Pricing for pair of Combined Driving prospects

[AlterID123]

My apologies for the Alter Id, but I did not want my question to be misconstrued as advertising. I wish to remain anonymous, so there could not be any confusion. I need help from those knowledgeable in this forum, as I have no experience with driving. I am in the USA but interested in opinions from those in Euro countries as well. Sorry this is so long.

I have two weanlings, of high quality, full registered and inspected (internationally know European bloodlines) with very nice scores (8.5 on movement) that could be twins and should remain very similar as adults. They are very balanced and travel absolutely in sync in all three gaits. They are a lovely, very desireable ( but not extreme) color, with matching markings ( 4 socks and face markings). It was suggested to me by a knowledgeable European horseman to market them AS A PAIR for higher levels of Combined Driving, possibly to be exported...

I know what their value would be individually as Dressage types under saddle,, but have no idea what their value might be as a matched pair with good potential in the driving world. I am interested in the forums opinions , but also in getting some referrals as to WHO might be helpful to me in appraising this pair( and contact info), and where they are located.

Thank you

[Renae]

Until they are broke to drive and actually driving as a pair IMO they are only worth what they are worth on their own merits.

[SomethingDazzling]

I agree, until they've been started at something, their value cannot be determined as driving horses. Even though they've been inspected & they have good lines, it's hard to even say if they'll be carriage driving horses as a single, let alone a pair. GOODLUCK!

[goodhors]

Have to say you will make lots more money selling them as riding horses than as Driving horses. The Driving market is almost zero for youngstock, untrained, even with great bloodlines. The highest level competitors seem to shop in Europe, then bring them here to compete. They tend to sell the animals they can't use to the riding folks, get their money back in full.

The upper level market, which is where the best horses would tend to go, is very small. Probably not more than 100 folks going outside their locale to attend other competitions. Some of them breed their own replacements to bring along over time, use a made horse and raise his skills. Not sure if the Coaching folks purchase some of the pricey horses, now very well trained, as they come back down the ladder.

As mentioned, lots of horses are great youngsters, but don't make it thru the training, to be driven. Driving is quite demanding, both physically and mentally. No margin of error for temper or silliness when hitched to vehicles or bad things happen. The more capable the horse, the better handling and driver needed to show him to his best ability. Again, not that many highly skilled drivers who want to spend lots for a horse.

Personally, we have about a 50% washout rate, from foal to driving horse. They may drive, but not match, not be capable of the driving we want. Size matters, too big, too small, they wash from here, have to be able to go with the others in Multiples. And siblings seem to be the WORST at matching. We had one colt end up 18.1H, while the other two colts, same mare, different stallions, are 16.1h and 16.2h but still developing. We didn't geld them until after age 2yrs, while the tall one was gelded at 9months. The tall one drove, but his gaits were SO BIG, no one could keep up with him in stride length. And that big, he could not do what smaller horses could in hazards. They do all have great minds, attitude and trainability!

I would advertise in riding sales locations, you will make a better profit on them.

[AlterID123]

Thank you, this is the type of information I am seeking :)

[Ashemont]

Definitely agree that you would do better to market them individually as riding horses. No matter how well-matched foals are there is no way to be sure they will stay that way. Then, as said, it takes a certain temperament to drive. Matching a pair just adds another layer.

If you want to keep them and have a nice driving pair - go for it. However you can easily buy a made pair for less than it would cost to raise and break and train these two.

[Thomas_1]

Renae's post to reply does it for me.

However once they're put to harness as singles and proven to be good singles horses AND then put to harness as a pair and proven to be a good genuine pair of driving horses then consider the cost of a pair to be 3 times the cost of the most valuable single.