If horse is fully sound how much does this de value them?

[JadeWisc]

I realise that horse prices varry WIDELY so I am not looking for an amount really...more like a percent

Say that you have a horse that had a whole summer out of work due to a cut on the bulb of his foot. He was injured badly but only favored it and limped for two days. Now fully healed with normal hoof growth but a large scar where proud flesh was removed (hair is growing on it but still looks mildly mis shapen) NO lameness whatsoever. He is three and most 3 yr old quarter horses have been ridden for at least a full year now and he has only been ridden three times (prior to injury)and did NOTHING all summer but be tied and groomed .

How devalued is he from the lack of work and scar? Remeber, no lameness...just appearance

My guess is that I wll get less than 3/4 of what I paid for him as a yearling and take a loss.

I think he (Tex) could go up for sale now as intended when he was better.

It looks like I am going to be responsible for him so I either feed him all winter , have him trained in spring and then sold while STILL taking a loss or just do it now .

 

[SpruceRI]

Presumably you'd likely get the price of a just backed 3yr old, though the scar might devalue a bit. Depends what people want to buy him for?

And depends how much you estimate winter bills to be as to whether its' worth keeping him until Spring, though would you have ridden him more by then and therefore he'd be a ridden 3-4yr old?

 

[YorkshireLass]

It depends what the horse is intended for. If its ability is more important than its looks then a scar would not affect the price. You should see some of the battle scared hunters round here, still worth a packet!

As for the lack of work... it would only take short time to build up fitness and get the horse back to where it left off. Then a bit of schooling and no one would ever know! As far as work goes, it is not the quantity but the quality that counts. A horse that is well broken and only ridden a few times is worth more than one that has had a year of poor or pointless work.

Don't get depressed and sell he horse short.

 

[Baggybreeches]

Personally the scar wouldnt bother me a huge amount, and the fact he has a bit less wear and tear on his joints means to me he will be better in the long run! I doubt if thats how the market works over there though but I would say that a drop off 15% in price with other horses of similar age, due a. to the scar and b. to the lack of education. Good luck.
PS I would be tempted to keep him cos I am a sucker!

 

[JadeWisc]

Thanks you everyone. I have been told by several people in the know that the scar is only important if he is to be shown halter (in hand) or Western pleasure.

Our horse market here right now is HORRIBLE anyhow atm and I am afraid buyers will be turned off by the injury. I have put out an internet ad with a price to feel out responses for him. I just want him to find a good home and be put to use .I may start doing some ground work this weekend with him when the drizzle lets up and maybe even get brave and saddle him. I would really prefer he go now vs later, but that just may not happen.

I appreciate the responses and will let you all know what comes of it all . The dream of one pony and one horse to care for all winter is a happy thought! lol

 

[Tia]

I'm probably of no use to you Jade as our market here is different from yours. The only thing in common is that we are both involved in the QH market.

Over where I live, you would probably be looking at a drop in value because of the scarring, but by far the bigger drop in price would likely be because he hasn't been riding out. By 3, most other horses in his class would have a lot of trail experience so his lack of this would definitely lower his price where I am.

His bloodlines would be very relevant too - certain lines where I am do steal the higher end of the market. I don't remember the lines that Tex has, Sonny Dee Bar rings a bell in my memory banks though? This doesn't seem to be a line which commands the higher end prices where I am, but it may be one where you are.

Sorry; told you it was probably not really useful to you.

Good luck though - oh and yes, I would look at selling sooner rather than later; winter is expensive!!

 

[Sal_E]

In the UK, assuming the horse wasn't bred for showing, I don't think it would make ANY difference to the value (assuming the scar wasn't so hiddeous that it actually really frightened people) - the scar may put someone off, but you'd either be put off, or pay the market value.

I don't feel I have enough (any!) experience of the market over there to comment though.