Where to look for a cheap project pony?

C

Coffee_Bean

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 January 2007
Messages
11,653
Location
In a stable...
www.horseandhound.co.uk
As Beany as going on loan on tuesday (omg
frown.gif
) I will be looking for a new one in the next 4-6 weeks.... sooner if we see something. Looking for a project with this criteria:
14hh-15.3hh
4-8yo
Under £1500 (absoloute max)

Ideally broken at some point, but not absoloutely essential, ideally some sort of cobby type. Don't want it to already have developed issues really, just something to bring on to sell.

Where is the best place to look??
 
ahh - can't remember her name but scroll throught the last couple of days - a lady had bought something similiar to the above but then wanted to sell on as she felt he was a little too much for her...
 
I wouldnt bother with project horses site. 3 reasons.
1. Most of the horses on it are over priced considering many have BIG issues.
2. Many have big issues that may or may not allow them to be easily aleable in the future - most are more sited to a potentially long term home.
3. Most of the people selling seem to want long term only homes for them - and some of these sellers seem like they could be difficult to deal with.

Look at cheaper sorts on horsemart etc or youngstock and they often dont come with such extensive/awkward problems.

Just my opinion though, there are a few rare gems on PH Im sure.
 
i know a racehorse trainer in N yorks we've had 6 from him and all been very sane and sensible. All within your price range and he'll not sell you anything that he does not think is suitable - he has a daughter about your age and will only sell stuff she can ride etc. he is very honest and a great guy. PM me for his contact details
 
If you are looking for something cheap but has potential, you should try your local market, ino its not really a nice place but ive been a couple of times and you would be suprised sometimes x
 
i recently got a 5yr old welsh D type from PH (pics of him in a prev post) lovely boy. He was on there because the owner thought he was a head shaker or beginning to be one,other than being green for his age he is prooving to be a great buy. I was just browsing when i found him and agree with others that most are over priced,the owners are fussy and want long term homes etc. My boys owner has 1st refusal if i ever decide to sell him,he wasn't on for a bargain price but i think i paid what he was worth in the end,i def wouldn't of paid what she was asking originally but she knows he is in a v good home so she dropped the price. I think to buy from there you have to be exp and have an eye for a good buy because with those kinds of horses it could all end very much in tears.
 
I agree with help1 - that pony would be worth dbl what its for sale for with a few months riding and experience. Nice sort - and if you could get it out hunting a few times you'd surely find a buyer for it.
 
I have used PH and have had 3 from there. 2 poinies and my current horse. I think it is a very good site, and i have given a chance to those 3 !

The horse i currently have is on permanant loan. he has issues but actually, since having him he is a real gem and in fact probably better to ride than most of thehorse son my yard that people have spent adges looking for/paying silly money. He was advertised on PH becasue he is aggresive, but actually its more than he is senertive and a bit quirky to handle in his stable. He is however very talented at jumping and dressarge and is a bold jumper, who hunted and is bombproof on the roads.

I always give PH goodfeedback to people i know, and a friend of mien is currently in the process of taking a horse on loan from PH, prior to me mentioning it she had never heard of PH.

I think that peopel expect to find cheap horses on PH, and i do agree that some of the horses are over priced for the issues they have. However thats the fault of the owners advertising them and nothing to do with the site.
 
I've bought several "project" ponies and Ive bought all of them through wanted ads. I just stick a wanted advert in my local free newspaper and on any free websites and let them come to me. My max on project ponies is £500 (all but one where unbacked) and I've always ended up getting fantastic ponies, usually from people who have no time and dont plan to sell but see my ad and think why not.
 
Thanks M_M, worth bearing in mind.

Re Project horses; they are looking for long term homes, so no they aren't suitable for me. Plus they are often long term projects, and have already developed problems that are not going to be turned around in 6 months. I think that a young but green horse with a lot to learn and the attitude to suit will be a lot easier than one that is further on in its training, but has an established issue.

Thanks for everyone's help
smile.gif
 
I have nothing against PH - the concept is excellent. I was just saying that I didnt feel that most of the horses/ponies advertised on there would fit the bill for Christmas_Bean. And no, I agree a long term home is what many of those horses need (and deserve) but it isnt the sellers right to decide that IMO. Many of the sellers on there are unrealistic in their expectations and that includes their pricing( and many still seem to want some level of control of their horse after they have sold it).
I often look through PH and think that many of the horses ounds like the sort that could turn out really well with time and patience but as i said, I think a green broke pony is more suitable as a project to turn a profit than a horse with deep-set issues.
 
What about this one?
Albie, smart Ride/Drive prospect
3 yrs, 13.2hh approx. Unreg Welsh, real little cob.Bought to do Novice show classes next year, but family illness forces sale.Very flashy and a really good mover. Rather shy of strangers, but a sweetnatured pony and a quick learner, lightly lunged. Experienced home only, as seen in "In Harness" magazine



Price: £750



Name: vanessa Francis

Town: Saxmundham

Tel: 01728 688638

Email: vanessa@cundlegreen.com

Date: November 20, 2009
 
If you can, get to Leominster Horse and Pony sale.
The next one is janusry.
Go on the Brightwells website.
Bargains galore on there.
Try not to patronise the "parelli rejects" on Project Horses as the more people boycott that dreadful site, the better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top