For those actively looking to buy a horse - how hard is it now?

[Birker2020]

Hi

Just wondered what the situation is with buying at the moment?

The second half of 2021 was a total nightmare, prices shot through the roof and trying to get a viewing was almost impossible unless you were prepared to go in the week and take time off work or first thing on a Saturday morning, usually by Sunday whatever you were interested in had long gone.

I had countless replies to my 'how much questions' to horses advertised on FB and the amount of money people wanted was bordering on the ridiculous - one horse I enquired after had less talent in one of its hooves than my lovely Bailey had in her whole body and they wanted £30K for it!!

Please tell me its calmed down somewhat ......I am going to start looking mid to late September now as we've booked to go away on holiday third week. But I am dreading it.

I only managed 4 viewings in four months last time, dotted all over the country, whereas prior to buying Bailey I could buy another horse in about two weeks flat on my doorstep!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

From people I know who are looking, it's somewhere in the middle - the market isn't dead, especially not if you want something that is in short supply (certain sought after types) but it's also not manic and prices have definitely come down.

 

[Red-1]

I believe it has calmed down somewhat and I think it will be even better after summer. Good luck!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We had a nightmare trying to find a weight carrier for RDA, with a limited budget. Prices were ridiculous for unsound horses and time-wasting sellers abounded. We did buy one eventually with the right temperament, who passed the vetting but he isn't really the height we wanted, so we have had to shuffle riders round and we still have a vacancy for a 15.2hh weightcarrier. I am keeping an eye on prices with my fingers crossed.

 

[twiggy2]

I am keeping my eye open to buy, not in a hurry and personally hoping prices will drop a little yet.

 

[LEC]

I have one to sell but he is a 4yo with some lumps and bumps as an absolute plonker with his 4yo field mate and came looking quite poor. Will be priced accordingly as he will be a very nice grassroots horse for someone but most people want a lump and bump free horse. He is a very easy chap and would be worth double without this. I have a 12yo kid coming to ride him tonight so I can check how easy he is for someone else other than me. I see a lot not as nice as him for insane money so a bargain for someone who can overlook his lumps and bumps.

 

[Cowpony]

They aren't mad like they were a couple of years ago, but you can't pick up a good allrounder for £2K either (unless it's a TB). There are thousands of Connies out there. Dun/buckskin seems to be the new coloured, so command a premium.

I have seen several horses not selling and having their price reduced. A couple I tried/enquired about and there was nothing wrong with them.

Now of course I'm seeing a horse at a "reasonable" price and wondering what is wrong with them!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

We had a nightmare trying to find a weight carrier for RDA, with a limited budget. Prices were ridiculous for unsound horses and time-wasting sellers abounded. We did buy one eventually with the right temperament, who passed the vetting but he isn't really the height we wanted, so we have had to shuffle riders round and we still have a vacancy for a 15.2hh weightcarrier. I am keeping an eye on prices with my fingers crossed.

I like this guy, lots of bone - even through the fat!



I also really like this one:

 

[Sealine]

I agree with Red and believe the market for buyers will improve after the summer as costs continue to increase and the winter approaches.

The cost of living crisis and the rise in interest rates are really starting to bite, particularly those coming off low fixed rates and having to find the money for huge increases in their mortgages. Rates are expected to go up again in August and September. I've spoken to a couple of people recently whose mortgages will be increasing by £500/£600 later this year. These are young people who bought their first home in the last 2/3 years and they are worried about finding the funds. If you are a horse owner and you've already cut back on luxuries to cover the increases in food and fuel you are limited on what else you can cut back on.

Personally, although I wouldn't say I'm struggling and I don't have a mortgage, I'm very conscious of increasing costs and my husband's work has dried up in the last couple of months. I have an elderly dog and horse and their meds alone are costing me £150 a month.

 

[Jambarissa]

I'm casually watching with plan to buy in autumn. Not so much to save money but no time with summer holidays.

I'm just after a nice chunky hacking cob, not really seeing any decent sized ones, they're all mini cobs.

Most are initially priced high but they're mostly hanging around and being dropped, £8k going to £4k is not uncommon on Preloved.

