Animals have been the main means of transport for human beings for much longer than the combustion or jet engine. In agriculture, industry and the army, they were indispensable. They have been used since the earliest times because their strength, speed and tractability makes them such useful creatures. Busy trade in them has left permanent marks on many languages. There have been horses for sale for centuries, and the ensuing trade has made its mark on many cultures.
'Horse trading' has become an English idiom meaning robust negotiation of the sort that goes on in business and politics. This is just one of the many idioms derived from buying and selling mounts that has enriched the English language. There are many others.
At markets in the past buyers and sellers negotiated prices around the real or stated claims made concerning individual animals. Faults in animals not as easy to disguise as they are in motor vehicles. Where a second hand car can be spruced up considerably with paint, water and grooming, a weary old nag's age was hard to disguise. A canny buyer would not take the dealer's estimation of age at face value, but instead look at the length of its teeth to determine its age for himself. If the animal had been a gift and the recipient still looked into its mouth, he was being ungrateful, and rudely, 'looking 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.
Leisure horses for sale have continued to attract the attention, mostly of young girls and their sponsors. Though muted the demand for hacks, polo ponies, show jumpers and ponies has persisted. In recent times the old military practice of three day events involving dressage, show jumping, and cross country gallops has been revived. This has further promoted the number of horses for sale.
In fact recent developments have favoured the promotion of equestrian affairs. TV has popularised show jumping. Worldwide competitions attract huge audiences who enjoy the panache, and the combination of human and animal efforts on display in the sport. Financial investments become more attractive in the glare of the mass media.
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.
'Horse trading' has become an English idiom meaning robust negotiation of the sort that goes on in business and politics. This is just one of the many idioms derived from buying and selling mounts that has enriched the English language. There are many others.
At markets in the past buyers and sellers negotiated prices around the real or stated claims made concerning individual animals. Faults in animals not as easy to disguise as they are in motor vehicles. Where a second hand car can be spruced up considerably with paint, water and grooming, a weary old nag's age was hard to disguise. A canny buyer would not take the dealer's estimation of age at face value, but instead look at the length of its teeth to determine its age for himself. If the animal had been a gift and the recipient still looked into its mouth, he was being ungrateful, and rudely, 'looking 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.
Leisure horses for sale have continued to attract the attention, mostly of young girls and their sponsors. Though muted the demand for hacks, polo ponies, show jumpers and ponies has persisted. In recent times the old military practice of three day events involving dressage, show jumping, and cross country gallops has been revived. This has further promoted the number of horses for sale.
In fact recent developments have favoured the promotion of equestrian affairs. TV has popularised show jumping. Worldwide competitions attract huge audiences who enjoy the panache, and the combination of human and animal efforts on display in the sport. Financial investments become more attractive in the glare of the mass media.
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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