Buying a project on a budget?

[classic_astra]

I wouldnt mind a project for my next horse, either a youngster 2/3 yrs or something that needs work. Am i kidding myself that i could get something for under 1500? Needs to be 14.2 and over ideally and not over the age of 12. I havent brought a horse for a really long time and have no idea how much prices are these days!

 

[milliepops]

I have nothing but projects and I've never spent that much on a horse. Though it depends how much of a project ?
My current riding horses were acquired for £2 and £0
Both have been challenging but they fitted the budget and beggars can't be choosers! I just get what there is.

Are you wanting something to keep or something to sell on? I think you have to be more careful if you want to turn a profit.

 

[Gloi]

It was pretty easy to find something cheap ready to train to make14.2 until the lockdown. Now furlough is ending they'll start coming up again at normal prices I'm sure. Have had a couple of nice 3yo cobs for £400.

 

[ihatework]

Easily find a proper project. But that will likely come with behaviour and/or physical issues if it’s been broken in.
For a 2/3yo you should get a cleaner slate

 

[classic_astra]

I have nothing but projects and I've never spent that much on a horse. Though it depends how much of a project ?
My current riding horses were acquired for £2 and £0
Both have been challenging but they fitted the budget and beggars can't be choosers! I just get what there is.

Are you wanting something to keep or something to sell on? I think you have to be more careful if you want to turn a profit.

Wow thats pretty impressive. Depends on what it is really, but most likely sell on eventually. Something green or ready to break would be ideal.

Easily find a proper project. But that will likely come with behaviour and/or physical issues if it’s been broken in.
For a 2/3yo you should get a cleaner slate

I wouldnt mind a 3 yr old to be fair, but its just finding them?! Especially now facebook has stopped it. Half tempted to go to goresbridge but so hit and miss with what u end up with.

 

[ihatework]

What type are you expecting to get for 1.5k at Goresbridge? Might get a cobby type in the basic sales.

I watched a section of the 3yo sports sale and there were plenty not attracting much money (think 3-4k) but were going unsold. The Irish aren’t selling nice correct sporty 3yos for 1.5k

 

[scruffyponies]

I have a field full of other people's rejects and freebies. If you have experience and time you can take either a youngster or something which has been turned into a brat/paranoid mess (delete as appropriate) by the previous owner, and turn out something lovely. Occasionally you can even fix physical problems, as so much can come right with good forage, good turnout and time.

Had a lovely milestone with one who was given to me a couple of years ago. It was a really fast group ride and he was totally cool, not one buck, comfortable first, last and middle, friendly to the other horses, and sensible whether held back or kicked on - even when racing my daughter. So much more rewarding than buying one ready made!

I echo what was said above about it being different if you intend to sell on. Really turning around a screwed up horse is not a quick fix. Sure you can get them going well under a competent rider, but embedding those behaviours and getting him to really trust you takes years, not weeks.

 

[Leandy]

You'd get an ex racehorse. That is what I would do if that was the money I had. A lot depends what job you want the horse to do though?

 

[classic_astra]

Ive thought about an ex racer although im only small so would have to be something 16 hands or under ideally. Im not looking to turn something round in weeks, more like a year or 2

 

[dorsetladette]

I think its entirely possible with an open mind (and a good seat) there are lots of projects to be had. I was thinking of going to Beulieu road sales if they are still on in December. (sept and oct sales have been cancelled) the highest priced pony listed last year went for less than 600 guineas most only making a couple of hundred quid.

 

[ihatework]

I think its entirely possible with an open mind (and a good seat) there are lots of projects to be had. I was thinking of going to Beulieu road sales if they are still on in December. (sept and oct sales have been cancelled) the highest priced pony listed last year went for less than 600 guineas most only making a couple of hundred quid.

That’s a good shout, especially as OP is small and looking to produce over a couple of years.
Churn out a nicely done Newfie pony for the PC market. Useful breed.

