Horse prices - Will they drop?

[PSD]

So obviously we all know prices are through the roof at the minute. I’m hunting for a horse with a (apparently small) 3k budget.

This time 2 years ago I could have got a hoys pony for that, now I’m lucky to get a foal! Do we think they will come down closer to winter? I’m slowly losing hope that I’ll end up with anything I want. I’m not looking for a hoys winner, or anything amazing to look at. But it seems what I’m wanting im looking at doubling my budget which I refuse to do. I just cannot justify spending so much on a horse, I’ve never paid over a grand!

 

[dominobrown]

Why don’t you look at rescues or older horses?

 

[PSD]

Why don’t you look at rescues or older horses?

I have ? I’m looking at an older one today who I MAY be able to stretch for if she’s the right one

 

[Quadro]

It cost over a grand to get a foal on the ground so selling horses for that makes no sense at all. I don't think horse prices are high, just what they should be currently

 

[Bernster]

A few threads on here have said that they should drop but they’ve held for a fair while now. I thought I’d called top of the market when I bought my boy in May as that would be typical of me ! But I am worried about the economy slowing down generally with supply chain issues, shortages, and COVID (I also think due to brexit but not everyone would agree with that ofc!). It’s certainly possible. I really hope the horses don’t suffer though, but there are already stories about people giving up lockdown puppies

 

[nikicb]

You need to remember that it's not just the Covid impact on horse prices. Horses have been underpriced for years and the market is only just catching up. A horse largely costs the same to keep whether it has 3 legs or is a HOYS potential. Even at £3k a breeder/producer won't cover their costs.

 

[dominobrown]

I have ? I’m looking at an older one today who I MAY be able to stretch for if she’s the right one

I know it’s hard, might be a project about but beware there are so many scammers about at the minute. Personally I don’t think prices will come down drastically for a while yet. We have gone from mass over breeding, an economic crash etc and there have been a lot less horses bred in the last 10 years and the price of caring for them has gone up and up. If I sold my foals for £3k I would be making a huge loss ?

 

[Cutgrass]

Why don’t you look at rescues or older horses?

While I understand the sentiment behind this, a lot of rescues are non ridden and I think there are a lot of oldies being dragged out of retirement and put up for sale atm. I've seen so many ads for oldies saying they've not done anything for a couple of years but should be fine when brought back into work. I wonder how fair it is on some of them.

 

[dominobrown]

Very true. It’s awful people trying to make a quick buck out of an old horse, however on the other hand we have do have a general attitude of anything over 15 is over the hill. So many people want a horse under the age of 10 and wrote of teenagers when if cared for properly have a lot more to give.

 

[Hepsibah]

What is your wish list/area? I like shopping and have a knack for finding bargains.

 

[Equi]

The one will come along. I had a 3k budget when I was just looking about, anything for that price was broken with health issues or just broken at 12yo after living in a field. So I had to up my budget but not by toooo much and found my little gem. Yes a few years ago he would have been 3k but for a safe sane sound happy hacker I think I did ok. The crux was his owner wanted to sell to a good home not just any home, so she didn’t have £££ in her eyes. She wouldn’t have sold to a dealer (and if she had the horse would have instantly been 8-10k as I was told from the dealers mouth)

 

[Hepsibah]

Pony ad
Horse ad
Pony ad
Yummy skewbald horse

Can you tell which one I like?

 

[PSD]

I really do understand the aspect of breeders putting hefty tags on their foals and youngstock but what I’m seeing is poorly bred, bad conformation etc horses going for 9k just because it’s bombproof. Yes I know that’s a huge factor but it won’t love a long healthy life in my eyes. A horse is an investment and I want to be sure I pay for quality if I’m going to overspend.

I’m not even looking for anything in particular to be honest. Just something to do a bit of everything on with a sensible head. Don’t mind quirks as long as it isnt dangerous or rears. Mare or gelding, heck I wouldn’t even mind a green as grass 4 year old if the temperament is there.

 

[PSD]

Pony ad
Horse ad
Pony ad
Yummy skewbald horse

Can you tell which one I like?

I’m in the north west.

The palomino is lovely but he’s on hold til Thursday.

Second one is stunning but too far ?

Third is a tad too small unless it’s a chunky one.

Third sounds like a DREAM! But why so cheap ? he is a bit of a trek too but at that price, I’d buy unseen if I spoke to the seller enough.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

The skewbald is 16.2 and 15 yrs old. Age is probably why cheap.

 

[PSD]

The skewbald is 16.2 and 15 yrs old. Age is probably why cheap.

I wouldn’t class 15 as old? Or is it more the height/age combined factor?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I wouldn't class 15 as old either but she speaks of him as though he needs a quieter life. He sounds lovely but I thought you wanted smaller than 16.2 anyway.

 

[PSD]

I wouldn't class 15 as old either but she speaks of him as though he needs a quieter life. He sounds lovely but I thought you wanted smaller than 16.2 anyway.

Yes you are right. I think he would be too much horse for me!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

'He is suffering now, as he is not getting out and he is putting on weight. As much as I want to keep him, I cannot have him suffer for what's best for me. So sadly here we are.'

'He is 15, so no hard working serious competition now.'

Trying to read between the lines he needs his weight keeping a tight eye on. Possible metabolic issue or has had laminitis in the past?

