I was glad to see an article putting it all into perspective and I hope you take the time to read through it.\u00a0 I’m sure you can find a horse in your budget range, but please be realistic and do not expect the perfect horse with the perfect everything for what your budget can handle.<\/p>\n
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<\/p>\n
I want to buy a horse!!! For 10K or Less. And I want it to be\u2026\u2026<\/a><\/h2>\nPosted on September 17, 2014<\/a> by artistgus<\/a><\/div>\n\u201cI want to buy a horse!!! I have 10 thousand, and I must have the following:<\/p>\n
![\"4](\"http:\/\/mmceventing.files.wordpress.com\/2014\/05\/555079_425502987558393_1013971669_n.jpg?w=300&h=225\")
<\/a><\/p>\n4 month old fillies first day of weaning.<\/p>\n
No mares, mares are mare-ish. I cannot tolerate a mare. \u00a0I want at least 16.3 or taller. \u00a0I don\u2019t like the short horses, I look too tall on the shorter horses. Yes, I realize I am only 5\u2032, but my leg hangs on anything less than 16.3 \u00a0I need it trained and safe. \u00a0I don\u2019t want anything that might run off with me\u2026at the walk. \u00a0Nothing older than 7, nothing younger than 6. \u00a0It MUST pass a PPE. \u00a0(Pre-Purchase Exam) \u00a0That means it absolutely can have NOTHING wrong with it. \u00a0And by nothing,\u00a0I mean NOTHING. \u00a0I don\u2019t care how many times it has raced since age 2, it must have NO blemishes, bumps, etc. \u00a0It must jump 3\u20196\u2033, even though I have no plans to go above Beginner Novice. \u00a0 It has to have leads and they have to be automatic. \u00a0I prefer warmbloods to Throughbreds. \u00a0I prefer a bay with 4 high whites, or better, a true black with 4 high whites. \u00a0Must be bomb proof and stand on the cross-ties even if a bomb (crazy dog running around) comes into the barn isle, and bites it on the legs. \u00a0Must be a schoolmaster, \u00a0teach me how to jump 3\u20196\u2033, and be forgiving of all my mistakes. \u00a0It must have the scope to go Preliminary or above, even if I have yet to event, \u00a0and have the movement to score in the 20\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the above may indeed, be a bit exaggerated, it is in fact, not far so. \u00a0It pretty much sums up several inquiries that I have had this week on horses for sale. \u00a0So let\u2019s talk about sales, and the costs associated with horses, and the cost to sell them.<\/p>\n
![\"Showing](\"http:\/\/mmceventing.files.wordpress.com\/2014\/04\/img_88091.jpg?w=200&h=300\")
<\/a><\/p>\nShowing a yearling in hand. For the day150.00 in costs\u2026not counting labor, or the truck.<\/p>\n
I live in an area where the above horse, really, would probably sell for 35 to 65k. \u00a0Maybe a bit more, depending on the level they are competing at, and the breed. \u00a0Basically, if the horse has the ability to jump, is sound, has a good heart, and decent movement, without a show record, many are asking 25k. \u00a0Seems pricy huh? Until you start figuring it all out from the sellers view.<\/p>\n
So let\u2019s look at what goes into the price of a horse, and what it costs for a professional to bring them along.<\/p>\n
They have to buy or breed the horse. \u00a0If they buy the horse, say an OTTB, can it go to work right away? \u00a0Did it require down time? \u00a0What medical issues, like ulcers, had to be fixed, before the horse could go to work? \u00a0If they bred the horse, there is the costs of maintaining a mare when not in foal, while in foal, and after foaling. \u00a0So minimum, this is 18 months of mare care. \u00a0There is the stud fee, and associated Veterinary fees. \u00a0Then the foal has to be fed, and the feet need done, etc. etc. \u00a0Multiply that by the age of the horse. \u00a0Is the foal just a weanling? \u00a0Maybe a yearling? \u00a0How about the breeder who keeps the foal, starts it, and gets a small record on it. \u00a0You are talking 4 years minimal. \u00a0Of feed, care, vet, showing, training, etc. etc. etc. \u00a0What has it cost you for a year for the horse that you just had?<\/p>\n
![\"Stud](\"http:\/\/mmceventing.files.wordpress.com\/2013\/06\/538547_246417062133654_1166227294_n.jpg?w=300&h=220\")
<\/a><\/p>\nStud Fee\u2019s for a horse like this can be upwards of 2500.00.<\/p>\n
Or then the OTTB. \u00a0Many need a down time, \u00a03 months minimum. \u00a0Usually a month of Ulcer Guard to fix the ulcers that most come off the track with. \u00a0Then there is the farrier, correcting the shoes to non-racing condition. \u00a0Most come off needing HUGE amounts of feed. \u00a0There is the training, \u00a0feed, and vets, the cost of showing the horse to get that little record so many buyers require.<\/p>\n
