Successful summer projects

[skyhigh]

So since I have only got a part time job over the summer I'm thinking of getting a summer project, maybe an ex racer or along those lines. My plan would be buy now, train over 2/3 months then hopefully sell for a small profit at the end of it. Could anyone post with how much they bought and sold for ? Would like to know if other people have been successful doing this kind of thing and how people go about doing it.

 

[skyhigh]

Anyone With buying and selling experience?

 

[Suziq77]

I would say:

firstly, 2/3 months is a very short time to reschool a horse (think how short a time that would be for a blank canvas, never mind with a horse with issues)

secondly, the classifieds are awash with horses at the moment, turning a profit after factoring in food, shoes, wormers, vet bill contingencies etc would be pretty damn tricky.

thirdly, selling in the autumn/start of winter is not always the best time, particularly if it is a horse that might need access to a stable.

I'm going to stop now as I sound like the voice of doom. If you have the experience, facilities and resources to keep the horse if it doesn't sell or turns out to be a longer term project than it initially appeared to be then I wish you all the best if you decide to go ahead.

 

[Victoria25]

We bought an ex racer in Autumn last year but he was at the ‘if nobody buys him he’ll be put down’ end of the line so depends on the horse you get really. He hated you touching him, brushing him, scowled at everybody and wouldn’t even look in your direction or acknowledge you … we spent autumn/early winter doing lots of ground work – he had a breakdown/fit when we put a saddle on him for the first time so as you can imagine we walked, walked, walked and walked some more just around the village with tack on then went onto lunging (which he was a pro at probably due to his racing times) and long reining. He had difficulties realising that woah meant stop and not ‘lets go’.
We then left him over winter to take in what he’d learnt and just spent time bonding/having cuddles with him.
He’d raced from 3 til 7 years old, had two owners after his career, one lady bought for her teenage daughter as a first horse who as you can imagine kept being thrown off, the second people had him as a field ornament as were too scared to even get on him ..
This spring he’s now happily hacking out (although still screams for my other mare the entire ride) and occasionally stops dead and refuses to move BUT slowly slowly we’re getting there … we even trotted for the first time the other week – silly little excitement but seeing how he was when we got him its an amazing feeling …
So if perhaps you get something like him (buy for absolute peanuts) and have the stupidity like me then go for it … BUT my idea was to bring him on and sell but now he’s part of the family so going nowhere … BEWARE!

 

[ihatework]

For a summer project do not get an ex racer.

Go for a 15hh-15.2hh MW/light cob type and make sure they are quiet and non-spooky ... that is what sells.

 

[martlin]

For a summer project do not get an ex racer.

Go for a 15hh-15.2hh MW/light cob type and make sure they are quiet and non-spooky ... that is what sells.

Amen to that.
Also, the ones to get a turnaround quickly and a bit of profit are the ones that don't need much doing to them, so, something that needs tidying up and a good meal, maybe a bit of quick schooling and a couple of outings.
Or a hunter - buy now, nurse through the summer and sell for the cubbing season

 

[HDPE]

I'm buying and selling ponies and galloways mostly for the pony club and dressage markets. I don't know you, but I'll say what I say to everyone that thinks they can buy and sell for a profit - most people can't. I only make money based on my name, the facilities I have to work with, and my competition experience - if people didn't already know my name (and that we sold all my childhood mounts at a vast profit ) they wouldn't be interested in buying from me, an if they we're I probably wouldn't make as much of a profit. Also, 2-3 months is for an ex-racer or a horse with issues probably too short to iron out quirks and turn them into a safe, reliable mount.
If you still want to go for it, don't choose an ex-racer. I loved Luce, and I've a had a couple through to sell but as a general rue they are harder to work with (because of the often ritualized handling they've had) and not what markets want right now. If you're small enough and a light, sympathetic rider try a pony - 13.2 to 14.2 are most popular for me.

 

[Lolo]

When we've done them, the best bets are the 13hh-14hh solid little ponies who need a bit of a tidy up and reminding of their manners- often ponies who've been turned away for whatever reason.

If you go for a pony with quirks, make sure it's from a long enough away from you that they aren't known locally... Even if all pony needed was a good squish, it's reputation will go long before it! And this only really works if you have a solid reputation in the PC...