Advice please, what should I expect to pay?

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kateo

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Hi all,

I am hoping to buy a horse (first time!) in the near future (before summer would be nice! :)) and was wondering how much I should expect to pay and budget for, as adverts vary so widely on price for what, in their descriptions at least, appear to be very similar. :confused: I suspect that some are cheap for a reason and some may be overpriced but it is hard to know where the 'reasonable' range is.

I am not a competition rider so would be looking for a general allrounder for hacking, schooling and maybe some low level local competitions. I would like something sound and safe, good to hack alone or in company, good mannered, no vices etc, about 15.2hh, 6 yrs + and something relatively easy to look after as it will be my first so maybe a cob?

Any advice on what sort of price range I should expect to pay?
 
Ah, you are looking for something that a lot of people want so it's a "how long is a piece of string" question.
 
Do you take lessons in a school? If you do, talk to the owner or manager for good advice. Quite often they will sell you something suitable and reasonable and that you know from your lessons.
 
It depends how 'noviceproof' you want your horse to be or whether you will be able to cope with something more standard. You may also need to travel - I am in a similar area to you and found things were a lot cheaper the further you were willing to travel. Although I did find my boy in the end within about a 30min drive!

For example I wanted a horse that was idiot proof :o, and for that I had to pay more money. I could have bought an average horse for about £2k (upwards) but I wanted something that would really look after me. For that I had to pay more.

I didn't buy from either of these companies but as an example safecobs and mysafecobs you are looking at about £4k - but for that you should be getting something about as safe as they come (disclaimer, I cannot guarantee this! :D)

It may be worth going to see Jo W (in Chelsfield) as she does sales livery so has different types in all the time and I have found her to be honest about what she's selling and reasonably priced.

There are a lot of Kent horse groups on facebook on which people advertise horses for sale, so that should give you an idea on the costs in the area and if you are not already a member I would recommend you join the forum 'tackroomfrolics' as that is based in Kent and people buy and sell on these (it's where I ended up getting my boy from!). Jo W is on there so you can see what she has available.
 
crikey - where are all the genuine neddies for £1000 - £1500. I have just paid £3000 for this sort of horse & she came with just a headcollar & believe me I searched for months. :-)
 
I would think £2k-£4k

I paid £3k inc full wardrobe for mine, she was similar to your description but 14.2hh

Mine was 3.5 years ago and market much cheaper now, but I'd be wary of anything under £1.5k as it will probably ned some work which isn't what you want.

Also beware of cobs to some extent, I have a Welsh D coblet and she is a treasure but they are quirky and can be quite hard work on the ground. For something around 15.2hh I'd suggest a native x rather than a cob - still easy to look after but probably a bit less attitude!
 
I took a gamble and bought a little horse 2 years ago.

He is now everything you describe (perfect hack, lovely person, schools/ jumps, I take him out and about on my own, 15.2, 7 this time).

When I come to sell him I would probably be looking for around £3000 (£3500 including tack/ rugs/ kitchen sink).

V x
 
Thank you for all your advice :)

I am just finding it really hard to be able to judge if a horse is a fair price or not - there are so many variables to take into account. I will definitely need to ask someone more experienced to have a look at any potential purchases to advise me!
 
*general allrounder (Safe to take to local shows as doesn't hot up in exciting enviroments. Will stand calmly in the line up in the show ring put not switch off so that you do a nice individual show when it's your turn. Does a nice low level dressage test, will take it's rider around small SJ course, and sensible at sponsored/fun rides.)

*schooling (Doesn't nap at the gate, not spooky when passing the jumps stacked in the corner. Schools in walk, trot and canter, will leg yeild plus easy to get into a nice outline)

*low level local competitions (See general allrounder.)

*sound (No physical issues.)

*safe (No mental issues or previous bad handling that has caused the horse to be worried/scared of certain things. Actively looks after their rider.)

*good to hack alone or in company (Goes past a hedge trimmer, roadworks, or flappy plastic without batting an eyelid. Will also lead other horses past scary things including sparrows in the hedgerow.)

*good mannered (Stands when asked, walks on when asked, picks up hooves when asked etc...)

*no vices etc (No field, stable or ridden vices.)

*about 15.2hh

*6 yrs + (Horse has been ridden for two years plus, so shouldn't be too green.)

*something relatively easy to look after as it will be my first so maybe a cob?
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I've altered your 'wants' into a list. What you have put is the mythical 'perfect' horse that everyone wants and if it does actually exist (especially if it stays well mannered etc when handled by a true novice) then it will have a very, very big price tag.

In the brackets I have put my interpretation of what you mean, please correct me if I'm wrong on anything.

I would personally be willing to accept certain vices if the horse had pretty much everything else on the list. EG a horse that boxwalks wouldn't bother me, especially if I could keep it on grass livery. Or a horse that weaves after being fed - not a big deal to me.

Also many first time buyers don't realise that you need to keep working on things like good manners. It wont take long for a previously very well behaved horse to get bad habits if he always gets away with naughty behaviour (EG planting on the way in from the field).

Think about what you can and cannot cope with. Decide how much you can afford. Go and see different horses within your budget and take an experianced friend with you. Get the potential horse Vetted. Expect a few bumps along the way, horses are not machines and they can be upset by a change of home.
 
Faracat,

Yes - that would be the ideal 'if I could have everything perfect' wish list. :) It might not very realistic but was interested in how much it would cost if I could find it, if that makes sense.

