Spin off...Who would/has paid 10K or above for a full grown horse?

[Rubs Not Pats]

Now that there are over 230 responses to the other thread I have a question...How many of you have spent over 10K on a horse? Several breeder friends and I are left cringing that we are either trying to rip off the unsuspecting horsebuying public or that we should absorb the costs associated with producing the likes of a national quality horse. Am I reading too much into this?

[Sassenach]

*raises hand*

Cost + Import (do I dare factor in shipping from the quarantine facility to the farm? :dead:) = each one of our ponies was 10k+

Looking back on it we made out like bandits because overnight Connemara pony prices went skyhigh. Day my lad passed Inspection we got offered 3x what we paid for him :eek:

.... I remember back when you couldn't give away a good Connemara colt in Ireland, A friend of ours said that back around 1990 he sold a fully approved stallion in the range of $150 pounds.

There's an imported stallion here who I've talked to his breeder in Ireland and he got an amazing price (at the time) for the colt as a weanling $1000 pounds (a GOOD GOOD filly was getting 5-600)!!!

I remember getting a 3-in-1 deal - Great Old Mare in foal + Her 4yr Daughter for a grand total of $1500 pounds. GOOD mares top quality bloodlines. People were giving them away!

My have times changed :lol:

Worth it?

Ever. Single. Penny. :D

Trying to buy the same quality in Ireland now would cost more than I care to think about.

Really...

Let's not go there thanks.

Part of the reason we still keep a few mares back at home and breed them to good stallions - so (whenever) the Irish market dies down we can just import more good quality ponies (and Irish homebreds at that Yippee! :D).

And I'm honestly thrilled the market has changed so much. Top quality breeders are getting what they deserve for their ponies instead of practically giving them away for nothing. Ponies are finally being appreciated for what they are worth.

:)

[ltw]

I have paid over $10K MANY TIMES. To buy the quality, rideability, talent, soundness, athleticism, temperament that I want I have yet to find one for less than that.

[risingstarfarm]

I have spent at least this amount as well; both domestically and internationally. In my experience, it is very easy to find horses that are worth 10k and more in the US.

However, I would like to take this opportunity to THANK the mare owners who have shared their incredibly valuable mares with me - on free leases - so that I can continue to improve and upgrade my breeding program.

[vandenbrink]

I have...I just have joined the 5 figure club for the first time.

You don't get much of a riding horse these days for less than that, but in my case I paid that for a broodmare!!!!so that I can sell more 5 figure foals!!!!!!

Now my other mares are worth that much but I bred and raised them myself and paid 10 000 plus each for them by the time you add up the expenses to get them to breeding age.

[Platinum Equestrian]

Guilty... ;)

[spacely]

Guilty... ;)

Ditto. However, that was when my parents were footing the bill. My newest broodie was nearly that much though. When I factor in shipping her to CA, it wil be well over that.

[camohn]

3x; a weanling (well.. tried anyway!), a 2 YO and a green broke 4 YO. Weanling I actually offered 11K for her 13K asking price......they were firm and it was declined. So I tried anyway! Second worked out great, the 4 YO ended up hating the job he was bought to do and sold on to another discipline where he was happier and did well for a different rider (also known as I am a weenie jumper rider!)

[Edgar]

Several breeder friends and I are left cringing that we are either trying to rip off the unsuspecting horsebuying public or that we should absorb the costs associated with producing the likes of a national quality horse. Am I reading too much into this?



Heck I am selling embryo's from some mares for more than that.

Yes you are reading too much into this. I am talking about warmbloods/sporthorses of decent jumping lineage and or of above average quality or with already proven siblings.
There are people that can recognize and appreciate this and those are paying easily twice that for a green or not even started youngster. Because these are horses with potential they can sell them 1-3 years later for twice or three times their purchase price. Those are our clients that come back for siblings often of any age just to get the same good genetics.

For those that can recognize that quality and want to pay less, they can scour the country sides and find a quality horse for less from one of the breeders intimidated by the topic this was the spun off from or find in turn a breeders who does not recognize the quality in the horse that is in their back yard.

