Horse prices- ever going to fall?

[LadyLexicon]

Hi all.
I’m in the market for a new horse…the last horse I bought was about 4 years ago (paid 3k for a decent 16.3hh mare) and haven’t been looking/window shopping since.
Im sure this will have been discussed on here before, but what has covid done?!!
I’m mid-30s, great job, have a 5kish budget and feel like I can only afford something half lame, unbroken or over the hill!!!
Anyone think prices will fall? I’ve noticed it in the dog world, dropped slightly but no where near what they used to be.
Are there that many more equestrians now?

 

[Sossigpoker]

I suspect come the winter time they will fall a bit. House prices have already started fall slightly as people can't afford to live, basically.

 

[Lois Lame]

I doubt there are many more equestrians now. The ones who were too busy to have a horse suddenly weren't too busy. Those who had horses didn't particuarly want to part with them if they were good ones, esp since they also had more times on their hands too.

I reckon prices will fall, but as to when... that's always the hard bit. Just make sure that you are able to act when they do.

 

[Glitter's fun]

I suspect come the winter time they will fall a bit. House prices have already started fall slightly as people can't afford to live, basically.

The price of ordinary/bottom end houses is falling but there's been a huge increase in the number of houses selling for more than £5million. Not everyone feels the pinch.
I suspect the horse market will be similar. The prices of "half lame, unbroken, or over the hill" horses, to quote OP, will be the ones that drop.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Prices are ridiculous for some horses. I had been riding a cob at my last yard for someone. Nothing special,14.2 , 11 years old, spooky as hell, didnt like traffic, had pssm and had to have all these different concoctions and thermal boots and rugs etc. she offered me first refusal to buy, I said no and she said make me an offer, I am glad I did not offend her as I wouldnt have paid any more than 2.5 for her, she advertised her for £6k and got it ?

 

[Glitter's fun]

Hi all.
I’m in the market for a new horse…the last horse I bought was about 4 years ago (paid 3k for a decent 16.3hh mare) and haven’t been looking/window shopping since.
Im sure this will have been discussed on here before, but what has covid done?!!
I’m mid-30s, great job, have a 5kish budget and feel like I can only afford something half lame, unbroken or over the hill!!!
Anyone think prices will fall? I’ve noticed it in the dog world, dropped slightly but no where near what they used to be.
Are there that many more equestrians now?

If you're looking for a "keeper" then save up & pay up makes sense compared to the lifetime spend on looking after it.
If you're prepared to take a risk & wouldn't be distressed by re-sale if it doesn't suit, look at buying in Euros. The exchange rate is good at the moment.

 

[LadyLexicon]

If you're looking for a "keeper" then save up & pay up makes sense compared to the lifetime spend on looking after it.
If you're prepared to take a risk & wouldn't be distressed by re-sale if it doesn't suit, look at buying in Euros. The exchange rate is good at the moment.

I’m always nervous about paying a fortune for a horse, I go by the principle of being comfortable with losing the money worst case. They’re so breakable, resale isn’t always an option ?
I’ll keep saving, but seems madness to me!

 

[Jenko109]

I've noticed a significant drop in the price of puppies compared to this time last year. So fingers crossed for you that horses soon follow.

 

[maya2008]

Prices fell briefly in June, then shot up again in July. I just saw some feral projects and was sorely tempted (but sitting on my hands as we already have one (to keep) that’s only been backed 6 weeks!).

 

[marmalade76]

Prices are ridiculous for some horses. I had been riding a cob at my last yard for someone. Nothing special,14.2 , 11 years old, spooky as hell, didnt like traffic, had pssm and had to have all these different concoctions and thermal boots and rugs etc. she offered me first refusal to buy, I said no and she said make me an offer, I am glad I did not offend her as I wouldnt have paid any more than 2.5 for her, she advertised her for £6k and got it ?

That is absolutely ridiculous! £2.5k is MORE than generous if you ask me!

 

[Barton Bounty]

That is absolutely ridiculous! £2.5k is MORE than generous if you ask me!

Yeah , I feel I would have insulted her, but she might have accepted because she knew I would have treated her like a queen ?, but I try not to knowingly buy a problem

 

[SO1]

My pony has had some issues with his health and I am hoping that the problem is resolved and manageable. If not I will have to accept that he will need to be PTS I had hoped he would have had at least another 5 if not 10 years left.

Originally I had been adamant that I would not get another horse and spend more time with friends and family and travelling the world going on amazing riding holidays and playing card games.

However I am now on day 9 of Covid. I have realised that what I had planned to do when I no longer had a horse is no longer viable as that would put me at risk of repeated awful bouts of Covid as you can get reinfections every 28 days. Really a hobby that is outside and not involving people is best travelling is going to be too complicated as could result in bad bout of Covid far from home with no support. The card games involve beIng indoors with people. The latest variants mean even outdoor social events are risky.

If my pony has to be PTS this year I will save and then look to buy again next autumn, I hate the heat of the summer.

I expect prices won't fall much. Outdoor activities will continue to be popular.à

 

[Dexter]

That is absolutely ridiculous! £2.5k is MORE than generous if you ask me!

But the horse sold for 6k, so clearly thats the market value whether people like it or not.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Hopefully he wont need to be pts! Fingers crossed for you ?

