Those of you who got really cheap or free horses!

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Flight

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Basically where did you find them? Have been looking in usual places. I can afford to keep another horse as have own land etc but need one asap as a companion. Don't want to spend more than about £300 but would like something I can ride in the future. Happy to have ex racer or project as long as it not going to kill me. Any suggestions?
 
Have you tried Dragon Driving?

It's like the charity shop bargain box of the horseworld.

My boy Dooney was a freebie. (Not from the internet though)
 
Flight said:
Basically where did you find them? Have been looking in usual places. I can afford to keep another horse as have own land etc but need one asap as a companion. Don't want to spend more than about £300 but would like something I can ride in the future. Happy to have ex racer or project as long as it not going to kill me. Any suggestions?
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I got my Appaloosa ( in my display picture ) for £200 the owner only wanted a good home for him and wasn't worried about the price, I didn't get him of the Internet though it was a friend of a friend. You should just ask around, I'm sure someone will turn up! Good luck x
 
Flight said:
Basically where did you find them? Have been looking in usual places. I can afford to keep another horse as have own land etc but need one asap as a companion. Don't want to spend more than about £300 but would like something I can ride in the future. Happy to have ex racer or project as long as it not going to kill me. Any suggestions?
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I got my Appaloosa ( in my display picture ) for £200 the owner only wanted a good home for him and wasn't worried about the price, there was nothing wrong with him, hes an eventing horse and hopefully going to do some one and two events next year!I didn't get him of the Internet though it was a friend of a friend. You should just ask around, I'm sure someone will turn up! GOOD LUCK! X
 
I got given a horse that had been subject to a loss of use claim but came sound with rest, now doing well at unaffiliated Novice level ODEs, another one was given to me after scaring it's owners, I got a rescue pony for a donation and an ex racer from preloved.

If you're happy to put the work in they are easy to come by, too easy sometimes...
 
My mum bought hers for £1. It was only circumstances though, really, that led to it (lady needed to sell the mare but she hadn't been ridden in two years, would cost more time and money to bring her back into work to sell than she was actually worth, so we "took her off her hands" for a nominal sum).

I'm sure they are out there, though I'm not sure they are necessarily advertised... maybe try advertising yourself?
 
I was looking for a Welsh C cheap companion and typed this in google along with area, i.e. Highlands.

The ones that came up were out of my price bracket but a cute Newfie came up. I enquired about her but she was sold. They did have 2 others for sale though and I bought one delivered for £250. She's now going to be backed :)
 
I bought from Brightwells Auctions. But,a word of caution. A cheap horse isnt necessarily "cheap" they will possibly need vaccination,maybe veterinary care,need gelding,and so on. Mine were bought as weanlings. A long time til rideability. You do need to have some savings in the pot for unexpected costs too. I love my horses and am glad I rescued them from the meat man, but they still cost , and not all of it is the purchase price.
 
You could do really well from a wanted ad on Horsemart, especially if you can offer references as to what a nice and loving and permanent home you will be able to give a horse. Lots of people are needing to cut costs drastically and just want to see their horse loved by someone else.
 
I like the bargain box reference to DD, although I wouldn't fuel the fire for some of the people that sell on there...
Preloved is also good.

I got a 6yo mare who although green, had been out showing and jumping for £450 at the very end of Malvern performance horse sales at Three Counties, I call it the graveyard shift as it's just the meatmen/dealers left usually.

You can pick up lots of cheap things from the auctions this time of year too.
 
I got my £50 horse through the wanted ad I placed - it was either me or the meat man - poor girl - she was and still is very green and is prone to strops of epic proportions but still worth the money
 
I got my shire whom ive just lost throught the WHW for £150 and my Clydesdale again from WHW for £100 and a companion pony for £50 Id try there first they have lots that needs home and they know that the temperament is like aswell as cirumstances they came from.
 
I got mine from the sales and he was one of the more expensive ones! at £900. I'd go back to the sales (the sales where I got my boy has now closed), or dragon driving. They just need rooting out!
 
One of mine came from ascot sales for 300 5yr old tb so far so good and I was given a 4yr old tb by his owners who were too embarassed to race him as he was too small turning out to be the loveliest pony now tho. If you want a tb do go direct to trainers my old boss was forever giving them away mostly lovely horses
 
You could look at the Project Horses website, and maybe put a wanted ad on there.

Edited to add, I've just had a look and there are some promising horses on there!
 
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I work at a racing yard and was offered Ethel for free as the company that owned her shut down and they gave all their horses to the trainer/my boss who decided she wouldn't be any good and gave her to me :)
 
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