How to value a horse?

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fefifofum

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Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me?A few years ago we bought a horse for my younger sister who required it for rehabilitation purposes who is a very capable rider interested in dressage. The horse had competed in dressage and been trained by one of the upcoming British Young Riders. We bought the horse from said rider as he was also my sisters riding instructor, and we have kept it in full livery at his stables.

Unfortunately due to my sisters injuries for rehabilitation she was unable to compete dressage with him. She is now at university and does not have the time to ride, and we have asked for support from the instructor (previous owner) as we have never sold a horse before. He is being unhelpful stating that we won't get anything for him as they are offering a very low amount saying they will use him as a companion for other horses. I believe this not to be true, hence wanting to seek advice beforehand

The horse is around 15.2hh bay cob aged 12, and is uninjured. He has a lovely disposition and is ideal for anyone who wants a gentile horse to improve their ability or a child progressing from pony to horse.

I would be grateful for any advice or valuations we should be looking at. Thank you :)
 
Have you had a look at adverts for similar horses for sale in your area? That will give you an idea of what sort of price people are asking for horses of similar type/age/experience. Has the horse been competed recently, if so at what level? Is he fit or will he need a bit of work. A sound, safe horse of 12 years should be worth much more than a companion only - why is the instructor saying that he is not worth more then that?
 
Thanks Clare, I have looked at other adverts but they are very varied and gets confusing. The horse hasn't competed for a few years but has the potential to be retrained back to a high level. We think the instructor is pulling a fast one as he is fond of the horse as he used him as part of his journey to becoming a named British Young Rider and trained him in dressage from a young age. I believe they will sell him on to another of his students rather than use as a companion. I feel they are taking advantage of my family's naivety on selling a horse.
I understand the market is hard at the moment but just need some advice on where to start to ensure we do the best thing for both the horse and my family. Thanks
 
It is really really difficult to advise on the description you give.

However, if your horse meets the following description then correctly advertised (i.e. professional advert with good pictures) I would expect to achieve at least £3,000.
- Reasonable looking with reasonable conformation
- Genuinely sound and with no significant medical/management issues (eg, laminitis, sweetitch, sarcoid etc)
- Nice person - ie doesn't bite/kick, generally happy to interact with people
- Hacks out sensibly - both alone and in company, good with traffic, not strong/spooky
- Doesn't buck/rear/nap/spin
- Generally easy to keep in an outline in walk, trot & canter and suitable for prelim dressage

Thereafter just how smart, easy & well schooled he is could increase the price.
 
What did you pay for the horse? Did he have a competition record with the previous owner and to what level? If so then a quiet, sane cob with no health issues is quite frankly a treasure. It is difficult to assess a value without seeing a picture and knowing more about the horse's history. It also depends on what you deem to be 'low' value. To me low value is meat money, but to someone who paid £15k for a horse £3.5k may seem low. It's all relative.
 
fefifofum said:
Thanks Clare, I have looked at other adverts but they are very varied and gets confusing. The horse hasn't competed for a few years but has the potential to be retrained back to a high level. We think the instructor is pulling a fast one as he is fond of the horse as he used him as part of his journey to becoming a named British Young Rider and trained him in dressage from a young age. I believe they will sell him on to another of his students rather than use as a companion. I feel they are taking advantage of my family's naivety on selling a horse.
I understand the market is hard at the moment but just need some advice on where to start to ensure we do the best thing for both the horse and my family. Thanks
Click to expand...

OP - where abouts are you (PM if you prefer). It sounds as though you are potentially being taken advantage of, although there are 2 sides to every story
 
ihatework said:
OP - where abouts are you (PM if you prefer). It sounds as though you are potentially being taken advantage of, although there are 2 sides to every story
Click to expand...

Yes, it does sound as if yard owner wants a cheap nice horse to sell on for profit. I would agree with poster above who suggested about the £3k mark - certainly if he is as described - and more possibly depending on what level he is schooling at/could realistically compete at. Good luck with it all.
 
Personally I'd not sell to the instructor if not being helpful.

How well schooled is the horse now..? Could it go out and doing any lever of dressage test..? If so what level..?

If it's just a sound well behaved nice cob I'd agree with the £3k mark. If better schooled , that will increase depending on level and it's potential.
 
I would work out what a horse of his type competing at the level he was at is going for and also what a good general hack of his type is worth and go for something inbetween. I wouldn't trust or sell to your instructor.
 
If I've read this right - the horse has looked after someone undergoing rehabilitation from injuries?

Lots of people will want a nice safe horse who can do that. If he's sound, he will be quite desirable. I don't believe - from the info you've given - that he's worthless. I think we need more info (comp record, confo photos etc...) to give a more accurate estimate though.
 
Im another doubting previous owners reason here. If you bought him for rehabilitation purposes for sister he sounds like should be a good safe horse if thats mixed with decent schooling a pleasent character there is a market out there. And def not just compaion at 12!! Some good advice on here so dont be taken advantage of here hun x
 
Chin up hun. sit back breath listen to advice. Dont under value your horse not just monetary wise but the value he has to give a good time to a good owner. he sounds like he could have alot to give to right owner :) maybe a bit more than just a companion ? x
 
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