Hate Selling a Horse!

[SunChick]

I have to agree that $3000 for a trained solid horse is a bargain. Heck, Mia, our Paso, we bought for $2000. She has solid professional training and came with $700 worth of new tack and brushes etc. (I told you she was a BARGAIN! Now don't be jealous!!!

) If you figure that training costs roughly about $500 on average a month with a professional, even raising/training a youngster is more costly than buying an established horse. The horse market is a little down right now, but not that down! You will find the perfect owner in the right time.

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

Well, when I was looking for a draft horse (over 20 years ago), the least expensive one I found was $10,000. He was trained to ride & drive. I didn't get him, the bank didn't agree that I needed one!!! LOL What do they know!!!

The horse market here in Texas has hit rock bottom. Although I haven't seen any draft horses around, registered horses with good bloodlines are being sold from $100.00 and up. A couple of years ago those same horses would start at $1,500.00.

Although the horse market is way down, my opinion is that a good horse will bring a good price, not matter what the market is. You just have to connect with the right buyer.
Good luck on finding Marcie the right "new owner".

Jean

 

[bestponymilo]

There are tons of people who cannot afford a large up front purchase, but can afford the daily upkeep.

Me being one of them. The most I've ever bought a horse for is $500

This is a horrible time to be selling--the market is flooded with people trying to get rid of their horses before winter hits.

Anyone looking for a well broke, reasonably priced horse should check out their local rescues, equestrian colleges, camps, etc. You'd be surprised what's out there for next to nothing!

 

[pasochicken]

The horsemarket has been hot and cold for years! It is not just winter...and heck, usually winter is when WE raise our prices!

We get a lot of "gimme freebies"...I tell them - if you want a cheap horse, go to the hooved humane society, they will "give" you a "cheap" horse for around a $1000-1500 in adoption fees....

The market right now is so poor you cannot even sell a good wellbred horse for $500. and training is not cheap unless you can do it yourself, and sometimes it comes the hardway in medical bills f you do not know what you are doing.....

We go through hay crisises and what not and still have to feed our beasts. People do not realize that we as horsepeople have a lot invested in time, energy and the lifestyle and especially if they are first timers.

Then you got the "select" few looking to get cheap
or free, so they can get "rich" on you....sheesh! Does not end does it guys and ladies!

At $2.50 a mile to transport..guess we all know where the others are coming from..

I have even come across these so called "rescues" that want your horse for free...just so they can have one and claim they are a hero...when nothing can be further from the truth...sheesh....is nothing sacred... I say, send us the hay money and let us keep our beloved beasts... dang scammers....they are everywhere.

I don't mind taking things in trade as long as people are fair in their deal. People are in a crunch everywhere for cash and to finace any deal is a lousy option....been there, been ripped off...

And you are soooo right, a $3000 horse in todays world IS A VERY CHEAP HORSE FOR THE INTITIAL INVESTMENT....heck, for that matter so is a $7500 beast and heck, it does not have to be trained, just well bred.

Oh and then watch out for those guys wanting to pay you well above our price and have you send money to their shipper...ugh.....they want the change back to them IMMEDIATELY...and you lose. Make sure the money is as good as gold before you let the horse go to them or anyone for that matter......cases like that, man, they will make you scream right on down to the sheriffs department....

Horses for investments are tax writeoffs and you do not have to be a thereapy program...just check with your accountant and make sure he/she is well versed in horsebusinesses......there are many INVESTMENT aspects and not all are for everyone.

The problem in a lot of areas is not so much that the horse is not worth it, it is urbansprawl.. They want them, but .......

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It may take a while to sell, but stick to your guns if you can! Some how, some way things will work out...

 

[fdnick]

HA!! come to Washington state where we are in the midst of a hay shortage.. they have the paper FULL of FREE Reg. horses that are broke to ride, AQHA, APHA, ARAB.. hay has gone up to $225 a ton (was $120) last year and folks are dumping horses right and left. Its sad... We lucked out and bought our hay in Feb before it got so high.. bring a trailer and go to the local auctions you will go home with a full trailer for less than $1000
Denna

 

[EweSheep]

Hay price sticker shock!!!!! UGH!

 

[pasochicken]

Hey Washington, try this one on...we got pony mills in this state, the guys crank out ponies by the bunches, sell them at auction, flood the market and even sell to the killers just to make a buck....

I tell you what - no morals or cooth in this society is there.

Oh and then they got extra nerve..they will post on their website how they are recuers too....but you go to their barns and the ponies got ski feets, etc because they got so many they cannot take care of them....

Or how about the guy telling everyone he got $50,000 horses and then you go to look and his place is run down, the pasture is nothing but sand and weeds, the horses are cut up or not worth a dime? From one extreme to the next it is.

Another of my "favorites" are people who make an appointment and no one shows.....like you got time for that....

Absolutely sickening if ya ask me. Makes things a world of frustration, but that appears to be the world anymore. Y a try to be a decent "Joe" and it all gets stuck in your craw...!

Hay price sticker shock???!...you have not seen the cost of insurance have you? JIMMINY! I would pay that price on hay, but to buy worthless insurance no way.

 

[EggCentric]

Quote:
If they aproached you wanting a horse, I seriously doubt they were a rescue. I work for a rescue and we don't ask anyone if we can have their horse. Heck, we have a waiting list of people wanting to give us their horse. We don't go looking for them.
We also aren't looking to be "Heroes", we do what we can to help horses in need. We rehabilitate them and find them a new home.

Heck, we even grow our own hay, so that we can care for our own "Beloved Beasts".

So can we please not make broad, generalized statements about rescues?

 

[fdnick]

We understand what you are saying about rescues, the bad part is many bad ones give the few good ones a bad name, in this state anyone can be a rescue, we always have folks asking for FREE stuff but would prefer cash (on craigslist) for thier rescue, when you ask them particulars about thier "rescue" they refuse to answer or get real defensive.. as I said most rescues are a great thing, then there is the guy looking to make a buck off folks hoping to help the animals out.. SAD..
Denna

 

[EggCentric]

I always tell people to take the time to actually visit a rescue's facilities before donating money or a horse to them. (or dog or cat) Look at their facility, are the horses cared for? Do they have water available, hay, do they have adequate room for the number of horses they have? Talk to their farrier, talk to their vet, ask questions. Reputable rescues won't have a problem giving you the names to contact. So many people just give their money blindly. Find out if you can donate directly to the vet or feed store in the rescue's name (if the rescue is asking for donations for feed or help with a vet bill)

I'm on quite a few forums and usually someone mentions they have bought a horse from someone that claims to have "Rescued" the horse, but didn't do anything to actually take care of the horse, so then the "Rescue Bashing" begins. Sorry if I offended anyone, that wasn't my intention.