How much for a happy hacker these days??

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belly

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I have not ridden now for two years after selling my mare to finance my daughters 14.2 who she is now sadly just about to grow out of (think we may just squeeze the summer out of her.
I 'm not particularly competitive and would mostly do lots of hacking and fun rides.
Thing is I only have about £1500 tops to spend and that would have to include tack.Would it be better to look for something to loan...do they exist (never had a lot of luck when loaning my mare some years ago as I felt nobody looked after her like I did ...lol)!
Really not sure which direction to look at and could do with some practical advice from you nice people......
 
You might be lucky if you look in lower quality papers.....freeads or local paper. There are often bargains in these types of publications.

You will be very lucky to pick up a horse of this sort for £1,500 though but there are ones out there; you just have to search for them. Best of luck.
 
depends how happy you want your hacker to be?

Seriously; if you are experienced, my friend has just brought a really beautiful, quiet as a lamb, ex racer for £500. Could be an option for you?
 
I had thought about an ex racer because they look so beautiful...however I m not sure I would have the time and the facility to give one justice really.
At my yard you have to fight for the school!!
Not sure my confidence would be up to it...lol
 
TBH, I think you can pay as much or as little as you like for a happy hacker these days - I know people who've spent £750 for one, and someone else who spent £7000! I'd have thought you could pick something up for £1500 if you looked for one locally - perhaps something a bit older might be cheaper?
 
I dont mind older horses as long as they are healthy.
Have just had a look on horse mart and there a few which look ok.
Ooooh my stomachs getting excited!!
 
It may take some serious searching for one at that price, they are very sought after. If you talk to any dealers they'll tell you that if they could get their hands on a steady supply of good solid safe hackers they would be very happy. It's far easier to sell them that high spirited jumpers etc & they make good money. There are some out there at reasonable prices but you may have to up your budget a little
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You mentioned older horses, you would get an older horse at a more reasonable price, but have then thoroughly checked out first.
 
yep you should find something perhaps bit older types, but at least been there done it. Not worth getting youngster that has done nothing as your daughter wont have so much fun, two youngsters together!! Why don't you loan somthing?
 
In this area (which I've just noticed is also your area
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), you should be able to pick up what you're looking for with that amount.
It may be that you have to settle for an older horse, or one that isn't up to strenuous work, but as long as it's fit for the job you want it to do, then that's not a problem anyway.
I do know of quite a few people in this area who are dodgy dealers who pretend to be private sellers, so if you answer an ad, you're always welcome to PM me, and if I know of them, I will give you the lowdown on them.
Good luck!
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I'd be tempted to leave it a year and save another £1500. Ever considered an older horse? there are plenty of them about mine is 16 (I paid £2K for her a year or so ago), she is ok in the school when she's awake but loves to jump and has started to scare me on the XC course....many a good tune played on an old fiddle
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lol breezes, she is feeling very well then...bless.
I would definately consider an older horse as long as it was fit and healthy.
Is insurance a problem...its just I remember an 18 year old pony we had was quite difficult to insure.
 
I paid £900 for my 14.1 forester, broken but green. There are horses out there for cheaper, i wouldnt pay more than £1500 for a horse anyway
xxx
 
I paid £3,000 last year for an ultra safe, sane & sensible happy hacker. She is also a heavy weight and rising 8. Worth every penny as she is so safe, but not a plod. Why don't you put a wanted ad in your local free ads? If you don't want anything too flashy, too big and don't mind something a bit older - you should be lucky.
 
I've been thinking about selling big lad on but can't quite decide what to do with him.
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He is a fab hack- we go out most days and he bombproof, but not a total plod, and he jumps...... but he hates schooling, although he will leg yeild etc out on a hack. He's only rising six though, and would worry about who he would end up with....... I wouldn't want him being hammered to death by some ambitious teen who wants a flashy TB LOL.

