Reasonable budget for new horse?

Casey76

Casey76

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I just want to make sure I'm not deluding myself...

I'm looking for something 7-9 years old, basics well established, been out and about a bit, perhaps not quite "schoolmaster" level but a good confidence giver. Should be able to hack out alone or in company, forward going but not silly.

I'm certainly not looking to compete to any great level, perhaps amateur 1 dressage (elementary) tops - though a prep 60 jumping is also something to aim for (at the moment I don't jump at all)

I'd call myself a competant novice (horse owner for 7 years), though I can lack confidence due to a balance disorder.

What would you estimate to be a reasonable budget?
 
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here - 4-5k easily for a good established horse imo for a horse at elementary to teach you a little too?



yes the market is crap but GOOD horses always sell.
 
Nice, sound, confidence givers (assuming you want a sensible height too) are worth their weight in gold.
Why such a low top end age limit of 9? if you want something that gives confidence then you want something that has some miles on the clock (so as not to be bothered by new situations).

When I'd been out of riding for 4 years and wanted to get back into it I bought an ideal horse for my situation, that was exactly what I was told he was and he was £6k (bit more eventing experience than you've said you'd like) and that was 15 years ago! ! Yes the market isn't great at the moment but there aren't 100s of horses that are safe kicking around.

Best bet is to put the word around the local horse community (farriers, instructors etc.) as often the good horses never make it as far as an advert - they are sold through word of mouth.
 
I would also say between 4-5k, perhaps a little bit more if you are looking for something to go onto elementary on. Depends on what height, breed etc? Although good horses will sell whatever the breed. Would you consider horses that crib bite/windsuck, mareish horses etc? The market is rubbish but a good confidence giver with some experience and scope to do a bit more will probably be worth their weight in gold.

Agree with above, the good horses that I have known of tend to go through word of mouth rather than advertised.
 
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You could pay 4-5k easily in summer but you might get lucky if you either buy soon rather than wait til the height of summer when horses cost less to run and are more fun to own, or wait til November time.

Trouble is what you want is what A LOT of people want, if you were more flexible with the age bracket as in up to say 12 or even 15 you would have a lot more choice of horses that have had a bit of life experience and been round the block a bit.
 
Thanks all. I was thinking of about 5k, so pleased to see that I'm not too far out.

Future horse doesn't have to be ready to compete at elementary now, just have the potential to get there.

future horse will also prefereably be a gelding. I just don't get on with mares, I've ridden quite a few over the years, and there is probably only one or two over almost 13 years of riding that I ever liked.

height wise, I would be looking for between 14.2 and 15.2. I'm only 5' tall, and I tend to look a bit silly on anything taller. Plus, after riding a 14.3 for the past 7 years, anything taller gives me vertigo lol!
 
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