Is now the time to buy?

[FrenchLinky]

I can't help but be saddened by all the free horses on the local classifieds. People are just giving them away.

I am wondering if it would be smart (or completely insane) to take one or two of these horses and try to sell them in the spring after putting the neccessary riding time/health care needed.

The economy SUCKS so I am very hesitant...hoping things might pick up a bit come spring/show season.

Thanks in advance!

[everyequine]

If you have the means and the time to take some of them in, it might be worth the wait. You might just find a really great horse that needs you. :)
I would love to take in more, but right now my barn's full.
Do what you can, Do you know people that you can match some of the horses to? Maybe some young riders, or re-riders that are looking? Some horses might be good prospects to keep and train, the economy has to turn around.

[IveGotRhythm]

i think it's a great time to buy- but not if you HAVE to sell.

If you can take on one more and give it the time and training it needs to be a good sales prospect or just a good horse for you, then do it.

But if it needs to be gone by spring, or if you need to make a profit soon, then I would pass.

[greysandbays]

You'd want to be buying youngsters that would be reaching their prime when this mess takes three to five years to begin to turn around. And, should the economy rebound quickly, then you've got well-started youngsters to offer. However, you do run the risk of overshooting the turn-around and landing right smack in the middle of the next slow-down with horses just reaching their prime.

OTOH, if you mess with older stuff and the economy takes a long time to turn around they might be too old to have much market value.

Either way, it should be done with "farting around money" -- money that you are going to fritter away one way or the other and not going miss too much. Then, if you get any kind of ROI, great; if you loose some or all of it, well, it was just "farting around money" anyway.

[pony4me]

There are a lot of bargains out there, on horses that normally would not be for sale. However, if you need to sell in the spring, I think you will encounter the same economic conditions we have now. Even with the most correct, effective solutions to our economic problems, two to five years is a more realistic timeframe. The only situation I can see being a quicker turnaround is if you have a very made first show horse for a kid coming off a pony.

[yellowbritches]

HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, YES it is the time to buy. If you've got the money to support the horse, you'd be amazed at what you can find. I just helped a family fiind their first pony, who is absolutely fantastic...I think he's probably priced at about a third of what he is worth. And, amazingly, we just found (more like stumbled upon) the deal of the century of a horse for another client. It is DEFINITELY a buyer's market right now.

[coloredhorse]

IveGotRhythm said it well: It's a great time to buy. It's a great time to buy if you can afford and want to support another horse indefinitely. If you expect or need to flip that horse within the next two years, it's a lousy time to buy. If you expect or need to flip that horse with anything resembling a profit, again, lousy time. Though the downturn seems sudden, it was some years in the building and it will not reverse with any speed. The effect on the purchases of luxury items -- into which category horses most definitely fall -- will be among the longest-lasting.

[kdow]

It's really taunting me that it'd be totally irresponsible for me to buy right now. (College student, half-way through, not sure exactly where I'll need to be or what I'll be doing when I graduate.)

If I had the $$$ it seems like it'd be a fantastic time to pick up something like an ottb and even just give it a year or two to hang out and be a horse.

[5]

I hate to be a pessimist but I think that unelees you are a farmer, rancher, mechanic, plumber or electrition the economic problems are only just starting. In reverse order your skills are expendable.
I would not buy or breed at this time.

[MikeP]

It's a great time to buy if you want/need a horse for personal use. There are some great horses available at a reasonable price; horses that most people normally couldn't afford.

Buying with the idea of selling later at a profit is a whole different question. Unless someone has a crystal ball, they can't answer that one for you.

[BuddyRoo]

Basically, I'm going to ditto.

Now is a great time to buy a horse you don't mind keeping, training, feeding, campaigning, etc indefinitely.

But if you do it with the intention of flipping and making a profit this spring? Probably not wise unless you're talking high high dollar horses.

Of course, it also depends on your local market and what you're into.

Around here, high dollar horses are still changing hands. But the mid range to low end horses are not really moving very well.

Even if I could afford to take another on, I probably wouldn't unless I was looking for another mount for myself.

[erinwillow]

oops! I hadn't noticed this thread. . but, along the same lines, I've just noticed that another breeder is advertising "Buy One Get One Free"!! At first I thought it was a bit of a joke, but she is indeed serious. The thing is. . just because it is the deal of the century, doesn't mean that the animals have to wind up with sketch balls. I mean I am sure she would screen potential families etc, to ensure a good match and a responsible owner. . but I'm still beside myself at the thought of this kind of deal. . .WOW :eek:

[FrenchLinky]

Thanks for all the responses. I know the economy is bad and my chances of making any profits are slim BUT I still might take the chance. I really and honestly want to help where I can, but horses are expensive and I don't want to be losing money hand over fist. I would be happy just to break even so I could continue to help a horse out here and there...