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pelena

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What would you realistically pay for a low-level riding club type that’s safe to hack? Looking for something small, 15-16h, not looking for a world beater.
Having retired my event/rc mare who was very well schooled but sharp out hacking, I’m looking for more of a middle aged mum ride that I can lead a shitland from. Was either thinking as above or a well mannered hunter type that’s still green in the school. I have great contacts in Ireland whom I trust so was going down that route, but was curious to know what price you’d think was realistic in the UK for both types as the first especially seems like asking for a unicorn these days.
 
What would I pay and what might you need to pay are not necessarily the same thing!

Also there is quite a wide price bracket on these depending on age/level of training/proven results/confo/type/vet history.

If you are looking for the classic 7-13, 15.2, mw/nativextb type, no significant vet history. Good hack. Competent at prelim/80cm, not pig ugly and not in the arse end of Cornwall/Scotland then you will need at least 10k, and likely 15k+
 
AdorableAlice said:
Both 10k plus and like hens teeth to find.
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Yeah was thinking around that, thanks. I’m in no rush. Second type tends to turn up in Ireland as they often have the manners but I wouldn’t buy there without the contacts I have.
I did see a lovely 15.2 Connie on horsemart (in Cheshire )
 
ihatework said:
What would I pay and what might you need to pay are not necessarily the same thing!

Also there is quite a wide price bracket on these depending on age/level of training/proven results/confo/type/vet history.

If you are looking for the classic 7-13, 15.2, mw/nativextb type, no significant vet history. Good hack. Competent at prelim/80cm, not pig ugly and not in the arse end of Cornwall/Scotland then you will need at least 10k, and likely 15k+
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Quite! The prices are mad aren’t they. But everyone seems to produce stuff that’s not fit for purpose these days so good sensible types are hard to find!
 
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I can’t get my head around today’s prices. I’m still stuck at the point in time where 5 maybe 6k would get you something really quite smart and sensible.

I nearly fell off my chair when someone quoted me 15k for a 14.2 young all rounder the other day.

These days you either need 15k or a sticky bum if you want something nice without quirks.

Anything else it’s an OTTB.
 
IrishMilo said:
I can’t get my head around today’s prices. I’m still stuck at the point in time where 5 maybe 6k would get you something really quite smart and sensible.

I nearly fell off my chair when someone quoted me 15k for a 14.2 young all rounder the other day.

These days you either need 15k or a sticky bum if you want something nice without quirks.

Anything else it’s an OTTB.
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Almost fell of my chair when I found out the prices here for a large shetland/small pony that won’t kill a small child
 
£10-15k for something easy and established at a guess. Less if quirky or in need of some re schooling (or if you drop really lucky / your contacts can find something for you)
 
£10k for a 4 year old!

Much older than that you’ll struggle to find one that has the temperament and is sound. People don’t sell them on.

Or a TB would be cheaper to buy (but not to keep).

Re prices:
- inflation (£6k in 2019 would be £7.5k now in real terms);
- effects of Brexit on importing from the continent;
- lack of production for the amateur market due to the stagnation of prices, causing increase in price due to scarcity of ‘product’.
- increase in minimum wage causing costs of production to increase.

Even at £10k for that 4yo, breaking even would involve being able to get all costs in under £160 per month for those four years of life, given you’ve got £2-3k to back that horse and
£2k minimum to get the foal on the ground.
 
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pelena said:
I did see a lovely 15.2 Connie on horsemart (in Cheshire )
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Be aware that the phone no.'s on HM are charged at a premium rate where HM makes a profit on them. They are not the actual phone no. of the seller so best to contact by message first. Also, it's a haven for scammers and dodgy dealers as the ads are free, do an image search to check it's not a stolen image as you can end up wasting a lot of time.
 
If you're anywhere near Sussex I know of one up for sale like that, slightly over your height but otherwise fits the bill if a little green, gelding, ID, think 6yo from memory. I can find out how much they want, I don't think it's mega bucks
 
nutjob said:
Be aware that the phone no.'s on HM are charged at a premium rate where HM makes a profit on them. They are not the actual phone no. of the seller so best to contact by message first. Also, it's a haven for scammers and dodgy dealers as the ads are free, do an image search to check it's not a stolen image as you can end up wasting a lot of time.
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That’s very good advice, thank you!
 
millikins said:
Does it have to be 15-16hh? Just thinking a bigger native, Dales, Highland, big Fell will easily carry an adult, well up to being a RC all rounder, easier to lead a Shetland from and will be cheaper if not a top show type.
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That’s not a bad shout actually. I’m jus under 5.5 and 10 stone -ish so could go smaller
 
Admittedly, I’m biased, but a sensible OTTB could do that job for far less than the figures quoted here. Sensible buckle-end hackers do exist, I’ve come across plenty that just can’t be bothered and that are relatively good doers too.

Having bought a horse years ago to lead from, go smaller! Much easier to interfere with child and pony if needed! I went for a Welsh x TB who fit the role well, though sharp as a tack in other ways! Straight TB would have been easier!
 
