3'6' Adult Ammy Horse

[akstaj]

What do you look for, I am thinking about buying one this fall, I will be working with a trainer, who I trust, but I want to educate myself. I don't think I can afford a made horse, so what do you look for in a project? Age, training, experience, cost?

Thanks

[SquishTheBunny]

In this economy, its really amazing what you can find "made" vs. green.

You could probably find a fancy young horse for the same price as one who is almost ready to show. For some reason, "potential" sells for more than "acutal".

Just remember that in the long run, you will likely put in a lot more $$ and time into a young horse than one that is show ready, or almost show ready. You can also see HOW the horse jumps over 3'6 if it can already do it under saddle. Free jumping is really not a surefire way of assessing a horses ability to jump under tack.

If you are looking for green though, I would look at what YOU want in a horse. Not what is popular, or what your trainer loves. Also, remember movement is important, but its really only judged in 1 of 4 classes. A "good" canter with a great jump will often get you much further than a "great" canter and a good jump. Look for vices, ones that are and arent acceptable to you. Personality....is it hot, dull, spooky? Conformation for soundness is important...but, I have learned that really in most situations it is not conformation that causes horses issues. If is there, great....if not....I wouldnt necessarily count the horse out.

Most fancy young green horses are selling around the $15-20k mark. Compare them with what you can find made, or less green in your same pricerange.

[Janet]

I am a little confused.

Are you talking about hunters or jumpers?

In hunters, "Adult Amateur" classes run at 3', not 3'6", and "Amateur Owner" classes run at 3'6"

But in Jumpers, "Adult Amateur" classes do run at 3'6"

[SmileItLooksGoodOnYou]

I got my horse, who was trained, but took some time for me to figure out and him to calm down after a looooong lay up. He'd done much bigger than the AAs, and is a total doll on the ground.... For $5k a couple of years ago.

His drawback was his age. I bought him at 17. But if you're on a budget and you want to go show, you might consider something older rather than green and young.

[advantagepa]

Wow, I don't know where the heck you guys find your horses but over here in pa a nice young horse with promise is going to start around 35k and move up. If you can find one in the upper 20's you're getting a steal... and I am talking young 3-4! One already doing it, even in this economy, is going to set you back a little more.

[BAC]

Most fancy young green horses are selling around the $15-20k mark.

Not in my area they're not, $15-20k for something fancy (hunter) would be a steal.

[2016 RoyalCrown KTug]

Not in my area they're not, $15-20k for something fancy (hunter) would be a steal.


Ditto!

[kimball1]

I started jumping at age 35, so wanted a really, really made horse, with plenty of scope to get me out of trouble. I settled for a jumper in the mid five figures, because the made, proven, winning A/O hunters were WAY, WAY out of my price range. Like 100K to start with...and honestly, the really nice ones I liked, 150K++. Granted this was 2 years ago when they economy was much stronger. One of the things my trainer did that I really liked was she took me out to David Hopper's and I got to ride alot of horses in different price ranges, so I wasn't just seeing the stuff for sale in my barn. It was interesting to sit on a 25K horse, 45K horse etc-of course who wants to buy a Chevrolet after you've sat on a Mercedes-Benz LOL. It was good to try a bunch of stuff, because when I did buy I felt very comfortable that I was getting my money's worth.

[Ray]

yes, do tell us if you mean jumpers, which is what I thought, what part of the country you are in, what price range you think you want, and how experienced a rider you are in jumpers at that height (if in fact its jumpers).

[horsetales]

I think just like everything else in the economy, price will vary to some degree by region and how hard the economy has tanked jobs and/or income. Breeders may be more negotiable to a serious show home. To me for an ammy horse, temperment is a key item and there are definitely bloodlines out there known to throw both talent and great minds. You never, know late summer, there may be some deals with kids heading to college.

[SquishTheBunny]

Thats why its worth travelling to see horses. In this area, $20k will buy you a super fancy baby.

yearlings-2 year olds by Cabardino, Rio, Popeye, Ironman etc. (Some Canadian, but very popular hunter stallions) are going well under 20k.

Quite a few "made" hunters here, have been for sale here for under 50k, yet have sold in US for triple the price.

A horse is only worth what someone will pay. Travel, and you shall find!


www.wcharlotfarm.com, stand Cabardino, Rio Grande, Viva Voltaire, Futurist and many top Canadian and American hunter sires. They are having a dispersal sale, many babies WELL under the $20,000 price. Many UNDER SADDLE horses also under the $30,000 price. I have absolutley NO affiliation with them, just showing you that you dont need to spend $50,000+ on a green bean!

[findeight]

If I was looking for a 3'6" horse, I would want proof that it could negotiate a 3'6" course on a regular basis, give me lessons at that height or near it on a regular basis and have a little more then that in the tank to bail me out of ammy blunders. More cannot and stay sound while jumping with enough style to pin in the Hunters or fast enough to pin in the Jumpers then can.

You cannot tell that with the dead green horse no matter what anybody says. If you have alot of experience at that height or hire a trainer/agent who has alot of experinece at that height and has been good at picking them out, you can make an educated guess. But it is a guess.

There are things like conformation, what the parents did and a hunch based on alot of experience that can reveal a good prospect-but these things will also price it way up because everybody else will see the same thing.

Suggest you trust your trainer here. If you don't or they have little or no experience with the 3'6"+ horses, leave and get one that does.

Even in this market, there is a break in the price point at 3'6" or those that look like they can do it compared to those that can't.

[Chancensassy]

You are so right, I have made a few mistakes, expensive. But, I did just see a couple of nice horses, one that I love, I probably can't afford, but Michele Kreimeyer in central NY, (I can give you her number, she is a friend of my trainer) has a 17H gray horse to die for, a 3-6"er and it hacks, commanding presence, I love him, I heard he was not priced too bad, but he is awesome! I would have loved to have had him for the EQ, he is beautiful.

[veebug22]

Aside from the physical ability to regularly do 3'6 and stay sound (which means he/she should have the ability to do more than 3'6), I would say temperament is #1. Horses with limited ability will do amazing things if they have heart. Conversely, horses with plenty of ability may have a tough time getting to the heights they're physically capable of because of temperament (not that I know anything about this or anything... okay, my mare is a textbook example of this!). You want something that genuinely likes his job and is forgiving of your mistakes. Even better if he tries to take care of business in a rough spot. I agree you can't tell this in a very green horse, but shortly after the jumps start to rise, I think you can. For an ammy, I would avoid spooky, uncertain, or hot tempered horses. It doesn't need to be a phenomenal jumper -- well, depends on your ability. But usually the biggest, best jumpers are not the baby-sitting type!! I would just look for something that consistently goes clear at that height and shows a lot of try/heart.

[Pat]

I am a little confused.

Are you talking about hunters or jumpers?

In hunters, "Adult Amateur" classes run at 3', not 3'6", and "Amateur Owner" classes run at 3'6"

But in Jumpers, "Adult Amateur" classes do run at 3'6"

Yeah, that.

There's a biig differnce between a horse for the Adult hunters and the adult jumpers. Never mind that the AA hunters jump 6 inches lower.