Project pony - is this feasible?

G

glenruby

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 December 2004
Messages
2,654
Visit site
Hi guys,

I really need a few opinions on this one. This is also in competition riders (as both horses would make smart amateur competition horses).
I am currently considering buying 2 unbroken 3yo fillies as projects. Neither are broken, havent much handling but are quiet sweet sorts and do come up to you in the field. One will probably finish at about 15.2hh, possibly 15.3hh, the other at most 15.1hh. Both are lovely coloured blood sorts with excellent markings and decent conformation. They are by a mostly TB coloured stallion and can be registered to the stallion, but the dams have been PTS so no possibility of DNA on that side. Both should be easy to break and back. Any horses I have seen by the sire as good jumpers and I think both of these could be Eventers or top class PC types. I believe they would be easy enough for a teenager to do.
The larger one I am interested in keeping to school on and possible take out hunting and compete next year. however the other one will in reality be too small for me to keep.

So, the question is, do you think there is a market for a 15hh 3yo very pretty filly. Defenitely show quality - blue and white too so a real eyecatcher. I believeher dam was a TB ( if I show you a pic Im sure you'll agree). I have a price in mind, however if people didnt think she was worth that sort of money then I think buying her probably wouldnt be feasible(factoring in import and livery costs) Alternatively I could buy a larger skewbald of similar build who would probably look more mature or a blu/white 4yo mw gelding (for a bigger price but I can definitely see a market for him- hes adorable and would hunt all day but as yet has minimal mileage). Would you buy a 15hh LW "pony" as a project and expect to sell it (when broken) reasonably easily? Total cost inc registering/vaccs/import/microchip/farriery/livery for 2mths would be approx £1700 so would need to make a small profit on that at least (also facting in that she may not be sold that quickly. So, would you?
I have a photo too if that would help.
 
There is prob some money in it if you break in the fillies, and show them sucessfully.. but.. horses are taking so long to sell at the moment and at such drastic reductions..

Your taking a big gamble and at this point in time I personally wouldn't want to risk it..
 
Hmmm,
I should add i dont actually need to make a profit, but it would help! Yes, I understand horses are slow to sell, though I have seen a huge number of vettings come up in the last few weeks. I suppose, more exactly, would someone be willing to pay ~2500-£3000 for a 3yo filly? And bearing in mind she wont be doing much until winter (on the basis that she will need time off after breaking), what would someone expect of a 3yo rising 4? Ready to go out to dressage/small sj?
 
I think in this situation you have already made your mind up! It sounds as if you are set on the fillies and have a good plan. Why not? After all, you only live once! Go with what you would find most enjoyable and would get the most out of.

Good luck! :D
 
I'm not sure if you could sell a 15hand 3yo for £3000 unless serious breeding behind her. However, as a 4yo I'm sure you'd have more luck if you could keep her that long? Probably get more more her too as she could go straight to work. I'd say you could make a small profit though- maybe priced to sell at £2000?
 
Oooh! I know, i think i kind of have. But that can be a problem! Hence why I was hoping to get plenty of opinions to make me see sense. The "horses arent selling" wouldnt for me be a huge turn off - as i have seen lots sell recently that I wouldnt touch with a barge pole! Its more - are 3yos worth buying to sell on?
I personally love backing and breaking ponies and schooling youngters. I dont have my trailer test so thats what put me off buying something ready to go. My other option was to take on an 8yo with issues (nappy/not brave x country) or one of the many free horses I have been offered - but most with more problems than any sane person would want to deal with!

Plus the other thing is after a few years of keeping horses at grass/at home (ie not on livery) and hearing the many livery yard horror stories on HHO, I am wary of keeping horses on livery. I would prefer these 2 to be out 24/7 - at least until october - not least because I may not have time to fully muck out 2 everyday - no problem with skipping out, but a full muckout when Im on call may not happen at a set time everyday. I also dont know many people in the area just yet.
Any advice on keeping a horse in livery(DIY) would be of much benefit!
Il see if I can get the photo of the blue/white filly up.
 
no. i have seen a lovely rising 3 year old 15.2 for almost 2k and tbh i think its overpriced at that.

i have been watching prices and im well aware its a buyers market out there. Id buy a 3 year old at no more than 1.5/2k

so for 1700 you arnt going to make much profit/if any.
 
She looks a little immature also, and so may need turning away round about the time you're looking to sell, wheras for £3k I think many people would expect something ready to go...

Equally, she is very pretty!
 
Yep, of course she will - but she wouldnt be in my possession then!

Anyway, havent bought her, have just taken the tricolour to have a bit of fun with. Hopefully she will be a nice sort to have some fun with next spring.

blucanoo- they are by Crossdrum Spurs. Thanks for the advice - if she was 3 inches taller I think Id have taken her!
 
I was meaning resale value? I would't buy one which was a smart colour now, but would be just another nightmare to keep clean in a few year's time. Much of the attracion of coloureds surely, is, well, their colourdness!
 
I wouldnt say shes poorly marked - but with her head down like that and facing away from the camera you cant really see her front end. However, yes, she is immature - which is the main reason I have decided against buying her. The coloured Im taking is not in the photos but a much more mature type and fairly evenly marked.
 
blucanoo- they are by Crossdrum Spurs. Thanks for the advice - if she was 3 inches taller I think Id have taken her![/QUOTE]

Good luck with whatever you decide, after all its your decision!
 
Can't see the point of importing something with poor legs and poor colour which will soon lose its attraction. If you want a project why not buy a cheap ex-racer? Then you won't need to factor in the cost of importing etc in order to break even.
 
if they are coloured and you get them muscled up and going in a nice outline and they like to show off a bit im sure that their would be interest interms of coloured classes for showing, even if just at a local level.
One or two showing wins at local shows each and maybee if you qualified one or two for a 'local type of chmapionships' e.g. UK showing. Their are a lot of people who dont want to compete at county level but want to be able to go to local shows and win without too much effort being put in with schooling them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top