Realistic horse prices nowadays?

Nudibranch

Nudibranch

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 April 2007
Messages
7,160
Location
Shropshire
Visit site
Having lost my tb mare last year, I'm in the process of saving for a new horse. Obviously prices have gone up over the last few years, but would I be realistic to hope I can get something reasonable for between 2 and 3 grand? Am not looking to compete at all any more, so it would be a happy hacker - however it must be sound! Have seen lots on Horsemart and Horse Deals, but I'm pretty skeptical, there seem to be a lot of bandages on photos, funny angles and so on.

Also, what's the going rate for a full vetting these days?
laugh.gif
 
Of course you can! If you're just looking for a reasonably nice happy hacker that can do a bit of all sorts you should get something for around 2-2.5 grand easily - if you look, and possibly are prepared to have a horse with some quirks, or one thats slightly older.

Full vetting can really vary, so I can't advise....not bought a horse for a while.
 
Try ad trader then put your post code in they have a tb about 5 for £1500.They seem to advertise at the more reasonable end of the market.Just think you would have to be selective about who you phoned.My friend paid £250 for full vetting.Good luck
 
In my experience it wasn't that the cheaper onces had something physically wrong with them, more like they napped, wouldn't hack out alone etc.
 
When I bought my last horse nearly 4 years ago I had a budget of £2,500 and there wasn't much around that was any good. I wasted so much time going to see horses that simply were not as advertised. My horse is ok, but he has a lot of quirks and had never been schooled. He was also older and bigger than I wanted. Having said that, I've seen horses recently that have cost much, much more and have just as many hang ups!!!
 
i started to look at 2.5 k in the belief i could get something - i didnt mind having a vice or something minor but i also found that the horse was priced that way because of naughtiness or lack of schooling. A friend had to pay 3.5k for hers, a vetting cost me just over £200. I hope you do find something.
 
I think the only time you will get a bargain is if there is a genuine reason for selling. I have been in hospital for the last 2 weeks after being kicked in the face and having to have the surgery to put me back together. I have 3 youngsters in for schooling and obviously wont be riding for a while. So I have hopefully got someone interested in one of them at a dirt cheap price. She will get a bargain, I will have one less horse to worry about while I am on the mend.
If I see horses looking very cheap without such a reason to back it up I assume it is either unsound, nappy, etc etc
 
A nice happy hacker shouldnt cost any more than £3,000, if it is schooled and jumps reasonably than £4.5, if it has good R.C. level results then £5.000 if it has good affiliated results then £5.5 upwards! This is for the £15.2 plus bracket age 6 up. Absolutely check the horse has no ridden vices, eg napping!
 
I got my TBx for £400 - she's sane (most of the time) and we have a great time together. Ponio was £50
grin.gif
Do u have a local paper? Round here the trade-it, cotswold journal and evesham journal all have horses for sale for under £2G.
 
Just a thought, but you might well be able to get an ex racer for very cheap. Obviously some have problems and some are unsound etc, but I have known loads bought for virtually nothing or even given away that are pretty much donkeys - easy going, good in traffic, no problems hacking out etc. Might need some schooling, but if you're just looking for a nice happy hacker an OTTB might fit you nicely.
 
Yea I was going to say the same thing. I think a lot of them are just ex-racers because they are not very good at racing, not because they have anything wrong with them.

Good way to get a cheep horse if you don't mind having a TB.
smile.gif
 
Girl at my yard just sold a lovely 13 year old 14.3 mare, fantastic on the roads and superb jumper, great to catch, shoe, load etc etc etc. It was a completely genuine sale but took here ages to sell her, one as she had done a 'bad' advert on Horsemart and 2 when anyone came to see her they thought there was a 'catch'!! She eventually sold her 1K under the asking price as she just had to get rid of her, for family/personal reasons, nothing to do with the horse having a problem.

There's a TB gelding about to come up for sale 10 years 15.3 totally sane and sensible would make a great mother daughter share etc etc, will be interesting to see what holes people pick in him!! Seems like buyers are all looking for a catch or something wrong with horses!!
 
Ha ha - the mare I just lost was an ex-racer! She was lovely, sharp as a needle but always willing. Amazing in traffic. I'm a bit off them health wise though, she developed narcolepsy and also arthritis. I know that could happen in any horse but I'm a bit wary of the wear and tear - she was only 13. Don't want to go through all that again, hence my worry about soundness when looking at under 3K. I am considering it though!!!
crazy.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top