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Budgeting Question

Hunter/Jumper
#1

Hi all!! My current horses are 21 and 28 and realistically I’m going to be looking for a new horse sooner rather than later. Looking at market prices I’m scared I’ll never be able to find anything in my budget.

Realistically, how much should we be saving up? I’d be looking for a 2’6-3’ hunter with a good brain. I have major confidence issues from many years hitting the dirt as a pro so a good attitude is priority number 1. I don’t mind if it’s green but it must be started. I’m not picky on breed but I am plus size so it would need to be 16h+ and solidly built (no dainty tb’s). I also don’t mind older with maintenance. I bought my 21 year old at 17 and it was a great fit because of her experience. I would be showing mostly local and C rated shows with maybe the occasional smaller A rated 1-2x a year. It doesn’t need to be the hack winner but I’d like to be competitive if I ride well.

I don’t think we’ll ever be able to afford over low-mid 5s. Ideally I’d like to stay in the low 5’s range but I’m not sure if that’s possible?? Luckily we probably have 2-3 years until this comes to fruition.

#2

I’m not sure what the question is? You’re asking how much you SHOULD save up and then telling us how much you CAN save. If all you can save is low 5’s then…save low 5’s?

4 Likes
#3

I think what would be helpful is to understand your definition of low-mid 5’s… bc once you get out there and shop, you’ll learn that it is a BROAD interpretation. If you’re willing to consider breeds outside of warmbloods (i.e. OTTB/QH/appendix), then I think you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for in the realm of 20-40k. However, it will get harder with the imports as many times people are trying to recoup cost of purchase plus imports, so getting one that is more made up may cost closer to 50k to start.
Also, keep in mind that the horse market and housing market are both hot right now… so people are throwing around money like crazy. In a few years, that might not be the case if the economy tanks or things slow down again with more shutdowns.

1 Like
#4

If you don’t insist on a warmblood or a horse with a USEF A/AA show record and you’re willing to travel (or buy off video), you should be able to find what you want within your budget even in this market. A nice QH that meets all your criteria can easily be found in the low-mid 5s.

3 Likes
#5

My question is can this creature be found between 10-35k and if so which end of the spectrum am I looking at

#6

If you want everything you’re asking for - safe, sane, sound, and can horse show - every bit of the 25-35k end, unfortunately. Depending on exactly where you are in the country, even a QH or TB that can safely jump around 2’6 with changes will be on the high end of your budget. If you want a 3’ horse I think 30-35k is more realistic than 10-15. If you can handle training holes or quirks you may get lucky and find something less than 20k but I do think regardless of breed, that would be tough to find.

4 Likes
#7

Mid 5s for probably older with maintenance is more realistic of a ballpark that will get you a few more options. Lower price will be most likely quite green with a question mark on confidence giving if it meets the rest of your criteria. If you could find a more off breed that met the build requirements (like a WBx, draftx or stocky appendix), that’s also a possibility but it might not be real competitive at the As.

#8

Competitive at your local shows or competitive at the A shows?

Seems like that’s gonna be the big price difference. In my area, 20k will buy a well schooled TB that’s competitive locally in the 2’6”. Maybe even 10k depending on what quirks / maintenance you’re good with. But competitive at A shows might be a stretch.

#9

So for this budget, you’re going to see a lot of offers for leases most likely from the lower end.
Unlike years ago, leases are now more like 50% of horse’s sale value rather than 30%. So what you will see for 10k leases are horses valued for sale at 20k, which can often mean either non-warmblood or very green or maintenance/behavior issues. 35k may get you the 2’6-3 foot packer, but if it’s larger and warmblood that you’re looking for, expect this to either be a younger greenie needing some polish/finish, or an older step-down horse that can no longer do the 3’3-3’6 divisions and may need some maintenance to stay comfortably at the 3’.
For OTTB’s and QH/appendix horses, you should be able to find one that is finished and can do the job for 30-35k.
Honestly, if you are not sure what you’re looking for, an option may be to look to do a year lease with a purchase/buyout option. Gives you more time to gather some extra budget and also allows you time to determine if it’s really the horse for you.