The second quote about age and competitions - either the current owner would like him to have an easier life because she thinks it would be nice for him, or she knows he needs an easier life. Possible old injury?


I'm sorry that it didn't work out with the cob mare. I hope you find something lovely soon.

 

[Wishfilly]

I think not, unfortunately, or not in a serious way. I bought last October, and everyone was expecting prices to come down then, but I'm glad I didn't wait as I would have missed out on my awesome pony.

I think it's not just about Covid, although that was one factor in pushing prices up. I think Brexit is also having an impact, as it is reducing supply in the UK.

Despite what people were predicting, I don't think we have seen a lot of the "lockdown purchases" back on the market yet.

I do also think we have seen lots of people make permanent changes to WFH or living outside of London, which may make horse ownership possible.

Prices may come down a little going into winter (I think they did a little last year, too, although some may disagree) but I don't expect to see a crash in the market any time soon.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

What happened with thecob mare i must have missed that ? sorry it didn't work out for you spd.

 

[Kaylum]

There are lots of people needing to find new homes for their horses. We get at least 5 phone calls a day with people losing their jobs asking what to do.

There are some cheaper horses about now so you might be in luck. Its the cost of keeping them rising everyday. Friend got a nice cob for £1K bombproof. Owner needed a quick sale and home was more important than price and you can always tell the very much loved ones when they want to visit your yard and check where he is being sold to.

 

[PSD]

What happened with thecob mare i must have missed that ? sorry it didn't work out for you spd.

Seller went MIA and never sent me the details for the deposit ?

 

[PSD]

I think not, unfortunately, or not in a serious way. I bought last October, and everyone was expecting prices to come down then, but I'm glad I didn't wait as I would have missed out on my awesome pony.

I think it's not just about Covid, although that was one factor in pushing prices up. I think Brexit is also having an impact, as it is reducing supply in the UK.

Despite what people were predicting, I don't think we have seen a lot of the "lockdown purchases" back on the market yet.

I do also think we have seen lots of people make permanent changes to WFH or living outside of London, which may make horse ownership possible.

Prices may come down a little going into winter (I think they did a little last year, too, although some may disagree) but I don't expect to see a crash in the market any time soon.

Yes I agree. I mean I’m not disputing that a lot of horses are reasonably priced because they are, but some sellers are taking advantage of it.

There may be something in the pipe line but I’m not mentioning until I know for sure. I’m not jinxing it! All I will say is she wasn’t really up for sale but it came up in conversation and the owner may potentially sell if the home is right. Very good price too and only around the corner, she’s an old friend who I haven’t seen for a while and she did advertise the horse but has so many time wasters she decided to keep her. I asked whether she’s sold as she took the advert down and then we got into the conversation of me looking and so on…

She’s very reluctant to part with her but at the same time she isn’t really “of use” for want of a better phrase as owner shows at county level and the pony isn’t county level standard. More of a pleasure horse…so I will keep you posted.

 

[Wishfilly]

Yes I agree. I mean I’m not disputing that a lot of horses are reasonably priced because they are, but some sellers are taking advantage of it.

There may be something in the pipe line but I’m not mentioning until I know for sure. I’m not jinxing it! All I will say is she wasn’t really up for sale but it came up in conversation and the owner may potentially sell if the home is right. Very good price too and only around the corner, she’s an old friend who I haven’t seen for a while and she did advertise the horse but has so many time wasters she decided to keep her. I asked whether she’s sold as she took the advert down and then we got into the conversation of me looking and so on…

She’s very reluctant to part with her but at the same time she isn’t really “of use” for want of a better phrase as owner shows at county level and the pony isn’t county level standard. More of a pleasure horse…so I will keep you posted.

No, I totally agree there are people taking advantage of the situation to offload horses that probably aren't very suitable to inexperienced novices, and also that the temptation for some people to sell horses with ongoing issues unseen etc is very high.

Any dodgy dealers are probably doing well because people are having to make snap decisions about horses, and it is definitely a concern.

The high prices and lack of supply may even be making this worse.

I just don't think we will ever see the crash that some people were predicting- but I do think there may be a little bit of a slow down post summer holidays.

 

[I'm Dun]

I thought prices would drop the end of last year, they didnt, they have continued to go up and up. There just isnt the supply to furnish demand. With a 3k budget you have to make serious compromises AND be very lucky and in the right place at the right time. You want what most people want. There are probably 50 people who would also like to buy any horse you find. The market is utterly bonkers. Its making people look at their iffy horses and decide now is a good time to offload them, so as well as being expensive, there is a lot of dross about as well.

 

[PSD]

That’s the issue. The horses within my budget are terrible so I’m either going to have to save a lot more or compromise.

Having said that, as I say there is something in the pipeline that I’m looking at tomorrow. I’m keeping a lid on it though because no way am I jinxing myself again ?

 

[splashgirl45]

the trouble is that people are paying those high prices seemingly sometimes without even viewing the horse and some of the ones i have seen for sale didnt cost very much to rear , very likely a field of mares with something that can cover them with no thought of the correct conformation or temperament, bring them out of the field, chuck a saddle and rider on and sell it as green and suitable for a novice..

 

[Lipglosspukka]

I've actually seen a couple of okay prices today. Saw a nice Connie hacking/hunting for £3750

 

[splashgirl45]

wherabouts in the country is the connie? location makes quite a difference in most things including horses..