The Price of Ponies?!

We had this same problem when buying our ponies. I paid a fortune for the one we have, who is a teenager. But she is an absolute superstar and has taken a very novice (off the leadrein for a few months) rider, from jumping 6" classes to flying round affiliated 90cm in a matter of weeks and winning in the best company. She will jump the biggest of courses when we are ready. But she is also a dream to handle, can be turned out, bought without our help, 100% in all ways. I adore this pony and would not part with her for any amount of money. Confidence is such a fragile thing and our rider is very confident, but inexperienced and this pony has taken that on board and it is like her role to look after her rider. How can you put a price on that? She didn't come with anything, not even a headcollar and i wouldn't have expected her to either, someone put alot of hard work into her and i expect to pay for that. If anyone asked me if i would do the same again i would in a heartbeat. We are on the look out for another to run alongside her, but that is proving to be a difficult ask and again i think we will have to up our budget. I will not compromise on safety at any cost.
 
Interesting thread, I think good ponies are very sought after, but from the other end- sellers perspective, we have for sale a 14.1hh Fjord mare, just turned 13 years and we had her for over three years, she has a decent PC eventing (consistent double clears 90cm+)and good SJ record and is an absolute saint, great on the ground and out hacking and brilliant confidence giver - a lovely person in general. advertised her around £6K mark and not had much interest at all. I did wonder if my pricing was way off or timing with winter coming ?? but it is very hard to judge these things. we ultimately want the very best home for her and decided we may as well wait for the spring now and have some fun over the winter. unless the right person comes along. this buying and selling is such a difficult thing!
 
be positive said:
a well fitting saddle should remain with the animal and can often be worth more if included than being sold on later.
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Most of the time though the saddles never seem to fit! I'd much rather get my own saddle fitted than get one with the horse. The saddle also doesn't have to remain with the animal - I've got a very expensive WOW which I'm not including in a permanent loan with the horse I use it on because its a saddle I can have amended to horses forever more and I know it fits me! IMO most of the tack included in the price is usually rubbish, or else they'd want extra money for it wouldnt they.

Pony-wise, I used to buy project ponies to back and bring on. I sold them for £2,500 (a few years ago) and that was with a few successful competition outings behind them. Maybe I should get back into it if prices are better now! I'm also shocked at seeing what I think of as pretty standard ponies jumping a standard level (1m) going for over £4k!
 
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MagicMelon said:
Pony-wise, I used to buy project ponies to back and bring on. I sold them for £2,500 (a few years ago) and that was with a few successful competition outings behind them. Maybe I should get back into it if prices are better now! I'm also shocked at seeing what I think of as pretty standard ponies jumping a standard level (1m) going for over £4k!
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I don't think a 1m affiliated course is standard by any means, especially if you are on a 128/138. It isn't so much the height but the width and it takes a good pony to jump these classes. For a safe, reliable, no ifs no buts, no vices pony that wasn't ancient i would expect to pay well in excess of £4k for. That is someones hard work, i want a pony that has a complete competition record, that is current and up to date. Our pony wasn't even advertised and had never been previously it was all done by word of mouth. :)
 
kp31 said:
I don't think a 1m affiliated course is standard by any means, especially if you are on a 128/138. It isn't so much the height but the width and it takes a good pony to jump these classes. For a safe, reliable, no ifs no buts, no vices pony that wasn't ancient i would expect to pay well in excess of £4k for. That is someones hard work, i want a pony that has a complete competition record, that is current and up to date. Our pony wasn't even advertised and had never been previously it was all done by word of mouth. :)
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As deals like that often are! People "in the know" know how rare a "perfect pony" is and there is often a list of people waiting to take it on when it's outgrown.

I do think the emphasis on the effort that has been put in in important, too. We all know not every horse with potential fulfils it by any means, but people are less likely to want to roll that dice with their kids. Therefore people should expect to pay for the time and attention that goes in to making a really top class pony, even if it's not the highest competitive level, that is exactly as it says on the tin. They should then also expect to care for the pony as directed and possibly even follow a bit of a learning curve to managing it and riding it, in the same way as you would any good horse. I find people who take this on board often give their kids a priceless experience that stands them in good stead for their whole riding career.
 
TarrSteps said:
As deals like that often are! People "in the know" know how rare a "perfect pony" is and there is often a list of people waiting to take it on when it's outgrown.

I do think the emphasis on the effort that has been put in in important, too. We all know not every horse with potential fulfils it by any means, but people are less likely to want to roll that dice with their kids. Therefore people should expect to pay for the time and attention that goes in to making a really top class pony, even if it's not the highest competitive level, that is exactly as it says on the tin. They should then also expect to care for the pony as directed and possibly even follow a bit of a learning curve to managing it and riding it, in the same way as you would any good horse. I find people who take this on board often give their kids a priceless experience that stands them in good stead for their whole riding career.
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Exactly Tarrsteps, that was what i was trying to get across and you did so well :) . Someone has spent a long time making that pony perfect, so that i can put my child on and know without a doubt she will do exactly what is asked of her and 9/10 come home with a rosette and with a big smile on the riders face. Now how can you put a price on that? I am not prepared to cut corners where children are concerned i want her to have the best start she can and that means paying for it. People have coveted our pony at many shows and she is not for sale, but it goes to show they are willing to pay for what is right and people can see a genuinely good pony. :)
 
The other thing many people want to see is not only will the pony do the job, it will KEEP doing the job. There have been lots of ponies that were reasonably compliant in their early years but then learned to take advantage or lost their schooling when being mostly ridden by kids. I think this can be a particular issue with show ponies, who can be very carefully produced to be ridden by children in the ring but may not be all that 'kid friendly' without regular adult input.

A pony that can be a kid's friend as well as being competitive is worth its weight.
 
When I bought my filly, I had the intention of selling her on after she was broken and done a summer of activities on loan. She is broken now, and still plan to get a small-ish person to take her to PC camp/few shows next summer, then consider selling her if all goes well. I know in my head what she is worth now, and if she is good next year it may increase, but can guarantee I won't be asking thousands - she isn't the type to be worth it, however good she is over the next 12 months!! And yes, I really do mean it when good home a priority over price. (most say that don't they?)
 
Lynsey&Smartie said:
You're right! I've been looking for a decent lead rein pony for my son and the price of anything experienced with a decent competition record has shocked me, I would happily get something unbroken but don't know anyone small enough to break it and don't fancy using my son as a crash test dummy!
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I've taken on a rescue from the RSPCA, very pretty sec B, fabulous temperament, easy. Was broken in prior to me taking him on, has since gone from lead rein with my son, to first ridden!! They're now cantering and beginning jumping. All in 7 months!
 
I think the thing with the larger ponies is there has also been an increasing number of adults also looking for ponies to ride as adults on ponies have become more accepted now. It is not just parents looking for nice safe competitive ponies for their kids now but adults too which has increased demand.
 
Having lost mini share pony to colic last week this is a subject which has been weighing heavily on my mind of late. It took her owners and me long enough to find her. We don't have a large budget and she did come with a few problems which ironically we had just managed to sort out. Kids had a super successful season at local shows doing lead rein showing, handy pony, games etc in summer and then heartbreak last week. So we are back to the start again!!! Ideally I would like to take a safe, much loved oldie on loan or to buy. With regards to larger pony I have decided to do a bit of forward planning, I have dibs on a cracking yearling which should make about 14hh - 14.2hh I intend to produce her myself for daughter to ride when the time comes. :)
 
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