Realistic budget

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lara b

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HI
So I have been to see three horses now on my quest for my happy hack/all rounder and all have been no good (spooky/nappy etc).

My friend thinks I need to spend more, I have been looking at around the 3k mark but she thinks 5-6k is more likely. She also knows of one around this level that she thinks will be ideal, but I am just not sure about spending that much.

I am after a 14.2-15.3, 5-9year old. Quiet and well mannered, hacks alone in company, no hotting up, napping, spooking (at least not constantly). Good in all the usual ways. That said I don't want to compete much so doesn't have to be particularly smart looking or talanted. Just a nice laid back friend.

What do you think, is this unrealistic, and should I be spending the 5-6k?

thanks
lara
 
Hi Lara
I don't think you are being unrealistic, perhaps not met the right horse yet. I know of 2 horses (5yr about 16hh that is currently being schooled and a friesan) that are shortly going to be advertised at much less than the 5k mark. There are a lot of horses out there and there are a lot that are overpriced. We are approaching winter and prices then tend to go down as people don't want to keep over the winter.

You don't say where you are, but area also makes a difference, you may need to go further afield perhaps?
 
This is totally up to you, as its your money and depends on what you want your horse for. My budget seems like pennies in comparison; Tops I could spend 2k ish as my grandad was buying him for me (I'm a skint teenager ! lol ) But we found my boy on horse mart for just under 1k, fair enough we've had had some problems, but he's a 12 yo New Zealand Thoroughbred, ex-polo annd I adore him :) good luck x
 
No.

The horse market is bad at the moment and prices are lower, so there should be something out there in your price range (around £3000).
 
Blimey I think 5-6k is an awful lot for a happy hacker. I think 3k is more than enough. Im assuming it doesn't need to do more than have basic schooling, pop a log/x-pole?

I dont know why someone would advertise a true safe hack at 6k? At 6k id want it to have some decent affilliated results ect and you would pretty much be paying for stuff you dont need?!

I think you will have massively overpaid for a hack at 6k. Just keep looking you will find one :)
 
I've just agreed to buy a 15.2 ISH well marked coloured mare, 5 yr old. Lovely manners, sweet to ride, feels very safe but nicely forward. Woman has been hunting her and adores her!! Is fairly green in the school consistently wise, but the basics are there! Lovely paces and honest jump (although not quite in control of the legs yet! lol!)


Picking her up Friday, paying £3.5k!

So yes you can, your budget isn't far out! Where abouts in the country are you?
 
I don't think your budget is unrealistic at all! I bought my 15hh 6 year old safe friend for £2500 and couldn't be happier with him. Your horse is out there! Personally I think £5-6000 is far too much for what you're looking for.

Good luck!
 
firewell said:
Blimey I think 5-6k is an awful lot for a happy hacker. I think 3k is more than enough. Im assuming it doesn't need to do more than have basic schooling, pop a log/x-pole?

I dont know why someone would advertise a true safe hack at 6k? At 6k id want it to have some decent affilliated results ect and you would pretty much be paying for stuff you dont need?!

I think you will have massively overpaid for a hack at 6k. Just keep looking you will find one :)
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Personally, i think that this may well be a little unrealistic, I have a 6 yr old ISH 15.1, well put together, who will hack alone and with others front or last, in company, past taffic, pigs, cows, new forest ponies, dogs, walkers, etc. He also hunts, is easy to handle and will happily pop round a 3ft XC or SJ as well as doing a decent dressage test. He is has not got any affiliated record, but i know that when i come to sell him in april next year, he will go for a lot more than 6k! Horses that will hack with mum and compete with the daughter at the weekend are like gold dust!
 
Depends on what you really really want. I paid 4 k for a 4 yr old 15.2hh ISH, no breeding (till I managed to trace it) barely broken, done nothing but super conformation and paces and an attitude to die for. Should I sell him I will be asking double this next year as he will have done everything affil by then and be out doing some BE (already jumped round this weekend at wales and west bsja very well after having him 3 weeks). I could have got an average horse for less but if your picky, you pay for it!
 