 

[LadyLexicon]

But the horse sold for 6k, so clearly thats the market value whether people like it or not.

Exactly this. I just don’t understand how so many people have 10-15k lying around to buy a horse ?

 

[SO1]

If I didn't have a horse for about 18 months that is probably what I would have to spend.

Exactly this. I just don’t understand how so many people have 10-15k lying around to buy a horse ?

 

[Sagamoon]

You would have got a nice 3 year old at the Goresbridge sale for that budget. Sit tight until the winter they will definitely come down a bit more

 

[LadyLexicon]

that’s going to be the plan! And can saving until then!
I’m still in shock at how much they’ve gone up ?

 

[Squeak]

I'm the same as you and struggle to get my head round paying that sort of money for a horse. Ex-racers are a bit more affordable so could be an option?

I love them so am happily resigned to the fact that they're probably what I'll have for the rest of my life.

Re prices of horses in general coming down, the prices at Goresbridge were interesting as there was a significant drop in their average prices from their last sale and the sale last year so if that's an indicator at all, then they could be coming down.

 

[LadyLexicon]

I'm the same as you and struggle to get my head round paying that sort of money for a horse. Ex-racers are a bit more affordable so could be an option?

I love them so am happily resigned to the fact that they're probably what I'll have for the rest of my life.

Re prices of horses in general coming down, the prices at Goresbridge were interesting as there was a significant drop in their average prices from their last sale and the sale last year so if that's an indicator at all, then they could be coming down.

yeah I’ve been toying with the idea of a thoroughbred. I adore them and always have preferred how they ride. But I’m not a stick insect (5ft8/12.5 stone) and not sure whether I’m that bit too heavy, especially as I want the horse for life. I might go and view a few 17hh+ and see how I feel. I’ve always been very aware of my weight on a horse and want one that will carry me with ease
But yes, far more reasonable prices!!!

 

[JumpTheMoon1]

Prices will fall as its going to be very difficult to afford to keep a horse very soon.Especially if you dont have them at home.Its greed and people are foolish to pay these silly prices.
Go to a horse auction - there should be far more of them like the good old days.Some beauties to be had at realistic prices.

 

[SantaVera]

If you look at the costs of producing a horse to be a decent hack or show horse or whatever then the price asked is often quite reasonable, maybe prices are just more realistic than they were when there was a glut of unwanted animals. Supply and demand will dictate whether or not prices drop.

 

[SO1]

There are very few horse auctions in this country. Most people are looking for riding horses and will want to try the horse and handle it before making a decision which is not always possible at an auction.

However you are correct some auctions of youngstock such as the new forest pony sales

 

[ponynutz]

Exactly this. I just don’t understand how so many people have 10-15k lying around to buy a horse ?

Exactly - it'll be years before I can afford that and that's not even taking into consideration at some point I'll be joining the house market and all my saved money will be lost on that ?

 

[dominobrown]

Bottom end of the market might drop but as things go up so does the cost of keeping them so that will be reflected i by the price. Also the days of breeders that are expected to make a loss of £££s are over hopefully!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Welsh pony sale near us recently had horses sold between 4 and 8k...hardly a bargain!! ? can't see them dropping, no.

 

[marmalade76]

But the horse sold for 6k, so clearly thats the market value whether people like it or not.

You know what they say about fools and their money..

 

[Sossigpoker]

The price of ordinary/bottom end houses is falling but there's been a huge increase in the number of houses selling for more than £5million. Not everyone feels the pinch.
I suspect the horse market will be similar. The prices of "half lame, unbroken, or over the hill" horses, to quote OP, will be the ones that drop.

In my area it is the other way around. 4 bedroom and above houses' sales are slowing down but smaller properties are still selling.

 

[SO1]

Unfortunately I lost my amazing boy on Friday. My heart is broken.

In time I get another new forest. I expect it will take a very long time for me to feel ready not until next year but by then I will have a 10k budget so hopefully enough to buy a sensible and sound new forest. I think the problem is that finding an established older pony is not easy. My lovely boy I got as a 5yr 15 years ago and as I am 50 this year I don't want a youngster.

My pony has had some issues with his health and I am hoping that the problem is resolved and manageable. If not I will have to accept that he will need to be PTS I had hoped he would have had at least another 5 if not 10 years left.

Originally I had been adamant that I would not get another horse and spend more time with friends and family and travelling the world going on amazing riding holidays and playing card games.

However I am now on day 9 of Covid. I have realised that what I had planned to do when I no longer had a horse is no longer viable as that would put me at risk of repeated awful bouts of Covid as you can get reinfections every 28 days. Really a hobby that is outside and not involving people is best travelling is going to be too complicated as could result in bad bout of Covid far from home with no support. The card games involve beIng indoors with people. The latest variants mean even outdoor social events are risky.

If my pony has to be PTS this year I will save and then look to buy again next autumn, I hate the heat of the summer.

I expect prices won't fall much. Outdoor activities will continue to be popular.à

 

[asmp]

Looking at a local site, it seems that the horses are coming down a bit but people are still expecting crazy prices for ponies - whether they’re getting them is another matter. I suppose it is the season for selling ponies though.