What would you compromise on to keep horse prices lower.....

I would always go healthy older (16+) - I bought my mare at 16 after a very serious accident and total loss of confidence. She is a retired completion horse with beautiful manners and excellent schooling. My confidence flooded back within three months of buying her and now 10 years on we're still having lots of fun and she's still in excellent health.
 
What would I compromise on, colour, chestnut mares can be unpopular, boring bays or don't command a premium like duns, palominos and coloureds. Also don't be put off by "unattractive" white marking, like big white faces and wall eyes.

Height, ones that don't quite measure in are often cheaper. The price difference between a 14.2 and a 14.3 can be huge, but also cobs too big for cob classes and not big enough for maxi cob classes. Mine is too big for small riding horse classes but a bit small for large riding horse classes, but that doesn't matter to me.

Age, mine was rising 4 and green with a nice attitude, but I also know a couple of people who bought older horses that were stepping down a bit and had years of fun and success with them and that is a better option for a child who wants to get out and have fun.

Confirmation, cow hocks, pigeon toes and dishing wouldn't immediately put me off, especially not if the horse is sound and in work doing the job you want. Bad feet wouldn't immediately put me off either as that can often be fixed, providing they matched each other.

Other stuff, mild sweetitch is manageable. Some quirks or gaps in education can be dealt with or lived with, for example, mine was rubbish at picking up her feet, we worked on it and she's fine now.

Ridden I would rather have something that jumps but needs work on the flat than the other way round because it is easier to deal with alone and less likely to affect confidence or cause an accident.
 
Try shopping at the edges of the known world, and for less popular options.
E.g I know of 2 backed/turned away TBs, nice enough breeding etc. but not ROR as never been in training, owner can't shift them. The fact that she's about 20 miles from Lands End won't be helping! My family are in West Wales, and will frequently have something really nice that they can't even get people to go and view. They have one in now that on paper would do for you (I don't know about in real life) and I bet they will have the same issue. They often end up sending away just to get people to view, so if you can find a few somewhere where you can combine it with a bit of a holiday, that might be an option??
 
Think it depends very much on who it is for...
I would consider:
Vices don't bother me much and I don't intend to sell my horses so I would take one with a vice if it got me a better horse for a lower price
Some management issues / chronic conditions such as sweet itch. Sarcoids don't worry me too much either depending on where they are, but I think they are less dreaded in Ireland than England
A lack of dressage schooling providing they were a forward and honest jumper, as I can do that myself
Something that dishes a bit or whatever is ok too as I'm never trying to show
Splints and windgalls provided the vet isn't too concerned.
I wouldn't compromise on
Something that showed any backward tendencies at all (napping / rearing / even looking towards the gate when trying)
Something that already needed injected in its legs unless it was already mid teens, I could talk to the vet, see the x rays, and was getting it for a really bargain price
Something with a poor record XC as I'm not the one to fix it (!)
 
Your thoughts will be do I buy an older horse that's been well schooled & will do what you need as soon as it arrives or buy a young horse that hasn't had much work but will be cheaper. You will need to think about finances. A young horse will be cheaper to buy but if you or your rider doesn't have the experience you may end up spending a fortune on lessons & training. The idea of a young rider lacking in confidence buying a young horse & 'learning together' is a recipe for disaster. Good luck with your search.
 
View an unpopular breed. One you’d swipe by on the advert. My boy is a trotter:standardbred x cob x Heinz 57 and a fabulous boy. He’s not put together that great. Horse head, cob body. However amazing feet and leg in each corner. Hacks solo. And in company. Is a XC demon. Schools very nicely. Only complaint is some of his trot to canter transitions can be hit or miss due to the trotter gene BUT, he was under 1,500 and
 
Agree on the unpopular breeding, both my carriage horses could technically do a BE90/100, though one too spooky to waste BE entries on and one I'll let you know next year once I've tried!

They're both mainly Hackney, with Friesian in there and Skylla also has some Holstein in too. Very athletic (Topaz we gave up eventing and started dressage and shes at PSG now) and so far very hardy. However, the Hackney has meant they're both fairly sharp, so not for everyone but it opened my eyes to the fact you don't always need 'normal' breeding to do what you want.

