of the horse world, managed to get by like some of their human counterparts. They entertained by running, and continued to attract the attention of the rich and privileged and hopeful gamblers alike. Auction sales of yearlings persist. Some buyers hope to find a bargain that will win races and become famous. In most cases the study of bloodlines will result in huge prices paid for horses for courses. There are likely sprinters, hunters and long distance athletes.
Young girls, often but not always, the offspring of wealthy parents, have kept the markets alive. There is always a demand for hacks, show jumpers, polo ponies and even carriage pullers. The very old military discipline of three day events has survived, even as an item in the Olympic Games. The long and noble history of the horse as a helper to humanity has ensured its survival in the face of change.
But recent developments have actually widened markets beyond what might be termed the leisure market. Equestrian events have become popular on TV, and with huge audiences assured they are once again regaining popularity. With public attention guaranteed, money is once again flowing into the industry.
Since 1991 the Internet has transformed the world and revitalized many old industries. There are now many horses for sale on the Internet. Detailed information is available on many websites. Interested buyers are able to access more reliable information than ever before, and sellers can find buyers in the once again lucrative trade.
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Get exclusive inside info on how and where to find buyers in the lucrative trade of horse sales now in our complete overview of everything you need to know about horses for sale and horses for loan in the UK.
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