Reality is ladies and Gentleman that $40,000 is not a lot of money for a talented sound 5 yr old hunter or jumper horse with just a few shows under his belt and thice that 2 - 3 years later.
From there you can figure what a foal or yearling like that should cost.

It is a world of variables however as there are plenty of horses that with all the training in the world never will be worth more than $15,000

Then there are the nice horses that have been so messed up that they can not sell them.

[Edgar]

OOPs, and yes, most of the horses I bought have been over $10,000

[county]

I've both sold and bought for over $10K

[dray]

I have.

[dray]

Mr CF asks...you can find them for less?

[Thomas_1]

Raises hand.... I've bought horses for more than £10,000 - so that's $20,000

And probably 95% of those I've sold have been over £5,000 ($10,000)

But I've never sold ill-trained pukes. I've rarely sold a horse that hasn't had evidence of performance or potential performance.

And I've also paid more than $10,000 (£5k) for a stud fee for my mare and I've charged more than $10k stud fees for some stallions I've owned.

[Clarion]

Absolutely. And it would not occur to me that you could get a nice competition horse for less than that (Or even that little, really).

[Shawnda N]

Good luck trying to find a well bred, well trained horse, for less than $10,000.00.
I have bought and sold numerous horses above that price range. Anything that is of riding age (3+), will be sold for more than $10,000.00 and will most likely be in the $15,000.00 + range.

[sixpoundfarm]

I have.

[SBClancy]

Count me in.

[aurum]

I have paid more than once 10K, 15K or 20K Euro which is much more than 10K USD. Sometimes even for a very good yearling or 2 year old.

[Waterwitch]

I have both bought and sold horses at this price or above - and to address the other thread - almost all of them have been FOALS. What this boils down to is I know what I want and I'm willing to pay for it.

[BelladonnaLily]

Never had and probably never will. That said, I don't run in the same circles most of you do ;) Not saying there aren't horses out there worth that...heck, I have a pony in my backyard that I'm not sure I'd take 20k for...but I bred him myself and my daughter has done the majority of training and showing. My daughters have to deal with riding greenies in order to eventually have nice ponies. As my daughters move into horses and progress with their riding, my attitude might change a bit and we might go a little higher in order to find what they need.

That said, I'd never pay $10K for a weanling but I dont' have the need for a top-level horse either. For my needs, I can find a weanling for less than $5 or buy a nice TB mare and breed my own for probably less (and I LIKE TBs ;) ).

[flshgordon]

haven't yet, but would

[Reiter]

I just did and she's 19!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tasker]

Yes, we have paid more than 10K for a full grown horse. The higher the level of training generally means a higher price tag as do breeding licenses, performance record, soundness, bloodlines...all of that plays a major role in determining value.

FWIW - we have sold youngsters (weanlings and older) for significantly more than 10K over the last 30 years. The higher the quality of an individual will determine how high the price will be...not every youngster with an outstanding pedigree on paper will be an example of great breeding. Likewise, not every horse with a pedigree that makes you go 'Huh?' will look like you might think looking at the papers.

All of the above really means very little because in the end, a horse is worth what a buyer is willing to pay. :) :yes:

[Oakstable]

The horses being bought for $10K and up are competition horses. If you want a horse to go down the trail, you pay less. Competing is expensive and you need a good horse or why bother.

I don't understand why the OP would be backed off from charging a fair price for quality.

[STF]

Most of the time you get what you pay for, as long as your dealing with an honest person. I could only WISH I could find a super nice horse for under 10K! Hell, for under 30K for that matter for a grown one.
Your comparing apples to oranges and you pay for quality, just the way it is. Like Sally said, if you wana go trail ride, go buy whatever. If you want to hold your own in the ring, you gota pay up. Quality does equal preformance and quality costs money. Im not talking about the small local show types either.

[ThirdCharm]

I paid $12K for a 7 yo who had bucked her way through three other trainers and put her former owner in the hospital. I couldn't have afforded her at all otherwise.....