It is easy to spend 5k getting a mare in foal. \u00a0A good sire starts at $1500 for fresh semen, you can pay double that for frozen on a good sire. \u00a0Then there are the vet costs. Believe me when I say, I paid $3500 to the vet for one mare. \u00a0(I was uninitiated). \u00a0Then the costs of the mare care pre-, during, post-foaling. \u00a0Say another $200 a month. \u00a0You have another $3600 from insemination, to weaning. \u00a0If you are lucky, you got the mare back in foal quick. \u00a0If not\u2026.multiply multiply multiply.<\/p>\n
There are the losses. \u00a0Often horses don\u2019t work out and won\u2019t meet the criteria to be sold. \u00a0I have given many horses away, horses that just weren\u2019t going to work out as something representing MMC. \u00a0I lose money on those horses. \u00a0We weed them out, so the buyer can buy something with as little risk as possible.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"http:\/\/mmceventing.files.wordpress.com\/2013\/05\/img_4504.jpg?w=300&h=200\")
<\/a><\/p>\nA healthy foal is not a fluke. It is a well thought out, and fed animal. With prime Vet care.<\/p>\n
All of those expenses are easy to see. \u00a0RIGHT. \u00a0Easy. \u00a0But what about the costs that are not as easy to see. \u00a0So let\u2019s discuss those. \u00a0You know that bright green pasture, with the beautiful white rail fence you saw the mare frolicking in? \u00a0Did you know the costs to keep it that way? \u00a0Boards snap all on a regular basis. \u00a0The costs per acre to weed\/fertilize would surprise you. \u00a0Dragging the pasture to keep the worms down, pests down takes fuel. \u00a0Cutting the grass, to keep it appealing for the horses to eat, and appealing for the consumer to look at\u2026fuel, maintenance of farm equipment, purchase of said equipment. \u00a0TIME. \u00a0Bringing the foal\/mare in for feeding, time, labor.<\/p>\n
The barn: shavings, electric, labor to keep it clean, boards that they kick and break, repairs repairs repairs. \u00a0Even the water hose usually gets replaced every few months which adds to the tally.<\/p>\n
Then there is the time commitment, and energy expanded on this horse. \u00a0I don\u2019t show a horse that looks like crap. \u00a0They have to be kept clean, labor, they have to have baths, shampoos, towels that need washed. \u00a0Clipper blades. \u00a0Show Sheen. \u00a0And that list can go on and on and on.<\/p>\n
![\"Then](\"http:\/\/mmceventing.files.wordpress.com\/2013\/01\/image10.jpg?w=225&h=300\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThen after you do all that, you have to sell them, and say goodbye. NOT an easy thing to do.<\/p>\n
Then there is training. \u00a0Many breeding operations do not have a live in trainer, and thereby have to hire a trainer. \u00a0They don\u2019t get a break. \u00a0They pay the same that you would for a trainer. \u00a0Or in the case that the seller is also the trainer, again, time. \u00a0TIME. \u00a0A very valuable commodity. \u00a0Trainers don\u2019t have much of it.<\/p>\n
Want a show record. \u00a0There is that can of worms. You must go to shows. \u00a0Entry fees are not cheap. The trailer, the truck, a groom. \u00a0Stalls. \u00a0Shavings at shows. \u00a0It all adds up.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nSoundness. \u00a0OH to have a perfectly sound horse. \u00a0I can\u2019t tell you how many times you go to get a horse, have a vet come do x-rays, and they see a slight roughening, that has been there for years, never caused a day of lameness, and after everything, the buyer offers half, and walks away angry when we can\u2019t accept it.<\/p>\n
![\"Good](\"http:\/\/mmceventing.files.wordpress.com\/2013\/06\/lm5.jpg?w=200&h=300\")
<\/a><\/p>\nGood Labor is hard to find\u2026.<\/p>\n
So we covered the costs of the horse. \u00a0BUT, often something is forgotten\u2026.the pro. \u00a0THAT is his job. \u00a0So at the end of the day, he can, are you ready for this? \u00a0Go home, eat, lay down in his bed, provided he has one, turn on his lights, that are part of his electrical service, watch a bit of cable TV and have a beer. \u00a0Send his kids off to school the next day with lunch money, in shoes that don\u2019t have holes, and make his car payment. Because like all people, the pro has that to pay too and those costs are part of why horses are priced as they are.<\/p>\n
When you are figuring out a budget on a horse, realize, we all would like to have a perfect horse, for 10k, and go our merry way.<\/p>\n
