Help me place a value on this horse

[hunter.pleasure]

I’m thinking of buying a 15-year-old OTTB who goes beautifully on the flat and was used as an eventer, then h/j up to 3’3". He has had both knees injected once. He had a high suspensory injury that was “cured” with shock wave treatment but the current owners don’t jump him more than 2’3" now. He’s on nothing more than herbal supplements but I’m sure hock injections are in his future.

He’s a very pretty fire-engine red chestnut with four stockings and a big blaze. If someone could tell me how to attach a still picture, I will do so. He’s fancy and like a metronome on the flat—definite hack winner.

He’s very sweet and easy to ride. 16’1" and he takes care of 7 year old riders.

What is he worth, please? What would you pay for him? Thanks in advance!!!

[Equitational]

Sounds like he would be suitable for a lesson horse? I would say $2500-$5k, I think that is fair for what comparable lesson horses would be priced at.

[KezzaOfficial]

I wouldn’t pay any more than $3,500, if even that, though I wouldn’t have any use for a senior horse that doesn’t perform anymore. Does this horse fit your needs? Did he pass a vet check? What are the current owners asking for him?

[hunter.pleasure]

[QUOTE=KezzaOfficial;7910653]
I wouldn’t pay any more than $3,500, if even that, though I wouldn’t have any use for a senior horse that doesn’t perform anymore. Does this horse fit your needs? Did he pass a vet check? What are the current owners asking for him?[/QUOTE]

He will pass a vet check with a 0 on the flexion test. Owners asking $8500. I’m looking for a horse I can take into the hunter pleasure ring and win now.

[KezzaOfficial]

That price is astronomical for that horse, that horse is absolutely not worth the asking price no matter how sound. He is an older horse, and from what I interpret from your original message, is actually downgrading levels. I would ask $8500 for a young horse who was showing 3’3", not an older horse who doesn’t do that anymore.
Do you want to do flat or over fences? Honestly, I think you should look elsewhere. There are numerous other horses on the market going for low prices (some being given away) that have probably more potential as a competition horse for you than this horse. You may have to keep your eye peeled for a while and get a horse that may be greener than you like, but all in all patience, relationship, and idealness are key to finding the right horse.

[PonyTales]

What level dressage is he trained up to ?

I agree w/the others as in that is a high-end price. On other hand if he is a schoolmaster type & has many rated shows mileage w/impressive show record to back it up. Then not an unrealistic price @ $8500.

The REAL Question is - is he capable of doing the level you want to (and/or) will you quickly outgrow him? At 15 years of age he maybe hard or impossible to insure. If you outgrow him in 2 years you will never get your money back for a 17 y.o senior - unless he is trained in upper dressage or (well we know his jumping capacity) jumping at higher levels. 15 years old is the last year of prime years & he will depreciate significantly thereafter.

If your totally comfortable w/parting of $8500 & not worried about recooping it if you decide to resell. Then money is a non-issue.

The above would be my criteria in making my decision. In the $8500 range you can easily find (many many) other horses - even younger. Perhaps you are more comfortable on an older schoolmaster type & prefer older over younger ? If that is the case he maybe your perfect match He probably has many more years left in him @ 2’3"- 2’6" level of competition. I would do a thorough vetting & look @ just a few more younger candidates just to make sure.

[west5]

I never think these threads make much sense as there are so many variables that go into making a successful pairing of horse and rider.

How much does it cost to keep a horse in your area?
Will you be spending $1600 a month for a fancy barn with a trainer or $250 for field board?

At the first price the horse only costs a couple of months worth of board which is “nothing” in the scope of your horse costs, at the second you are looking closer to 3 years of board which is significant. It is all relative.

If you want to go into the hunter pleasure ring and “win now” can he do that? Has he done it recently? How much is that worth to you?

Do you care if you have to retire him in 3-5 years? If you have good cheap retirement plan/facility available to you it also changes the decision making process.

There are plenty of older horses that with proper management are jumping happily and soundly into their 20s.

[findeight]

Really cannot answer the question without one piece of missing information…what do YOU want to do with the horse?

In an expensive area, somebody who wants to mainly flat, maybe use him for flat lessons, some 2’ ish stuff or trail riding (assuming he is suitable) might be willing to pay mid 4 figures. If he’s nice looking and has a pleasant temperament? Will pack? I think it’s possible he could get between 5-7 IF the vet thinks he could handle it.

15 is hardly a creaking ancient as somebody suggested. If you are willing to do the maintnance and accept his limitations, he may be worth it.

[fordtraktor]

If he is safe and sound to pack you around the 2’3 and you are in Virginia, and he can win at Virginia local shows which are very competitive, then that’s not a crazy price. Maybe a little high but they might well get it if he’s a real packer, they are hard to find at any price. I know people who have paid around that for a similar horse but not as good of a mover in the Midwest because it could pack around a kid over fences. They have not regretted it one bit, either.

[EAY]

[QUOTE=KezzaOfficial;7910667]
That price is astronomical for that horse, that horse is absolutely not worth the asking price no matter how sound. He is an older horse, and from what I interpret from your original message, is actually downgrading levels. I would ask $8500 for a young horse who was showing 3’3".[/QUOTE]

An attractive, good moving young horse showing successfully at 3’3 is going to go for a lot more than $8500, at least around here.

[findeight]

[QUOTE=EAY;7910895]
An attractive, good moving young horse showing successfully at 3’3 is going to go for a lot more than $8500, at least around here.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, you could even add a zero if it’s showing 3’3" at the rateds.

[Gorgonzola]

[QUOTE=west5;7910736]
I never think these threads make much sense as there are so many variables that go into making a successful pairing of horse and rider.[/QUOTE]

Exactly. My parents tried to sell my jumper, who was a 1.40 at 8 when I bought him. Due to some injuries, he was most comfortable doing the 3’ jumpers (Low Child/Adult) at age 15. We had multiple offers ABOVE our asking price of 40k.

It really depends on the show record/area of the country/what you’re looking to do with them.

If he’s SUPER sound, a great mover, and a schoolmaster and you’re looking to do English Pleasure (which, forgive my ignorance, is only on the flat?) I could see $8500 as being a fair price.

[KezzaOfficial]

[QUOTE=EAY;7910895]
An attractive, good moving young horse showing successfully at 3’3 is going to go for a lot more than $8500, at least around here.[/QUOTE]

Yes, but the horse was jumping 3’3" at his peak. It was stated in the original post that the horse is no longer jumping such heights

[AA_Hunter]

I"d love to find a young horse jumping 3’3" for $8500!! Wouldn’t happen around here. Under $10,000 sounds reasonable for a useful older horse like the one OP describes.

[EAY]

[QUOTE=KezzaOfficial;7911425]
Yes, but the horse was jumping 3’3" at his peak. It was stated in the original post that the horse is no longer jumping such heights[/QUOTE]

But I was responding to your comment that you would ask $8500 for a young horse showing at 3’3, rather than to the OP’s question.