what would you expect to get for £4-5k?

Shooting Star

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as per the title ^ !

I'm looking at the moment with a budget up to £5k and mostly seeing ones for sale between £4-5k but just don't seem to be able to find anything that meets my expectations

For this amount would you expect to be able to get a green horse to make an RC all rounder (say eventually be able to jump a 1m course and do a novice DR test) that has reasonably good conformation and basic schooling (fairly established walk & trot, green canter & jump)?

so far in nearly 4 months i've found only 3 fairly suitable horses in terms of temperament & likely ability but all have dished, one has been camped out in front as well and another a bit dubious behind.

i'm now starting to wonder whether i'm going to have to accept some sort of conformational defect in this price range or go for an unbroken youngster instead.

ta for any of your thoughts & recent buying experiences!
 
I would think for 5k in the current market you could get something and at your standard of exspectations what i would say though i wouldnt be scared to look at horses slightly above your 5k as its a total buyers market :)
 
No, you will find something for that budget!
I have a just backed 4yr old - literally just started but walk, trot, cantered and even popped a small fence tonight!! (proud mum moment!)

He will be way below your top budget guide, and i cant imagine he will be the only one around.

On the other scale i know of a 10yr old jumping newcomers, and a 10yr old jumping 1.30 tracks (makes a noise in its breathing though) both advertised for 5k.

Keep looking!
 
I know of someone who just sold a well bred 12 year old with BD and BSJA points for £2.5k as she needed a quick sale, so I would say yes, you will find what you want for your budget.
 
What area are you in?? That budget seems mire thanAdequatw for what you are wanting and for that price I would want proven competition records, I have a young horse that matches you're Description and he's only on the Market for 2.5k, definitely keep looking there should be loads around x
 
More then adequate. We've just got 1.5k knocked off a horse for taking it within the week of seeing it. A lovely boy that should go far
 
I got B - a green 5YO for within your budget - he has good cofo - no major defects, although he does carry his tail to the side (no back issues - nerve damage) and he is now eventing at BE100 - hope to try 1.10 SJ and he will easily go Elem dressage - its just me being scared and lacking experiance that will hold him back!
Good luck, its a buyers market at the moment, so I'm sure you will find plenty of what your looking for!
 
For that amount I would personally be looking for something that has been brought on nicely, working in a consistently outline, sane and sensible, hacks out, proven record at competition, good to handle. Probably under 11 unless has impressive competition history, maybe working at prelim at competitions but going further at home and could do nice novice test.

For what you're looking for I would think that thats more than enough budget! keep searching and most of all good luck
 
Yes definitely. I think you've just described BH pretty well. I haven't really thought how much I'd be selling him for in the spring but definitely not more than 5 grand, probably not more 4! And by then I'l hopefully (if my plan comes off) I'll have him out jumping British Novice. If you don't find anything by then let me know. I need to get Nitty going before I let him go so I have a ride or I'd say come and take him now!

I'm sure they're out there. Good luck :)
 
You should be able to get what you are looking for at your budget now. A couple of yrs ago before prices dropped I bought a mare fitting said description (but who actually turned out to be capable of much more :) ) off my trainer for £6.5k- wanted £7.25k if sold on openmarket I believe. Private sale I would have guessed her to be £5.5 or £6k but wouldnt have have been ridden/ handled in the way I do and approve of so it was worth it. Now of course you could probably knock a grand off those prices for advertised price and like others have said dont be afraid to look at horses up to around £5750 £6k mark people are often prepared to drop prices and going into winter will be acutely aware how much it will cost to keep until spring! Good luck :)
 
in theory, you should be able to - in practice, sifting through all the cr*p takes time:o

lol - so true, I feel like i've viewed thousands because of the number of ads that i've trawled through.


if it goes on much longer i'm going to need to form Horse Hunters Anonymous support group for some counselling on my addiction to checking the for sale ads!!:D:D
 
Seeing as I've bought some jolly nice, useful horses for half that and less, I would expect to get something really super for £5k. It's just a case of waiting for the right one - there is a lot of overpriced rubbish out there.
 
I would phone around any local contacts, don't mention price just ask if they know of something that will suit you, I can't believe you are having trouble, and no, do not accept a conformational defect as it will always be the first thing you see every day.
I will pm you.
 
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You should definitely get something within your budget!

For that amount in this market I would expect either something quite young and green but well started with a good attitude and potential to jump at least 1.10/1.15 courses - OR something 8-10ish established as a decent allrounder, solid up to about 1m but without scope to go further - or perhaps more talented but with a few quirks - OR something 12+ that's competed at a higher level (1.20-1.40 ish) and can teach someone the ropes.

They are out there, but you just have to dig!
 
I would be interested to hear if you find anything interesting in the south east area, may be a little bit cheaper as I am on the look out for a friend who has the same type of criteria as you. Good luck with your search, hope for an update soon that you have found yourself something lovely :)
 
Well I've just bought a 4yo like that but county show standard (has already been placed at that level with the seller) and a nice jump. Does dish a bit though, but dishing is something I am prepared to overlook, plus in a youngster it can sometimes reduce as they strengthen up. But I tried several horses in that price range that would have done my job well. I had real difficulty choosing between some of them. So many nice horses about. Maybe I'm not fussy enough?! I would say the Irish bred youngsters tend to be at more reasonable levels than the Continental warmbloods.
 
I bought a nice all round irish show cob last yr for just under £5000. He is 9 yrs old and well schooled and can turn his hand to everything. I spent the summer doing RC events, fun rides and showing, being placed every time out. Over the winter I hunt him and he is generally well behaved, jumps well, can be a little strong initially and will occasionally throw in a buck at the start of the day, but I always feel safe!

He hacks out alone and in company, is sane and sensible to handle in all ways, and has a very kind temperament. Other than hunting he is ridden and competed in a snaffle. I can take him anywhere on his own and trust him to behave, and is good to load and travel.

In the current market I imagine he would have been worth a little less, nearer the £4 mark, but is definitely a 'keeper' as even my 9 yr old can hack him out.
 
I paid £4450 for a 7year old irish sports horse. Excellent to hack and very quiet to handle. Has basic schooling ie walk, trot, canter, jump 2ftish and has hunted and done small amount of basic cross country. He doesn't work in an outline etc but has a lovely trainable attitude.

He was advertiser at £4900
 
Hi, i have on my yard a 4 yr old mare who is lovely to handle not interested in the boys and very well breed (carousel x Rock king), her owner has had her from a foal and works long hours so is now selling. She has been to a few little shows and xc schooling and been very well behaved has alot of talent with a calm loving nature. price i think is about £4k or £4.5k Pm if you want more info (Yard is in surrey)
 
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