Jennifer

[buschkn]

Bought and sold for more than that. I have spent over that amount 3x so far- 2 adults, one weanling. Imagine I'll do it again down the road when I am able. Top quality horses cost money. And I am a bargain hunter but sometimes you have to just shell out to get what you want! :)

[Fairview Horse Center]

I have not bought one for that price, but have certainly sold several over that price. Almost every 3 year old or older has sold for over $10,000. I have also kept horses that I have had offers WAY over $10,000 on, so I guess in a way, I did pay for them.

[Edgewood]

Oh yes, and multiple times. In order to get a really nice warmblood with the bloodlines and talent you like, you have too. And these were weanlings BTW.

I also have spent more than that on an SPS mare who had been imported 4 years earlier.

[rcloisonne]

I just did and she's 19!!!!!!!!!!!!
May I ask why? :eek:

[risingstarfarm]

May I ask why? :eek:

I would guess that Reiter has been fortunately enough to purchase a schoolmaster. The mare probably cost MUCH more than 10k in her younger days ;-)

[pwynnnorman]

Sorry, but that's a fairly silly question to ask here. What you should ask is what the net worth of people posting here is. This board is supported primarily by COTH readers and people like them. Have you read COTH's reader profile lately?

Chronicle subscribers are

Accomplished Competitors
95% have competed... and won!
The average subscriber competes eight times annually.
60% are advanced or expert.

Wealthy and Secure
Average household income is $180,151.
63% are married, 37% with children.
Own average 45 acres worth $462,094.

Committed and Involved
61% have owned horses for over 20 years.
Average value of their best horse is $39,130.
Ride five times a week. 30% ride daily.
Own average $11,113 of tack and apparel.
90% feed supplements regularly.

Influential and Powerful
23% are professionally involved.
34% are trainers.
26% are instructors.

Post that question on Equisearch or The Manure Pile and you'll get a totally different answer, which is why anyone seeking to get a real feel for the markets out there should never take anything stated on this BB as gospel. Some folks can't even IMAGINE how those who can't/won't/don't need to buy it--and that's not meant as criticism: simply fact. Sometimes, it's hard to see beyond your own experiences. But that's also why, this BB--and especially this FORUM--is not representative of any group except the groups that are HERE.

Ask what sport most folks are involved in here, too, for example! I'll bet the majority are into dressage.

[Oakstable]

The participation is much larger in the HJ forum than the dressage forum.

I do agree that the posters are more likely high end and also more likely to be on the East Coast. I was introduced to the magazine years ago through fox hunting. Quite a niche sport, especially in CA.

[pwynnnorman]

The participation is much larger in the HJ forum than the dressage forum.

You could be right about that (if you mean on this forum there are more hunter folk--I'm not really all that sure).

[PineTreeFarm]

From the H/J forum
How much would you pay...
http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=76652

[Waterwitch]

I don't fit the demographic you are assuming. I live in Iowa, I come from an eventing background, and my family (husband, 2 kids) lives on a single middle class income since I'm not currently practicing. I don't have any employees, I don't even have a barn - my horses live outside. What I do have is the desire and ability to research bloodlines and breeding theory, to look at lots and lots of horses, and to make educated decisions about the program I am building for the future. I am not breeding future Olympic mounts (although it is not outside the realm of possibility that one of mine could one day be the sire or granddam of one); I breed purebred Irish Draughts. I know my bloodlines, I know my horses, I know what their strengths and weaknesses are and I know what they will produce. When I find a filly or colt that fits my program, you better believe I'm going to snap it up. I have a weanling filly coming home from Pennsylvania in the next several weeks and yes I paid for the quality and pedigree I'm getting (and I borrowed money to do it). I can't afford to purchase a mature mare of the quality I am buying in this filly.

[rcloisonne]

Sorry, but that's a fairly silly question to ask here. What you should ask is what the net worth of people posting here is.
Honestly, I have absolutely no interest in net worth of the average poster here. Now, to qualify myself as someone who hasn't just fallen off the turnip truck let me say I have owned horses who have regularly won championships in dressage and hunters at large, 5 day "A" rated shows. These horses are/were trained and ridden by professionals, who were paid more than chump change for their time, talent and expertise. I've had vet bills of more than $10,000 over what insurance would pay. So what? :rolleyes:

Just curious as to why someone would pay a lot of money for a very aged horse. A sound, schoolmaster might be one reason as already mentioned. I myself have offered five figures for a 16 yo never backed broodmare because she was one of the very few remaining daughters of a stallion I had always greatly admired. Pure emotional buy.

