How much would you pay for...

[vermillion94]

I have been loaning a horse for several months.
And I'm wanting to buy him, but I need to know that the price they are asking is in the right figure.

He's a happy hacker horse, with mild arthritis in his hind legs (which is managed via supplements), but he can only be used for light flatwork and hacking. He is 13-15 years old (vet wasn't sure when checking against his passport and teeth).

How much would you expect to pay for a horse of this description?

Thanks in advance.

 

[be positive]

He could be worth anything from £1k upwards, being a safe happy hack means he is as valuable as many competition horses to someone who enjoys hacking, if he is the right horse for you it is not worth quibbling over the price especially as you have had him for a free trial period so really know what you are buying, it is the cost of keeping them that mounts up and if you buy the wrong one, even if it is cheap to purchase, then it can prove to be an extremely expensive mistake.

Most horses in their teens will have some mild arthritic changes, many will have other conditions that limit their use, it may reduce their value to an extent but if only mild they should still be able to lead a long useful life if managed carefully.

 

[vermillion94]

He was originally for myself and my mum, however the owners missed out the fact he couldn't do half of the stuff I mentioned when I first tried him. Which I found out after I had him vetted and then vets out again a few weeks back. Ideally I would have preferred if the owners were honest to start with about him.
I was after something that would be able to do a bit of show jumping and go to local shows. However my mum prefers hacking and just generally pottering. So I have had to buy another horse and my mum still wants to go ahead with buying this original horse.

 

[Boulty]

I may be being on the mean side here but about £500... maybe £800-1000 at an absolute push if he comes with tack / rugs THAT FIT! After a bad experience with my prev horse I now wouldn't touch a horse (to buy) with known arthritis with a 10 foot pole apart from in special circumstances. (Horse likely will do for what your mum wants but I'm just super cautious now)

 

[wkiwi]

I may be being on the mean side here but about £500... maybe £800-1000 at an absolute push if he comes with tack / rugs THAT FIT! After a bad experience with my prev horse I now wouldn't touch a horse (to buy) with known arthritis with a 10 foot pole apart from in special circumstances. (Horse likely will do for what your mum wants but I'm just super cautious now)

Agree with this.
You will have a lot of vet bills and cost of treatments in the future (unless you euthanase when he gets worse) so you need to budget for that. Most people should drop the price for a horse that have failed a vetting.
You don't say how much they are asking though, and it is up to your mum if she wants to spend money on a horse that you know will cost more in the future. If she feels safe it may well be worth paying more, and after all a 'new' horse could go lame after being bought anyway.

 

[joosie]

I would say a few hundred too. I actually think you could find something similar for "free to a good home" if you look around enough.
I would have a look on Horses4Homes and at charities too. Lots of older horses looking for a new home and a quiet life.

 

[Welly]

I think the owners are very lucky to have you and if it were me I would gift you the horse! We're are they going to find someone to pay money for a horse of that age thats is not sound.

 

[SpringArising]

I think the owners are very lucky to have you and if it were me I would gift you the horse! We're are they going to find someone to pay money for a horse of that age thats is not sound.

Agree with this. I wouldn't take on a horse like this if it were free, let alone pay for it!