Pricing wise, Skylla was £500 at 2 years old...
 
what to compromise on..............the answer is most things except health and temperament.

you are coming into the selling the pony/horse to go to university, so soon many will come to the market, if you are in the pony club you might even get to hear of these by word of mouth before they are advertised or potentially could come on loan. this is what i did with one of mine i didn't want to sell, loaned out with discrete visitation rights which included the odd ride in the holiday.

look for a loan if possible, doesn't matter how old as long as healthy and safe. she hopefully will gain her confidence back and then it might be time to go shopping.
 
I would go for something a bit older whose been there and done that.
As an example this guy is a bit older but for what he’s done I would say he’s a steal: https://www.horsemart.co.uk/ponyclub-riding-club-eventer-/Horses/573039

Don’t know if he’s anywhere near you or within budget but I found him in 5 minutes so I’m sure you could find something older to suit. If he gives your daughter her confidence something like him would be well worth it even with his age.
 
The only thing I wouldn’t compromise on is attitude- I think lots of other things can be worked through and what you’re looking for, for the level you’re at, it doesn’t need to be perfect in every respect (and if your budget is on the modest side it won’t be).

For me; green but genuine and without quirks would be fine, sarcoids/ sweetitch etc at the right price, confirmation issues not such a stress if the horse is a bit older and already out there doing the job you want. I guess keep an open mind and weigh up the horse infront of you.

If you go for OTTB, I’d strongly advise one which has stayed in racing pretty sound until a bit older and is skeletally mature. I’ve worked with and owned quite a few failed 3 yr olds which have been great and then matured to have kissing spines etc.
 
Something that doesn't look amazing - often something that looks a bit ugly or just isn't that "fancy" looking is hard to sell (thus easier to buy at a good price)? Or a weird height like 15hh as most people seem to want a 14.2hh or a 15.2hh etc. and not much in between? Ive never had a big budget for horses but my biggest criteria is temperament, if they're nice willing natured then they'll always try their best for you. Mine have usually been green so needed work. Also dont care about bloodlines, I never look at them. I dont care what breed the horse is either as long as its the right type for eventing (ie. not heavy). If you're experienced yourself, could you get something just backed and bring it on for your daughter?
 
How competitive does your daughter want to be. I'd go for something older doing the job maybe looking to step down from the level above or just outgrown by a more ambitious teen wanting to do more. Personally I'd consider anything going round sensibly and coming in mid div - I wouldn't be over fussed if it never really placed because I'm not fussed if I never really place, I want to have a nice day out and come home safe and well. Something older without the flash and flair for super dressage marks but with a nice attitude and a record would be higher on my list than youth, breeding etc. I'd also consider something with sarcoids (although it would depend on the horse), vices, sweet itch (depending on my location etc).
If your daughter wants to go out and do 90s etc I wouldn't rule in or out any breed - to me any decent club horse should be capable of a 90.
 
I'd spread the word about the local Pony Clubs and perhaps get a loan horse that's BTDT and got the Tshirt with an established rider - someone off to Uni perhaps who isn't yet ready to sell up, with a view to buying something later on
 
Horse Quest Ad 213682 - not a typical eventer but a fun cob?
Horse Quest Ad 207785 - sounds as though she knows her job although has focussed more on dressage, 14 yo.
Horse Quest Ad 212653 - A Tb produced to be a future eventer, not raced.

These three are very different types but all under £3K that could potentially do the job OP is looking for if the ads are truthful. Obviously, the cob is not a typical eventer type, the second one should be good on the flat and jumps but is older and the third sounds like it has the potential to easily do the eventing job. I think a lot comes down to AE deciding what type they want as at 90/100 level many types can do the job.
 
