The best way to get an affordable horse is to *not* go into it with preconceptions about what breed or 'look' you "have to" get. That's a recipe for winding up with the wrong horse at the wrong price -- doesn't happen all the time, but much too often.
When it's time to look for a horse, especially if you are tight on funds, look at ANY vaguely suitable sounding animal -- no matter what its breed, gender, size or color. After all, you don't ride a color or a breed name, you ride the individual horse
If you like the gypsy vanner thing, btw, check out PMU horses (yes, there are still some out there, although unless you are experienced and have deep pockets for potential health and traiing issues I suggest looking for one that someone else has already civilized and trained), and anything advertised as draftX or paintX. I have friends with horses that are dead ringers for Gypsy Vanners, without the ridiculous pricetags, bought as more or less mutts for like $1000-2000. Seriously.
Cleaning jobs (be it cleaning out a shed, a basement, a manure pile) are often good bets for "hey, I'm trying to save up for a horse, is there any job you would hire me for" kinds of things. Also good exercise
Good luck,
Pat
When it's time to look for a horse, especially if you are tight on funds, look at ANY vaguely suitable sounding animal -- no matter what its breed, gender, size or color. After all, you don't ride a color or a breed name, you ride the individual horse
If you like the gypsy vanner thing, btw, check out PMU horses (yes, there are still some out there, although unless you are experienced and have deep pockets for potential health and traiing issues I suggest looking for one that someone else has already civilized and trained), and anything advertised as draftX or paintX. I have friends with horses that are dead ringers for Gypsy Vanners, without the ridiculous pricetags, bought as more or less mutts for like $1000-2000. Seriously.
Cleaning jobs (be it cleaning out a shed, a basement, a manure pile) are often good bets for "hey, I'm trying to save up for a horse, is there any job you would hire me for" kinds of things. Also good exercise
Good luck,
Pat
