Project horses at premium prices. Stupid prices!

Kallibear

Kallibear

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I'm on the look out for cheap project horse to bring on over the rest of the summer and winter and sell next year (or keep if I like it enough). I'm not looking to make any money on it, just enough to cover the costs.

Found the perfect horse and was going to see her on wednesday, to be told tonight that her owner has just sold her.
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Grr.

So I've been horse hunting again and just been on Project Horses, thinking that would be a good place to start. But have you SEEN the prices!?!

I'm looking to spend about £1000. I'd prefere something very green/unbroken rather than actual issues, but not hugely bothered. Nothing flashy required - just something over 14hh pref solid built and no lameness.

Browsing though the project horse, I'd read the long advert, thinking 'sounds perfect', then get to the price. £2500. £3000. £3500 (for an unbroken nothing-special cob!). WTF?! For horse that bucks, rears, bolts, won't catch (ever), nervous, unhandled, horrific to shoe blah blah.

Do these people honest think they're going to get that kind of price for their horses? And if they do, what muppets are willing to part with the cash?! For that kind of money you can buy perfectly sane, normal horses with no issues.

Where are all the cheap project horses (surely that's almost the definition of a project horse!) hiding? Apparently in Devon (i.e 600miles away). Typical.
 
where abouts are you? ive been looking for a project for months and every1 expects 3 grand for an unworked fat pony that the kids are too scared to ride
 
If you're experienced enough then head to your local sales ring where you'll pick up a 3 or 4yo that just needs backing. I find buying unbroken youngsters at the sales is better because people put them through due to lack of money / time/ experience, therefore won't necessarily have the horrors that older horses going through the ring may have (lameness, bolters, rearers etc). Or try the breed sales (new forest, welsh etc) and pick up a youngster there. Most won't have been handled much so you'll have a pretty blank canvas. If you know what you're doing, or have the help of someone else who knows what they're doing, and have time and patience then it's a good way of finding a project.
 
I never though about sales ring..........
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I'd be quite happy to buy from a sale - I have a good eye for a horse and I'm happy to work through issues.

But I don't think there are any up this way (central scotland?) I've not hear of any. What would be the closest? Having to transport it home eats into my budget
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Sales aren't cheap. I went to Leominster and a nothing special young horse is about £1,800. You are going to struggle for £1k.
 
Im selling my horse, not a project as such, but a late starter and although very talented can be a bit tricky. Been totally honest about her, and not selling because I cant cope with her which makes it even harder. only want £2000 for her and had no response?!surely thats not too much for a 5yr old?!
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Part of the problem is that there is an idea going around that if you ask less than 3k for a horse you will only attract novices and timewasters, or will get a home that is more interested in a bargain than the horse. What no one seems to think about is what kind of criminally insane person will spend 3k on a "15 year old with potential?!?" or something that is coming on well in its hacking and only rears occasionally when you can get a problem free animal for the same money.
Try ringing some of them and seeing if they would consider a sensible offer (giving an indication of what you wold consider sensible) if you click with the horse and are the kind of home they want it to go to.
 
i kind of take offence, i had a horse that i considered a project for somebody, he had low milage, had done little and had the scope to be a fab horse., i advertised him on ph, with a large price tag, why do people need to think any thing on the site has problems? why cant it just be used for horses that have the scope to progress? just because it doesnt, kick/bite/rear/bronc/bolt doesnt meen to say it isnt a project!
 
But everyone knows it's a site for horses that are inexpensive because they will likely need more than the average input of time and effort (which is money) so that's what people looking there are looking for. If you put a horse on there that's just green but otherwise priced in accordance to the market you're not targeting the right audience . . .

It's marketing as much as anything. It would be interesting to know how many "regularly priced" horses get sold off there. Not too many would be my guess.

Also, I think being on there carries a stigma. Because of the mandate of the site anyone shopping there is operating under the assumption the horses have problems. So, quite reasonably, they are suspicious of any horse that seems "normal" and wonder why, if it's so attractive, it's not just on a regular selling site.
 
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