Thoughts on potential new project horse

G

glenruby

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 December 2004
Messages
2,654
Visit site
Im considering taking on a 5yo TB gelding (6 in January). Hes currently in training for point to points but hasnt run yet. Was broken last autumn and worked for a total of 4 wks under saddle (introduced to cantering around the gallops) before being turned away. He was brought back into work in july and has had 7weeks of cantering (started working over the last 10days).
Theres a good chance he wont make the grade (ie might be a reasonable pt-to-pter but yard produces p2pers with a view to being good enough fo the track so anything not up to NH standard will go after the season).
So, hes a 6yo 16.1hh bay gelding - has 2 socks and star/snip. Not particulrly handsome imo but decently put together. never sick or sorry. Homebred. Schooled in the arena before the gallops every morning. Hacks out alone or in company - good on the road and seen all hazards. Will walk trot canter and jump into water. Very responsive on the gallops, when hacking ot or cantering in a group. Will have hunted by xmas. Real character in the stable - never grumpy or bolshy but has an in your face personality. easy to handle on the ground. Loves to jump, very scopey and has been schooled over coloured poles and cross country schooling(which he loves). Think he'd really enjoy team chasing, hunting etc. Anyone who has ridden him has fallen in love with him - such a fun horse.

So here's the catch, he rides nicely on the flat, is very accurate and responsive but not flashy, not the least bit eye catching on the flat but as i said consistent (works very softly on the bit and very flexible).
I was thinking hed make a good pony club/riding club eventer/hunter/team chaser (and maybe point to pointer) for a competent, confident teenager/adult. However as hes not a great mover how much will this hold him back?
I was thinking of taking him on for 6mths as a project ( though he shouldnt need much work really) and hunting him, maybe team chasing and getting him out and about.
Basically, how much do you think a 6yo TB ex-racehorse who is a fun, competent hunter and all rounder with an honest, "loves to please" disposition would fetch in the UK market (midlands region).
grin.gif
 
Well ex-racers seem to be either love 'em or hate 'em but if he's how he sounds then I'd be asking at least 2.5k in the current market. It's a bit like houses isn't it - someone will pay if it's what they're looking for. He actually sounds like my ideal horse!

(So ignore eveything I just said, ex racers are ten a penny, you'll only get meat money, how about I offer you £500 now and take him off your hands
wink.gif
grin.gif
)
 
He sounds a sensible sort and would make a lovely allrounder for someone. It is hard to know what prices will be doing in 6 months but £2.5 to 3k sounds about right for a sale.
 
He sounds like a pony club mother's dream- I would probably ask about £5-6k for him.
I sold a v similar horse a while back and had loads of calls from competitive teenagers who wanted their first horse, a nice horse with some ability to bring on through the grades of pony club as loads of these kids dont want and cant afford a ready made horse and prefer something to make themselves, but has had the basics installed.

The only problem is his looks. He is conformationally correct?The one I sold was v.good looking hence attracted a lot of interest and it is always good photos that sell. But if you can word out a really good advert than hopefully people will see through the looks!

Anyway, who knows- he may look far better after youv'e schooled him on the flat and given him some good food and grass?
 
Cool. O_B - yes its his looks and basic paces that Im not so sure about. Hes a mealy brown/bay ith a relatively plain head and slightly upright neck(although he uses it well under saddle). He has good limb conformation though and moves straight, but doesnt give a great picture. However he rides a lot differently, is very comfortable and a real fun sort. I think hed do a very accurate and consistent dressage test though ( so may make up marks for consistency that hed lose for movement).
I think hed be a great fun horse especially for someone who enjoys jumping, hunting etc. I cant emphasise how much fun this guy is to ride, he just loves to please and has bundles of scope. I took him x country schooling (his first time ever jumping under saddle) and he had so much fun, never spooked or looked at anything and nicely forward to his fences - even giving some of the other horses a lead over ski jumps and banks. He normally goes on the gallops in the middle or back of the string (or occasionally in front) and behaves beautifully, this week he went up and cantered on his own for the first time, just got on and did his job, in a perfectly consistent pace and took him for a hack yesterday with 6 other horses and trotted and cantered sweetly.
I was thinking with some hunting and either unaffiliated competition (sj/d) OR team chasing I might get £4-5k.
Tbh though, I could well end up keeping him!
tongue.gif
 
He sounds a dream, I would go for it! This is the exact sort of attitude that the top competition horses have at a young age which is why they do well in young horse classes with v. little work & then go on to be consistently successfull.
 
flashy paces aren't everything though- my 5yro tb has a rubbish natural trot but with schooling she goes very correctly and her paces have improved immensely- she got a 32 dressage yesterday at a BE event and was top 5!

and if he hasn't run, he's not an ex-racer so that shouldn't affect his value at all.

i think around £4k for a nice fun, safe alrounder
 
Cool, millitiger and O_B - thats the sort of info I was looking for.
He will have raced by the time I get him as the plan is to get him out running before xmas. So fingers crossed he retires sound!

PS. Just realised how many times I used the word "fun" in my posts - can you tell I enjoy riding him??
tongue.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top