Arghh - right pony wrong price!!! Opinions

minesadouble

minesadouble

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OK, so my mind is pretty much made up but am interested in the opinions of others. I've been looking for a schoolmaster L/R riding pony, good enough to show but been there got the T shirt type, for my two youngest girls (4 and 2) for a couple of months. I think I have now found what I want, the drawbacks being it is a LOOONG way away (approx 6 hours) and very overpriced (at least double - in my opinion - what he is 'worth').

So, in this situation do you think -"if it's the right pony and will give my girls confidence in the ring and I can afford it then it's worth every penny"

OR do you think "in this market that pony is very overpriced and I don't want to feel 'ripped off'"

I'm thinking along the lines of if you're paying for the safety of your kids and if this pony teaches them, gives them confidence and gets them going happily in the ring then he's worth every penny. But the money is galling me just a little!

Secondly, I'm ringing to talk money today and am really dreading it. The family clearly adore this pony and in their minds I'm sure he's worth every penny. They have told me they want him to come to us as we have our own place, and (though I haven't said this) we will be giving him a home for life as he is an aged pony and I would be too soft to try and pass him on once my girls have outgrown him. So how do I word my concerns about his value??
 
What are they asking? YO is selling her LR/first ridden for about £1k because of her age (17 or 18) and people don't seem to want an older pony. Others round here are a similar price. Personally I wouldnt want to pay over the odds but then I'm not a mum, imho any horse can spook/cause injury so its not necessarily paying extra for 'safety'.
 
I personally don't beat about the bush. I'd just say something along the lines that you think the pony sounds perfect for your daughter but feel the price is high compared with other similar sounding ponies, particularly give its age. Would they consider dropping the price to get the right home?
 
How much is it - and what is it?

If its a worth its weight in gold type, then it might well not be overpriced really.

The fact is, if it is overpriced then you'll be able to find something equivalent for the price you want to pay. If you can't, then its probably the right price for what it is.
 
This pony is 16 and £2,400.00 asking price. He's still winning at BSPS level and went mini champ at a BSPS show this year. Regarding the 'paying extra for safety' for me it's very much a Riding Pony thing as the are more often than not very sharp in a mini TB way so quiet ones are not that easy to come by!
 
Price sounds pretty fair enough to me to be honest - its a quality pony, its safe and quiet - and yes its 16 but ponies will go on forever.

If its the one you want, I'd ask them if they'll take an offer - but if they won't, then I'd pay it and enjoy having a lovely pony for your children.
 
xspiralx said:
How much is it - and what is it?

If its a worth its weight in gold type, then it might well not be overpriced really.

The fact is, if it is overpriced then you'll be able to find something equivalent for the price you want to pay. If you can't, then its probably the right price for what it is.
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You've hit the nail right on the head there! This is the first and only pony I have found that fits my buying 'criteria'- they are like hens teeth! You've just made me feel a whole lot better :)
 
I feel your pain.

A very dear friend and my daughters RI said to me a good 1st pony is worth its weight in gold and are worth their money.
I laughed at this, thought she was abit full of it.... went out spent £1200 on was was said to be a "good L/R/1st pony"
It was alright on the L/R but as a 1st ridden.... no danger!!!! It napped, kicked, would lie down with her on its back!!
So easter this year decided he had to go before he ended up hurting her :(
Decided if I was going to find a good one I was going to have to spend a good amount.
Went for it! And I have to say it was the best decision I could've made for her!!
6months on and the difference in her riding it amazing! She 7 and we've been taking her to unaff jumping shows locally where she's been doing wibblywobblies, 55cm and 65sm classes and coming 2nd quite a few times now and is always placed!
They are such a good wee team! And I have to say, I trust our wee guy 110% he always looks after her, even if she's away on the wrong foot or has really misjudged a jump he ALWAYS jumps it, he's never too strong for her and he knows his job.
He came from a well known RI and was her daughters pony, they had him for 4 years and the family before that had him for 4 years.

A good 1st doesn't get moved on very often!!
 
I will say, he's 17, but thats what you want!!! Been there, done that, knows these wee kids are going to pull him, poke him, jab him ect but still does its job, and looks after them!

Although, I wouldn't just take the ad's word for it!! Do you know the people? or know someone who knows the people?
 
0ldmare said:
Actually for getting mini champ at a BSPS show AND being safe, its probably worth the money tbh
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Agree with this! (Although, you might just want to check the showing results and find out how many were in the classes - coming 1st out of one isn't quite as impressive! ;))
 
If the pony is as described, then, yes, they are like hen's teeth. Giving your daughters a pony that will show them how much fun their hobby is, while giving you peace of mind, is worth paying for.
It may save you money as buying the right one is cheaper than buying a dud.
If you can afford the price, go for it. They may still be open to negotiation if they think you're the right family.
The first pony I had was an absolute star how taught me how magical ponies and horses are. She was the reason for my life long passion. So, getting it right and paying a premium, is a good investment.
 
