horse budget

[dottylottie]

Hello everyone! Back on to the new horse topic?

I’m just wondering what a realistic budget would be? everyone will be glad to know an unbroken connie is pretty much out of the question now - i’m wanting more “horse” than “pony” and for the difference in price unbroken anything doesn’t seem worth it. i’ll leave the backing to the professionals!

looking for:
14hh - 15.3hh
finer sort - sport horse, lightweight hunter, arab x, etc
wanted for a bit of everything but mainly showing
4-10ish
happy with green, takes confidence from rider sort, doesn’t need to be a “finished product” - not willing to take on a fruit loop that’s going to try to kill me haha.

from looking at adverts and in particular a producer not too far away who has sold to someone i know and has had a lot of horses in that i like, i was thinking a budget of 6-8k is realistic, but i’m not sure if this is wishful thinking?

adding that i don’t want a top showjumper or HOYS horse lol just a competent all rounder with solid conformation for low level showing

 

[Zoeypxo]

Id assume 6-10k depending on experience
Prices are changing alot but i still wouldnt be surprised to see what you are looking for at 10k

 

[dottylottie]

Id assume 6-10k depending on experience
Prices are changing alot but i still wouldnt be surprised to see what you are looking for at 10k

thankyou! i have seen a few around that price, but i’m generally put off by 4/5 year olds that have been out doing all sorts already and for me it’s not a selling point - i’d rather buy one just backed than a 4 year old that’s already been out hunting?

 

[gallopingby]

Hmmm l think there’s just backed and …just backed. A few years ago, quite a few now, a couple of hours out hunting / cubbing or similar was considered a useful education for a young horse. Price wise 8-10k would hopefully get you a young horse ready to bring on. I don’t think prices of sane, correctly educated horses with reasonable conformation are going to come down any time soon.

 

[fetlock]

This one on Horsequest is in Ireland but looks a lovely sort (£9k ono) Ref #: 300978
There's a really nice ex small show hunter on there too in the price range but at 14, is over your age range.

 

[dottylottie]

This one on Horsequest is in Ireland but looks a lovely sort (£9k ono) Ref #: 300978
There's a really nice ex small show hunter on there too in the price range but at 14, is over your age range.

will have a look thankyou! the age is something i’d potentially be flexible on, but i think only if i fail to find something younger haha. unfortunately i’m not looking to buy until april time, so prices will rise even more with it being spring?

ETA: wow just had a look, he’s gorgeous!

 

[Dexter]

If you look for an arab they are significantly cheaper than other breeds for some reason. Theres a few suitable sounding here if you scroll down

http://arabianlines.com/for_sale/index.htm

 

[dottylottie]

If you look for an arab they are significantly cheaper than other breeds for some reason. Theres one suitable sounding here if you scroll down

http://arabianlines.com/for_sale/index.htm

i’m not sure i’m cut out for a full arab?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

i’m not sure i’m cut out for a full arab?

There is quite a nice part bred filly on the mares page only 3 though but looks like she will be nice.

 

[Marigold4]

How about this one? Started but not yet backed. Looks like she would show. Perhaps small hunter if she grows some more?


Horsequest Ref #: 300293

 

[Puzzled]

I have a couple of unbroken 4 yr olds registered Connemaras priced around £6500, all will be 5 figures once broken and riding. Obviously Connies are at a premium but I’d say a nice type of horse will be around that price.

 

[ycbm]

You sound like you could really manage an ex racer and that one would also fit your needs. That would reduce your budget a bit, a lot if you felt brave enough to buy at Ascot or Doncaster. You can vet and blood test at the auctions before paying.
.

 

[SO1]

If you want to show as an adult then you need to think what the age restrictions might be on the the 14-15h range.

The riding and show hunter ponies around that height often have age restrictions on clases which may limit your options in less you can do unless coloured or part bred arab.

 

[Barton Bounty]

You sound like you could really manage an ex racer and that one would also fit your needs. That would reduce your budget a bit, a lot if you felt brave enough to buy at Ascot or Doncaster. You can vet and blood test at the auctions before paying.
.

I second this. ?

 

[SO1]

There is a Welsh part bred 14.2 in Show pony section on horsequest looks nice 4500. Ref 301731. Rising 5 so may grow more.

 

[dottylottie]

You sound like you could really manage an ex racer and that one would also fit your needs. That would reduce your budget a bit, a lot if you felt brave enough to buy at Ascot or Doncaster. You can vet and blood test at the auctions before paying.
.

i appreciate this vote of confidence!?
i have seen a couple that look like they’d be lovely once they’ve built up the correct muscle, but overall i’m not majorly keen on tb’s. there were 2 at college, 1 was a dream boat whilst the other was a bit wild - i definitely would be out of my depth at the sales but i won’t rule them out completely!

 

[dottylottie]

If you want to show as an adult then you need to think what the age restrictions might be on the the 14-15h range.

The riding and show hunter ponies around that height often have age restrictions on clases which may limit your options in less you can do unless coloured or part bred arab.

unfortunately i’d be too old for SHP classes which is why i’d have to go for a light/middleweight hunter, but at the local shows i’d be attending the classes aren’t split anyway so it’s not a problem - i’m not fussed about going higher, i’d only bother if i ended up with something that unexpectedly did much better than expected and it just sort of happened, which is unlikely lol.

i have been having a nosey at section d’s though for the sake of an easy life! never a question of which classes we can do, and no plaiting!?

 

[Squeak]

From your initial OP an ex-racer came to mind. Like any other breed there are some that are a handful and some that are a dope on a rope so as long as you sound the seller out and see what they're like viewing them you should hopefully be ok. You could always go and try one or two and see what you think?

