How much to save for next horse?

[4Martini]

Let me start with I am not buying a horse now! Please don't PM about horses for sale! I hope this doesn't get me in trouble with the mods- I really just need to start saving and am not even sure where to start.

I am curious how much I would need to plan on spending in a year or three when it's time to retire my horse.

I think my ideal horse would be very solid at Novice with room to go training. Great ground manners - good hauler, good hacking on roads by himself and with others. I'd love some foxhunting experience. Sound, happy, healthy horse ideally in the 8 yo range. (Does not have to be a dressage winner, but mid to low 30s and a safe, fun jumper.)

Is this a pipe dream? What ball park am I talking about spending for this?

[imapepper]

Let me start with I am not buying a horse now! Please don't PM about horses for sale! I hope this doesn't get me in trouble with the mods- I really just need to start saving and am not even sure where to start.

I am curious how much I would need to plan on spending in a year or three when it's time to retire my horse.

I think my ideal horse would be very solid at Novice with room to go training. Great ground manners - good hauler, good hacking on roads by himself and with others. I'd love some foxhunting experience. Sound, happy, healthy horse ideally in the 8 yo range. (Does not have to be a dressage winner, but mid to low 30s and a safe, fun jumper.)

Is this a pipe dream? What ball park am I talking about spending for this?

In this area, I see horses like that advertised in the $7500 to $15,000 price range. Depending on show records, bloodlines (like it matters if it's a gelding :rolleyes: ;) ), size, temperment, etc. I would save at least $7500 if you want all of those things and be prepared to shop. Of course, if you are a do it yourself type, horses with potential to do what you want can be found for $2500 and less ;)

[Long Shadow Farm]

Depends on where you live, but I sold one last year that was a 10yo TB gelding for $10,000.00 that did all you were wanting. He did have to have pads on his front feet but was a total packer at the lower levels (Beginner Novice and Novice). I would say between $7,500.00 to $10,000.00.

Bobbi

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Is this a pipe dream? What ball park am I talking about spending for this?


Depends on where you are looking. Around here, solid novice with experience, good manners, sound, ability to move up to training, under the age of 12 and has or could fox hunt....I'd save 15-25,000. You possibly can find that for less, but you also need to account for PPEs, costs associated with looking and the fact that you will find your perfect horse who will cost 5,000 more than your budget!

[Ajierene]

That's what I was thinking $10K, unless you are a do it yourselfer. Personally, I would not spend more than $1500 on a horse and if I were in the market, would likely end up buying something young and/or off the track to bring up again. This is not for everyone, though.

OF course my first thought was, gee, I'm saving about $3K - but that is stud fee and vet bills for when I breed my mare....slightly different.

Definitely shop around, though - a lot of times you can find a gem for half the price. Try looking in the hunter/jumper or low level dressage world. Many times these horses that are not as interested in solely jumping or dressage excel in eventing - they like the scenery changes and 'speedy trail rides with obstacles'.

[Sudi's Girl]

I'm definitely a "Do it Yourself-er." Got my yearling at $1500. HOWEVER, if you decide to go that route, you may also find yourself wanting/needing a trainer type option. This costs as well - although you might be able to spread the cost out over some time rather than buying an already "made" (used loosely) horse.

Personally, I LOVE bringing my own horse along. Gives me a sense of accomplishment, and I also know most of his problems! :)

[4Martini]

Thanks for the input!

I'm trying to save for what I want. If I decide to do another project then I'll have a good fund for a trainer and clinics.

As I approach middle age I think it would be nice to have a horse that knows more than me. I have a project horse right now - and it's been a little bit of green on green- I've been really lucky and it's worked out well - with a lot of trainer help. Some days though I'd like a horse that has a few less special needs (My current horse does not tie, needs to ride alone in an oversize 2h trailer, and is just challenging all around - my trainer refers to him as a horse only a mother could love.) It would be nice if my husband could hop on for a trail ride occationally (and I could ride the retiree.)

So, I totally love my horse and I've learned more than I could ever imagine with him! But with what he's taught me I think I'm ready for a new challenge which might be a little less challenging on the basics :lol:

My husband is sure I'll take on another challenge - but I'd like to leave myself options - hence making sure I have a plan to cover what I want!

Any other thoughts on this topic?

[ThreeHorseNight]

You could go to dreamhorse (or any other sale site) and put in your search criteria, and see what comes up at what price. Obviously those are the prices people are asking; the price of the horse might come down over time, or, if it's a great horse, it might be snapped up quickly at full price. I think that where you are looking will make a difference; will you be looking locally? It might also depend on where the economy is when you go to make your purchase. If things are better, overall, the price will be up.

[4Martini]

I've been looking online and have had trouble finding what I wanted.

BUT- my husband as a joke told me I could buy any horse as long as his name was Otis.

Check this out (I swear total conincidence from following ThreeHorseNight's advice...)

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1250400

Wow!

[asterix]

are you completely serious about the Otis thing? Because if you are, that's KARMA speaking. Don't ignore karma!!!
:winkgrin:
(i know, i know, not now, but, still and all...)