I wouldn't go for a real youngster for a not very confident child. I don't know what age of child you are talking about, but they do grow very quickly and sometimes by the time they get the hang of a youngster they've outgrown them! Definitely look at the older ones, and I would never dismiss a horse for having splints unless I wanted it for showing or the vet expressed concerns about them. We took on a horse with a mild shiver that needed sedation to shoe, but hubby is a farrier who is good with difficult horses so that worked out fine with us. (Horse no longer requires sedation). Often what compromises you accept will depend on your own situation - if you have plentiful well-drained grazing, for example, you might be well-placed to take on a horse with stable vices that is better living out 24/7. Anything with a reasonable eventing record is likely to be fairly expensive - if you can find something that has just show-jumped then they can often be cheaper if they are the type to have a pole or two or are not speedy in jump-offs. You do take the risk that they might be nappy XC or hate water though - if the vendor would allow you to take it XC schooling that would be a bonus.
 
How long until you want to BE 100? If you buy a 14yo and want to wait 2 years, it will be 16 by then.

Issues I would take: sweetitch (no bother), controllable headshaking (nose net/supplement fixes it), poss sarcoids.

We were in a similar position - needed something perfect that would build confidence rather than destroy it. V small budget. We have the time to play the long game and I have the experience to back and produce myself - so we now have two youngsters from a lovely breeder who gives them a world of good experiences before sale. The larger of the two is an absolute gem: confidence giver, looks after my 7yo son and took a friend to her (and his) first xc course this spring without batting an eyelid. Took about a year to get him to this point - last winter he was not fun to ride, but he came through that without too much bother and is wonderful now.

My mare was also bought and backed at 3 and a half by me. Was an angel by 4, never spooks or stops or runs out. In her time jumped 1m20 tracks with ease.

Both of those cost under £1000 and our youngest one (with a little more spark!) was again bought for temperament and is doing really well, having been backed by my son (who was 6 at the time). I school her, he hacks out and plays with her in the school.
 
In your situation, I would look at an older horse and also be prepared to deal with a manageable health condition. Confidence is precious and finding the right horse to build it back up is very important.
When I got a new horse earlier in the year, I had a very limited budget. My compromise was to buy a very green exracer. He is a very nice person and is great to hack alone/good with traffic etc, but that's pretty much all he has done since coming out of racing 2yrs ago. I got him with a view to event, but had to take a punt as I have no idea if he will! He has all the right ingredients but only time will tell.
 
I can't remember the last time I bought a horse over the age of 2. It was a huge compromise for me the first time, but now I have had three horses I couldn't never have afforded to buy. When I unexpectedly lost my gelding last year, I suddenly had £3000 from the insurance to spend ... so I bought a £900 weanling, and so the cycle starts again. Guess I'm addicted to the babies now.

ETA: I am an amateur rider up to BE100 so as long as they're honest and willing they are physically OK. My 14.2hh flies around the 90s no problems. He was supposed to be 15.2hh and is passported as such as a foal, but that's the risk you take with babies!
 
vhf said:
Try shopping at the edges of the known world, and for less popular options.
E.g I know of 2 backed/turned away TBs, nice enough breeding etc. but not ROR as never been in training, owner can't shift them. The fact that she's about 20 miles from Lands End won't be helping! My family are in West Wales, and will frequently have something really nice that they can't even get people to go and view. They have one in now that on paper would do for you (I don't know about in real life) and I bet they will have the same issue. They often end up sending away just to get people to view, so if you can find a few somewhere where you can combine it with a bit of a holiday, that might be an option??
Click to expand...

Just as an odd comment not really an answer - but this is why there are often good animals to be bought at Brightwells Sale at Leominster as people selling live in Wales and just can't get people to come and look at them. As with any Sale animal you have to be careful, but I know several people who have bought wonderful horses and ponies from there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vhf
Broodle said:
In your shoes I would compromise on longevity and scope, and buy something in the 15hh bracket that may be limited to be90. And accept that you'll need to buy again in a couple of years. Personally I think 13.2hh to proper horse is too much of an ask.

Good luck on your hunt :)
Click to expand...

So would I, an exracehorse over 16 hands, some of them are 17 hands, is not an ideal mount for a small, slightly nervous 15 year old to go onto however tempting the price.
As she is off to uni in 3 years the horse may need to be sold on then which makes it more sensible to get one that is a reasonable fit for the next 3 years and if she really wants to go on to the higher levels at a later date that is when to look for a horse with real talent and scope.
 