 

[MagicMelon]

Yes, its doable. You may need to do some digging through some dodgy ones but it can be done. I've bought 4yo ponies in the past for £500 which Id back and sell on for £2,500 - £3,000 easily. They were unbacked, hairy, scruffy things which had been held for the farrier and that was about it. I've also been gifted my last 2 horses - one was an 8yo mare who'd done absolutely nothing so was unbacked and a little flighty but that soon disappeared and she turned into the most docile girl ever - I compete her BE and BS (low level, she's no world beater but is a lovely girl). I was also gifted a 10yo extremely well bred warmblood who was saved from being PTS, he was a bit of a mess when I got him (very skinny) as he'd been on a dealers yard and been beaten up a bit. He was a truly lovely horse, I competed him BS for a while until sadly he became mechanically lame eventually and I had to retire him.

Id always rather buy something unbacked as I feel they are less likely to be damaged or ruined than one thats been backed and messed about with. I personally wouldnt buy a "problem" horse but would happily buy an unbacked, semi-wild creature.

 

[dorsetladette]

That’s a good shout, especially as OP is small and looking to produce over a couple of years.
Churn out a nicely done Newfie pony for the PC market. Useful breed.

Yep that was my thinking - they also have an 'others' category and on occasion nice riding horses go through. you need an 'eye' though. I know someone who got a clydesdale type from there and it had every ailment going - she threw a ton of money at it and ended up PTS. It would of been kinder to let the meat man have it. (IMHO)

 

[scruffyponies]

I have had 5 ponies who were bought for peanuts at Beaulieu Road. Still have 4 of them.

The last two cost 10 guineas each as foals. They hadn't been handled at all until they came out of the transport, but were the most honest, inquisitive and friendly little things. The one on the right is the pony in my avatar.

 

[paddi22]

I reschool and rebreak trotters and ex sulkies racers from a charity and they are super little things. great projects, they have good work ethics, are very kind and very hardy, they don't seem to need shoes or rugging, and mine live off no supplements or feed, just a vit supplement. Most are around the 14.2 mark and have nice paces and any I've seen have had a super jump and love xc. they can be tricky to reschool the normal trot and canter at the start, so would depend on your schooling experience, but they are lovely, low maintenance projects and easy to sell on.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

Projects for 1500 are the only horses I've ever really been able to afford. I've had a couple of lovely horses that have looked 'ready made' in a short space of time but other than that I've never been able to afford a ready made horse. Often dreamt about it as im eating mud or flying through the air though, lol! A nice little ex racer, bought on and schooled to become a RC allrounder type is a good idea. You wont make your fortune but for the right price they sell and are lovely horses with so much going for them and fed and muscled up some look like modern day ISH's anyway!

 

[millikins]

Dragon Driving's always worth a look as well, mainly for cobs.

 

[Wishfilly]

I think, recently, a nice 3yo is likely to cost more than £1500- but I'm sure the market will start to calm down soon. You could probably get a 2yo, or an ex-broodmare, though for your budget. I've seen a few 15.2 fine ex-racers within your budget too.

You can still find horses for sale on FB, particularly if you join breed/type specific pages. There are also pages that will let you put up wants, although I don't know what kind of success you will have with this. Preloved can also be worth a look as well.

 

[Cloball]

Depending on where you are, our local horse sales have moved to online auction as have the Welsh pony sales, might worth looking at your local livestock auction house.

 

[Angela Rhema]

I reschool and rebreak trotters and ex sulkies racers from a charity and they are super little things. great projects, they have good work ethics, are very kind and very hardy, they don't seem to need shoes or rugging, and mine live off no supplements or feed, just a vit supplement. Most are around the 14.2 mark and have nice paces and any I've seen have had a super jump and love xc. they can be tricky to reschool the normal trot and canter at the start, so would depend on your schooling experience, but they are lovely, low maintenance projects and easy to sell on.

Hi, I found your post interesting as I've just bought an ex trotter 6 weeks ago. He is at our riding school in livery and for some schooling. So far I've just been walking and trotting him indoor in the arena and he responds really well to me. I also just been walking him with a halter on the road nothing more as yet. However the other day I had him out and a trotter on a gig with another horse tied behind came up the road I was on. I brought Hunter in as far from the roadside as possible. He was pacing and getting psyched up like I'd never seen in him before. So after they disappeared he then pulled and got away on me trailing me on the ground. Incidentally have 2 stitches in my knee and out of action for 2 weeks ?
Can I ask you.... for some advice on how to reschool him for the road and also meeting any sulkies again. Would love any advice you may have for me. He has the most amazing gentle calm nature and temperament..... but I'll be honest I was stunned out on the road . I was afraid he may hurt someone as the road was very busy that day...I know he was just reacting to what he knew for years .thanks in advance ! ?