[betsyk]

Don't forget the other startup costs - vet check(s), new saddle (the ones you own will NEVER fit a new horse!), blankets, all that. Plus travel to drive around to look at all the ones you decide not to buy! I figured $2K in startup costs over the first couple years when I was doing the math recently.

[Dr. Doolittle]

Wow, that Otis on Dreamhorse looks mighty nice!!! :D

[Invested1]

I've been looking online and have had trouble finding what I wanted.

BUT- my husband as a joke told me I could buy any horse as long as his name was Otis.

Check this out (I swear total conincidence from following ThreeHorseNight's advice...)

http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse.php?form_horse_id=1250400

Wow!

OMG, you *HAVE* to!!! :yes:

[bornfreenowexpensive]

are you completely serious about the Otis thing? Because if you are, that's KARMA speaking. Don't ignore karma!!!
:winkgrin:
(i know, i know, not now, but, still and all...)


I agree....that horse looks really nice too! Hold your husband to his offer!

[SparklePlenty]

I'm going through this right now actually...

the horse i am going to look at is a SOLID novice horse w/def. room to move up. She's listed at 15k.. lovely personality and everything.. and i feel her owner could get wayy more except she has some "spunk" so i would need to be up for the challenge.

My mare will be ready to retire here in the next year or two.. but i cant get past the idea of competing w/another horse. I feel like i'm cheating on Sparks!! But this new mare (if it works is quite fantastic) if i can only allow myself i love another horse..

On another note - the deal i have w/my boyfriend is that i get a new horse and he news a new motorcycle. We would then HAVE to get married because the insurance would be so high... lol, on the bike that is. :) Which is a win - win if you ask me!! :yes:

[hey101]

I think you need to go take a look at Otis and be completely up front with the seller about your finances, and see if there's any negotiation room on price, can you maybe do payments, can you sell your greenie? It's just too perfect, right in CO where you are, and he looks NICE!!!

[4Martini]

Ha Ha you bunch of enablers!

Luckily my horse is not ready to retire quite yet (19 and still going strong) And as you all know the biggest expense to budget is how to keep both a retiree and a new horse! So, while Otis looks awesome - I have to believe I'll be able to find an awesome horse when Martin is ready to stop playing!

But if you think this is Karma you didn't know that the woman looking for a new home for her slightly crazy horse 4 years ago in Boulder, CO just so happened to be in pony club and ride at the same barn as me growing up in Boston. I didn't know either until my trainer called her and she remembered my name! That's how I got my current horse! It was way more than a coincidence it was just meant to be. That same trainer told me that if you leave yourself open the right horses will find you. So, Otis does make me think - but I don't have time for two to ride and Martin's not ready to retire yet - he loves going out and running around BN. And I'm still learning while riding him.

Sparkle - I know what you're saying. None of my friends will ride Martin- but I know what his disobediences are and I can't imagine riding anyone else! I love him craziness and all!

[CookiePony]

As I approach middle age ...

WHAT???? We were just kids in Pony Club last week! If you are approaching middle age and I am a year older than you are, what does that make me?? :eek: Now the person who gave Marty to you, she is old. :lol: :winkgrin:

Rather, I believe that you are approaching the Prime of Life. ;)

[RunForIt]

WHAT???? We were just kids in Pony Club last week! If you are approaching middle age and I am a year older than you are, what does that make me?? :eek: Now the person who gave Marty to you, she is old. :lol: :winkgrin:

Rather, I believe that you are approaching the Prime of Life. ;)

CP - we WILL have a talk about LIFE this weekend! :lol: :cool:

[oreo]

Just as everyone was having fun....;)

I want to move where you live. Here, such a horse would be at least $15k, $17- 20k if it was actually sound and really rideable....with potential to go Training:(

[WeDoItAll]

Record at Novice and training level (including some first place) schooled intermediate - 11 yr old mare; registered TB; junior rider experience; not an easy ride for a beginner but an intermediate rider is fine (strong C-1 in pc). Lots of energy but very capable of settling down. Clean legs and a pretty bay. Under $8000. and the saddle fit!

[Bamgone]

Wow, that Otis on Dreamhorse looks mighty nice!!! :D

:winkgrin::winkgrin::winkgrin:

[IrishDeclan]

Just as everyone was having fun....;)

I want to move where you live. Here, such a horse would be at least $15k, $17- 20k if it was actually sound and really rideable....with potential to go Training:(

I have to agree with you on this one. Of course I'm right near Florida, and everything seems to be a little bit more expensive. I was having problems last year finding what I needed. I was looking for a Novice/Training level packer type with possibly some Prelim experience, and every horse I saw was great until I went and looked up their record. Nice N/T level horses were going for anywhere from 20,000-30,000. :no: Most of the decent ones with Prelim experience were in the 40,000-50,000 range. :eek: I ended up finding a fabulous horse though.... in IRELAND!! It was actually cheaper for my Mom and I to fly to Ireland, buy a horse, and ship him over here than to buy one in this country. The lady who was acting as our agent over there explained the situation to me somewhat. She said that the demand for lower level, amateur type horses is not very high over there. If people have a horse that isn't going to eventually run at the upper levels, they sell it. Therefore there are tons of these horses and not many people to buy them, hence the lower prices. Over here, there's a huge demand for this particular type of horse though and so prices get jacked way up. :D