Do you think horse prices will fall imminently due to cost of living?

[maya2008]

I was considering a project to help pay for a bigger lorry (3yo mini has backed herself - my 7yo daughter rode her no issues yesterday - so I am kind of bored too…!) but I am now not so sure we won’t have a price crash once the new financial year hits.

An I worrying about nothing? Or would it be a really bad financial decision to take on a project now?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Things are too volatile now to take on a project if the aim is to make a profit.

Whilst a crash in horse prices has been predicted for a while, recent events have spooked everyone, and the cost of living, especially fuel, is rising rapidly. Splashing out on a new horse is not likely to be top of most people's agenda.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I think they will. With diesel rising to £1.70 ppl potentially in the next few weeks along with gas electricity and heating oil rocketing, prices to make fodder with the the massive % rise in cost of fertilisers and other essential items I can’t see how the prices can stay as they are.

 

[twobearsarthur]

I think a flood of “covid horses” bought during lockdown will hit the market soon, which will naturally drive horse prices down (supply and demand). By how much is anyones guess. The reality of owning a horse when not WFH/being in lockdown, the increases in cost of living, the uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine will all have an impact on people either trying to sell and also less people willing to buy.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Depends on your eventual market, the project itself and how much you can afford to potentially lose. Rich people will always be able to afford horses but if you are aiming at the lower end, lower middle then I would think you barking tbh. I’ve put on indefinite hold any plans I had to get another and I keep mine just about as cheaply as possible.

 

[Gloi]

I've noticed more cheap youngsters on DD than there have been for a bit.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I've noticed more cheap youngsters on DD than there have been for a bit.

I’ve recently seen a couple of quite nice ones for reasonable prices too.

 

[snowangel5]

I keep looking at Gyspy vanners and highland pony with appy but none are in the price range I ?

 

[blitznbobs]

cheap horses price will fall. Good horses price will continue to rise.

 

[The Irish Draft 2022]

I actually think the price will skyrocket for horses because people won’t be able to afford to sell at a loss. I actually think it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Also I think people will be reluctant to sell because if the war goes into other countries it would make it difficult for people to buy another horse. So there wouldn’t be enough of horses for the market.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I actually think the price will skyrocket for horses because people won’t be able to afford to sell at a loss. I actually think it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Also I think people will be reluctant to sell because if the war goes into other countries it would make it difficult for people to buy another horse. So there wouldn’t be enough of horses for the market.

If cost of living rises and people can’t afford the running costs of horses, they won’t be able to hold on for high prices they’ll need to price to sell fast.

 

[irishdraft]

I followed the recent sale @ goresbridge on Wednesday and there were some very nice horses going for a reasonable price . A mare I liked the look of would have cost me £6500 to buy and bring back to UK. I couldn't have bought similar in the market here for anything like that .so I wonder if prices are starting to come down.

 

[Ali27]

I really hope so! My ridden mare is now 19, got a little companion pony too but I will be looking for a 2/3 year old at some point this year and really don’t want to pay more than 2k!

 

[PipsqueakXy22]

I've noticed more cheap youngsters on DD than there have been for a bit.

What is DD?

 

[TheLoneWanderer]

I really want to get myself another youngster, 1yo/2yo that I can put out on grass livery for a while and then start for myself and my niece when he/she is old enough. Will have to wait until next autumn though.

 

[Gloi]

What is DD?

Dragon Driving website. The source of many a cheap cob.

 

[angel7]

I think youngster prices have already softened, lots of reg sec ds about for 800- 3.5k depending on age.
Good ridden horses will always be worth strong money, there is still a core of monied people unaffected by increased living costs.#
The project would need to be really cheap and suitable to be sold for serious money to be worthwhile.

 

[chocolategirl]

I was considering a project to help pay for a bigger lorry (3yo mini has backed herself - my 7yo daughter rode her no issues yesterday - so I am kind of bored too…!) but I am now not so sure we won’t have a price crash once the new financial year hits.

An I worrying about nothing? Or would it be a really bad financial decision to take on a project now?

Doubtful?

 

[chocolategirl]

I was considering a project to help pay for a bigger lorry (3yo mini has backed herself - my 7yo daughter rode her no issues yesterday - so I am kind of bored too…!) but I am now not so sure we won’t have a price crash once the new financial year hits.