 

[paddi22]

Hi, I found your post interesting as I've just bought an ex trotter 6 weeks ago. He is at our riding school in livery and for some schooling. So far I've just been walking and trotting him indoor in the arena and he responds really well to me. I also just been walking him with a halter on the road nothing more as yet. However the other day I had him out and a trotter on a gig with another horse tied behind came up the road I was on. I brought Hunter in as far from the roadside as possible. He was pacing and getting psyched up like I'd never seen in him before. So after they disappeared he then pulled and got away on me trailing me on the ground. Incidentally have 2 stitches in my knee and out of action for 2 weeks ?
Can I ask you.... for some advice on how to reschool him for the road and also meeting any sulkies again. Would love any advice you may have for me. He has the most amazing gentle calm nature and temperament..... but I'll be honest I was stunned out on the road . I was afraid he may hurt someone as the road was very busy that day...I know he was just reacting to what he knew for years .thanks in advance ! ?

that must have been scary, you poor thing. I have a load of different horses for retraining and to be honest, most would react very strongly to seeing and hearing sulkies, whether they were an ex-trotter or not! I had a young warmblood type rear and spin seeing one last week. is there any way of finding out what roads they go on, or avoiding any roads they do? are they neighbours of yours, is there any way of asking could they slow or stop if they see you? or if they are certain times they go at? the guy on the one I met last week was lovely and called out and slowed as soon as he came behind me - but the horse still got a fright and had a huge reaction, but it would have been worse if he'd just gone past at speed.
apart from that it would just be a case of making sure you'd a body protector, and a strap between the rings to hold onto.

 

[spotty_pony]

I bought my ex racehorse mare for that last year. She had been retrained to play polo too but was too hot! I had her for 6 months and got her hacking out, established basic flatwork and taighr her to jump and sold her to a lovely all round home with a profit made so it can be done.

 

[Angela Rhema]

that must have been scary, you poor thing. I have a load of different horses for retraining and to be honest, most would react very strongly to seeing and hearing sulkies, whether they were an ex-trotter or not! I had a young warmblood type rear and spin seeing one last week. is there any way of finding out what roads they go on, or avoiding any roads they do? are they neighbours of yours, is there any way of asking could they slow or stop if they see you? or if they are certain times they go at? the guy on the one I met last week was lovely and called out and slowed as soon as he came behind me - but the horse still got a fright and had a huge reaction, but it would have been worse if he'd just gone past at speed.
apart from that it would just be a case of making sure you'd a body protector, and a strap between the rings to hold onto.

Thanks so much! Yeah so where he is in livery at the riding school is next door to trainers for racing horses and sulkies. So they do be on the road quite alot. I'm living in the back of beyond in a small country road in Ireland on a dairy farm so when I get him home this hopefully won't be the case. I suppose it does make me nervous in a way as he could react to other things.... but yeah been talking to the riding school who will be schooling him. We hopefully gonna try and work with the guys next door and have Hunter see the trotter up close and try and work with him there for to train him to keep calm.. so that might help too. I've not been able to get up to him since the bolt.... I'm still out of action with my knee.. ? but trying to build up my confidence to know that he will get past this and can be schooled for the road despite what's been ingrained into him..
Would love to keep you informed of his schooling and any further advice you may have to help this process. Much appreciated! ?

 

[Angela Rhema]

I bought my ex racehorse mare for that last year. She had been retrained to play polo too but was too hot! I had her for 6 months and got her hacking out, established basic flatwork and taighr her to jump and sold her to a lovely all round home with a profit made so it can be done.

Great to hear these positive stories... I'll be honest.. when it happened I thought I lost all hope for schooling him for the road.... so these have given me my confidence back. Loving this forum ?