How much is a good hunter worth...

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buckybee

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So, we have a ex-3* event rider who's turned into a bit of a hunting dealer and a reg with our hunt, she sell's a fair few horses to our richer members and they are all at least 6.5K +++ to about 15k..

do you think they are worth this much JUST as hunters? Bearing in mind if they were suitable eventers she would sell them for this instead? maybe?

If so, are they just so expensive because she is a top class rider (although alot of these she hasn't ridden!).

These are all great horses by the way, but our hunt is very small and relatively poor compared to others.

Thoughts please..
 
Theres a lot of money in hunting nowadays, and I suppose people don't want to risk their necks making a new horse themselves. If they are really good quality all round hunters they must be well worth the money.
I always have to bring on my own youngsters, it must be nice to get on a 'Been there, done that' type!
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I quit like the bringing them on though - makes me feel proud of them - and me!!

also, I don't know if it's just becasue I've been brought up with it, but find hunting easier than anything! Even hacking out!

so what do you think makes a REALLY good hunter? is it manners? Jump? speed? Easyness? other?

xx
 
An outstanding hunter is worth his weight in gold!!!!!

A friend of mine paid over 25K for hers, but he is amazing, looks after her perfectly is as bold as brass and as honest as the day is long, beautiful horse who can hunt any country and jump what ever you ask of him.
 
Its really funny you say that as my farrier does the hunters and he was at the kennels today shoeing. The hunt brought a horse for £17,000 yesterday! For hunting!
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He had the new one and 2 others tied up and the kennel man said thats £45,000 standing there!!!!!
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I couldn't believe it.
 
See, I think my horse is like that, what country are you in? mine is a big Irish horse (not too big - 16.3 ish) but I think he would show his value over big leicesterchire country rather than our trappy country, which is hard, but to be fair, a smaller cobby type would cope with.

I just luuuurve my horse so much!!! it's so good when you get a bargain, i never want to sell him though! xx
 
I get nervous about hacking on my own, but not about hunting!!
I am proud of my horses too, I get a lot of positive comments about them, which is nice.
I think for the best hunter you need a perfect blend of boldness and manners...and good sound legs!!
 
Their worth what people are willing to pay! I use to buy for Huntstaff & I wouldn't pay more than £2,500 for them. Would get them young from Ireland I would hunt them for a season & then pass them onto the staff when they were ready. I also bought for Lady V a Dukes sister & would pay at least £15,000 for her as they had to be spot on NO questions asked. Again all the horses are suited to any country & would jump anything.
For myself I obviously would go for the former as they were just as good as the later yet more suited up front where I like to be!!
 
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do you think they are worth this much JUST as hunters?

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Ah, I love comments like this. People have NO idea makes a good hunter!

Name your price for a good one - but basically start at around 10K and go from there.
 
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also, I don't know if it's just becasue I've been brought up with it, but find hunting easier than anything! Even hacking out!

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Sorry, going to be a bit pedantic here - but if you've been brought up with hunting, why would you make a comment like 'just a hunter'? Surely as someone who is involved with the sport you fully understand what it takes to make these horses so special and so valuable???
 
Christ, im seriously under estimating what my big horse is worth!
Hunted by everyone from a young novice girl, to 63yo decrepid old man (who hadnt sat on a horse since 1972).
Was thinking of asking £3k if he doesnt pull his finger out on the racecourse soon!
 
Well I manage to find them for a lot less than 15 grand and it sounds like a lot of other people on here can! i also think with a decent rider on most horses will hunt well.

Not really sure why you have got so aggressive?
 
Why is that?

I'm not saying they aren't worth a lot (I hope they are!!) I was just wondering other's thoughts on it. you seem to think you know alot about hunting then? and i clearly don't?

It's not that difficult to produce a good hunter either, not compared to eventing etc. so do you think you pay for the temprement/stamp of a hunter? If so why are young ones still quite cheap?

Could you actually say something that you think instead of just taking the p**s pls? x
 
Sorry, I was being flippant - and that's naughty.
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Ok, here goes.

You quite often here comments like the one you made about 'just being a hunter' - and it's a comment that holds no merrit. A good hunter should have manners to burn, go first or last. Keep you safe. Jump a house. They should be sure footed, sound and go all day. Your son, daughter, granny or baby should be able to ride it.

Young ones have not learnt their job, so will not go for big money. Older ones have learnt their job, and will fetch a higher price. You don't pay for temperament you pay for the horses expertise. And yes in many cases looks.

Never buy one that has been a Masters horse, consider one that's been a Whip's or a huntsmans.

Personally I see no difference in producing a good hunter than in producing any other horse for a job.
 
Yea ok, I see your point, but the horses I was originally posting about aren't really anything that special. Nice but not the perfect hunters you are talking about, i think i've only met about 3 of those ever! Our horses tend to tick all the boxes apart from the "manners to burn" one! I think my mum feeds them too much cos they are all mega hyper!

I don't know how anyone can get any pleasure from buying a made perfect hunter though.. all a bit easy, and then if anything went wrong you'd feel a really c**p rider!
 
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I don't know how anyone can get any pleasure from buying a made perfect hunter though.. all a bit easy, and then if anything went wrong you'd feel a really c**p rider!

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Not everyone has the time or ability to 'make' a horse. Also that's one of the reasons for their value. Someone else has put the work in.

Plenty of people buy and sell grand prix dressage horses, four star event horses, grade A show jumpers. Doesn't make them any less of a sportsperson by doing so. Same applies to hunters.

 
I see what you're saying, as hunters do do a job and are fantastic, i have an old hunting cob and i know in her prime her owner was offered a lot of money for her. What i was surprised about is how much people spend on a hunter, i was thinking £7k - £8k for a good one, not £17,000
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it just blew me away
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I just had no idea they were worth that price range!
 
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I see what you're saying, as hunters do do a job and are fantastic, i have an old hunting cob and i know in her prime her owner was offered a lot of money for her. What i was surprised about is how much people spend on a hunter, i was thinking £7k - £8k for a good one, not £17,000
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it just blew me away
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I just had no idea they were worth that price range!

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What they are worth and what people will pay aren't always the same thing. If money is no object, then why not buy something you 'fancy'...regardless of the cost
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Plenty of people buy and sell grand prix dressage horses, four star event horses, grade A show jumpers. Doesn't make them any less of a sportsperson by doing so. Same applies to hunters.


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Because then at least you would be competing at a really high level which would be an achievment enought in itself!

Oh yea, I meant to reply to your buying a horse from a master/huntsman etc bit. The only reason I can think why you wouldn’t buy from a master is that if it was any good they wouldn’t be selling it?? As for hunt staff horses, I don’t think I’d fancy one! I suppose it depends on the person but I would be worried it might be a bit knackered. It might just be the huntsmen we have but they seem to go through horses very quickly.
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The only reason I can think why you wouldn’t buy from a master is that if it was any good they wouldn’t be selling it??

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No not at all. They may be extremely good horses - but will always be used to being at the head of the field. They quite often don't settle well to being back in the field.
 
My big mare is a made hunter, will go first or last, whips happily never refuses and would stand around all day if asked, is good to do gates from etc. I was offered 10k for her a few months ago
 
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