An I worrying about nothing? Or would it be a really bad financial decision to take on a project now?

In answer to your title question, doubtful they’ll come down much, it’s still very fierce out there, and there’s still a shortage, so it’s a supply and demand issue which is keeping prices high. That’s only my opinion of course fwiw?‍

 

[LEC]

I watched Goresbridge- the real quality still went for strong money. Slightly iffy went for less. The fact Goresbridge only had one day tells you a lot as March sale is normally 2-3 days. I still think horses are strong money. I was debating getting a project but will sit and wait a bit longer I think. There are still supply/demand issues on decent sporthorse types.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I think if you buy a raw material youngster with reasonable conformation and paces and teach it to be a fun all rounder - good to handle, handle, travel, solo hack, canter behind in a group, jump a 2ft 9 course do a basic novice test etc etc there will always be a good market.

I think there will always be a decent market for sound, uncomplicated, well educated all rounders.

But the prices might drop significantly for older / quirky / issues / health conditions/ untrained / green etc.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I really hope so! My ridden mare is now 19, got a little companion pony too but I will be looking for a 2/3 year old at some point this year and really don’t want to pay more than 2k!

Not related to the thread but what a great avatar photo thing - your steed looks like an absolute rocket!!


Re: the OP, if you are small enough to produce for the 148 market, those prices are always pretty reliable.

 

[MagicMelon]

I dont think they'll change, surely if anything they'll go up because some people will be very keen to make as much ££££'s as they possibly can to pay their bills? Yes you might get some people who are just desperate to sell but you get that at any time if you look hard enough. I'd dig around now and find something green and cheap, they are around if you look hard enough. Dont see much point in waiting.

 

[TPO]

I dont think they'll change, surely if anything they'll go up because some people will be very keen to make as much ££££'s as they possibly can to pay their bills?

At the end of the day, regardless of what you're selling, it doesn't matter what what seller wants/would like it's what someone else is willing (*or able) to pay.

I wouldn't bet on producing horses as a way to bring in extra money during the predicted hard times brought about by massive increases to cost of living (horse related food, fuel, fertiliser & forage inc)

 

[Ali27]

Not related to the thread but what a great avatar photo thing - your steed looks like an absolute rocket!!


Re: the OP, if you are small enough to produce for the 148 market, those prices are always pretty reliable.

Aww thanks! Absolutely love my Ginger psycho pony who is 14.2 and now had her 12 years and with me forever! New horse will be a hard act to follow! I need a replica of her although potentially slightly bigger at 15/15.2 Although would have a 14.2 again if chunkier enough to take up my leg?

 

[Jules111]

If the last two years have taught us anything we should now realise how ridiculously difficult it is to make any realistic predictions. We are now "post covid" and should be returning to something closer to normal but we also know this can turn on a sixpence. We believed we were close to the end of Covid in Aug'20, do you remember "eat out to help out", a covid variant emerged and we returned into a lock down situation. Basically all of this has suppressed normal "market" activity. The cost of living inevitably effects luxury items, that includes horse ownership. That said we've had another 18 months of people working from home and enjoying "hobby" time and there are many indicators that people value this above holidays abroad and other luxury items. Basically, this means there is no real certainty. Things are incredibly unpredictable and difficult. If you want to buy a horse to enjoy, go for it, life is most definitely too short to delay. If you want a guaranteed return on investment I'd recommend toilet roll .

 

[Lois Lame]

I've of the view that one of the most important things in doing something is motivation. It beats almost everything else. If a talented. educated, wealthy person couldn't be bothered doing ____________, nothing is achieved.

I think the market is unpredictable. Anything that appears a certainty, is almost certain to not happen.

OP, if you can afford to lose money on the project, which it sounds like you can (you just won't be able to get a bigger lorry) and you have what it takes to succeed, then why not?

 

[SO1]

Depends what happens with the war. I think people won't want to take on any extra responsibilities does not matter how rich you are if we have a war with Russia there will be awful consequences.

I think prices will fall for the next 18 months at least.

 

[blitznbobs]

Or oil prices will keep going up and we will go back to using them for basic transport… at which point they will be in demand — its all guess work at the moment.

 

[windand rain]

my new car in training