following another post, cost of horse, where do you look?

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Peanot

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Well I just read the post about how much people pay for their horses and some of you that said that you only pay £2-3k...
Where do you look as everywhere I look they are £7k plus for an honest youngster.
Please give out your secrets.
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I paid 2.5K for my unbroken three year old in 2006 and 1.5k for my 7 year old, they are out there is a case of searching
 
Hours of trawling the internet! Also I tend to be happy to take on other people's problem horses which with some work end up being worth a lot more. Sometimes if you go to the big studs direct, they will have a horse that is a bit too quirky to sell at the typically huge price horse with similar breeding command. One of my dressage horses I was given as a foal by a stud that exports dressage horses to Germany because he was so naughty the stud felt that they had to be careful where he went - Beemer is the chestnut on my siggy strip and is going to do great things next year (I hope!!).
 
Ex-racers - both of mine were under £2k and both are 100% in all ways & both should be able to affiliate in whatever I decide to do with them....
 
Go straight to the breeders and buy them at 3, thereby cutting out the middle man! I know that might not suit everyone but I've had a lot of fun doing it that way.
 
The most Ive ever paid is £4500, least is £500. Ive always bought youngsters, ie. 3/4/5 yo's. I love bringing babies on so it suits me fine and I can make them my own. Most of mine have looked a bit shabby or simply not done anything (ie. owners didn't have the time) so I guess that's why I get them quite cheap. I go by temperament and attitude mainly because without that, scope / talent is useless! My best horses have been around the £2500k mark.

They are out there, you just have to look! Look for ones who haven't had a chance to show any potential due to the owners time restrictions (usually means they're quite desperate to sell too!). They'll likely not look great (ie. fat / hairy etc.) when you go and see them but if you can look beyond that you could find a superstar
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My last horse cost me £2600 I think (or £2800, one of the two!) - he was from a stud yard who'd been given him to look after due to the owners finances. They were looking to sell him (and 1 other) to get the fees back I understand. The stud yard owner was pregnant so couldn't work him, as a result he was a very green 5yo. He also looked a bit of a state - he was rather thin (full of worms I found out when I got him home) and had a messy mane / coat etc. He just needed time spent on him. I could see he had a very honest nature but if it had been based purely on looks that day then I would have walked away! He's now won almost £700 BSJA and been placed several times at BE Novice
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They are out there, you just have to search!
 
Strangely, ours have always found us when we aren't really looking! Our most expensive was a lovely ride/drive cob that cost £1300, and so many people are so jealous of him, let alone how little we paid. genuine owner wanting a good home and knew he could trust us.
 
I've always used local papers like the Evesham Journal or Coteswold Journal - also regional papers like the Trade It are good. I got B at a gypsy fair for £400!!
 
They are hard to fine but are there!!! Just look at some of the less expensive horses, that don't sound very good, but will actually turn out much better than the other impressive sounding ones with a scary price tag!!!!
 
I advertised myself and had LOADS of people call trying to give me their horses... funnily had a lot of arab owners but knew that wasnt what suited me! I got a beautiful unbroken 4yo with pink papers etc for alot less than the asking price as previous owner just wanted a good home!

Def try advertising what you want and see if people call you! I adveritsed only really locally and think i was a bit lucky but give it a try!

Good luck!
 
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