So that 25k that the pro is asking for the horse that they bred, trained, raised, and developed a show record on\u2026.more than likely, they are making nothing for it, and just trying to pay some bills, survive to do this another year, and make you happy. \u00a0So next time you see a PRO, \u00a0remember, they too have a house payment, car payment, kids who need things, and an electric bill to pay. \u00a0And they would REALLY enjoy sitting down and eating if there are a few dollars left.<\/p>\n
Happy Horse Hunting!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This below article also applies to those family horses selling for $2,500 – $3,000 range.\u00a0 If someone wants the perfect horse, do not expect to buy it for $500.\u00a0 In today’s market (2014) horses are still being given away for … Continue reading
\u201cI want to buy a horse!!! I have 10 thousand, and I must have the following:<\/p>\n
4 month old fillies first day of weaning.<\/p>\n No mares, mares are mare-ish. I cannot tolerate a mare. \u00a0I want at least 16.3 or taller. \u00a0I don\u2019t like the short horses, I look too tall on the shorter horses. Yes, I realize I am only 5\u2032, but my leg hangs on anything less than 16.3 \u00a0I need it trained and safe. \u00a0I don\u2019t want anything that might run off with me\u2026at the walk. \u00a0Nothing older than 7, nothing younger than 6. \u00a0It MUST pass a PPE. \u00a0(Pre-Purchase Exam) \u00a0That means it absolutely can have NOTHING wrong with it. \u00a0And by nothing,\u00a0I mean NOTHING. \u00a0I don\u2019t care how many times it has raced since age 2, it must have NO blemishes, bumps, etc. \u00a0It must jump 3\u20196\u2033, even though I have no plans to go above Beginner Novice. \u00a0 It has to have leads and they have to be automatic. \u00a0I prefer warmbloods to Throughbreds. \u00a0I prefer a bay with 4 high whites, or better, a true black with 4 high whites. \u00a0Must be bomb proof and stand on the cross-ties even if a bomb (crazy dog running around) comes into the barn isle, and bites it on the legs. \u00a0Must be a schoolmaster, \u00a0teach me how to jump 3\u20196\u2033, and be forgiving of all my mistakes. \u00a0It must have the scope to go Preliminary or above, even if I have yet to event, \u00a0and have the movement to score in the 20\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n While the above may indeed, be a bit exaggerated, it is in fact, not far so. \u00a0It pretty much sums up several inquiries that I have had this week on horses for sale. \u00a0So let\u2019s talk about sales, and the costs associated with horses, and the cost to sell them.<\/p>\n Showing a yearling in hand. For the day150.00 in costs\u2026not counting labor, or the truck.<\/p>\n I live in an area where the above horse, really, would probably sell for 35 to 65k. \u00a0Maybe a bit more, depending on the level they are competing at, and the breed. \u00a0Basically, if the horse has the ability to jump, is sound, has a good heart, and decent movement, without a show record, many are asking 25k. \u00a0Seems pricy huh? Until you start figuring it all out from the sellers view.<\/p>\n So let\u2019s look at what goes into the price of a horse, and what it costs for a professional to bring them along.<\/p>\n They have to buy or breed the horse. \u00a0If they buy the horse, say an OTTB, can it go to work right away? \u00a0Did it require down time? \u00a0What medical issues, like ulcers, had to be fixed, before the horse could go to work? \u00a0If they bred the horse, there is the costs of maintaining a mare when not in foal, while in foal, and after foaling. \u00a0So minimum, this is 18 months of mare care. \u00a0There is the stud fee, and associated Veterinary fees. \u00a0Then the foal has to be fed, and the feet need done, etc. etc. \u00a0Multiply that by the age of the horse. \u00a0Is the foal just a weanling? \u00a0Maybe a yearling? \u00a0How about the breeder who keeps the foal, starts it, and gets a small record on it. \u00a0You are talking 4 years minimal. \u00a0Of feed, care, vet, showing, training, etc. etc. etc. \u00a0What has it cost you for a year for the horse that you just had?<\/p>\n Stud Fee\u2019s for a horse like this can be upwards of 2500.00.<\/p>\n Or then the OTTB. \u00a0Many need a down time, \u00a03 months minimum. \u00a0Usually a month of Ulcer Guard to fix the ulcers that most come off the track with. \u00a0Then there is the farrier, correcting the shoes to non-racing condition. \u00a0Most come off needing HUGE amounts of feed. \u00a0There is the training, \u00a0feed, and vets, the cost of showing the horse to get that little record so many buyers require.<\/p>\n It is easy to spend 5k getting a mare in foal. \u00a0A good sire starts at $1500 for fresh semen, you can pay double that for frozen on a good sire. \u00a0Then there are the vet costs. Believe me when I say, I paid $3500 to the vet for one mare. \u00a0(I was uninitiated). \u00a0Then the costs of the mare care pre-, during, post-foaling. \u00a0Say another $200 a month. \u00a0You have another $3600 from insemination, to weaning. \u00a0If you are lucky, you got the mare back in foal quick. \u00a0If not\u2026.multiply multiply multiply.