So, there are all kinds of reasons someone might pay a lot of money for an older horse. Sorry if you felt the question was “silly”. Now, please tell me, where is that snooty, nose in the air smilie? :lol:

[Reiter]

I would guess that Reiter has been fortunately enough to purchase a schoolmaster. The mare probably cost MUCH more than 10k in her younger days ;-)

You are correct! And she is worth her weight in gold! :) :) :)

By the way, recloisonne. You are not the first to think I'm crazy for spending that kind of money on an "old" horse, which is why I put her age! ;)

[rcloisonne]

You are correct! And she is worth her weight in gold! :) :) :)
By the way, recloisonne. You are not the first to think I'm crazy for spending that kind of money on an "old" horse, which is why I put her age! ;)
Hey, the one I bought wasn't even broke to ride. Now that's crazy! ;)

But, to be honest, I ever regretted it a single day. She was a grand old girl in every way and I know I'll never find another as fine for any amount of money. :sigh:

I hope you enjoy your old girl as much as I did mine. Sounds like you are. Good for you!

[Dalemma]

Well I wish I could say I had or was going to but the reality is probably not!

WE have a daughter that needs a 3'6" horse and those are upwards of $20,000 to $25,000.00 in our area and that is a starting price.....but what we need and what we want are two very different things

We choose to breed our daughters 3' hunter champion in the hopes of producing what we could not afford........the mare is a rather short (15.1) clyde /cross , nice conformation, great dispostion but nothing special bred wise.......we bred to the Holstiener stallion Daimler out of Damiro..........we were very lucky and got an incredible leggy, large boned, short backed well proportioned filly that appears as a two year old to be extremely atheltic and well put together......she doesn't take after her mom at all except maybe in personality........everything else is her sire......and is it looking like she might reach 16.2 to 17 hands....as a two year old she is just shy of 16 hands.....sire was 16.2.............we consider our self very fortunate the way things turned out......but only time will tell if she has the ability to take my daughter to the 3'6" to 3'9".........but heres to hoping.


So yes I would spend 10k or more if I had the money.

Dalemma

[pwynnnorman]

Honestly, I have absolutely no interest in net worth of the average poster here. Now, to qualify myself as someone who hasn't just fallen off the turnip truck let me say I have owned horses who have regularly won championships in dressage and hunters at large, 5 day "A" rated shows. These horses are/were trained and ridden by professionals, who were paid more than chump change for their time, talent and expertise. I've had vet bills of more than $10,000 over what insurance would pay. So what? :rolleyes:

Just curious as to why someone would pay a lot of money for a very aged horse. A sound, schoolmaster might be one reason as already mentioned. I myself have offered five figures for a 16 yo never backed broodmare because she was one of the very few remaining daughters of a stallion I had always greatly admired. Pure emotional buy.

So, there are all kinds of reasons someone might pay a lot of money for an older horse. Sorry if you felt the question was “silly”. Now, please tell me, where is that snooty, nose in the air smilie? :lol:

It doesn't matter whether you have an interest or not. The Chronicle doesn't pluck those statistics out of the air. Have you ever put thought to the correlations between horse ownership and income, especially if you account for the sport people participate in? There may be all kinds of REASONS for buying expensive horses, but there's only a few levels of INCOME that can! Are there people making $30K owning $10K horses? Probably, some. But are those tiny outliers relevant? Of course not. These are facts, not opinions--and they aren't mine, remember? They are COTH's.

So that pretty well accounts for the "has boughts," but y'know, it probably also accounts for he "would buys," too. The kid who works for me is into barrel racing. She doens't post here and couldn't imagine paying $10K for a horse. We are pre-selected here, to a certain extent, which is another reason why I think it's a silly question. The very psyche of people who would post on a BB of this "flavor" implies that, of course, most of them would pay handsomely for the perfect horse, if they could.

