The right price for safe weight carrying type?

[meleeka]

You need to understand that driven horses can be very good but they have been exposed to the world wearing blinkers So you know and see for your self they are really good hacks .
They also can struggle with cantering and often have poor muscle development in the backs my strong advice would be unless you are really good at flat work don't buy one that is not calmly cantering a twenty metre circle why you try it .

I agree with this. My boy was driven far more than ridden and although he is pretty bomb proof he does have the occasional spook over a bush with odd coloured leaves! He never moves sideways but spins (and then luckily stops). He doesn’t find cantering very easy and is prone to back soreness. He’s also the laziest beast known to man in a school.

 

[cornbrodolly]

My first coloured cob had pretty much only been driven [ from the age of 2!] He was completely wooden in his shoulders , but had the most wonderful temperament .and was 100% traffic, ride etc. A seasons hunting sorted out his shoulders and movement in general.Schooling sorted out his inability to canter on the right rein.
I think horses that have driven are a good find, but yes, bendiness has to be taught to them!

 

[SEL]

About 12 months ago I sold a traditional coloured 'leg at each corner' 14h mare for £1250 on behalf of a friend. She was very green still, but could W,T,C and pop a small jump plus hack out alone. Had been driven so could be a bit spooky with sudden movements behind her eyeline. Forward going so not a novice ride, but had the potential to become one with someone who could work on her. Went as a mother / daughter share. I could get her going in a nice outline, but it wasn't consistent and her default was to go on her forehand. She was cantering in a 20m circle when I sold her, but when I first rode her she was cornering like a motorbike - with a saddle that felt like it was going to slide off and dump you!

If she'd been a hand bigger then probably would have been a bit more, but owner needed her gone and she was being wasted in a field. Good value for the lady who bought her.

Lots out there, but the good ones fetch a good price for a reason.

 

[DressageCob]

It depends where you look. My little cob was £3,500 8.5 years ago, and that was for a very green 6yo that had only really driven, and was 14.3hh on his tip toes. My big cob, bought last year was a lot more expensive, but he has the paces of a warmblood and is well worth the price. He was also 6yo.

However, you have your cob dealers such as CNG who sell all sorts of cobs for £1,000 to £2,500. I must admit, I'm dubious as to the quality of them since that's cheap for a sound, sane, family allrounder and all the horses seem to be described as just that (and "yard favourite"...), but lots of people seem to buy them and be happy with their purchases. So there are cheaper cobs out there. It's just finding them!

 

[Leo Walker]

Don't assume that something that is quiet to drive will be quiet to ride. Mine is a total saint in harness but sharp and sensitive when ridden. Sharp to the point that hes not ridden anymore as I cant find anyone confident and balanced enough to ride him. Hes also not a particularly comfortable ride. Hes short coupled with a huge backside and not a lot of front. Riding him is a bit like sitting on the edge of a cliff being smacked in the butt :lol:

He is however as bombproof as you can get ridden or driven.

 

[Kaylum]

Paid £350 for my clyde x just depends on peoples circumstances at the time. Mine was to pay a livery bill. He was a go anywhere do anything type. Just beware they are usually high maintenance and get some good clippers.

 

[YogaNurse]

Wow, these are some really constructive and helpful points I will definitely take on bard - thank you everyone! In regards to greenness of horse in the school, I’m fairly confident I would be able to work with something green with a poor canter. I’ve owned my own horses for over 10 years and done a bit of everything in that time but mainly focused on flatwork and did some prelim with my last horse. I could work on bendiness but would much rather have something that’s isn’t sharp under saddle!