No silly prices

[chaps89]

Absolutely this!
However, I'd maybe show a foal with dam towards end of season, then possibly take a yearling out once or twice for education.
2 yr olds tho.... they were firmly banished across the fields, usually with an uncle who would bop them one if required ?

Small fat pony was an uncle to 2 fugly 2 year olds before he came to me - I believe they were in fact very well bred SJ horses in the making ? F made a good uncle though, funny to see a short fat 12.2 bossing around the leggy 14handers!

 

[Redcow-hat]

Appreciate that this thread had derailled a bit since the original question but I just wanted to throw the phrase 'I don't need a world beater' out for consideration. This seems to be on every wanted advert at the moment and often seems to have an insinuation attached that it should therefore not be expensive. As in 'I only have a small budget but I don't need a world beater!'

Very very few people want a world beater. Everyone wants a mid level all-rounder. These people often seem to think that other buyers must all be looking for superstars so they can get a bargain for something without much potential. In fact the 'non world beater' is actually the most popular type, so few people want to compete beyond even BE90/90cm/BD Novice

 

[catkin]

Appreciate that this thread had derailled a bit since the original question but I just wanted to throw the phrase 'I don't need a world beater' out for consideration. This seems to be on every wanted advert at the moment and often seems to have an insinuation attached that it should therefore not be expensive. As in 'I only have a small budget but I don't need a world beater!'

Very very few people want a world beater. Everyone wants a mid level all-rounder. These people often seem to think that other buyers must all be looking for superstars so they can get a bargain for something without much potential. In fact the 'non world beater' is actually the most popular type, so few people want to compete beyond even BE90/90cm/BD Novice

Actually I most certainly would not say no to a world-beater if I could get on with their temperament. Hoss won't care if he goes to the Olympics or for a spin in the woods if they are enjoying it. Wouldn't it be nice to have a hoss who is able to easily perform within their abilities.

 

[blitznbobs]

Actually I most certainly would not say no to a world-beater if I could get on with their temperament. Hoss won't care if he goes to the Olympics or for a spin in the woods if they are enjoying it. Wouldn't it be nice to have a hoss who is able to easily perform within their abilities.

as long as you can sit on one side of it that is…

 

[southerncomfort]

Appreciate that this thread had derailled a bit since the original question but I just wanted to throw the phrase 'I don't need a world beater' out for consideration. This seems to be on every wanted advert at the moment and often seems to have an insinuation attached that it should therefore not be expensive. As in 'I only have a small budget but I don't need a world beater!'

Very very few people want a world beater. Everyone wants a mid level all-rounder. These people often seem to think that other buyers must all be looking for superstars so they can get a bargain for something without much potential. In fact the 'non world beater' is actually the most popular type, so few people want to compete beyond even BE90/90cm/BD Novice

This is a really good point, and I'd add 'I only want a safe hack'.

In my opinion, a horse that is safe to hack on its own and in company is absolutely worth its weight in gold.

Happy hackers most definitely have been undervalued, especially when you take in to account the amount of work you need to put in to produce something you can pronounce 'safe' or 'bombproof' in any situation.

This is the type I'd be looking for first and foremost and accept that it's not something I can reasonably afford any more, hence getting a youngster to produce myself.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Wow this thread has seriously derailed!

 

[maya2008]

Yes, seriously derailed but quite entertaining!

On the subject of world beaters, I honestly couldn’t ride one side of one. My little NF is worth her weight in gold to me though - she’s reliable; close enough to the ground for me to hop on and off at will to help the kids with their ponies; can be parked at a patch of grass and left while I sort out children; I can lead off her (and she will help me teach a young pony to be led); she automatically helps the kids learn by blocking their ponies if they spook forwards and naturally dropping back to let them go on their own when they are gaining confidence. Maybe one day I will want to compete again, but at the moment, what I need is a perfect mother’s help, and she is definitely that!

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Just an example of an advert I put up over 3 years ago when looking for a very sedate and steady happy hacker for my 70 birthday present to me. Prices were already climbing rapidly at that time. I did not put 'I will not pay silly prices'. But I like to feel the description of the horse I was looking for clearly said I would not pay the price of a horse that could take me XC, fly through a dressage test or keep me safe out hunting, or take my granddaughter safely off to pony camp, when I needed none of those things.

In other words why would I pay €12000 plus for a talented unicorn when I would not need or even want ever again a talented unicorn? I don't think that I was being unreasonable in my expectations for a horse at a very reasonable lower price bracket that would only ever plod about around the lanes and in the forestry a few times a week.

I was inundated with replies, most very broken horses that would only ever be a field companion for my already retired mare. Or 'projects' errrrm, I don't think so as a nervous 70 year old rider!

What I did get was actually very much a unicorn and more, I paid only a relatively token price for him as I agreed to sign a contract that if I ever sold him he would go back to his owner who had him from a foal at the purchase price I paid for him. This suited me perfectly as I would never have the responsibility of rehoming him should my circumstances change (and boy have they changed lol!). He is now back with his owner as at 17.3 and a big built horse with the best will in the world, even after all ops are done I will struggle to even throw a saddle on him and rugs, never mind stretch my pelvis wide enough to actually ride him. His owner specifically said she did not want to see him on the next boat to the UK with a huge price tag on him, and I don't blame her, he is a true gent and one off horse even if I only got to own him for a little over a year, when my hips finally gave out on me.

This was my ad - sorry if anyone thinks I am making this thread all about me, just thought it might be interesting to see if some people think it was a cheeky post asking for the unicorn but not wanting to pay the market value, or a reasonably worded ad clearly saying what I wanted and leaving anyone with half a brain cell informed that I would not be paying 'silly prices'.

