steve mason Report post Posted July 23, 2008 Any of you ever trade a saddle for a horse before? Just kind of curious if anyone has done it or has entertained the thought as I may be doing so in the near future. Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted July 23, 2008 I did that several years ago. I got two good shitters for a saddle Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Brewer Report post Posted July 23, 2008 Steve,Traded a bay horse for a basket stamped saddle.Was not a very good trade.From then on I tell them sell the horse and I will trade for cash. Steve Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
greg gomersall Report post Posted July 24, 2008 Steve as long as the math works why not? Just make sure you record the transaction properly for your taxes. Greg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted July 24, 2008 Oh ya, for sure you wanna be sure to pay your taxes.... on all income... LOL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JRedding Report post Posted July 24, 2008 Bob, maybe you could trade one for a horse name him Junior and write him off as a dependent. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted July 24, 2008 Sure thing Jim, take the horse to some ranch brandings with one of my saddles and write off the horse for advertizing and promotion...... it works for me... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mulefool Report post Posted July 24, 2008 I traded a custom saddle for my current saddle mule, plus he paid me about 500.00 over that. We both went away real happy over the deal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Brewer Report post Posted July 25, 2008 During the 1980s I ran a ranch here.Always looking for horses.Traded a nice wade saddle for a 4 yr. old gelding.Ended up being a Bronco.Broke my right arm.Sold him 4 times and got him back each time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shelly Report post Posted July 25, 2008 Yep! Have traded for breeding fees, horses, etc - right now I'd entertain a trade for a gooseneck trailer, about 24' long, that I can haul hay with - would have to have double axle and duals on each axle...to handle the weight/any distance/stability. I traded for my 3 yr old paint filly - she's a daughter of Dual Jazz, out of a paint mare that won about $4500 in APHA cutting, sire has won over 70,000.00 - this deal was pretty good, in that the breeder wanted a floral saddle, and what he wanted for the filly ended up being about half the value of the saddle - we drew up a contract, I picked her up, and he handed me a check - I think he was pretty happy in the end, as I hear from various people how great that saddle turned out and how good it rides...also traded for a filly a couple years ago, she wasn't terrible, but didn't pan out - bred nice, and got her sold for the value of the saddle - lost our time, etc on her, but that's a risk I can stand if they will make something - that's why they are called 'prospects'! I have only paid for three breeding fees in the last 10 years - have traded equal value all along for the other eight years. Sometimes they will end up giving me a check for the difference, sometimes it works out that I owe a bit, but we always are ok in the end. Currently have a customer that would like to do some trading with me, on some young stock he's raising - but, I've got pretty much all the horseflesh I need for now...a palomino broodmare w/foal, bred for '09, a 4 yr old dun mare to show in the reining, a 9 yr old bay gelding, and a 3 yr old sorrel paint mare - plan to show her in the reining next year. (FYI - I do have all of these horses in my saddle shop business - they are added/depreciated, I write off the expenses - they are owned by the shop, and I have a registered freeze brand that I put on any stock I purchase or raise - check out the left hip on the sorrel paint, and the bay gelding now has the same brand - pic is just before he was branded...) I don't do too bad - They are advertising the shop when I show, because the owner is listed on programs, as well as announced over the loudspeakers, and when they are eventually sold, I try to make a profit - been doing it this way for the last 3 years, and the last two, I've been able to show a profit on horse sales - thankfully, I have enough to write off that it offsets any capital gains made, but I have been able to show 'intent to make a profit' to satisfy Uncle Sam... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andystevens Report post Posted July 25, 2008 My theory is if your building saddles you better know horses, try the horse for a week or a few rides and then make the decision if it is a good trade. I like the barter system at times its a good way to get you need or want and keep Uncle Sam out of the mix. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kseidel Report post Posted July 26, 2008 He Steve, I've traded saddles for cows. Always figured if I could eat it it was a good trade. I hear some of you Canadians eat horse meat....... Keith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bob Report post Posted July 26, 2008 OH ya, horse meat is the best.... Keith. Havn't you tried it yet??? With all the two bit american horses coming across the line. Thats about all they're good for. They taste just fine. As a matter of fact, after couple horse steaks, you begin to look over the fence an winney.... hehehehehea LOL We're having a BBQ this weekend too and you're invited Keith... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kseidel Report post Posted July 28, 2008 Thats great Bob!!! I needed a good laugh this Monday AM. Thanks for invitation.... I'll see if I can round up a nag or two! Keith Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Todd Report post Posted October 21, 2008 Hey Steve, Just took a 4 year old paint mare as partial trade for a Wade saddle. Have no real need for another horse (31 already) but it was the only way to get this particular looky-loo to finally bite the bullet and order a saddle. I basically took the mare as her deposit. I have ceased to be amazed what people will try to trade or barter for a saddle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hidemechanic Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Steve, I agree with Greg, if it pencils out, but keep other things in mind too. I had an experience that went bad on me. We tooking a horse as partial tarde on a show saddle. The horse represented X$, and they paid X$ for materials with X$ to be paid upon completion. The intent and agreement first was that the saddle would be done in a few months(gave me a buffer) as it was a slow time for me, I figured I could devote more attention to this project. The problem was they couldn't decide what siler they wanted and time went by amd ate up my buffer time. I didn't want to build too much ahead because the carving needed to be compatable with what ever silver I would end up putting on. The next problem was that things started picking up and I had bills to pay so the trade saddle went to the back line, when the siver finally came in, the owners expected me to stop everything to finish thier saddle. Well that was a juggling act I don't want to get into again. By the time I was able to get it worked in with other commitments,neither of us were happy about the deal. I origionally knocked off $250 for the delay(prior to finish) hoping they would be happier, but it didn't seem to help. By the time I was able to deliver it they still owed $250, but I decided the heck with it, I just wanted it done. So I put myself in a bad position that was hard to get out of and no one was happy. I also like the idea of telling the trader to sell the horse and trade for cash. I'm not saying don't do it, just be a better horse trader and quicker saddle maker than I am. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
