Am I Being Realistic? (In today's market)

[kwpn_01]

Hi all! I’ve noticed that there’s been a couple of other threads regarding this topic but nothing super recent, so I thought I’d ask the question with today’s current inflated horse market.

I will be ready to horse shop once again in the coming months, and I can’t tell if I’m dreading it or excited. I had some pretty bad luck with a youngster I purchased a few years back so I have a bit of a different apetite this go around. Ideally, I am looking for a prospect with potential to take me to the 1m20 / 1m30 ring (obviously scope for more would be amazing, but I am trying to be realistic within my current budget). I am okay with green and quirky, but started in work and going O/F would be preferred. No preference to gender, and I am on the smaller side so I am okay with a smaller horse.

My budget is around $30K CAD with wiggle room to accomodate shipping, vetting, commissions, etc. I realize that dollars do not go as far as they used to and espeically being in Canadian currency, tightens the budget up a little bit more. Am I being realistic in terms of purchase price for this type of prospect? I am also in no rush, open to waiting if it means saving a bit more and finding the perfect pony.

I will be using my trainer throughout this process and she suggested importing, but I figure I’d need a larger budget to do so. Opinions would be fantastic, and thank you in advance!

[ASBJumper]

Absolutely that’s realistic - assuming you are not going to be hung up on breed.

In fact, I know of a crazy talented young bay gelding in Kentucky that is modestly priced, super sweet and desperate to please, with scope to burn. Some off-property experience, in training with a pro right now but would be totally fine for a capable amateur rider.

PM me if you want pics/details.

[clanter]

@kwpn_01

I will be using my trainer throughout this process and she suggested importing, but I figure I’d need a larger budget to do so.

a good starting place would be to find out what fees the trainer is going to charge (if any) …if its 15% then your projected price point would be in the $26,000 range (26k plus 15% is just under your desired 30K projected budget)

Then there are the incidental costs of prepurchase examine (maybe multiple if there is failure) and of visits to see candidate horse or importing

[kwpn_01]

My trainer charges very modest fees. Since buying suggests a long-term relationship with trainer and barn, we have established a very fair line in the sand.

I have budged over my $30K for incidentals (vetting, transport (unless importing), and other unforeseen taxes/commissions depending on where horsey is coming from). I do realize that certain brokers such as French Horse Exports tacks on a commission for using their facilitation services.

[clanter]

@kwpn_01

we have established a very fair line in the sand.

personally after having several business relationship/dealing go haywire I would prefer rather than verbal agreements or writing in sand that the expectations should be written on paper

The current market for horses is as you have said like none seen before.

You should be able to locate a nice horse with your budget but it may take Tax Season to encourage an owner who needs to raise funds for that quarterly or end of the year payment

We bought two horses when the owners needed the cash then and now.