The joy of having an exracer is that there are a lot of classes at some amazing shows that you can enter. I've competed mine at shows that I could have only dreamed of as showing isn't usually what I compete in.

 

[dottylottie]

From your initial OP an ex-racer came to mind. Like any other breed there are some that are a handful and some that are a dope on a rope so as long as you sound the seller out and see what they're like viewing them you should hopefully be ok. You could always go and try one or two and see what you think?

The joy of having an exracer is that there are a lot of classes at some amazing shows that you can enter. I've competed mine at shows that I could have only dreamed of as showing isn't usually what I compete in.

making a mental note to be more open minded! ex-racers seem to be like marmite, you love em or you hate em?

before i joined this forum and saw all the love for them, most of what i’d heard from people who have/had them was about ulcers, awful feet and expensive feed bills?

 

[SEL]

making a mental note to be more open minded! ex-racers seem to be like marmite, you love em or you hate em?

before i joined this forum and saw all the love for them, most of what i’d heard from people who have/had them was about ulcers, awful feet and expensive feed bills?

There's some decent yards doing the initial training straight out of racing.

I've known TBs with all of the above and I've known them live out all year on haylage with feet no worse than the next horse!

 

[Marigold4]

making a mental note to be more open minded! ex-racers seem to be like marmite, you love em or you hate em?

before i joined this forum and saw all the love for them, most of what i’d heard from people who have/had them was about ulcers, awful feet and expensive feed bills?

They are a massive risk - I don't know anyone who has had one that wasn't a big vet bill on legs. Perhaps the people I know have just been unlucky. Then you've got a horse that's potentially difficult to retire in a field on your hands. Add to that the fact that they are bred and trained to be reactive and fast - they really aren't a horse for the average rider. Fine if you are a very experienced rider with good nerves and prepared to PTS if/when not rideable. This is why they are not expensive to purchase.

 

[ycbm]

There's some decent yards doing the initial training straight out of racing.

I've known TBs with all of the above and I've known them live out all year on haylage with feet no worse than the next horse!

I've taken four of them barefoot, every one I tried it with worked out well. One never noticed the shoes were off, and he was bought straight out of training with race plates on.
.

 

[ycbm]

They are a massive risk - I don't know anyone who has had one that wasn't a big vet bill on legs. Perhaps the people I know have just been unlucky. Then you've got a horse that's potentially difficult to retire in a field on your hands. Add to that the fact that they are bred and trained to be reactive and fast - they really aren't a horse for the average rider. Fine if you are a very experienced rider with good nerves and prepared to PTS if/when not rideable. This is why they are not expensive to purchase.

I wouldn't call the risk massive, especially not if they are being bought in a normal sale process rather than direct out of training.

I've bought quite a few from the auctions or off the trainer in the past and the majority turned into a nice riding club horses. Two were complete dopes on ropes who would happily stop on a hack and wave goodbye to the horses in front. Their price is as much to do with just how many thousands of horses retire from or don't make the grade in racing each year. That and their bad reputation.
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[Barton Bounty]

making a mental note to be more open minded! ex-racers seem to be like marmite, you love em or you hate em?

before i joined this forum and saw all the love for them, most of what i’d heard from people who have/had them was about ulcers, awful feet and expensive feed bills?

Mine isnt very expensive ?

 

[WispyBegs]

I thought I was being clever saving myself money buying an ex-racer - approximately £25,000 in vet bills, remedial shoeing, and physio later he was finally sound.

I do think they are a gamble. Some people get very lucky with theirs but I’ve heard a lot of stories like mine.

He did turn into the most fabulous horse though, so if you do have time and money to spare don’t let it put you off!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Mine isnt very expensive ?

@dottylottie this video is just for you ? made this morning! Please excuse my mud monster though


https://youtube.com/shorts/vYd3Dw3-FKc?feature=share

 

[dottylottie]

@dottylottie this video is just for you ? made this morning! Please excuse my mud monster though


https://youtube.com/shorts/vYd3Dw3-FKc?feature=share

bless him heart, the way he turns his head to listen to you?

their behaviour isn’t what puts me off, any animal taken out of such a strict routine and expected to do a job that goes against pretty much all of their training would find it stressful - they just seem far more high maintenance than other breeds/types, and horses are high maintenance enough at the best of times?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I used to help a friend exercise the two hunters she looked after. The one I rode was a 16.3 ex chaser. He was as tough as old boots, needed to be as his owner didn't pamper his horses. I knew him for several seasons and he was never lame, had colic once but owner took him hunting the next day. He lived out most of the year with a very cheap inadequate rug in winter and finally retired when he flatly refused to be caught. He was permanently snotty but it didn't worry him, he didn't cough. I really liked him and had he been about 15hhs would have loved him for myself. Would really have liked to see him in a better home.

 

[Barton Bounty]

bless him heart, the way he turns his head to listen to you?

their behaviour isn’t what puts me off, any animal taken out of such a strict routine and expected to do a job that goes against pretty much all of their training would find it stressful - they just seem far more high maintenance than other breeds/types, and horses are high maintenance enough at the best of times?

Yeah but they get to know a new normal! And then their new routine is all they remember ?

he listens to every word I said, I just love him

 

[Slightlyconfused]

making a mental note to be more open minded! ex-racers seem to be like marmite, you love em or you hate em?

before i joined this forum and saw all the love for them, most of what i’d heard from people who have/had them was about ulcers, awful feet and expensive feed bills?

My appy had uclers and awefull feet.....my welsh prob had uclers as well.

Most horses can and will have uclers and awefull feet but people seem to generalise to tbs.

My welsh c was more of a fruitloop than our ex racer. Go on each individuale horse and see how you go.

Also have a look at somewhere like the btrc. You loan off them and if you have a change in circumstances they have a home for life. Ours was from there and he was brilliant.