Reasonable offer...

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Jericho

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We have had on loan a 13.3hh unregistered grey 15yr old gelding for 6 mths and his owner has asked if we would like to buy him for a reasoable offer (she bought him at 8 yrs old for £4k) He is a very lovely pony and my daughter at 11 would have a couple of years on him I would think before she outgrows him. Jumps reliably upto 2ft 9, does a lovely dressage test, great at shows and PC, good to hack alone, with others in traffic, no major issues, lovely nature although a bit stubborn at times, had a little bit of success at WHP at ponies UK and just generally a really good sort. His owners love him dearly and said they wouldn't sell him but I think because both sides of the party are v happy she has broached the question. I am very happy with loaning him for obvious reasons and I am realistic that he will be 18 by the time daughter has outgrown and I probably would not sell him on at that age as he is a dear sweet boy and would owe us nothing and equally his owner has no problem with him going back to retire there. If it ever got to the point that she had to sell we would buy him. If we decide to buy him what would be a reasonable offer?
 
I don't have the faintest idea re pricing I'm afraid, though he sounds like he's worth his weight in gold. But he sounds like my first pony, bought 23 years ago for the princely sum of £1000! We sold her for a similar price, 4 years later aged 18 to a family with 4 little girls who she took through pony club, as she had done for me and several children before me.

Just thought to mention this in case you were worried about future value at that age. If he's a healthy pony he could still have a long useful & happy life ahead of him and it might be a bit sad to retire at that age, they so often go downhill without work.
 
What price do you put on safety??
I think both you & the seller need to be realistic but a good schoolmaster doesn't devalue if fit and well. I'm not saying pay the same price. I paid 6k for a pony as a 5 yr old and sold him 10 years later for 1k. He owed me nothing, I had my enjoyment from him and home was much more important. He was 15 when I sold him.
 
My friend has just bought a similar pony (but 13.2 and 14 yrs) with a similar background. She paid nearly £4k (Passed a 5 stage vetting) As previous poster stated you cannot put a price on safety. Also you already know the pony.
 
He sounds super :) I wouldn't worry about his age and re-sale value, I can't imagine you would have any trouble selling him on.

Tbh I would ask the owner what she thinks is a reasonable offer, it would be horrible to offend her. She must have a figure in her mind.
 
Thank you all, yes he is a superstar and safe. Interesting that people don't see 18 as old - when we were looking 14 years old was my max. I couldn't imagine selling him which is half the problem. And yes I really don't want to offend his owner - she is the perfect owner in terms of loaning. I think I had in mind about £2500.
 
Jericho said:
Thank you all, yes he is a superstar and safe. Interesting that people don't see 18 as old - when we were looking 14 years old was my max. I couldn't imagine selling him which is half the problem. And yes I really don't want to offend his owner - she is the perfect owner in terms of loaning. I think I had in mind about £2500.
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I would say that sounds very fair - a couple of years ago we sold a 20 year old schoolmaster type pony who was bombproof but not as talented as yours very quickly, and he was nothing to look at :)
 
Our younger son's m&m first ridden we paid £3500 for as a 13yo. He was sold at 16 for the same amount and again recently for that at 18yo, all through the owners word of mouth. Proven safety is priceless to parents. Very best of luck as he sounds super.
 
I think your suggestion of £2500 is perfectly reasonable... But I wonder if it would help to consider the opportunity cost for her since you are loaning him at the moment? It may not be a useful measure at all, depending on your arrangement - but may be a different way to approach the issue.
 
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