Fairhope Stables

12/21/2025

The Real Reason I Hate Selling Horses in 2025

Strap in, folks.
We are about to discuss selling horses in the year of our Lord 2025, and I swear on a stack of vet bills this topic will make your brain leak out your ears.

Selling a horse today is not a transaction.
It is a hostage negotiation with someone who learned everything they know from a Facebook group called Intuitive Equine Energy Healing and Manifestation.

I have horses people would trade relatives for. Sound. Sane. Beautiful. Trained. Worth every penny. The market is hotter than a branding iron in August.

So why do I not sell more of them?

Because I would rather French kiss a woodchipper than hand one of my good horses over to the average rider who thinks “intermediate” means they once loped a circle without screaming WHOA like they were being kidnapped.

Let’s meet the contestants in this traveling circus of regret.

First up, the Brittany-Tiffany-Madison prototype. They are all the same person now. She is a “confident intermediate,” which in English means she has fallen off so many times gravity sends her thank you cards. She shows up in brand-new Ariat fat-babies shiny enough to signal satellites, helmet crooked, reins in a death grip, proudly announcing, “I have ridden my whole life.”

Translation. Eight lessons in 2009 on a saint named Buttercup who could be steered with a sneeze.

She climbs on my good horse, smiles for Instagram, buys him because “we connected on a soul level,” and two months later she is back on Marketplace writing a forty-seven chapter breakup letter.
“Sadly rehoming my heart horse Moonbeam Majesty. He changed overnight. Must have been drugged. Very dangerous. No fault of his own.”

No, glitter bucket. The horse did not change. The thirty-day return policy on your bravery expired and the horse finally realized the pilot has been drunk since takeoff.

Next we have Chad. Or Brad. Same energy.
He listens to three horse podcasts and now calls himself a student of the horse. Groundwork, in his mind, is the walk from the trailer to the mounting block. He wants a push-button bridle horse for the price of a used saddle pad and a guarantee that the horse will never buck, spook, fart, or express a single opinion.

When the horse says, “Sir, I am alive,” Chad instantly decides the seller lied, the horse is crazy, and the universe is personally attacking him.

Accountability? Never met her.

So now every sale requires more paperwork than adopting a North Korean orphan. Vet checks. X-rays. Videos. Trial periods. Return clauses. A non-disclosure agreement so Tiffany cannot drag your name across Facebook like a dead raccoon.

And here is the truth that ruins my appetite.

I actually like my horses.
I trust them.
I ride them in a halter through traffic.
I nap on them in the pasture.
The idea of one ending up with someone who thinks collection is what you do with Beanie Babies makes my eye twitch.

I am not saying never sell. Some of you are solid. You ride well. You know your limits. You take responsibility. God bless you unicorns.

The other ninety-seven percent?
Please. I am begging you. Take lessons. Learn something. Own your shortcomings. Stop shopping for horses like you are scrolling Tinder. Quit blaming the horse when your leadership lasts about as long as a Snapchat story.

Until that miracle shows up, my good horses are staying right here where no one is trying to “heal” them with crystals, essential oils, or positive vibes from a yoga mat.

Now if you will excuse me, I have real work to do and zero energy left for your emotional support animal’s emotional support journey.

Keep the change, ya filthy animals.

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

11/15/2025

❤🐴

09/08/2025

Going at speed in heaven, I’m sure…Multi-titled “Martell”.
Pictured here as RWC with Rick Adams.
Special horse….special owners, the late Ed & Ann Moore.
So sad to lose him. He’s been part of the family for so many years….

08/31/2025

So many of us are coming home from the green shavings at Louisville, or headed to the new facility at Oklahoma, with hope, excitement and long awaited anticipation.

Some know the feeling of being undefeated. Some of us never leave with a ribbon, but only the hard-earned right to compete for one on the world stage. Some of us never show.

And each of those horses, the talented, the tried and true, the exceptional, the needs a new job-horse, the bred or growing, and the retired — have another life.

Back at the barn, aging like fine wine, holding legacy in their hooves. Tears of joy and sorrow inbetween pats and hay nibbles.

Most of today’s amateur and kids horses were the makings of cover pages and advertisements one or two decades prior, or even before their rider was born.

So whether you left the arena with something or nothing, your horse knew no different.

