Horse prices, TB's and the credit crunch...

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

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Starting to actively look for a new horse now, my competition days are probably over for good what with my dodgy ankle, so looking for a sensible happy hack. Given the "credit crunch" is biting (ooh I hate that phrase) I thought I'd be cheeky and put 2K into Horsemart as a limit. 89 matches came up, a lot more than I thought, aged between 5 and 13 yo.

Now, at least 90% must be TB's, and a lot of them ex-racers. Last horse was an ex-racer so I've nothing against them at all and am certainly considering one again, but I am skeptical anyway when horses of a good age are for sale, and why so many TB's at the moment? Are they in (or out) of fashion or something?

And am I being realistic to think I can get something sound and sane for less than two grand? Am not fussed about stable vices, etc, particularly, though the one thing I will NOT do is ride a bolter....cloud cuckoo land or possible do you think?
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Hmmm, I think things are a bit tough right now - I'm also looking for a horse and don't have a massive budget - I phoned a reputable dealer who is fairly local to us and she told me that several horses she has in to sell on have stuck and the owners are now considering loan with view to buy to get rid of them. Beginning to be a buyers market I think
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I thikn there will always be a lot of TB's as a lot of people don't like them. It's a shame as you really can get some lovely ex racers and ex competition horses. Yes they can have some quirks but both mine are good out hacking on their own or in company (well, oscar is now) and I think aslong as you let them know who's boss they're a great way of having a nice all round horse and not paying for £5000 for a dumblood.

*Dons fireproof jacket!!* ha ha
 
Well, take into account just how many racehorses are bred each year and how many fail, then add to that the stereotypical reputation thoroughbreds have and you have your answer really. There's a market flood.
 
I advertised my 12yo TB for £2500 and no one came to look at him and I ended up dropping the price considerably because I needed to sell. He was bombproof to hack, good in traffic etc, a really good jumper too. A novice lady bought him and she's really happy with him. I'm in Northumberland too, I don't think you will have a problem getting a nice horse for 2k.
 
As we're having another non-summer, I reckon people are already deciding how many horses (if any) they want to keep through winter, and marketing them now. The price of feed has continued to increase, I expect shavings will increased also as the building industry slows, as for hay, well, there's been a lot cut near us in the last few weeks, so there shouldn't be any reason for prices to spiral. People are very windy about the economy, and those who can remember the negative equity situations some found themselves in, in the 90's, may be cutting back early.
 
Remember that TBs are often costly to keep (in feed/rugs if nothing else). Given the credit crunch, I know I'd look for a good doer hairy job that will, if possible, live out if I was getting another. Horses, like houses, are only worth what people are willing to pay.
 
My boss is selling a extremely well bred TB which is quiet as a lamb and easy to do in every way. She had to drop his price by almost 2k, not because people had tried him and didnt want him, but because NO-ONE had even been to see him!

NOTHING is selling atm, least of all TB's...
 
I can never understand why people get into the mindet that because a horse/pony is less than this "magical" 2k pricetag, then there has to be something wrong with it!!!!???!!!

Crazy attitude to be buying a horse/pony...

this is a recent ie, during the last 5 years, trend..

if we think back before then, MOST decent all-round animals were around the 2k mark.

another reason is people going out and buying without a clue as to what they are buying!!!

the unscrupulous then jumped on the bandwaggon, would sell and were ABLE to sell, literally ANYTHING to "joe public" for a rediculous price...because "joe public" didnt know any better...

supply and demand.

i personally would buy horses/ponies under 2k...and the nearer to 1k the better!!!
 
2K is a lot for a horse!! For what the majority of us do and want to do with our horses, 2 K is more than sufficient to get pretty much exactly what you want.

I am not put off by low prices, some people (thankfully) are more realistic about the actual worth of a horse, given its possible use whereas many others think that if its shiny and they put white boots on, well than that adds at least 3 K to the price!!!

I should think you are able to get a decent happy hacker/RC horse for that much and something that is capable of going up to discovery or PN.
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