Difference in cost between 9 and 13?

[Vodkagirly]

I'm looking at purchasing a horse that I believed was 9 years old. However the passport states she is 13. How would that affect her value? She is very low mileage/green.

 

[emilylou]

I'd expect her to be worth 1/3 less, so if 9k as a 9yo, 6k at 13yo

 

[be positive]

I think 1/3 less is probably reasonable but it depends on whether you want a green 13 year old and if being green covers everything, if she is a super safe hack but not been schooled in an arena then she may well be worth the same price, it also depends on what your plans are, buying to keep or planning to sell on will make a difference to where you start with valuing.

 

[Vodkagirly]

I'm buying to keep but circumstances can change so I keep that in mind. She was also meant to come with tack and rugs but the saddle doesn't fit, far too narrow and no rugs so the original price seems high now though the horse is lovely.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Is the passport definitely her? If the tack and rugs aren't as advertised the horse might not be either.

 

[Vodkagirly]

The description is correct, how would I get a microchip checked?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

A vet should be able to scan it for you. How distinctive is she? Some descriptions can fit multiple horses if no very obvious markings. Some horses have very individual whorls that make identification easy. I really wish all passports had to include photos like the appaloosas do.

 

[emilylou]

Hope it doesnt need to be said, but please get horse vetted, which will clarify identity via microchip and shine a light on any issues that may make her unsuitable for your purposes.

 

[dorsetladette]

I think 1/3 less is probably reasonable but it depends on whether you want a green 13 year old and if being green covers everything, if she is a super safe hack but not been schooled in an arena then she may well be worth the same price, it also depends on what your plans are, buying to keep or planning to sell on will make a difference to where you start with valuing.

I agree possibly a third of the price less as at 13 is the wrong side of her 'prime' years (in my dads terms). But that would suggest looking at horses with similar abilities in the same sphere.

Green is a very loose term as well. Is she green in the school but good to hack? Is she green over fences but could happily do a low level dressage test, or vise versa.

If the saddle doesn't fit that is luck of the draw with many purchases especially at the lower end of the price scale. The last horse (pony) I bought came with a full wardrobe, but the saddle had a twisted tree. It wasn't something we noticed until we got home, but the saddler was already booked and a new (to us) saddle was purchased. I'm not a fan of 'comes with tack' adverts to be honest.

Ultimately though the horse is worth what you are prepared to pay for it.

 

[rara007]

All sounds a bit dodgy!

 

[Polos Mum]

Also consider insurance - in another couple of years as a 13 y/o she'll be considered a veteran - limits the insurance options and it there for a reason.

I think only 1/3 less is generous. At 15-16 many horses start to get niggles, arthritis seems to start around then. How would you feel about having to scale back your riding in 2-3 years time. Yes many go on to successfully compete at 19-20 but typically when they've been very carefully managed up to then.

I'd be highly suspicious of a green 13 y/o, if they haven't picked stuff up by then they probably won't and if they've had a huge break / breed foals etc. then they were probably lame at some point.

 

[Gingerwitch]

HAve you already put a deposit down or paid for him ? As it may be too late with the latter, especially if they wrote sold as seen.

 

[Gloi]

If they are lying about her age which is easily checked, what else are they lying about.
Make sure you get a vetting and get a experienced person to look at her with you and at you riding her.

 

[Vodkagirly]

I don't think anyone is lying about age, more a misunderstanding. Seller bought as a 9 year old then dentist said she was more likely 5 and that's what the seller has gone with for the time they owned and I hadn't thought to look at the passport till now.
She is ok to hack but green to canter in the school and hadn't jumped. Which I believe is because the seller was happy tottling around. Both of which are improving since started riding her and not issues for me.
I have her on trial at the moment, l like her but the original price seems steep looking at her age.

 

[Goldenstar]

Unless it’s very cheap I would not be wanting anything that’s green in canter at 13 .
But if you like her I think a third cheaper seems reasonable.
I would quietly get the chip scanned .

 

[dorsetladette]

So she is on trial - so you are obviously keen on her. If she has been a happy hacker all her life potentially she won't be balanced in canter on a circle. What does she feel like in a straight line?
As GS stated above I'd be inclined to have a vet scan the chip and check her age to be sure and possibly check for soundness as the same time.

It is then worth a frank chat with the owner to put an offer across with a reduction for the things that are missing/you don't want (ie saddle). I doubt the owner would want to take the pony back to re advertise and sell/ potentially having a couple of months of keep to pay for also. It all boils down to how much you like the pony and how much you are willing to pay really.

 

[sport horse]

If you like her, make a cheeky offer, subject to vetting and vet confirming microchip and age etc. What have you to lose? You can always up your offer and if you have horse on trial they cannot sell it to anyone else while it is with you.