Are people over there buying horses like crazy right now?

BunnyDog

BunnyDog

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We have a window shopping extravaganza going on over here right now.

I am curious.... is it happening for you guys also?

A lot of Tb buyers (lower price points)

But a fair number of made horses also.

Are you guys experiencing this?

Emily
 
Where are you based? Are you in the UK or elsewhere?

Are you just looking for general impressions around the world or is there a particular country you're interested in?
 
Can’t really buy a horse over here at the moment unless it’s unseen. There is possibly a bit more window shopping going on and a few ‘wanted post lockdown’ but not excessive really.
 
This thread just prompted me to have a look at what's being advertised. Unfortunately, I just saw a really nice ID. I don't actually need another horse, but it certainly peaked my interest.
Friend has just sold a very nice 4yr old without difficulty, but then she'll be a real cracker as she progresses.
The only concern currently is that a horse couldn't be vetted, which may be ok if you already know the horse and don't need insurance.
 
dogatemysalad said:
This thread just prompted me to have a look at what's being advertised. Unfortunately, I just saw a really nice ID. I don't actually need another horse, but it certainly peaked my interest.
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can you please send me a link to the advert? I’m looking for an ID type, thanks
 
So the thing is that we have a two fold situation here.

1) only a handful of racetracks in America are running right now. Generally speaking the average racehorse trainer doesn't have a ton of savings so there are deals to be had on Thoroughbreds coming off the track possibly earlier than they might have without Covid.

2) As there are no shows and a portion of the barns over here are locked down and owners can't come and see their horses. Some people are buying an additional horse (due to bargains) and boarding the new horse at a barn that does allow riding.

Some vets have figured out how to do ppes, some won't. (Under the AVMA directive they shouldn't be doing them... but we're in unknown territory)

I almost bought an amazing mare this week for resale because she's such a bargain. Logistics more than anything made me decide to wait, but really she's priced at 8500 US and during show season is worth every penny of 20000 US.

This week and for the next few I have dedicated my Facebook wall to helping my 5000 friends share their horses for sale and ISO Ads. It's interesting to watch how they're pricing etc. This weekend we have thoroughbreds highlighted and there were over 70 posted so far, it's open to post all weekend. Weds- Thurs of last week we had eventers and over 55 (possibly more) were posted.

You can see it without having to friend me.

www.facebook.com/Xctrygirl

You can also see the mare I almost bought. I shared her ad to all my friends/ public I think on Tuesday.

One of the Tbs sold yesterday. I'm very excited for my friend!

But it's a wheeling and dealing time.

Emily
 
We are only on essential travel only in NZ, and will be for another few weeks so impossible to go and view anything. Also even if you bought unseen it would not be able to be transported either. Plenty advertised for viewing post lockdown though.
i think much of the window shopping is due to people having time on their hands at the moment.
 
silv said:
I think much of the window shopping is due to people having time on their hands at the moment.
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Yep. The percentage of folks buying sight unseen is high. But we're still allowing transport. So you can get your new horse here. It's a question of whether you'll see it or not when it gets to your barn based on the individual barns status with the state based lock downs.

Great example...I live 12 miles from the state of Delaware. As a Pennsylvania resident I am not allowed to go into Delaware unless I work there in an essential job or I'm going to a medical appt, hospital or Pharmacy. Now this caused a local ruckus because Pennsylvania closed all their liquor stores. Some grocery stores carry wine and beer but nothing stronger. So folks tried to go to the open stores in Delaware. And the police were waiting for them! $200 tickets.

Em
 
Bernster said:
From the Facebook posts they are pretty much all 5 figures, and not low end 5 figures either!
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Plenty of colts for 50$ at auction (at least it was a few years ago, I can't imagine it has changed that much) and also cheap horses on Craigslist. It depends where you look. Pure bred 3-4 year old arabs at 1000 $ -2000 $ with fantastic breeding for show. Prices are very similar to the the UK, it just the breeds that are different (quarter horses, mustang, thoroughbred, arabian). It is mostly training that put the value in the horse or being an European breed.
 