I suppose the essentials for me are that I want something quite sensible (don't mind fizzy and a bit spooky but don't want pyscho) and not dangerous to ride or handle, and no physical issues.
 
I would say between £3.5-5,000 for a reliable well schooled riding club all rounder that is easy to do and hacks out alone and in company with no quirks or health issues.

I would be looking to buy from someone who was a bit like you but who has maybe outgrown their horse and is looking for the next level up. The problem with horses that come from dealers is they have often been ridden by professionals and that can influence how the horse behaves. Ideally you need a horse that has been ridden and handled by an amateur at the same level as you. A horse that is quite and easy for a professional might not be so easy or forgiving when ridden by a less experienced person.

Maybe ask your local riding clubs if they know if anything suitable is available.

For £1000-£1,500 you are probably going to get a very green youngster or perhaps an older horse who is slowing down a bit or has a health problem or another quirk.

My friend has a cob that would almost fit your description though he is not a great jumper. He cost her 4,500 about 7 years ago and was 4.5 years old at the time but he is a bit special as he is anyone's ride and a very steady safe nice good looking cob. She was very specific in her wish list including not wanting too much white on him.
 
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I know someone who payed £8k for a 13.2hh 'perfect pony' and he had mild sweet itch. However, her daughter really was as safe as you can be on a pony with him and they sold him easily for the same price once he was outgrown.
 
Wow, well I lucked out with my two, thats all I can say. Maybe it depends on the region too. In certain parts of the country they are practically giving them away. I'd be wary of spending 3-4k on a first horse that is a cob. I think you're buying into the mind set that what your getting is safe and perfect in every way but very few horses are like that and i'm not sure it reflects the true value of the animal. Not when you can pick up a coblet for £200 and bring it on.
 
Not when you can pick up a coblet for £200 and bring it on.
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This is what I would do (buy an unbacked youngster), but some people don't want to take that risk and you have to pay more for a proven, safe horse. Maybe not £8k though! ;)
 
You are looking for a horse in an exceedingly competitive market for that type, and I don't envy you as an inexperienced buyer. Even with a good budget it will be difficult.

For example, I purchased my current horse for 5.3K who fits your despcription perfectly except that he was 4 rising 5 and had done 2 unaff comps - so not as experienced as you would ideally like. He did however (and has sinced proved) he has the capability in the competition arena, and was a bargin in my eyes. Now to buy this horse as an 8yo, you probably wouldn't even get a look in as he would likely be sold via word of mouth before an advert even needed to be written.

For what you need you will need to budget at least £3500 I would think, and be prepared to pay more and move quickly if the right one comes up.

Now that is not to say this type aren't available cheaper, but you need to be a more experienced buyer to see through temporary imperfections and also have the knowledge to put them right. For instance 18 months ago I purchased something that would fit your description for peanuts, he was in the wrong home. I put 5 months work in and sold for significantly more, within the bracket above.

Good luck. Depending on where you are located, I'm happy to help if I can.
 
ihatework said:
Now that is not to say this type aren't available cheaper, but you need to be a more experienced buyer to see through temporary imperfections and also have the knowledge to put them right. For instance 18 months ago I purchased something that would fit your description for peanuts, he was in the wrong home. I put 5 months work in and sold for significantly more, within the bracket above.

Good luck. Depending on where you are located, I'm happy to help if I can.
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That's the problem! Without the experience it is very hard to know if it's worth taking a chance on the cheaper ones. I'm happy to put the work in for a horse that is green or been out of work but probably don't have the experience for an unbacked youngster!
 
i think i've just bought myself an absolute bargain, and a gem at that! i just paid £750 for my 15.1 dutch x gelding, previous owner had him for 7 months and bought him for £1500. he was sold to me as a project and i was a bit sceptical about his capabilities etc, as i have never had to bring on a horse or do much work with them before, but i thought i can do this, so bit the bullet and went for it.

he is an ABSOLUTE babe, manners to die for, hacks beautifully on his own, and despite being told he doesn't like schooling, i took him in there yesterday (first time he had been ridden in 10 weeks at a new yard) the farmer was shooting, and he was good as gold! obviously i have been very lucky, but there are some good'uns out there if you look hard enough :)
 
I think you should budget for around £4k to £5k (plus) for what you're looking for and if you manage to get something that fits the bill for under that then you've got a bargain :)
 
As you say yourself, price can vary wildly. You could get something like that for around £1k if your lucky, it does happen, as a few of us can vouch for on here. Chances are you are more likely to need to budget £2-3k and be able to get what you want, a sane and sensible mount, if you get is cheaper, then fab :D
 
If I was in your shoes, I would consider buying from a reputable dealer that has a good reputation for selling safe, allrounders. Somewhere like "Safecobs" of "Stubley Hollow". Most will do an exchange if the horse you buy doesn't work out and you have many more legal safeguards buy from a dealer than if you buy privately.

I would also take someone more experienced with you. If you don't know anyone - then look on the BHS website for the list of qualified AI instructors in your area, phone up and see if you can pay then to go with you... it'll be money well spent.

Good luck with your search.
 
In my area you'd be looking around £1 - 2.5k... Beware the adverts though and a lot of presumption that because it's a cob it'll automatically be 'safe and bombproof'... Having said that, I got my daughter's gorgeous, 13.2, 9yr old Sec B with PC experience and suitable on or off lead rein for £450 - there are lovely bargains to be found...

I don't know how far you'd be prepared to travel but it might be worth PMing ChristmasSparkles... I've fallen in love with one but she's a tad outside of my current budget... :)
 
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