Am I being unrealistic about what 2.5k will buy me?

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Broodle

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I have been horse-hunting for only a few weeks now, and I'm already fed up with it. I got less than I had hoped from the sale of my old horse, and now have only 2.5k to spend. Am I being unrealistic about what I can buy for my money?

I am looking for a 15-16hh (ish), 5-12yo, light-medium weight uncomplicated, kind-natured horse to (eventually) be a nice RC allrounder to do unaff SJ, XC, eventing up to about 3ft, and to go on fun rides etc. Would like a TB x native or TB x ID type, and won't consider full TB (I'm sure there are lots of nice ones out there, but I've yet to meet a sane one that isn't lame, so unwilling to take the risk!).

I know I'm not going to get a ready-made horse for my money, and am happy to accept some 'ifs' and some greeness, but my one firm proviso is that I will not accept any ifs about hacking. So the horse must already be a brave, sane, non-spooky, non-nappy hack in company or alone.

Does this sound too much to ask?? If so, how much do I need to save?

Thank you in advance for any input.
 
What you are looking for is what many people want. TBH i think you will find it hard to get what you want for less than £3500 but keep looking and maybe you could find one for less
 
I dont think so, I mean u might not get the prettiest, or best confirmationed horse in the world, and there may be some ifs and buts, or greeness etc, but I dont think its unrealistic!

Il go look for you now as Im in a boring lecture! :)
 
Thank you both for your posts.

TeddyT - I fear you may be right.... Darn it!

Lucy_Nottingham - thank you, that would be fantastic! Fingers crossed you can find me an ugly duckling!
 
I've got one arriving on Sunday who would completely fit your bill. The only 'if' I have at the moment is his hacking, I need to get him home and really try him out as I know his ultra nervous previous owner had a few issues with him napping/spinning, but I am 99% confident it was down to the rider. I'd planned to put a summer of work into him and have him doing a good standard prelim test and jumping 2'9" courses and then look to get 4K, but would be willing to rehome sooner for less money providing the home was right. If you are still looking in a few weeks then PM me and I'll be able to give you a better idea of his suitability, but you would still be talking 3K. He's a cracking little horse though.
 
Thanks Sophie123. Funnily enough I've peeked at that advert before and thought the mare looked lovely, but she is just a bit too chunky for me (I'm a quite petite 5'4" and look silly on cobs). Thanks for trying though!
 
Thanks ihatework - sounds interesting! In a few weeks I will probably be biting your hand off for him, and will have hopefully saved up a few more pennies... Will make a note to send you a PM.
 
My friend is going to advertise her horse in the next few weeks. He sounds just what you are looking for, about 15.2hh by Master Imp. Only problem is that he will be 15 this year, however I have known him for 6 years and he is a very sound horse.

He has done BD to elementary, BSJA to Discovery and BE to Pre-Novice.

He is currently escorting the youngsters out on their first hacks.

He is being sold as my friend wants to event to a higher level and although he has done a couple of Novie BEs he was at the max of his ability.
 
horsequest - all rounders, under £3000, there are a couple that meet your criteria :)

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/11_yrs_1_mth_15_2_hh_bright_bay_thoroughbred_south_yorkshire/89667 - pretty much fits all requirements :)

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/8_yrs_7_mths_15_3_hh_dark_bay_appaloosa_horse_kent/90273 and another! :)

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/8_yrs_15_3_hh_bay_irish_sport_horse_cumbria/90115 but looks like needs some work and time :)

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/5_yrs_11_mths_15_2_hh_bay_thoroughbred_suffolk/90025

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/7_yrs_15_3_hh_chestnut_thoroughbred_staffordshire/89939

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/8_yrs_15_2_hh_dark_bay_irish_sport_horse_hampshire/88834

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/5_yrs_15_2_hh_fleabitten_grey_other_cheshire/89585 a bit younger and chunkier...

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/10_yrs_15_3_hh_bright_bay_tb_x_id_cheshire/89354

There we go, LOTS to choose from! :)

hope this helps decrease ur frustration with it!
 
Thanks for your reply Eggs - Although I would ideally like a younger horse, I would certainly consider your friend's horse as he sounds such a super schoolmaster... Have to dash to the yard just now, but will PM you later if you don't mind. Cheers!
 
I have a full TB - grey mare in my sig :p


A friend of mine just bought a 6yo Welsh Cob X TB(?) and she paid £1.5k for him, the only problem is he really dosn't hack alone yet without major stroppage but apart from that he was quite a bargain buy as he's a stunner, has been excellent on lessons and at his first BSJA Intro etc.
 
Wow - thanks Lucy_Nottingham, you're a star! Don't have time to check your links out straight away (should really have posted this thread after going to yard - doh) but will do so as soon as I'm home. Thanks so much for taking the time to help.