Lots of proper heavy horses around, Belgian drafts, shires and clydesdales . I've always wanted one, if I don't find the cob I might be tempted for one of the smaller ones.

I'm already irritated by the ads though. I'd say nearly half don't have all of : age, height, sex, location. Never mind some clear conformation pictures and a brief description of what it does. They're all fuzzy jumping shots and spiels about what a lovely horse he is / how he's a potential hoys.

 

[Birker2020]

1. I'm looking for something between the ages of 6 - 12.
2. An ISH or a sensible WB or a cross of the two, but more likely an ISH because I need a middleweight, weight carrying type.
3. 16.3hh - 17.1hh, certainly no bigger. Might consider 16.2hh at a real push.
4. A gelding
5. It HAS to be okay to hack on its own (most advertised are)
6. Something capable of doing riding club stuff on, unaffiliated SJ/Dressage, etc.
7. It has to be sound and sane (really?? enough said )

Please don't send me suggestions though.....not just yet. I really am not looking at the moment, I need to save up some more money for a contingency fund and with going on holiday there is not much point.

Just studying the market.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[Birker2020]

I'm casually watching with plan to buy in autumn. Not so much to save money but no time with summer holidays.

I'm just after a nice chunky hacking cob, not really seeing any decent sized ones, they're all mini cobs.

Most are initially priced high but they're mostly hanging around and being dropped, £8k going to £4k is not uncommon on Preloved.

Lots of proper heavy horses around, Belgian drafts, shires and clydesdales . I've always wanted one, if I don't find the cob I might be tempted for one of the smaller ones.

I'm already irritated by the ads though. I'd say nearly half don't have all of : age, height, sex, location. Never mind some clear conformation pictures and a brief description of what it does. They're all fuzzy jumping shots and spiels about what a lovely horse he is / how he's a potential hoys.

I feel your pain...

 

[Birker2020]

https://www.horsequest.co.uk/advertisment/311202 - I love Victor

https://www.horsequest.co.uk/advertisment/312548 - nice boy!

https://www.horsequest.co.uk/advertisment/311367 - for sale a long time now ??

 

[Birker2020]

duplicated

 

[Jambarissa]

All lovely. I'm assuming that type might have less of a drop off in price than my happy hacker? Or is that just because I assume people with horses like that are loaded

 

[piebaldproblems]

I like this guy, lots of bone - even through the fat!

View attachment 118775

I also really like this one:

View attachment 118776

A dealer on dragondriving who hides their name is not a dealer to be buying horses from.

 

[TheMule]

If you want the type that everyone does (middle aged gelding, safe, to do a bit of everything), then I expect the market is pretty buoyant and will remain so

 

[Jambarissa]

I have a couple of reputable local dealers and a show producer so I'm watching their prices.

£7k for a nice type which I know will be honestly described, seems reasonable enough in the current climate given the work they put in.

Then I see people advertising a 'nothing special cob' backed and turned away 3 or 4 yo for £10k and wonder if they're on glue.

 

[ycbm]

Stables around this area are struggling to fill places, it seems clear that horses are being lost or sold and not replaced now. I expect the market to become easier for buyers across the board but the price remain pretty high for the holy grail of the safe, sane, sound RC all rounder that so few people are now breeding.
.

 

[Annagain]

https://www.horsequest.co.uk/advertisment/311202 - I love Victor

https://www.horsequest.co.uk/advertisment/312548 - nice boy!

https://www.horsequest.co.uk/advertisment/311367 - for sale a long time now ??

As soon as I saw the photo of no2 I recognised him as one Mitty Hardy is selling (all her photos are over the yellow and blue jump with barrels and that lovely background!) You won't go far wrong with Mitty, she's very honest, well respected and gets a lot of very nice horses to sell as a result. She wouldn't be a million miles away from you either. She sold Charlie for me and really worked with me to find him the right home.

Follow her on Facebook, she usually puts them on there before paying to advertise on Horsequest. She's got a few that look lovely at the moment. The only word of warning I'd give is that she's a lovely rider and moulds her apprentices in the same way so they can make any horse look amazing!