Ask the same question on the endurance, eventing, driving or foxhunting forums where the journey is often far more important than the destination, and you'd probably get significantly different ratios of yeahs to neighs. [I mean, really, there IS a reason why this is the only forum that had to be declared a "no brag zone"!]

And for the record, I WOULD buy a $10K or more horse (if a had money like that to spend on a luxury). Mine would be the perfect AA hunter that I could just get on, loop the reins and relax down to the jumps on while working exclusively on myself, instead of worrying about the ride underneath me.

[Fairview Horse Center]

And for the record, I WOULD buy a $10K or more horse (if a had money like that to spend on a luxury). Mine would be the perfect AA hunter that I could just get on, loop the reins and relax down to the jumps on while working exclusively on myself, instead of worrying about the ride underneath me.

My friend has one of those but he would have cost you at least $40,000. BUT she figured he was exactly what SHE needed, so she pulled him off the market.

[pwynnnorman]

OK, but I'd accept some serious but manageable soundess issues, too. Oh, and long in the tooth would be no problem either. Would that help (bring the price down a bit)? :D

[Fairview Horse Center]

Some of those "long in the tooth" ones are worth their weight in gold, so, um, maybe. ;)

[STF]

You are correct! And she is worth her weight in gold! :) :) :)

By the way, recloisonne. You are not the first to think I'm crazy for spending that kind of money on an "old" horse, which is why I put her age! ;)


I paid over that on a 20yr old Grand Prix schoolmaster. Worth it and more, IMO! He taught me more in one year than I had learned the whole time I was riding. Totally worth the money!:cool:

[Rubs Not Pats]

When I posted this I was looking to see if there was a disconnect between those answering on the foal discussion and those who actually have spent that money on a horse. Clearly most of the subscribers to COTH can afford to spend 10K on a horse.

[westernrider]

Most of the horses I have bought and sold have been more than 10K. Seems like I can recall about 4 that were less....two of those were broodmares, two were young/unshown horses that were behind on their training and therefore not very marketable at the time.

Add another zero, and my answer would change dramatically. I've never gone six figures on a purchase, and don't plan to.

[camohn]

FWIW have I spent more than 10K on a horse? yes. Were most of them more than 10? No. Most ran between 3500 and 7500. But in the beginning most were Paints too. WBs on the whole cost more than Paints.

[goeslikestink]

i have sold and brought horses for 10k as an agent but not perosnally for self

[exvet]

The horses being bought for $10K and up are competition horses. If you want a horse to go down the trail, you pay less. Competing is expensive and you need a good horse or why bother.

I compete, my horses are competitive (not warmbloods) and I do reasonably well. I choose to beat the woodwork to find that right deal so I'm one of those who've never spent that kind of money on anything from weanlings to finished horses. The fact is that I can't afford to so I search high and low, get lucky occasionally and do with what I have. I also breed my own so I'm well aware of what it costs to put one on the ground, take the gamble of what will happen until it becomes riding age and take it up through at least third level from conception :yes: Oh and yes, I'm talking about breeding with foundation stock that has been imported too.

So why bother? 'Cause I can and do. :D

Must confess though that despite fitting many of the parameters every time I read this board I feel that there is no way I fit the norm though I've been a (COTH) subscriber of the journal since the 80's.

Chronicle subscribers are

Accomplished Competitors
95% have competed... and won! :yes:
The average subscriber competes eight times annually. :yes:
60% are advanced or expert. :eek:....yeah in my dreams

Wealthy and Secure
Average household income is $180,151. :no:
63% are married, 37% with children. :yes: to both
Own average 45 acres worth $462,094. :eek: well will you take 5 acres appraised at close to 1 million?

Committed and Involved
61% have owned horses for over 20 years. :yes: and then some
Average value of their best horse is $39,130. :no: :no: :no::no::no::no::no: (I own 7)
Ride five times a week. 30% ride daily. :eek: 4-5 times a week but that's 3 horses each day I can ride. I have to work full time you know.
Own average $11,113 of tack and apparel. :no: maybe half that
90% feed supplements regularly. :yes:

Influential and Powerful :lol: now I've just wet my pants
23% are professionally involved. :no:
34% are trainers. :no: well not professionally but I train all my own stuff
26% are instructors. :no: well unless you count instructing my kids how to muck stalls properly

So does this mean that the COTH won't take my subscription fees no mo?