I would want more than £1500 for him if I ever did sell him, but thats my point....... would someone pay more for a horse who is not easy in a school? My thinking is that being safe and happy to hack out is worth alot, but that people arn't prepard to spend more on a Happy hacker. My plan is to hunt him next season, so if I do part with him, he might go to a nice hunting home.
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Sorry for ramberling on, on your post
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S'ok air....i think when you have something as young as your lad it would be more than reasonable to expect him to have the potential to achieve more. A committed experienced person could well work with him and change his attitude towards school work(not that I'm saying your not of course...:0).Therefore he would be worth well more than the £1500!!!
My time and commitments at this time mean that I am happy to just hack and tootle about the countryside.
I am also looking for a new four legged best mate if I'm honest...i have plenty of the two legged kind but I do miss a steamy, snorty kiss off a special friend ....lol
 
My friend bought this about four / five years ago

15hh (ish) chunky supposed TB (I think he may have been crossed with a welsh), approx. 14 years old, gelding. He was sound, had no health problems, was a safe hack and wasn't a complete donkey although he was very laid back and kind. He lived out and didn't take much feeding. He cost her £895 and that included his saddle and everything else he owned. And have known other similar bargains - they are out there. For some people the home is still more important than the price.
 

They are out there for less than £1500...I sold my happy hacker for £750 a few weeks ago. He was 21 though but in perfect health with plenty of years left in him, it's definitely worth considering the older ones. He probably had just as much to offer as many 12 year olds, but so many people are put offf when they see the age on an ad that you can get a lot for your money.

Have just put deposit down on new happy hacking ponio, but he was a little over the £1500 mark but then he's only 7 (very excited about him at the moment...)
 
[ QUOTE ]
I've been thinking about selling big lad on but can't quite decide what to do with him.
confused.gif


He is a fab hack- we go out most days and he bombproof, but not a total plod, and he jumps...... but he hates schooling, although he will leg yeild etc out on a hack. He's only rising six though, and would worry about who he would end up with....... I wouldn't want him being hammered to death by some ambitious teen who wants a flashy TB LOL.

I would want more than £1500 for him if I ever did sell him, but thats my point....... would someone pay more for a horse who is not easy in a school? My thinking is that being safe and happy to hack out is worth alot, but that people arn't prepard to spend more on a Happy hacker. My plan is to hunt him next season, so if I do part with him, he might go to a nice hunting home.
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Sorry for ramberling on, on your post
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It's a hard one as most people will not believe that a TB can be well behaved (not me I hasten to add
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) God, if I had the money I'd have him! Ty is great but still a bit of a fruit cake - I'd love a TB that I could hunt/jump etc....while Ty's being retrained.....

Think he's worth a bit to the right purchaser. xx
 
Fudge was £1500, his tack didn't fit though and new saddle cost £800 because it had to be made to measure for his odd shape and I wanted leather, he had only hacked in company, didn't hack alone, had never been jumped, lunged or schooled and was 7/8 years old, lived out, hated the stable and was bolshy and nappy but he was dead cute, I felt safe on him and he was a great, safe ride in company which is what I mainly wanted him for. He has come on leaps and bounds although he'll never be a worldbeeta, he good to handle is reasonably well schooled in walk and trot, jumps a small course and is starting to hack alone.
There was certainly a few happy hackers out there between £1500 and £2000 two years ago, although I do think in todays market you would be looking at £2000 - £3000 or should consider an older horse if hacking is all you want to do.
 
Best place to find a Happy Hacker is locally were people know it's history etc. and you can try it out several times. Put up some wanted notices in the local tack shops and speak to the local instructors, farriers and vets. One will appear out of the woodwork. (..and always get it fully vetted so that you know exactly what is wrong with it). Good luck.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Best place to find a Happy Hacker is locally were people know it's history etc. and you can try it out several times. Put up some wanted notices in the local tack shops and speak to the local instructors, farriers and vets. One will appear out of the woodwork. (..and always get it fully vetted so that you know exactly what is wrong with it). Good luck.

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Excellent point.
Our farrier is a gold mine of info, and always seems to know of a good horse looking for a quieter life.
A bit of local networking can bring back some great results.
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