 

[Upthecreek]

Just an example of an advert I put up over 3 years ago when looking for a very sedate and steady happy hacker for my 70 birthday present to me. Prices were already climbing rapidly at that time. I did not put 'I will not pay silly prices'. But I like to feel the description of the horse I was looking for clearly said I would not pay the price of a horse that could take me XC, fly through a dressage test or keep me safe out hunting, or take my granddaughter safely off to pony camp, when I needed none of those things.

In other words why would I pay €12000 plus for a talented unicorn when I would not need or even want ever again a talented unicorn? I don't think that I was being unreasonable in my expectations for a horse at a very reasonable lower price bracket that would only ever plod about around the lanes and in the forestry a few times a week.

I was inundated with replies, most very broken horses that would only ever be a field companion for my already retired mare. Or 'projects' errrrm, I don't think so as a nervous 70 year old rider!

What I did get was actually very much a unicorn and more, I paid only a relatively token price for him as I agreed to sign a contract that if I ever sold him he would go back to his owner who had him from a foal at the purchase price I paid for him. This suited me perfectly as I would never have the responsibility of rehoming him should my circumstances change (and boy have they changed lol!). He is now back with his owner as at 17.3 and a big built horse with the best will in the world, even after all ops are done I will struggle to even throw a saddle on him and rugs, never mind stretch my pelvis wide enough to actually ride him. His owner specifically said she did not want to see him on the next boat to the UK with a huge price tag on him, and I don't blame her, he is a true gent and one off horse even if I only got to own him for a little over a year, when my hips finally gave out on me.

This was my ad - sorry if anyone thinks I am making this thread all about me, just thought it might be interesting to see if some people think it was a cheeky post asking for the unicorn but not wanting to pay the market value, or a reasonably worded ad clearly saying what I wanted and leaving anyone with half a brain cell informed that I would not be paying 'silly prices'.View attachment 96687

It’s a well written advert and there is nothing in there that would put me off contacting you if I had a horse that met your requirements. But that’s the point; you have not said “no silly prices” or other similar phrase that has the potential to put a lot of sellers off. So just don’t use it! I would rather someone just put what their budget is.

As already said, what is a “silly price”? What is a “modest budget”? Those phrases mean different things to different people so are pointless.

 

[ester]

I’m loling that your limit was 16.2 ?. But very pleased that you found a great match and lovely his Previous owner could have him back

 

[Fieldlife]

I think perhaps a lot of people are jumping on Birker 2020 very harshly (and unfairly - forgive the pun!) for the choice of the use of one word, 'unfair' . Maybe it would have been better if her post had been phrased as 'frustrating'? That is how I read it, not a true sense of stamping feet, having a good sulk 'unfair'. Just plain old disappointed and frustrated, and for that I cannot condemn her at all and I am sorry others are doing so in such a harsh way. I don't see that she has made this post about her, she has had so many scathing and downright unfriendly and unnecessary responses to her opinion then why wouldn't she continue to defend her opinion, if other posters continue to regale her for her opinion?

Like Birker2020 I now find myself in the position that money I had put aside to buy a more suitable horse, should I ever be able for riding again, has now diminished due to unforeseen circumstances, the pot is half empty. Here in Ireland we cannot insure our horses for vet fees, so I always have to ensure I have enough in my horsey 'pot' for any unexpected vet fees for my retired mare, two ageing donkeys and any potential new horse I might have bought. I am now priced out of the market. Is it unfair, no of course not, but it is damned frustrating and makes me feel very fed up about it all, but thats my problem not the problem for sellers.

I agree with this. I think Birker 2020 has maybe taken some replies personally that weren’t meant personally. But equally she’s clearly upset about this topic and we can see why and there is nothing wrong with being kind.


Moving to a personal story.

My shopping list early 2021 was fairly similar to Birker’s (with a more dressage focus). I did buy in lockdown. Did buy with an “if” in vetting. Did pay £10-15k region for a 12 year old with only competing history to BD novice. He did have a hidden (not intentionally) medical issue that showed up when work increased, snd was resolved last year.

He’s turned into - second horse of a lifetime - great for cuddles, safe hacking in challenging circumstances, taking to race course, beach rides, solo competing, solo clinics, groundwork, talented on the flat, kind etc.

But as a one horse amateur buying one horse it is a huge gamble, and I think there are elements of project in any horse purchase, as you build partnership and shape expectations.

 

[Birker2020]

I agree with this. I think Birker 2020 has maybe taken some replies personally that weren’t meant personally. But equally she’s clearly upset about this topic and we can see why and there is nothing wrong with being kind.


Moving to a personal story.

My shopping list early 2021 was fairly similar to Birker’s (with a more dressage focus). I did buy in lockdown. Did buy with an “if” in vetting. Did pay £10-15k region for a 12 year old with only competing history to BD novice. He did have a hidden (not intentionally) medical issue that showed up when work increased, snd was resolved last year.

He’s turned into - second horse of a lifetime - great for cuddles, safe hacking in challenging circumstances, taking to race course, beach rides, solo competing, solo clinics, groundwork, talented on the flat, kind etc.

But as a one horse amateur buying one horse it is a huge gamble, and I think there are elements of project in any horse purchase, as you build partnership and shape expectations.

Glad it worked out for you, hoping it does for me too.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I’m loling that your limit was 16.2 ?. But very pleased that you found a great match and lovely his Previous owner could have him back

I know! Not what I expected at all but one has to compromise and my sons made me a fantastic custom mounting block so that solved that 'little' issue. ?

 

[Fieldlife]

Glad it worked out for you, hoping it does for me too.

I think we are all hoping it works out for you / there is a happy ending where you get to enjoy riding.

And if anyone doesnt, they arent worth the time of day.