[pwynnnorman]

Nah, exvet. They are just statistics, after all. For example, that average price for COTH readers' horses ($39K) could (and probably is) skewed upwards a bit by some folks who own horses costing $100K and more. In fact, I suspect that ALL the averages reported are influenced by outliers and or outlying clusters of data. More useful are probably the percentages reported.

Indeed, if you compare the averages with the percentages, you can see right there that there are contractions. While I'm sure there are some trainers (thanks to buying and selling those $100K+ horses for their $$180,151 income/annum clients!) and instructors making six figures, there's just no way there can be THAT many because the fact is that even at the AAA extravaganza shows, trainers and instructors work their arses off. I don't see many doing that if their average incomes were comparable to their clients'.

Besides, I've been a COTH subscriber since I was a kid and the very LAST description that could (or ever WILL, most likely) be applied to me is "wealthy and secure"! :D

[Edgewood]

What would be interesting would be if COTH reported median (vs Mean) numbers as that would eliminated the outliers.

[au_panda]

Rubs, I've paid more than $10k for at least 3 of my former pals. In the end, only 1 was worth the money and I got most of my $'s spent to purchase her back when I sold her. I can't figure out why these threads about cost are getting the responses they are either. It appears here that many people have spent more than $10k on a purchase. Is this a BB population issue - dressage versus HJ versus ponies versus QH? Even at that, I can't make out the split in opinions as WB dressage horses and jumpers are not cheap (anymore, if they ever were).

[PineTreeFarm]

Nah, exvet. They are just statistics, after all. For example, that average price for COTH readers' horses ($39K) could (and probably is) skewed upwards a bit by some folks who own horses costing $100K and more. In fact, I suspect that ALL the averages reported are influenced by outliers and or outlying clusters of data. More useful are probably the percentages reported.
Besides, I've been a COTH subscriber since I was a kid and the very LAST description that could (or ever WILL, most likely) be applied to me is "wealthy and secure"! :D

It's the average value of COTH readers' best horse. So as an example,if you buy one for $5K the value after training may very well be over $10K. Horse didn't COST $10K but is worth it now. Also, are those values including the commission paid ( sorta kidding on that )? And is that value what the trainer says it's worth or your opinion, etc?
If you ask someone what the value is I think there is a tendency to over value that figure as nobody wants to say they messed up and spent $100K for a $10K horse. It would have been interesting for the survey to ask the question both ways.
Sure don't fit the profile either and yes, data is probably skewed by high end values (real or imagined).

[STF]

My friend has one of those but he would have cost you at least $40,000. BUT she figured he was exactly what SHE needed, so she pulled him off the market.

Lets try 50K and up for that one! :lol:

[Hunter_Rider]

Horses prices are based on what the market is willing to pay. In order to compete successfully on the AA rated circuit in the 3'6 hunter divisions, you have to have a 10+ mover and jumper, who is brave and quiet and amateur friendly.(If you want to do the ammy division, or kid friendly for the junior hunter division). Most of these horses that are successful in the 1st and 2nd year green division and ammy owner division are 6 figure horses. Now grant it, they didn't start out at 6 figures, but with training and show experience under their belt they can sell for that price because that is what some people are willing to pay to have the winner. Parents want their children to succeed in the Junior Hunters, and Big Eq classes and have a SAFE horse for their child. The same thing goes with the ammy owner. Most adults work and cannot commit to having 3 lessons a week. They too want the winner that will also keep them safe in the ring.