Well I suppose I sort-of compromised, in that the "right" horse (or rather pony) came along - and even though she was everything I said I didn't want, she more-or-less "chose" me, the little monkey.

My compromise(s) were:

Size: went for pony instead of a horse

Colour: didn't really want a coloured but ended up with one!!

Hairyness: didn't want hairy feathers but got 'em!

Breed/type: had set my heart on a Welsh D but ended up with a traditional gypsy cob!!

Sex: had thought to go for a gelding, but what came along at the right time was a mare!!

Age: I'd said I didn't want a youngster, but couldn't say no to a sweet-as-roses little just-backed 4yo who was actually everything I wanted as far as temperament was concerned.

Things I wouldn't compromise on:

Traffic-worthyness: I have to do a lot of road hacking with busy traffic and so this isn't something I'd prepared to have any ifs or buts about. My little youngster was hacking through a working quarry as a just-backed 4yo. Exactly what I wanted and is even better now!

Behavioural vices like rearing or tanking: tho' having said that my last horse did need a lot of remedial work as he'd never hacked solo before I got him, but we did get there in the end! Unbeknown to me, he had actually been taught to rear by a previous owner, which I only found out about when we got in touch with each other, and he was 20!. Having said I wouldn't have a tanker, I did buy a mare last autumn who was labelled a project as apparently she had "bolted" with someone, simply because when I went to try her there was just something about her that I couldn't walk away from!! Got her home and found out it was obviously a pain issue, which we sorted, and she's actually turned out into rather a nice sort. I've put her repeatedly in almost exactly the same kind of situation that allegedly occurred when she "bolted", and she hasn't reacted at all.

Stable vices like windsucking/crib-biting. Saw a really nice horse when I was looking, everything fine, got back to the yard and was discussing vetting with the vendor, then the bliddi thing windsucked. I walked away. Ditto a crib-biter, I wouldn't want one on my yard, end of.

Physical issues like sweet-itch: having had a sweet-itchy horse, I'd not want to have another, it isn't just the added expense and hassle, its the awfulness of having to watch them all itchy and in distress - and bundled up in a rug during a heatwave, and not being able to do anything about it. Ditto laminitis, I wouldn't want one with that condition.
 
be positive said:
So would I, an exracehorse over 16 hands, some of them are 17 hands, is not an ideal mount for a small, slightly nervous 15 year old to go onto however tempting the price.
As she is off to uni in 3 years the horse may need to be sold on then which makes it more sensible to get one that is a reasonable fit for the next 3 years and if she really wants to go on to the higher levels at a later date that is when to look for a horse with real talent and scope.
Click to expand...

I think AE is going to keep the horse and ride it aswell once her daughter goes to Uni? Hence wanting something that they could both ride and AE could help out with if needed.
 
For a child who needs a safe and confidence giving ride I would perhaps look at compromising on ability. Would you daughter be happy with a less athletic horse that could safely and easily take her round 90 but that would not be competitive at 100.

Anything unproven is risky and if her confidence is low could put off or scare her if she is having to bring it on herself. If it is the cross country she is not confident with then you need something that has at least done plenty of x cross country schooling so you can be confident that it will be ok.

She could then get her confidence back going round a 90 course and if she feels like she wants to do more you then a have straightforward horse that you can sell on and then look at getting a younger horse with more potential that she could perhaps feel more confident bringing on. Young people do loose interest sometimes and so unless you can keep the horse quite cheaply something older or with management or behavioural issues may be difficult to pass on if your daughter gives up riding.
 
I was compromised on age (looking at everything from proper babies to just broken/unbroken 5 - 6yos) and experience I guess, but I had was cautiously confident then lol (by which I mean, wary but to a sensible degree with a young horse, not OTT terrified). Also someone has said no one buys 14.3 hh - so I compromised there too with a horse that's 150cm exactly.
If no/little confidence then do not do this!!!
 
Last edited:
There are ponies that will jump up to a certain height and then no higher, but something like that with plenty of experience could be the answer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top