We watched on the magnificent mile an icon reach in defense of his title, and fail, and rider dismount into retirement, with all the world to see. We watched another take 20 years to wear the roses in spectacular fashion. We saw the biggest class of first timers in the sport in a long time.

Every day, I also see the saved, the want-ad,and surrendered list eb and flow. The unspoken.

Divorce, wrong discipline, cost, incureable, ethic. Many reasons afflict the human condition. None of them are easy.

I had the pleasure to see an older mare in her twilight phase of retirement, as of recent. And even with only a 20pound toddler or 8 year old on her back, you could see her neck crest, eyes twinkle, and in her very elderly and stoic way, she set up as she has been born, bred, and led to do, no matter the arena. Alive with purpose. One Google later, and I found a victory pass picture with incredible motion. Most of her story unknown to me.

My daring toddler bolted out to greet her and tripped into her walk path this mare just held up her in-step leg so as to not crush my two foot tall baboon.

Not a skill taught, but compassion for fellow creature, or even on a thred, the complete lifetime of humans in her life who, actually, cared for her. Life is a cycle. Kindness in, kindness out.

Perhaps her most remembered win will not dress her in roses. It wont be documented on glossy ad pages, or announced in famous arenas.

It will be the victory pass of the grace of her heart, when she owed us nothing, to give us everything.
And two little children, now have fistfuls of mane in their hands, and love inspired in their hearts, for THE horse.

Something the mare will never reap the benefit, but will change the lives of these children forever.

Our children won compassion, from the heart of a horse.

May that be the gift and consideration we give our equine partners no matter the win, lose or draw.

In the eyes of your horse, they already won.

Good luck to all exhibitors headed to the and those returing from

For the love of the horse.

07/13/2025

Let’s just say it out loud: the horse world has a gatekeeping problem.

If you do things your way, you’re “doing it wrong.”
If you charge for your time, knowledge, or experience, you’re “only in it for the money.”
Feed alfalfa? People say you’re asking for colic.
Feed coastal? You’re starving them.
Barefoot? You’re irresponsible.
Shoes? You’re cruel.

The reality is this: too many horse people are more interested in judging each other than helping each other.

We all say we love horses, but sometimes we forget to show that same love to the people who are out here doing their best to care for them.

There is more than one right way to raise, train, ride, feed, and manage horses.

Some horses live in pastures.
Some live in stalls.
Some get regular bodywork and chiropractic.
Some get turnout and a salt lick.
Some horses trail ride barefoot and happy.
Others are shod, clipped, and compete at high levels.
They are all valid. They are all deserving of good care.

And so are the people who love them.

Let’s normalize asking questions instead of shaming people for doing things differently.
Let’s support the quiet, hardworking horse owners instead of criticizing them behind their backs.
Let’s stop assuming “our way” is the only way.

Because at the end of the day, horses don’t care about your Facebook opinion.
They care about consistent hands, kind treatment, good feed, and someone who shows up.

Train your horse. Ride your horse. Love your horse.
And let other people do the same.

The goal is better horses — not bigger egos.

06/27/2025

06/26/2025

06/24/2025

06/24/2025

A couple of things to keep in mind during show season and with it being so hot.

First, lots of bathing and sponge baths happen this time of year before, during, and after shows and training sessions. Take the time afterwards to dry your horse’s hooves. Especially around the heel bulb area and even more importantly if the horse is wearing pads of any sort.

Second, cool your horses down properly. Remember, your horse does not get to retire to a nice air conditioned house. Cool them down and make sure their breathing has returned to normal and they have at least started to dry. That is a good indication that they are no longer actively sweating from exertion.

Third, heat founder and heat colic are real. Make sure your horses are drinking clean water and have some way to at least get out of the sun if they are outside. If they are stalled they should have clean water, hay, and a quality fan. For horses prone to founder or exhibiting signs of discomfort cold hosing and or ice packs wrapped on the feet and lower legs after working or showing is a great deterrent. It can also help the cool down process and is great for muscle, tendon, and ligament inflammation. Placing a wet towel in the freezer for 15minutes and then laying it over a horse’s withers can also help while hand walking a hot horse.

Remember, horses are just like us. They can over heat, they can push or be pushed too hard, and just like us extreme heat can increase the possibility for injury. Be smart, keep an eye on your horses, and do not work in the heat of the day when possible.

06/22/2025

THANK YOU
Cleveland TriState Invitational!

OUTSTANDING!