_April_ - I would have never guessed that your mare was a full TB, which just goes to show what I know really... But my yard seems to be infested with crook/insane/both TBs at the mo, and I just can't bring myself to buy one!
 
Katie_A said:
Thanks for your reply Eggs - Although I would ideally like a younger horse, I would certainly consider your friend's horse as he sounds such a super schoolmaster... Have to dash to the yard just now, but will PM you later if you don't mind. Cheers!
Click to expand...

Happy to give your more details later.
 
My mum also has a crocked one with navi so I don't blame you really lol ;)

I sometimes can't believe mine is a full TB - she's very sensible. Only really feel it when I find that 5th gear going over the fields :D



Some nice prospects posted above - happy hunting! xx
 
I think you might struggle, that isn't far off what I'm looking for (just we want 16hh or more) and we are seeing plenty advertised at over £5k.

If you are petite then you might be able to get what you want by focussing on the smaller end. Horses that alot of adults would be too big for will be cheaper. A 14.3hh would most likely be a bargain, especially if lightweight rather than cobby. I wouldn't rule out full TBs there are good ones out there, but check out their history. It would be worth looking at arabs and arab crosses too, they are much hardier than TBs and good doers more like a native pony. They are unfashionable at the moment and often go cheap.

The other thing to consider would be a permanent loan from a charity like blue cross or whw. They often struggle to find homes for horses and ponies that are unsuitable for children but too small for most adults. If you can get over your TB phobia there are some excellent rehoming charities for ex-race horses that reschool there horses well. TBRC are one that I have heard recommended - if you did that your £2.5k could go on transport, rehoming fee and tack with quite a lot left over for the future.
 
If it gives you hope, I got mine for £1000 including tack and a couple of rugs three years ago! :D She was an exceedingly good bargain though and I'm pretty sure I got such a good price because I'd already been loaning her for 9months, she was a bit older and they knew I adored her.

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She is a cob x (most likely TB as she's not exactly a "heavy" build, just has the cob neck/chest!) although she was a bit older than your age range. She is now 18, turning 19 this year. However she meets all your criteria and is still bouncing around loving her work, easily SJs 3ft and has done BE Intro (hopefully more this year) and hopefully we have a few years ahead of us yet.

Good luck with the hunt. :)
 
In my view, maybe you could get something....eventually, but perhaps more by luck than anything.
You are very specific with breed and age, and at your price range, you do tend to have to 'give' on something.
you want brave, sane and non-spooky which unfortunately is what a large proportion of people are looking for which has pushed the price up and will make it more difficult. Couple that with specifics on breed and age and you may struggle.
I would start looking at what you can compromise on ie: if you are only 5'4, stick to 15hh / 15.2 max - look at extending your age range by a couple of years etc. Decide which part is most important to you ie: the non-spooky bit? and then compromise in order of less important!
 
If you fancy going for a youngster, then I have one that might suit but he's only two! TBxCob, nice temperament a good 15.2 now so a bit more to come (breeders thought he'd make a show cob, lol!)
kids019.jpg
 
I don't think you are. My friend just picked up a 4 yr old 15.2 hh warmblood x ISH for £2.5 K and he's super. Professionally broken and hacking out alone, doing prelim dressage and just started jumping small stuff. She is thrilled with him.

My mare although did come with sensitivity issues once we established trust which only took a few weeks and a very good tuned in instructor she was hacking out alone and an absolute gem. She cost me £750 last June. If you look up my posts you'll see she came with a little unexpected suprise but she is still wonderful. She's Arab x Cob and as I said her issue was trusting humans and once we establishe that she was rolling . I have posted pics of her if you look in breeding and my previous posts I think she's gorgeous.

So keep your eyes open and go and see a few - you can always make an offer. The little cob my Mum now has was advertised at £2500 and I offered £800 and a week or two later we settled on £1000 all inc so it can be done and she's another fab easy happy will do RC type.

Above all enjoy looking and use it to find out more about what you like and don't like and I always find riding differet horses very interesting and eye opening. Good luck :)
 
I don't think so, I think you just need to snap them up quickly!
And I hope not as I am looking for the same thing!!
 
I really don't think you are being unrealistic at all, prices seem to have dropped recently and it is a buyer's market. I tried about 20 different horses / ponies before I found Ozzy, but the right one comes along eventually. I actually ended up with one smaller than I originally wanted but he ticked the boxes in so many other ways I just had to have him! Good luck in your search and don't be afraid to travel a bit further afield to find him/her!
 
Im sure you will find something - keep an eye out on here as well. My friend has just purchased a horse that had been spoken about on here. 16hh mare,ISh, a couple of placeings at BE ,BSJA on a ticket etc ,11 years old for well within your budget
 
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