What's he worth now?

[soloequestrian]

16.1 WBxTB, I've had him for 3 years now - think about selling him every year and never quite get round to it but he still just doesn't feel like 'my' horse. He's going well now, brilliant to hack and fairly smart in the school although still quirky. He's easy to handle too. He has taken up head shaking but it's fully controlled by a nose net and he only does it when working, never in the field. He goes bitless, doesn't much like a bit. I don't know what he's like in heavy traffic but he doesn't bother about vehicles on the track we use. We are quite far north. He's 13. What would be a sensible asking price?

 

[nagblagger]

Putting it bluntly, a quirky, head shaking horse who has never seen much traffic, doesn't like a bit (I presume teeth checked etc), this limits buyers as head shaking may get worse. Sorry I haven't a clue where to price him.

 

[Wishfilly]

16.1 WBxTB, I've had him for 3 years now - think about selling him every year and never quite get round to it but he still just doesn't feel like 'my' horse. He's going well now, brilliant to hack and fairly smart in the school although still quirky. He's easy to handle too. He has taken up head shaking but it's fully controlled by a nose net and he only does it when working, never in the field. He goes bitless, doesn't much like a bit. I don't know what he's like in heavy traffic but he doesn't bother about vehicles on the track we use. We are quite far north. He's 13. What would be a sensible asking price?

If he doesn't feel like "your" horse, then I'd definitely sell him now as over 14 prices seem to drop quite sharply. Has he done much away from home? How does he jump?

What does "quirky" mean in real terms? If he's "just" sharp and sensitive, that's different to rearing/serious bucking etc.

Bitless limits people a lot, too.

 

[spotty_pony]

If he doesn't feel like "your" horse, then I'd definitely sell him now as over 14 prices seem to drop quite sharply. Has he done much away from home? How does he jump?

What does "quirky" mean in real terms? If he's "just" sharp and sensitive, that's different to rearing/serious bucking etc.

Bitless limits people a lot, too.

I would be inclined to scrap thinking about what he’s worth with all of the things listed above and just concentrate on finding him a good suitable one to one home regardless of price - there will be somebody out there for him for sure but nobody will pay an awful lot to take on the problems listed above unfortunately.

 

[ycbm]

I would be inclined to scrap thinking about what he’s worth with all of the things listed above and just concentrate on finding him a good suitable one to one home regardless of price - there will be somebody out there for him for sure but nobody will pay an awful lot to take on the problems listed above unfortunately.

Agree, and he is possibly more likely to find a home at best price to someone who already knows him.
.

 

[Wishfilly]

I would be inclined to scrap thinking about what he’s worth with all of the things listed above and just concentrate on finding him a good suitable one to one home regardless of price - there will be somebody out there for him for sure but nobody will pay an awful lot to take on the problems listed above unfortunately.

If he is really good to hack, and if he jumps well, and the quirkiness is not so bad, then I think there could be people out there who are interested- not at a super high price, but given prices right now, people are willing to make some pretty serious compromises to get a horse under say, 5k, and that doesn't mean they will be a bad home.

If "quirky" really means "potentially dangerous" and/or he doesn't jump, I agree with you.

 

[spotty_pony]

If he is really good to hack, and if he jumps well, and the quirkiness is not so bad, then I think there could be people out there who are interested- not at a super high price, but given prices right now, people are willing to make some pretty serious compromises to get a horse under say, 5k, and that doesn't mean they will be a bad home.

If "quirky" really means "potentially dangerous" and/or he doesn't jump, I agree with you.

I am not saying he’s worth nothing…

 

[Wishfilly]

I am not saying he’s worth nothing…

No, I agree with you about looking for the best possible home- but I think "quirky" can cover a huge range of things.

I also think if he doesn't jump, it changes things a lot, as most potential buyers probably at least want to pop a log out hacking and the odd cross pole in the school?

 

[soloequestrian]

By quirky I just meant he's still got some hang-ups from his past - he's very slow to get started in the school, it's like he has to learn to trust you all over again at the start of each session and then he'll relax and go nicely. He's just literally slow and a bit tight though, a little frustrating but nothing more. I'm rubbish at jumping so haven't done any with him. He'd ideally like a hacking home, that's his forte. Even if I'm looking for the best home that exists I still need an idea of where to price him - I haven't got a clue what the market is doing - 'under £5k' is a big range.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Really tough one. I'm probably going to cause a fight but in my experience, people who ride bitless tend to want a good, safe, solid 15hh hacking horse who is reliable and an easy all rounder. 16.1 wb/tb with quirks and headshaking doesn't really fit the mould, esp if untried in heavier traffic, not straightforward in the school and untried jumping. You could try open to offers/home more important than price but you might get people saying I'll give you a grand to take him off your hands.

 

[Regandal]

Some of the things he is exhibiting sound a bit PSSM. I’d try him on high dose vit E and a pssm diet for a month, you may have a different horse after that.

 

[Wishfilly]

By quirky I just meant he's still got some hang-ups from his past - he's very slow to get started in the school, it's like he has to learn to trust you all over again at the start of each session and then he'll relax and go nicely. He's just literally slow and a bit tight though, a little frustrating but nothing more. I'm rubbish at jumping so haven't done any with him. He'd ideally like a hacking home, that's his forte. Even if I'm looking for the best home that exists I still need an idea of where to price him - I haven't got a clue what the market is doing - 'under £5k' is a big range.

I think if you really want a bitless/hacking only home for him, he's probably got limited value, and as others have said you are better trying to find a home via word of mouth for him where you feel he will be happy long term.

I'd potentially even say loaning might be the best option so that you can keep control.

The problem with offering him at say 2-3k in the current market is that you will end up with a) people who will want to sell him on again to make a quick profit, disguise his issues and he may end up in a very unsuitable home, or passed around or b) people who are a bit clueless and are mainly interested because of the price!

 

[soloequestrian]

These are all good points, thank you. I'll ponder how to use word of mouth, not having a huge equine circle available. If I do find the right home for him, I'm getting the idea that £2-3k would be a fair price for him? I would really just want enough to be able to buy myself another project type, hopefully one that I have more of a connection with (all previous projects have stayed for life).