2 Likes
#10

I did find myself a lovely horse of this type for mid-5s imported who is a good age, plus cost of going over to try him, vetting, etc., before the prices really exploded. He was still owned by the breeder, and for the brain/attitude that I needed also as a confidence giver, he was a steal. I think they didn’t like how slow he was over there or something because I can hardly find a quality 4yo hunter prospect for a similar price and basically nothing already in the US.

#11

My post was referencing TBs showing in our local schooling circuits. I’m sure WBs / prospects for the A shows carry a much higher price tag. Good horses are going quick these days at all price points it seems.

#12

There’s a huge range but if you were in my area I have seen these are kind of the going prices right now. These are horses I have seen sold in my area and their listed price:

Horse ready to step into the 2’6” to 2’9” C and smaller A rated ring. Heart of gold. Early teens, probably won’t have a clean PPE but is sound. Probably won’t be able to do the 3ft. 30k

2’6” to 3ft packer who will win at the smaller rated shows, and could do decently if taken to the larger shows but probably isn’t going to sweep anything. Excellent horse, no stop, but will need a bit more of a stronger ride. Probably best in trainer program if with an Ammy. Also early teens. 50k

Somewhat Green horse. Absolutely bombproof and has nice movement but is 9 and zero show experience, and isnt registered. Has been going around 2’6” courses with a good rider and is ready to start showing. Lead change is coming along but not auto yet. Sort of horse you trust your kids to ride. 10k

Absolutely gorgeous imported horse who just won or placed really well in her first season in Florida. 10 years. Price undisclosed by seller but heard through the grapevine the sold price was a bit of a bidding war between two buyers and she went for significantly over six figures :anguished:

2 Likes
#13

I see wonderful horses all the time who do around 2’6" for high fours/low fives. Granted I don’t compete so I can’t speak to what it will cost you to be super competitive but I firmly believe you can get a great horse for way less than $35k. I live in a HCOL area but still I am shocked to see how much people on COTH say they’ve paid or seen people pay for a horse!

1 Like
#14

So OP has several things going against her as to why I think she’s going to have to pay more than high fours/low fives:

  • she doesn’t want a TB
  • she needs something that is going to give her confidence
  • she wants to be able to be competitive at local rated shows

Take out any one of those requirements and she could find something no problem for way under budget.
But I’m not saying it isn’t possible. It most certainly is possible to find an awesome horse that will fit her needs for under her budget. It’s just going to take time though, and some thinking outside the box.

2 Likes
#15

I think the key here is OP said she wants to compete at her local and a few A shows. There are indeed lots of horses than CAN jump 2’-2’6, but horse show at rated shows and be “somewhat competitive” - and even step up to the 3’ at that - will be HARD to find in the high fours anywhere in the country.

1 Like
#16

Sometimes you can find what you are looking for in Canada if the exchange rate is in your favor.

#17

I don’t mind a tb at all!! It would just need to be a little bigger boned because I’m plus sized. I can’t ride anything super dainty

#18

For reference, I recently bought a (not imported) WB to eventually do the 3’ adults. He’s only 5, very green, and he’s probably not the choice for someone with confidence issues (just too green). He jumps well enough, but moves meh. I spent every bit of $35K on him…and that’s only because he didn’t vet perfectly. That’s probably not what you want to hear, but it does reflect the reality of today’s horse market.

The safe 2’6"-3’ horses are what everyone wants right now. If I were in your shoes, I’d wait as long as possible to see if this bubble bursts.

ETA: some of this does depend on geography. If you’re in a hot horse market like Florida or California, the horses are more expensive than, say, the rural midwest.

#19

What? Where are you seeing them? I haven’t seen a solid, C-show competitive, 2’6" horse for the high fours anywhere for years. You’d be hard pressed to even lease for that number.

2 Likes
#20

Ok, that might be the way to go. An older TB (like 10ish) doing exactly what you want would definitely be in your budget. A taller quarter horse might be a good option too, there’s a lot more quarter horses competing and winning than people know about

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