Unrealistic horse expectations?

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Sameru

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Is it unrealistic to find a nice 7-11yo 15.2-16.1hh that is an experienced and safe bet for riding club stuff, pub rides, happy hacking and loads of love for 3k? Only stipulation is it HAS to be genuine, not fizzy as the poor owner has lost a bit of stuffing of late. It would have a really lovely home for ever too!
 
Honestly yes (sorry) the market is rubbish but the type you have described is worth their weight in gold still and always will be becasue they are what so many people are looking for.
15 years ago I paid £6k for one of these and I think it was the perfect horse for the right money.
With that budget and those needs look for something older - if you go for 16+ you friend will still get 8/10 years of riding club stuff, at 7 y/o they won't have the experience to be 100% genuine in all situations - 6 y/o's are still teenagers!
 
I have been looking for a similar horse to buy but looking around the £6000 mark. I wanted something to ride while my mare slowly comes back into work. I have been so disappointed as have seen total rubbish and one was even dangerous to ride on the road! I think horses like you want are out there but finding them and travelling miles is a pain tbh. I have given up now for a while and am hoping to find something when the weather improves. It seems it is not just the budget as I consider £6000 to be a good one! Dealers do seem to have nice horses if they are good ones and at least you get the option to send back!
 
ex racers make lovely horses for the right people - but they are cheap for a reason. If the lady has 'lost her stuffing' and needs 100% genuine and not fizzy at all I think this would be the wrong route - unless it was a horse she already knew.

Even going to try unsuitable ex racers could knock her confidence even more.

You get what you pay for.
 
Dealers would not really be an option and from my experience over the last few years (finding horses for friends and myself) we have always got something genuine for less than this privately. We are not looking for potential competition horses, just a pleasure horse that can turn a hoof to clinics/low level shows. 2years ago this was achievable, just wondering where we stand now really :)
 
The only thing you can do is look really - but I wouldn't be supprised if you can't find anything, my £6k boy 15 years ago would pop a 2'3/2'6 course or do a sponsored ride with a few jumps but that was his limit - certainly not a competition horse.

I'm supprised they were this cheap 2 years ago TBH.
 
I bought a master imp gelding who is 100% for £3k granted he was younger (5) but would def do the job. Sought out a 15.2, 10yo mare for 2750 who has been an utter godsend to a very nervous rider. Nothing wrong with either of them, just hope this type still exists :) think 6k for the type you described seems a bit pricey, I'm not looking for rda standards of steady just something genuine.
 
Yep I'd say so - I bought mine a lot cheaper as a 6yo, 15.2hh ex-racer, she'd had minimal re-schooling after retiring but has never put a foot wrong or worried me at all - she's sensible, bombproof and nicely forwards without being giddy - my perfect hacking companion. Despite that, I would not say she'd be good for a nervous rider as her free-moving gaits and alert expression may worry a nervous sort.
I would say, don't be stuck on a particular type/breed - look for something that meets your friend's needs in temperament, personality and experience first, within as broad an age and height range as you can. Schooled up horses will go for more money - are you after a 'ready-made' horse or does your friend have sufficient experience and help (notwithstanding the confidence issue) to put in some schooling on a less 'finished' one that has the right temperament and personality?
 
I don't think it's impossible, there's a horse matching this description for sale on my local horsey FB page for £500, she is about 15yo though, probably has some mileage but sounds like the owner has had so much interest in her he's having to "interview" prospective buyers and choose the one he thinks best.

My own horse, a 17yo IDX sounds like she'd be ideal too, providing there wasn't too much jumping, but she too has the signs of high mileage, does have some pre-existing health issues, but you'd be hard pressed to find a safer mount and she cost nothing near £3k.

So, depending on what they are, don't be afraid to look at older horses who have some wear and tear, a lot of them have a lot of experience (my horse hunted, did eventing, sj at a level I could never hope to obtain) and with the right management are very happy to pootle about on pub rides, hacking and the like.
 
My mare exactly fits your description - she was 4.5k 18 months ago (not worth that now though - flippin' sarcoids lol). She had done BE100 though so that added a bit to her price. She came with saddle, bridle, boots (travel/for jumping) and 6 rugs.

She is happy doing riding club stuff with me at the moment and would do some affiliated jumping/dressage at the lower levels if I want in the future.

It is possible that you will find a horse for that budget, but it is the type of horse that a lot of people want and hold onto.
 
Im looking atm and have seen 3 which fit your criteria - although one is a bit older. Of course they might all turn out to have 3 legs.

Academic for me just now as we have too much snow to bring a new horse into.
 
Polos Mum said:
The only thing you can do is look really - but I wouldn't be supprised if you can't find anything, my £6k boy 15 years ago would pop a 2'3/2'6 course or do a sponsored ride with a few jumps but that was his limit - certainly not a competition horse.

I'm supprised they were this cheap 2 years ago TBH.
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Mine was 2k, I can take him in an open field, bareback, and feel safe galloping him. And I'm definitely not a confident (or particularly good!!) rider. Most ex racers I have ridden have been absolute dopes! Had many more scary experiences on cobs!!
 
Pigeon said:
Mine was 2k, I can take him in an open field, bareback, and feel safe galloping him. And I'm definitely not a confident (or particularly good!!) rider. Most ex racers I have ridden have been absolute dopes! Had many more scary experiences on cobs!!
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I agree! I shared an ex racer for a while and he was far more chilled than my first pony- a chunky cob!!
 
No.

The safest horse I have ever had/known was given to me.

Regardless of the economical state, all it takes is a bit of searching.
 
I'm buying a 8y/o 15.2hh TB ex point to point gelding, who is pretty much in keeping with what your friend is after. He might be a TB but he doesn't realise it- so laid back! He's done lots of riding club stuff, fun rides, etc. Paying £2600 for him inc tack.
 
I think its very realistic. I have just put my 15hh 7 year old on loan as he does all you require, has a super soppy temprament. I had 2 enquiries when he was up for sale, hence the loan. His loaner loves him to bits and is considering buying him as she is that smitten. I have owned him from a yearling and backed and brought him on so I knew him inside out. I could not believe how little enquires I had.
 
I think that's realistic. You've just described my horse. I bought him for less than 3k in December, he was advertised for a lot more initially.
 
This is slightly different, but I got my 13.3 mare, 13 yo when I bought her, (now 16) for £2800 w/ tack and rugs and boots etc. She IS worth her weight in gold, 100 % bombproof and the most loving pony i've ever met, she does XC, SJ, dressage etc. They are VERY hard to find, and I haven't looked in the market for some thing as big or recently, but I would imagine it'll be hard to find :( Sorry, but I hope you find what you're looking for :)
 
I think you can buy one for that money as long as it not expected to have the scope to do BE .
You can find them with the scope for BE too at that money if you have time to look .
The more restricted the budget the longer , generally , it will take to find one.
I think if you consider older horses there are some excellent buys to be had.
 
i think you could, four years ago i bought a 9y/o ex-racehorse as my first horse from ponies at 11 years old, and he was perfect and only £2500, there was no reason for him being at such a affordable price, but it took us 6 months to find him and we bought him at the start of winter maybe that effected it? he later took me to novice eventing but sadly we found he had arthritis so has been sold, he did everything, i went hunting on him and pony club ect he was a dream but i still think that i had been extremely lucky
 
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