I agree entirely with Freckles Mum. Horses like that are like hens teeth and you have to pay for them (or buy a youngster and make them yourself). I've got one and I wouldn't sell her for a gold pig!
 
i know a farm that has all sorts of horses for sale, they are mainly youngsters, some broken, some not, some foals.. they are not dealers! The horses are so well looked after and the breeding is fantastic, i went there to buy my foal and they gave me the family tree dating back to 1948!! #They have TB, quarter horses, connies etc i would highly reccommend them.

please pm me if you want there number
 
You may well find something at that price but if I had a horse that did all you wanted it to do I'd certainly want more than £3000 for it. That's not to say you won't find something for that price but it may take a little longer and involve travelling a few more miles. If your budget will allows you to spent a more then why not go and have a look at a few more 'expensive' horses, if it means getting exactly what you want and you end up with a lifelong friend then whatever you pay will seem like a bargain!! And remember they cost the same to keep whether they're the perfect angel or a complete *****!!!!!!!!!
 
Thanks everyone. I am in Buckinhamshire, so guess it may be a bit more expensive here as close to London. That said I am at least pretty central for oxon, herts, beds and northants so should have a good choice within that lot.

Think I may have to spend a bit more to get what I want, but still not sure I can justify 6k for a happy hack, would rather sacrifice the competition type and just be content to hack, do the odd bit of schooling, poss pop a pole.

Will keep looking, and let you know!
Lara
 
I'm planning on doing BD with mine....

What people want for their horses and what they'll get are 2 diff things.

If you can cope with something green but genuine, you'll find something. could you up your budget another £500-700?

Try places like Clip Clop Traders, Southgate Farm and Equine Agents.
 
galaxy23 said:
I'm planning on doing BD with mine....

What people want for their horses and what they'll get are 2 diff things.

If you can cope with something green but genuine, you'll find something. could you up your budget another £500-700?

Try places like Clip Clop Traders, Southgate Farm and Equine Agents.
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Yes am happy to up it to 4-4.5, just think 5.5/6 is hard to justify as too a certain degree a competition type will be wasted on me.

Green is fine as long as attitude is right. Will have a look at the places you mentioned. Thanks very much:)
 
lara b said:
Yes am happy to up it to 4-4.5, just think 5.5/6 is hard to justify as too a certain degree a competition type will be wasted on me.

Green is fine as long as attitude is right. Will have a look at the places you mentioned. Thanks very much:)
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I'm totally sure you'll find something. Those 3 places are very close together.
 
Wow, your friend thinks you need to spend more?

The market is very bad at the moment for selling, for 3k I would expect you would find exactly what you are looking for, for 5-6k I'd be expecting something rather special or talented.

To be honest, I think you could find what you're looking for at 2 - 2.5k, at 3k you'd be wanting him pretty spot on.

Just keep looking till you find the right one, you could spend a life time with the horse you buy, so biding your time for a couple of months really isn't long.
I've always found Jan a fab time to buy, market gets loads of new horses and lots of people having overspent at xmas and needing money - great bargains to be had :)
Good luck and enjoy your horse hunting xxx
 
I absolutely do not think you should have to spend over £3K for a hacking pony that will do a little bit of everything, at £5-6K I would be expecting a serious competition horse.

When I was buying last year I had a budget of £5K, and tried over 20 horses....I ending up spending half my budget on something that suits me down to the ground - 7yo welshie, hacks out alone or in company, happily jumps 1M, lives out all year, lovely natured... Now I am glad I didn't spend my full budget as a competition / show type pony would just be wasted on me. AND the market has dropped since then, so no way should you be spending £5-6K!

Keep your chin up and keep looking, the right one will be out there somewhere. As others have said, bide your time and make sure it is the right one as it is a very important decision to make! Now I may go and do some horse hunting for you (any excuse!!!)

