How are people affording to buy horses at present?

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Spanish Dressage

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As the title - I know horses have been too cheap for a long time but wow. It's a lot of money to find for the ordinary person.
After some really bad luck with horses, it's hard to justify spending so much as well. Maybe it's time to look at ROR prospects. Anyone else struggling a bit?
 
Buy all mine off the track
Bought two this year
850 for the mare only raced once and was off the track 3 years but just standing in a field (sat on before bought) 9yo
700 for gelding including delivery (15 minute drive) straight off the track raced 3 weeks prior 13yo
Both civil but think the gelding has ulcers so that needs to be factored into price
 
Spanish Dressage said:
As the title - I know horses have been too cheap for a long time but wow. It's a lot of money to find for the ordinary person.
After some really bad luck with horses, it's hard to justify spending so much as well. Maybe it's time to look at ROR prospects. Anyone else struggling a bit?
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I keep thinking this... where are people getting 5 figure budgets from?!
 
I simply wouldn't pay the money that people are asking. £1200 or £12,000 they all do the same purpose just different engines 🤣 and also can equally go wrong at a moments notice.
Even yourself have said ‘maybe its time to look at ROR’ like it could be the last resort or the bottom of the barrel…
Don’t discount thoroughbreds, they have a lot to give, they are very resilient and if you find a good one, your laughing… 🥰
 
Barton Bounty said:
I simply wouldn't pay the money that people are asking. £1200 or £12,000 they all do the same purpose just different engines 🤣 and also can equally go wrong at a moments notice.
Even yourself have said ‘maybe its time to look at ROR’ like it could be the last resort or the bottom of the barrel…
Don’t discount thoroughbreds, they have a lot to give, they are very resilient and if you find a good one, your laughing… 🥰
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Sorry it didn't mean to sound like that. I have had a few rors, one I took to novice eventing and my semi retired boy is one. So I like them a lot Soundness isn't always their best trait I have found and I like something that really moves for dressage and trying to find an ex racer with really impressive paces is a bit harder!
 
Spanish Dressage said:
Sorry it didn't mean to sound like that. I have had a few rors, one I took to novice eventing and my semi retired boy is one. So I like them a lot Soundness isn't always their best trait I have found and I like something that really moves for dressage and trying to find an ex racer with really impressive paces is a bit harder!
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I wouldn’t have anything else now to be honest. They are just so rewarding. But I agree for big moves they wouldn’t be the best. 🤗
 
I also wonder how so many people manage to find the money. The more I read on this forum and with horses I know in person, the less convinced I am that RoR's are any more likely to have issues than others but I can understand that if you've just had some bad luck that an RoR might not feel sensible and also agree that it can be hard to find one with the movement you want for dressage.

Having said that RoR are doing lots of dressage series and championships now and depending on what you want to focus on I do really enjoy that there are more things to do with RoRs. I'm highly unlikely to ever go to a five figure budget for a horse so am fully expecting to have RoR's for a while!
 
I somehow ended up with an RoR and he is absolutely wonderful, so laid back and uncomplicated he’s the cheapest horse I’ve ever bought and the most straightforward! So intelligent and willing to learn, I know several who have ended up being brilliant riding horses. Does wind me up when people are so dismissive of them! Although it does mean they stay cheaper and we can afford them! 😂
 
Dreading having a conversation about the budget when mine goes, all I need is something bombproof to hack and easy to handle, if we can do a tiny tiny course of jumps and canter a vague circle in a simple test that’s a bonus. I don’t think it’s asking a lot but can’t see me getting anything for £5k let alone much change from £10k. I don’t really want a youngster and I don’t want something too old as no space for retirees (I have 2 over 20 already)

Currently mine and daughter’s ponies cost a combined total of £1700 🫣

Keeping half an eye on charity rehoming sites but there doesn’t seem to be much.
 
No clue OP. I earn a good wage and I couldn't afford to buy and then keep a ridden horse right now. Admittedly my mortgage is eye-watering though 😭

I'd love to have one, and wish I was a good enough rider to take on a ROR. I'm a nice rider (at least so I'm told!) and used to compete to a decent level but I'm not amazing at improving a horse. I might get there in the end, but I could also end up ruining my confidence and not doing the horse any favours. I hope I can do it one day though.
 
Barton Bounty said:
I simply wouldn't pay the money that people are asking. £1200 or £12,000 they all do the same purpose just different engines 🤣 and also can equally go wrong at a moments notice.
Even yourself have said ‘maybe its time to look at ROR’ like it could be the last resort or the bottom of the barrel…
Don’t discount thoroughbreds, they have a lot to give, they are very resilient and if you find a good one, your laughing… 🥰
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Though keeping horses and competing them is very expensive. It is worth considering the running costs of keeping and competing and training. And making sure you buy the right horse for you, whatever that means. If spending a bit more on an established / a made for the job, or a straightforward fun horse is doable for you, then it is possibly money well spent for a lot of people.

I am watching a neighbour who has bought a big, green, sharp youngster, who was relatively cheap, cheap was important in their criteria. They are finding the horse too much, too big, too sharp, too green and it has an underlying issue. They have 2 horses on 7 day part livery, a 30K lorry, and a very extravagant lifestyle. Crazy to me not to have spent a bit more on a more suitable more established horse and to be having more fun.
 
Squeak said:
I also wonder how so many people manage to find the money. The more I read on this forum and with horses I know in person, the less convinced I am that RoR's are any more likely to have issues than others but I can understand that if you've just had some bad luck that an RoR might not feel sensible and also agree that it can be hard to find one with the movement you want for dressage.

Having said that RoR are doing lots of dressage series and championships now and depending on what you want to focus on I do really enjoy that there are more things to do with RoRs. I'm highly unlikely to ever go to a five figure budget for a horse so am fully expecting to have RoR's for a while!
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I would agree with you tbh, after retiring a 4 year old warmblood because of uvetis - I am not really sure what to do. I am an experienced rider, but as I got older wanted to go up the levels in dressage and event a bit for fun.
 
Fieldlife said:
Though keeping horses and competing them is very expensive. It is worth considering the running costs of keeping and competing and training. And making sure you buy the right horse for you, whatever that means. If spending a bit more on an established / a made for the job, or a straightforward fun horse is doable for you, then it is possibly money well spent for a lot of people.

I am watching a neighbour who has bought a big, green, sharp youngster, who was relatively cheap, cheap was important in their criteria. They are finding the horse too much, too big, too sharp, too green and it has an underlying issue. They have 2 horses on 7 day part livery, a 30K lorry, and a very extravagant lifestyle. Crazy to me not to have spent a bit more on a more suitable more established horse and to be having more fun.
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Yesss, I agree if you have the money for the rest of the extravagance I guess the extra can be afforded for an expensive, well rounded horse 🐴
 
Spanish Dressage said:
I would agree with you tbh, after retiring a 4 year old warmblood because of uvetis - I am not really sure what to do. I am an experienced rider, but as I got older wanted to go up the levels in dressage and event a bit for fun.
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TBH - if you're unsure I'd start viewing things that are in your budget and see what makes your heart sing and that may or may not end up being an RoR :)
 
Squeak said:
TBH - if you're unsure I'd start viewing things that are in your budget and see what makes your heart sing and that may or may not end up being an RoR :)
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I am lucky and could spend some money as we have just sold some land...I am just not sure if I can justify spending it after losing so much on my warmblood. But I think you are right I need to view a mixture of rors and maybe some young warmbloods in my price range and make a decision on that.
 
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