I've never dealt with him, and he may already be one of your Irish contacts - but Adam Ferris seems to have nice stock of different types. I think a number of members on this forum have bought from him and spoke well of their experience
 
Colivet said:
I've never dealt with him, and he may already be one of your Irish contacts - but Adam Ferris seems to have nice stock of different types. I think a number of members on this forum have bought from him and spoke well of their experience
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That’s really helpful thanks!
 
Melody Grey said:
Admittedly, I’m biased, but a sensible OTTB could do that job for far less than the figures quoted here. Sensible buckle-end hackers do exist, I’ve come across plenty that just can’t be bothered and that are relatively good doers too.

Having bought a horse years ago to lead from, go smaller! Much easier to interfere with child and pony if needed! I went for a Welsh x TB who fit the role well, though sharp as a tack in other ways! Straight TB would have been easier!
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Now I love thoroughbreds but having been unlucky in the past with tendons and various lamenesses etc and the fact that our other horse is a Shetland (making joint care a little bit of a headache) I just don’t want to risk it. They make cracking RC types though and I find them so much more level headed that a lot of horses.
Re smaller I am starting to think that may be the way forward - I have been seen a really nice Haflinger for sale- 14.2 but they’re built like barrels and like shetlands live on air. I shared one years ago when I lived in Germany and he was just so restful to ride!
 
pelena said:
What would you realistically pay for a low-level riding club type that’s safe to hack? Looking for something small, 15-16h, not looking for a world beater.
Having retired my event/rc mare who was very well schooled but sharp out hacking, I’m looking for more of a middle aged mum ride that I can lead a shitland from. Was either thinking as above or a well mannered hunter type that’s still green in the school. I have great contacts in Ireland whom I trust so was going down that route, but was curious to know what price you’d think was realistic in the UK for both types as the first especially seems like asking for a unicorn these days.
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I have this exact type. Very competitive 80/90/1m riding club type, events, showjumps, hacks, fun rides, shows etc only rising 8yr old and stunningly beautiful.
Had her for sale last summer in a mad notion and was asking 15K and had zero interest.
So I kept her!
 
I insist that every horse that with me is a safe sensible hack at a bare minimum. I can’t believe people need to pay so much for something that has been exposed to hacking. It’s all I do with mine and I expect them to get on with it. Are people just not getting the mileage on them nowadays?
I have a 5 yr old TB mare that hacks like a riding school pony and has done since sge was broken in.
TB’s are generally great to hack
 
My youngest daughters first horse was a 17 yr old TB, had done some showing and could jump, when spoke to the person that had shown him professionally before said he was a great hack. The reason why we went to look was he was £1500 with his tack and rug, and my daughter wanted to do some dressage and needed a bigger horse, she is 5'11, for PC. Not the sort I would buy and I hoped he would fail the 2 Stage vetting.
He did have separation anxiety, we had a pony to baby sit if we went out in lorry, but for £1500 he was well schooled, could do a Novice test and everything she wanted, and stay sound.
Now I have no idea where how I would horse her. The other daughters just backed 16 hand maxi cob was £1200 and passed a 5 Stage.
 
McGrools said:
I insist that every horse that with me is a safe sensible hack at a bare minimum. I can’t believe people need to pay so much for something that has been exposed to hacking. It’s all I do with mine and I expect them to get on with it. Are people just not getting the mileage on them nowadays?
I have a 5 yr old TB mare that hacks like a riding school pony and has done since sge was broken in.
TB’s are generally great to hack
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One of the big reasons I’m looking at Ireland is that if they’ve hunted most of them are decent on the road and learn to stand at a gate. You would think that was the bare minimum, and yet…
 
IrishMilo said:
I can’t get my head around today’s prices. I’m still stuck at the point in time where 5 maybe 6k would get you something really quite smart and sensible.

I nearly fell off my chair when someone quoted me 15k for a 14.2 young all rounder the other day.

These days you either need 15k or a sticky bum if you want something nice without quirks.

Anything else it’s an OTTB.
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Or go for something with a lovely temperament but green. Both my mares cost around 5k and in time hoping both will be safe hacks and all rounders (not planning to jump much, but maybe a bit of dressage on the Highland and a bit of gait competitions on the Icelandic). But I didn’t expect any of them to be ready made - I realise I would have had to pay more for that.
 
pelena said:
One of the big reasons I’m looking at Ireland is that if they’ve hunted most of them are decent on the road and learn to stand at a gate. You would think that was the bare minimum, and yet…
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There is a difference between being with a group of horses and brave enough to go solo. A horse that will go alone and ahead is a rarer thing . I have seen many that won’t go alone. Make sure you see evidence of it hacking away from yard solo xx
 
McGrools said:
There is a difference between being with a group of horses and brave enough to go solo. A horse that will go alone and ahead is a rarer thing . I have seen many that won’t go alone. Make sure you see evidence of it hacking away from yard solo xx
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Oh totally. But you get my drift- everything here seems to have pretensions to something fancier so can’t do the job most people actually want it for
 
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