<\/p>\n There are the losses. \u00a0Often horses don\u2019t work out and won\u2019t meet the criteria to be sold. \u00a0I have given many horses away, horses that just weren\u2019t going to work out as something representing MMC. \u00a0I lose money on those horses. \u00a0We weed them out, so the buyer can buy something with as little risk as possible.<\/p>\n A healthy foal is not a fluke. It is a well thought out, and fed animal. With prime Vet care.<\/p>\n All of those expenses are easy to see. \u00a0RIGHT. \u00a0Easy. \u00a0But what about the costs that are not as easy to see. \u00a0So let\u2019s discuss those. \u00a0You know that bright green pasture, with the beautiful white rail fence you saw the mare frolicking in? \u00a0Did you know the costs to keep it that way? \u00a0Boards snap all on a regular basis. \u00a0The costs per acre to weed\/fertilize would surprise you. \u00a0Dragging the pasture to keep the worms down, pests down takes fuel. \u00a0Cutting the grass, to keep it appealing for the horses to eat, and appealing for the consumer to look at\u2026fuel, maintenance of farm equipment, purchase of said equipment. \u00a0TIME. \u00a0Bringing the foal\/mare in for feeding, time, labor.<\/p>\n The barn: shavings, electric, labor to keep it clean, boards that they kick and break, repairs repairs repairs. \u00a0Even the water hose usually gets replaced every few months which adds to the tally.<\/p>\n Then there is the time commitment, and energy expanded on this horse. \u00a0I don\u2019t show a horse that looks like crap. \u00a0They have to be kept clean, labor, they have to have baths, shampoos, towels that need washed. \u00a0Clipper blades. \u00a0Show Sheen. \u00a0And that list can go on and on and on.<\/p>\n Then after you do all that, you have to sell them, and say goodbye. NOT an easy thing to do.<\/p>\n Then there is training. \u00a0Many breeding operations do not have a live in trainer, and thereby have to hire a trainer. \u00a0They don\u2019t get a break. \u00a0They pay the same that you would for a trainer. \u00a0Or in the case that the seller is also the trainer, again, time. \u00a0TIME. \u00a0A very valuable commodity. \u00a0Trainers don\u2019t have much of it.<\/p>\n Want a show record. \u00a0There is that can of worms. You must go to shows. \u00a0Entry fees are not cheap. The trailer, the truck, a groom. \u00a0Stalls. \u00a0Shavings at shows. \u00a0It all adds up.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Soundness. \u00a0OH to have a perfectly sound horse. \u00a0I can\u2019t tell you how many times you go to get a horse, have a vet come do x-rays, and they see a slight roughening, that has been there for years, never caused a day of lameness, and after everything, the buyer offers half, and walks away angry when we can\u2019t accept it.<\/p>\n Good Labor is hard to find\u2026.<\/p>\n So we covered the costs of the horse. \u00a0BUT, often something is forgotten\u2026.the pro. \u00a0THAT is his job. \u00a0So at the end of the day, he can, are you ready for this? \u00a0Go home, eat, lay down in his bed, provided he has one, turn on his lights, that are part of his electrical service, watch a bit of cable TV and have a beer. \u00a0Send his kids off to school the next day with lunch money, in shoes that don\u2019t have holes, and make his car payment. Because like all people, the pro has that to pay too and those costs are part of why horses are priced as they are.<\/p>\n When you are figuring out a budget on a horse, realize, we all would like to have a perfect horse, for 10k, and go our merry way.<\/p>\n So that 25k that the pro is asking for the horse that they bred, trained, raised, and developed a show record on\u2026.more than likely, they are making nothing for it, and just trying to pay some bills, survive to do this another year, and make you happy. \u00a0So next time you see a PRO, \u00a0remember, they too have a house payment, car payment, kids who need things, and an electric bill to pay. \u00a0And they would REALLY enjoy sitting down and eating if there are a few dollars left.<\/p>\n Happy Horse Hunting!!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This below article also applies to those family horses selling for $2,500 – $3,000 range.\u00a0 If someone wants the perfect horse, do not expect to buy it for $500.\u00a0 In today’s market (2014) horses are still being given away for … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n