TGM said:
Agree with this! (Although, you might just want to check the showing results and find out how many were in the classes - coming 1st out of one isn't quite as impressive! ;))
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Haha - I did google his name for this very purpose and the placings were shown to 3rd and yes there were 3 names there :) Not a high profile BSPS show but affiliated nonetheless!
 
-Sj- said:
I will say, he's 17, but thats what you want!!! Been there, done that, knows these wee kids are going to pull him, poke him, jab him ect but still does its job, and looks after them!

Although, I wouldn't just take the ad's word for it!! Do you know the people? or know someone who knows the people?
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I don't know anyone who knows them (too remote a location!) but i have seen him being mauled by kids and still keep a smile on his face :)
 
well when our YO sold her little LR been there done that show jumped, hunted etc. at age 19 she did not even have to advertise as she had her friends snapping her hand off to have her next. This little pony was worth her weight in gold. You see the reason why you dont see many of these ponies advertised is they dont need to. So if you dont have any friends who are begging for the pony thats when you have a problem and have to advertise.

You should get a lot of mileage for your money out of the pony tobehonest.
 
To think about it another way what is that price spread over the years and years of fun your children are going to have. I baulked at the price of my daughters current pony thinking it was too much but went and looked anyway. They just clicked , I totally believed that the sellers were genuine and having only looked once took the chance and just over a year later had I known then what I know now, I would have paid double the price(if I could have afforded it:D).
Watching your kids enjoying themselves on a pony and not holding your breath is great and worth a lot to me and most parents so if you can afford it go for it.
 
xspiralx said:
Price sounds pretty fair enough to me to be honest - its a quality pony, its safe and quiet - and yes its 16 but ponies will go on forever.

If its the one you want, I'd ask them if they'll take an offer - but if they won't, then I'd pay it and enjoy having a lovely pony for your children.
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I tend to agree with this, tbh the pony sounds as though it is worth its weight in gold. Ponies of this type are really hard to find and rarely come up on the open market but are snapped up through word of mouth.
 
Nope, he goes safely off the lead in open spaces too. At the show he was mini champ he was 2nd in the first ridden as well as winning the LR :)
 
Perhaps because they live in such remote place there are not alot of little children??

On saying that, I already have a list of people who have put their names down for our wee guy when Rach is looking to move on but I bought him through an ad on a website.
 
Digger66 said:
Does he do PC? You could ask for a DC reference. If he really is that fantastic why isn't he going to a friend or neighbour?
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Have to say I agree with this but then I always look on the negative side :(

I know someone who bought a superb dressage horse from the South, been there, points etc etc and wasnt cheap. Someone mentioned they thought it odd she wasnt snapped up nearer home. Horse was brought home and was lame very soon after. It appears this may have been a long standing problem that the previous owner probably knew about, hence no interest locally. Horse did pass the vet and it may just have been bad luck that she went lame.

If theyve had the pony a decent length of time, then Id feel more comfortable about it. BTW I dont think the price is OTT for a genuine quality 1st pony, if anything it sounds quite reasonable.

Good luck, I hope this one is the one
 
If he is a geniune 1st ridden, then she is totally worth the money!! Safe small 1st riddens are like gold dust.

Bought one with a client earlier this year that was 12.2hh and didn't have a showing record for similar money. They had people queueing around the block to buy her.
 
Thanks everyone. His location is VERY remote!! So maybe that is why he hasn't been snapped up. Doesn't worry me hugely to be honest as I bought a 13.2 a few years ago for my eldest daughter who was advertised as a cracking hunting/pony club pony, been on teams etc. and my first thought was why hasn't someone bought him from his pony club???
However we bought him and he was a cracking pony - everything it said on the tin and more!

His current owners have had him 3 years and he's now outgrown.
 
Have you got a link to the advert?

Must say I have just bought a fantastic pony for my 4 yr old exacly what you would want, showy, lead rein, lunges fantastic for her to learn bumps canter etc without my having to run and is fab off lead rein too! He hasn't got the champion wins etc. But I must say I paid a bit less than you are planning on paying and got all his stuff with him, including show tack and a barns by saddle and he's only 11.

I think going into winter I'm sure an offer would be considered, got nothing to lose?

Does his price include any tack? It can easily cost over £1000 to kit I'm out if not so bear this in mind :)
 
You can't say that just because it hasn't sold by word of mouth there is a problem. I also don't think that it is expensive at all, and if its safe and showy then its a bargain. There' Good luck.s usually a reason when a pony is too cheap! I would get references and a vetting done.
 
Personally I do think he is expensive. When my daughter is older ( she is 5) then maybe that would be a fair price.

I think it is a big financial investment to pay for a child so young to ' potter on'

We got a super little pony this year for under £1000, yes we were lucky, and had loaned him so got him for under his actual value.

He is never beaten and have been advised to show him in the pretty pretty classes, but that is not really my bag.

As has been said though if you really like him, make an offer

Good luck
 
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