how much should we expect to pay for trail horse?

Of all the posts I have ever started I have to say I think I have gotten the best replys from all of you and thank you for that. My husband wants a partner for life, does not have to be registered, must be 15.1 -15.3. Must be somewhat beefy build, calm but not dead, 100 % sound, pretty, have character and like people, preferably a gelding...anything else....I want a horse for him that won't spook much, one he can have fun on and relax while riding. I don't want to chance a horse he might get hurt on and not want to ride again. He has ridden quite a few time over the years and is not afraid, just inexperienced but does very well riding the horses we have looked at. I ride them first and if I think it might be a horse for him, then he rides it.

It was funny this weekend there was one 9 yr old green mare (very pretty), and I knew within minutes it was not the horse for him but he insisted on riding her. In the beginning she did well for him but after a few minutes she began little bucks...she had his number and it made me laugh and think..told you so! Haha

We're here to help Bunny! After all . . . It's ALWAYS fun to help someone else spend their money!

OK GarlicBunny!!!!!! Your hubby see's he amused you this weekend!

I'll take the time to read all input's - look's like much advise posted. It has been real fun looking. Can't wait till we find that "husband safe" ride!

The most expensive horse we ever bought cost us $1500. Good trail horses are out there cheap-you just need to know where to look and who to talk to.

Bunny where are you located? I know you should be able to find a great trailhorse for less than 3500. I paid $1000 last year for a wonderful mare who is a good trailhorse. You just have to keep looking. Although right now (spring/summer) is the best time to jack up a price because this is when folks will buy. Keep looking....and you will find the perfect horse for hubby... You might have to pay more but when you find the perfect horse it is worth it..

Rhonda

RhondaLynn, we are in Ohio. SailorGriz...I hear ya, actually this horse is on Dreamhorse but that is not the site we found him at. The ad id # is 1655493 if you guys want to look it up and tell me what you think after seeing him....Gees if it weren't for the money my husband and would probably go for it. He does have two youtubes and his sire has a you tube also. Seems if you try to find just a trail horse the search comes up with nothing. This is like getting a trail horse with bells and whistles I guess.

Here's my take on this -

I have two lovely, young (10 and 11, 7 and 8 when I got them) nice looking QH pleasure horses in my pasture. One is the designated husband/child/guest horse, one is my horse. My horse requires an assertive, reasonably experienced rider. The other can be ridden by just about anybody.

They were both free to me. Free to me, I've come to learn, is different than free to anybody. The folks who gave me these horses had seen my place and knew what kind of home I could offer, knew what kind of care they would receive and knew I could manage whatever issues arose.

My next door neighbor paid $2000. For a 12 year old beginner and husband safe horse. She's a wonderful horsekeeper, but not as experienced an all around horseperson, and needed to have something *safe*. It was money well spent.

All that said, I can't believe the market is that much different in Ohio than it is in central Virginia. Nice, basic trail broke horses are going for nothing or next to nothing. Very safe and experienced horses are going in the 2000 - 3500. Range,

Have you contacted any rescue groups in your area?

If you are concerned with size and temperament, but not necessarily age, that might be a great resource.

Yes, age is a factor, didn;t really want to go over say 12. We want these horses for life for sure. I am thinking that if we really like this horse we should not let a few hundred dollars stand in the way. We have already have spent a few hundred dollars on gas and we found another horse we liked and actually had a ppe on him and had to let him go due to events the day of the ppe. So you see, I think if we still feel the same on Friday when we go back we will probably take a day or two to still think about it, then set up a ppe. Did anyone see the you tubes or the ad on dreamhorse? The ad # is listed above if anyone wants to critique him. Big thanks to all of you!

I think you can get nice trail horses anywhere from $0 to 6K and up. It just depends on what you want and if you're willing to wait and look around. I paid $1500 for Biscuit. He was underweight and while he was gentle, he is not a finished horse by any means. He is a nose to tail kinda guy because that is what his former owner wanted him to do. He will not go out by himself. He doesn't have a smooth steady lope...and that will come with time and training. We paid $3000 for Sarge and got him for an absolute steal. He is a finished team penning horse and had been trail ridden on a regular basis. He has been trained out the wazootie, has top notch blood lines and is the sweetest fellow in the world.

I would consider selling Biscuit to the girl who rode him for me this weekend when I couldn't ride so that I could buy a totally finished and polished horse. It is whatever is most important to you. Choose the traits that are set in stone and go from there.

For me, set in stone is gentle, not crazy, not spooky, not hot headed and I got all of that in Biscuit. I will be paying more to have him trained and finished out because that is important to me.

Be sure and vet check whatever horse you are looking at...look at their vet records too. Good luck and post potential horses - we want to see them!!!