@Bernster realistically I am friends with a lot of people who make up and sell horses. That said, there are a bunch that are lower in the 4 figures range.

One HUGE stumbling block for values here is the cost of board. We are paying (on the east coast) anywhere from $400 - $1500/mo to keep a horse. The mean average by me is $650 without an indoor and $900 for a facility with an indoor.

This alone is why I rent a private barn. FAR more bang for the buck.

@Palindrome is correct that across the US there are many breeds and subsets that you can find cheap, but typically they're not the breeds most used/desired in eventing, hunters or jumpers.

And across the whole US the average rate for board drops a bit. I know in the midwest, west and the south it was a much more tenable position to be in to board there. However the proximity to competitions took a hit. Likewise in California there were trade offs as many of the boarding barns don't have "turnout" like we think of turnout.

A sand corral for 2 hours a day was a luxury, but then their stalls were outdoor "runs" that had a covered, but not enclosed stall, and about 15' of walking space.

You can see what I am referring to in the second pic down on this link:

http://www.cbranch.org/services

I am happy to report though that we have had at least 4 horses sold through our Facebook Threads and another is having a PPE today.

Em
 
[QUOTE="BunnyDog, post:

One HUGE stumbling block for values here is the cost of board. We are paying (on the east coast) anywhere from $400 - $1500/mo to keep a horse. The mean average by me is $650 without an indoor and $900 for a facility with an indoor.

Em[/QUOTE]

Equivalent to the UK then for our equivalent ‘livery’ to ‘board’
 
DressageCob said:
Yep! Even a pretty basic looking thoroughbred (ex-racer) capable of jumping small jumps and getting low 60s in dressage was over 10,000. Madness.
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Which one or do you recall?

Some are with "known" people here and as such have higher prices than 'normal' people.

(Find me a "Normal" horse person though...Ha ha ha)

Em
 
Yeah, only what I’d seen from bunny dogs post. There are some very nice looking horses on the Facebook page, don’t get me wrong, but it looks like they can command much higher prices than over here. Not surprised BD made the trip over and I could imagine that folks with a good eye and a travel budget (in normal times anyway) could make a tidy sum exporting to the US.
 
BunnyDog said:
Which one or do you recall?

Some are with "known" people here and as such have higher prices than 'normal' people.

(Find me a "Normal" horse person though...Ha ha ha)

Em
Click to expand...

It was a 7 year old dark bay posted 4 days ago. Seller was called Plank.

A similar horse would get about £1,500 to £2,000 tops round here. Maybe £3,000 with more training.
 
shortstuff99 said:
The horses are so expensive ?! There were quite a few 5 year old warmbloods with no record going for $50,000! Eeep! I could get an advanced eventer for that.
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Maybe an older, slightly knackered advanced eventer. Anything pretty sound and moderately successful you’d probably need to double that.
Classy 5yo get sold for 40k reasonably frequently in the UK too you know? They just aren’t advertised on Facebook ?
 
ihatework said:
Maybe an older, slightly knackered advanced eventer. Anything pretty sound and moderately successful you’d probably need to double that.
Classy 5yo get sold for 40k reasonably frequently in the UK too you know? They just aren’t advertised on Facebook ?
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All the 5yo that I have known be sold for around that price have been successful at young horse classes and/or have really really top breeding. I haven't seen any just backed with no experience and no breeding listed go for that sort of price, but maybe they do!
 
ihatework said:
Maybe an older, slightly knackered advanced eventer. Anything pretty sound and moderately successful you’d probably need to double that.
Classy 5yo get sold for 40k reasonably frequently in the UK too you know? They just aren’t advertised on Facebook ?
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That's the thing. I can't get my head around horses worth tens of thousands of pounds, posted for sale on Facebook. Back in the day, Facebook used to be for selling cheap horses, with the others on horse and hound, horse quest, horse mart etc. Not for the type of horse you have to remortgage your house to buy.
 
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