 

[asmp]

We had a nightmare trying to find a weight carrier for RDA, with a limited budget. Prices were ridiculous for unsound horses and time-wasting sellers abounded. We did buy one eventually with the right temperament, who passed the vetting but he isn't really the height we wanted, so we have had to shuffle riders round and we still have a vacancy for a 15.2hh weightcarrier. I am keeping an eye on prices with my fingers crossed.

Our RDA group have just managed to find one after months of looking but they had to pay top dollar for him. And be very quick when the ad came out.

 

[Annagain]

Maggie looks lovely - there's also a post lower down about having 4 big horses in on sales livery, Maxy looks nice.

https://www.facebook.com/Mittyhardyeventing/posts/pfbid0256BF8fxVJankKMUFcjkBU3K8dpmrMjAYo3H4ha3FMSJXDmemq15MbX7uB77kAch7l

 

[Bobthecob15]

It isn't as crazy...but prices are still quite high. We got one in Winter 2021/2022, prices were nuts, had to scramble to see anything decent, horses were sold before you even got to view etc etc..just like you described.

We just bought another in June, prices were definitely still high but we actually managed to get a 2nd viewing for the one we bought, that would never have happened the year before, it would have been sold on first view!

It also depends on what...popular types are still very competitive, ponies, hackers etc...the more expensive competition horses are taking a little longer to sell.

 

[Birker2020]

Maggie looks lovely - there's also a post lower down about having 4 big horses in on sales livery, Maxy looks nice.

https://www.facebook.com/Mittyhardyeventing/posts/pfbid0256BF8fxVJankKMUFcjkBU3K8dpmrMjAYo3H4ha3FMSJXDmemq15MbX7uB77kAch7l

I've sent you a PM

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Maggie looks lovely - there's also a post lower down about having 4 big horses in on sales livery, Maxy looks nice.

https://www.facebook.com/Mittyhardyeventing/posts/pfbid0256BF8fxVJankKMUFcjkBU3K8dpmrMjAYo3H4ha3FMSJXDmemq15MbX7uB77kAch7l

Now that horse is seriously a bit of me, so nicely put together and well muscled (to my eye)... If I could afford two on livery I'd be on the phone already. Wow!

 

[Birker2020]

Now that horse is seriously a bit of me, so nicely put together and well muscled (to my eye)... If I could afford two on livery I'd be on the phone already. Wow!

Yes I don't think the photo of her on the yard does her justice though, she looks a bit roach backed and lacking muscle over her hamstrings. The photo of the rider her on her looks 100% times better, she does look a nice sort.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Yes I don't think the photo of her on the yard does her justice though, she looks a bit roach backed and lacking muscle over her hamstrings. The photo of the rider her on her looks 100% times better.

View attachment 118781

Personally I disagree, but everyone sees different things and has different compromises. She is my type of horse through and through which definitely helps.
As I am not in a position to buy the horse, I am going to refrain from commenting too much on the advert, but to me she has very little to pick over even if I was to try.
I am no expert however.

 

[Lexi 123]

Good luck biker If anyone is interested in the Irish market for a genuine good all round horses are still holding a good price they’re not crazy money but still expensive.. on the other hand youngsters aren’t selling that well and they have gone down a lot. You wouldn’t get a good Irish horse for 2000-5000 thousand anymore them days have gone. Crazy before Covid you would get the odd good horse for it bargain . I payed €2000 for my first horse in 2018 . A lot of people I know are putting their horses on loan but can’t get anyone to loan the horse there horse because of the cost of living crisis.

 

[Zoeypxo]

Maggie looks lovely - there's also a post lower down about having 4 big horses in on sales livery, Maxy looks nice.

https://www.facebook.com/Mittyhardyeventing/posts/pfbid0256BF8fxVJankKMUFcjkBU3K8dpmrMjAYo3H4ha3FMSJXDmemq15MbX7uB77kAch7l

I like that, exactly my type too!
Nothing better than a chesnut mare with some chunk to it

 

[Zoeypxo]

Someone i know was going to view a welsh D at the weekend, done a little bit of prelim dressage but mainly hacked . 12k, already sold before she could view