I have been shareboarding a 13 year old Canadian Warmblood mare for the past 6 months or so. We really click and I love her personality. She's been to shows but not with me yet, but we'd be doing hunters. Her owners want to sell her and I'd love to but her, but I need some opinions on price. They're pricing her at 25,000. I think I'd be able to negotiate the price, but I'm not sure how low. What I'm wondering is, do you guys think that price is high? I know I'm very lucky to know her for a while and already love her, but that's a huge price tag. She's a pretty great horse but does have a spook issue and not 100% on lead changes (although that's mostly me.) how do I go about negotiating without offending anyone? I think my max would be 18,000 on a payment plan with my parents help (i have a job and have been out of college a year, but still live at home, I would be putting a lot of money towards board.)
I've just been thinking about how if I'm willing to spend that much, should I be looking around more at other options? Help!!
Seems like there are some extra zeros on those price tags... Unless you're very serious about showing and she's absolutely outstanding in her control/gaits/jumping/etc. I wouldn't pay either of those prices. Even then I might not.
13 year old Canadian Warmblood mare
They're pricing her at 25,000.
She's a pretty great horse but does have a spook issue and not 100% on lead changes (although that's mostly me.)
do you guys think that price is high?
She's a pretty great horse but does have a spook issue and not 100% on lead changes (although that's mostly me.)
I've just been thinking about how if I'm willing to spend that much, should I be looking around more at other options? Help!!
Personally, for me, that would be A LOT of money to drop just one year out of college.
--Do you already have a vehicle of your own?
--You are living at home .... are you always going to live at home? If you need to rent an apt or buy a home of your own, will you be able to?
--Is your job stable?
--If you plan to show, do you have a truck and trailer? If not, will you buy one or how will you get there?
--I am assuming you are currently paying back student loans?
--Do you have an emergency fund set up, for yourself (unexpected medical expenses) or for your future horse?
--How much is board going to cost you?
--If you know own the horse, you are going to be responsible for ALL the costs of the horse yourself (vet, farrier, etc).
--What will you do if you have a 5-figure loan for a horse, and then the horse gets an injury 3 months after you bought her and is now permanently unrideable? (Yeah, kinda farfetched but it could happen. You have to consider the possibility.)
Etc.
Lots of things for you to think about, money-wise.
As far as what's fair on the price, I do agree we need more information on the horse's abilities.
I have thought through all of those things although they are very good points, my parents would help with the purchasing, and buying her would be contingent on finding someone to shareboard her for at least a 6 month contract to help with the costs (which may not even work out.) no student loans, and I'm going to live at home for a few years while my s/o and I save up money to move across the country (another issue with buying a horse now.) It just seems like a good time in my life to go all in while I'm still young. I have a decent savings and am smart with my money.
She's a great horse, but not necessarily one that you see and go WOW that's a show stopper, lol. All I've been thinking is that I can't afford it and shouldn't do it, I just wanted to get some second opinions. I don't really understand the purpose of such a high price tag to be honest. And board is 900 a month which I also think is extremely high. Ugh, if only I didn't love the trainer and other team members!
I don't exactly know her show record I think she's just been around the Midwest a little bit, A shows? nothing big. I don't know much about showing. I just keep thinking if board was 600 and the horse cost 5,000, I could do it. So I guess I should just stop getting my hopes up and wait. My trainer is picky about horses for her clients and I don't think she should consider helping me find something that low prices. Even though I don't really care that much about showing I just want to be able to jump a decent height and hack a few times a week
If you are just starting out, you can get a thoroughbred hunter for around $5k (or even less). Warmbloods are pricey, and until you get to a certain level of competition, I'm not sure if one is worth the price. All depends on how much disposable income you have. Horses are a luxury for sure.
I would never go into debt for a horse. That includes payments. It's just not reasonable.
Especially if you aren't into big shows. I have a friend who bought a horse for a bit under that price for their daughter to move up to the 1.20+. This horse is experienced, auto, sane, and sound and worth the money. Another friend bought a horse for over that price and she goes to local shows and bombs around 2'9". Not worth it. She needed a 5k Thoroughbred.
I feel like I'm not giving her enough credit, she is a great horse. We are doing 3 ft courses, not sure what her max height is but she can jump. She's very adjustable and is not mareish, she has the sweetest personality. I do feel like we click and she might be that once in a lifetime horse for me. Its unfortunate that I just can't afford it at this time. Cost of keeping her would be too much, it's a shame the BO has it so high, it's not a brand new show barn or anything. Its nice and clean (and heated) but nothing amazing
My $02.?
I was going to spend a large sum of money at about your age on something, not a horse, and my mother made this point to me..."At your age, you have NO IDEA where you'll be in 5 years. Even in 2 years. You're making excellent money, but you're young, new to your career, and have no idea what your future holds/what sort of options you might have in the next short while. Don't commit to ANYTHING right now-financially or otherwise-which might cause you not to be able to choose any path you'll desire to take over the next few years. This is the only time in your life where commitments to schooling/finances/people/job/animals/children are not a factor in your deciding where you'd like life to take you. Enjoy this rare freedom."
I took her advice and thank God for that, as if I'd made the financial commitment I had been considering, I'd likely have stayed stuck someplace that otherwise was very simple to walk away from-and thank God I did, or I'd not be where I am today.
Again, just my two cents!
It sounds like you've reached a decision regarding purchasing this horse, but as far as the pricing goes, that sounds like a pretty good price for a horse that has competed at A shows in the 3' hunters.
Its hard to say for sure without more information on her record and ability, but you won't get a going 3' hunter that can compete in the A/AAs for less than that in most cases.
The hunter/jumper world is a crazy one and a 25K horse isn't a super high priced one as far as A/AA show horses go.
if i were you i would do what my trainer did. They used to breed racing tbs and ran them. they had one mare that ran good, good confo and the BEST personality. never got any good running colts out of her but she always passed on her temperament. She found the best Hanoverian stud who's stud fee she could/would pay and bred that mare. she has a 9 and 2 year old from the same sire and dam and both are AMAZING!
So dont get this mare. Get a nice tb mare who is ether got some training on her of get a nice yet cheep one from the track, work with her and a trainer and maybe breed her to get a nice warmblood when/ if you are ever ready.
out here in az if the horse is over 5k is BETTER have some darn good training. if you get up to 10k and up it better have a good show record, breeding and still young/breedable. dont think my fiance has ever spend over $900 for a horse and all his horses are half decent and one is in training for hunter jumpers now.
Agreed with KWPNowner. In h/j land 25k honestly isn't much for a 3' horse. Might be a bit on the high side if it didn't have an auto lead change but if she's a nice mover or if she can easily do the 3'6, well, then $25k is a steal. You're talking about a world where a 6 figure horse isn't out of the ordinary, and even expected at a certain level. Is this horse worth it? No idea without a video and a little more info. Is the price padded to allow you to negotiate a little? Does it include everyone's commissions? All things to consider.
If it's worth for you to personally to buy her, well, that's a different question altogether. Sounds like you've already make that decision. Will they allow you to continue to shareboard even if you don't buy her?
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