Good luck!!!
 
Just had a quick look - you are right, there is not a lot around your area whereas up north there seems to be loads!!!
My geography is rubbish so not sure of locations!
Some have dodgy (or no) pics - don't be afraid to ask for more rather than writing them off, some people just do not know how to sell!:

http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-adverts.showadvert/index-1033072548/e922c9c3.html

http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-adverts.showadvert/index-1033047292/4d281c18.html

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all_rounder_horse_6_yrs_7_mths_15_2_hh_bay_berkshire/advert/124033

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all_rounder_horse_6_yrs_15_2_hh_coloured_buckinghamshire/advert/123875

This boy looks like a lovely chap but I don't know anything about long term effects of sprained suspensory ligaments?
http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all_rounder_horse_8_yrs_14_2_hh_bay_berkshire/advert/121611

I've probably been no help whatsoever but it's been fun looking!!!
 
No, your budget is very reasonable, and you will find the right one eventually!

I went and looked at about 23 horses before I found the one (sad story though, I'm horse hunting again now, and have been to see two that fit your description for £2500... Both were a bit quiet for me though, but lovely sorts!)

Are you looking at cobs? Because they are often suprisingly expensive! And you'd perhaps be better going with something like a tb x native... Also the two safest horses I know are both pure thoroughbred, one cost £3500 a few years ago, and one is for sale for £2500...
 
Snickers said:
No, your budget is very reasonable, and you will find the right one eventually!

I went and looked at about 23 horses before I found the one (sad story though, I'm horse hunting again now, and have been to see two that fit your description for £2500... Both were a bit quiet for me though, but lovely sorts!)

Are you looking at cobs? Because they are often suprisingly expensive! And you'd perhaps be better going with something like a tb x native... Also the two safest horses I know are both pure thoroughbred, one cost £3500 a few years ago, and one is for sale for £2500...
Click to expand...

Must admit I do have a soft spot for cobs, but not ruling anything out!
 
5-6k for a happy hacker.....WOW!!!!!
My girls are happy hackers, they jump, they`re really easy to handle, not spooky (unless its something ridiculously scary) neither nap. ones a PBA the other is a CB, both cost £900.
I`ll have a gander this afternoon for you :)
 
Looking for exactly the same thing for a friend and absolutely think your budget is fine! I'd look up to 3500 maybe with the idea of making an offer....
I think if you want something that looks flashy/special you may need to go a bit higher but if you are happy with a standard horse say IDx or native x you should easily be able to find! Yes I agree that if its able to competantly jump courses at 3'+ then it will probably have a higher price tag but just to do the odd log etc....should be fine!
Agree with those who say for £6k I'd want a very decent comp record, or absolutely bags of potential!
 
I don't think you're being unrealistic, I paid £4K for George 3 years ago when the market was much more buoyant. He is 16.1 tb shire x was nearly 8 and he does everything, sj, xc, dressage, hacking, fun rides. He is pretty sane and really honest, but he isn't a plod and this means I can have lots of fun whilst feeling safe!

Just keep looking, I was lucky, I was despairing of finding anything, and I had set my limit at 16hh max, but when I saw him only 5miles from home I thought maybe I should go and look - boy am I glad I did :)
 
Cripes, you'll definitely find something on that budget!!! I only paid 1400 for my mare and she'd be perfect for a happy hacker!!
 
£5-6K?! We have one up for sale at work around the £4k mark, he’s chunky hafflinger just under 15hh, hacks alone or company (with total novices and I mean never ridden before novices), has done a season gate shutting with the local hunt, placed in local dressage and will pop small jumps in the school, been on fun rides etc. Not to mention being a very handsome devil!

So I don’t think £3k is a silly budget at all!

My horse is a happy hacker, he cost me £1500 and he was an absolute bargain, he can be a bit spooky with things behind him but apart from that he’s a total star, he is though a six year old ex-racer so not everyone’s first choice as a happy hacker! :D
 
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