[shawneeAcres]

I have several "Spins" on this topic. First, I specialize in marketing the under $10K horse. But having said that I do NOT sell horses that can go and compete in "A" shows, win the hack, vet out sound AND pack their kid around 3'6" for that money! Basically, the ones we sell for under $10K will do the local shows and win, some "C" shows and will be good, quiet horses to start out on. If very fancy, they may not vet 100%, but that is disclosed up front. THese are the horses EVERYONE wants and are very hard to find. They may do the 2'6" and probably won't do 3' very well. But they are solid citizens. We sell a few for the $10 - $25K range and these are usually fancier horses, will do the "A"s with some work, or make really GOOD eventers etc. Second, as far as RAISING a horse to sell at $10K once riding, sorry ain't gonna happen! It costs WAY too much for me to sell a 3 or 4 yr old at that price. Third, EXPECT to make compromises when you get in that price range. And expect that if you come to my farm to look at one in that price range, if you wait, it probably won't still be here when you decide to buy it! They go VERY VERY fast when they are good and inexpensive!

[Ladybug Hill]

No. I have been breeding for 25 years. Most of mine have been bred, not bought. I did buy a very nice TB yearling (hunter bloodlines--not racing bloodlines) for less than 10. She won at Upperville and Warrenton after the sale was made.

[LockeMeadows]

Yes, we've paid that for several of my horses. Sometimes the 10K horse is a steal at that price. :D

[pellegrini]

I agent for a lot of people across the country and it seems as though the fast movers are the ones that are between 5-10K. So long as they don't have any major holes...(lameness, vices, ugly colors). The diamonds in the rough are very hard to come by but it is amazing what a good marketing campaign can do to sell a horse. You can take the same horse and have two different photos for it and one can make it look like a $1500 just came off the meat wagon and the other like a $25K show horse extraordinary. It is like selling cars...sometimes you get what you pay for; sometimes you don't. The best sales out there are with the honest individuals who have the heart to properly assess their horse without lying or scaring people out of buying it. I am amazed at the amount of people who call me on a weekly basis and tell me about a "shady" deal they walked into when shopping for their "dreamhorse". Are there a lot of warmbloods worth over 10K, absolutly...are there a lot who aren't, absolutely. Doesn't mean that the horse didn't cost well over that to raise for "x" number of years, just means that the assessment of that particular horse at the time that it is being sold may not be appropriate.

Remember each horse is only worth what someone is willing to spend. It only takes one person to fall in love with that horse and write the check.

[PineTreeFarm]

There was a poll on the H/J forum on the same topic. Different group but they do represent BUYERS, not breeders. If anything I thought that poll would have been higher to allow for commissions.
So who's kidding who?

View Poll Results: Most you've paid
0 - 1000 30 4.61%
1001 - 5000 194 29.80%
5001 - 9999 101 15.51%
10,000 - 14,999 53 8.14%
15,000 - 19,999 63 9.68%
20,000 - 24,999 27 4.15%
25,000 - 29,999 37 5.68%
30,000 - 39,999 37 5.68%
40,000 - 49,999 13 2.00%
50,000 plus 96 14.75%
Voters: 651.

[CAJumper]

There was a poll on the H/J forum on the same topic. Different group but they do represent BUYERS, not breeders. If anything I thought that poll would have been higher to allow for commissions.
So who's kidding who?

View Poll Results: Most you've paid
0 - 1000 30 4.61%
1001 - 5000 194 29.80%
5001 - 9999 101 15.51%
10,000 - 14,999 53 8.14%
15,000 - 19,999 63 9.68%
20,000 - 24,999 27 4.15%
25,000 - 29,999 37 5.68%
30,000 - 39,999 37 5.68%
40,000 - 49,999 13 2.00%
50,000 plus 96 14.75%
Voters: 651.


However, I do not think that the majority of posters on the H/J board are competing regularly on the A circuit. An even smaller percentage are competing at 3' and higher. So back to the old discussion...what market are you breeding for?

[avery]

My most expensive horse cost $4,500. Owners are still divorcing, getting pregnant, getting sick, and liquidating their herds, so I would be surprised if I wasn't able to find what I want for less than 10k. Would I pay above 10k for a horse? Sure, if I had that kind of money, I'd pay for the convenience of not having to searching for a bargain.

A horse is worth whatever folks are willing to pay. The breeders who consistently sell the majority of their crop of foals each year (High Point Hanoverians, for example), aren't charging too much, because buyers are buying. I do think that a lot of breeders with average stallions and average mares, producing crop after crop of unsold average babies, pricing above 10k, and then complaining that buyers are going to Europe are in the wrong.