Just wanting to make sure I am not missing a good resource for shopping for a dressage horse in the US. I check Warmbloods-for-sale and Dreamhorse. The other generic classifieds do not seem to have much as far as dressage horses. I also check Horses 4 Your Consideration, Dressage Market and Horse Market but these do not have a lot and many ads are old/not updated.
On Facebook, I check Dressage Trainers NA and NA Warmbloods. There are some other pages, but these two seem the most active.
I also try to check some of the larger breeder’s pages (websites and FB pages) but again, many are not updated. Maybe not many have under saddle horses.
Just wanting to make sure I am not missing some glaringly obvious resource.
Is the market that good that sellers do not need to make sales videos showing transitions or movements the horse is advertised at?
The market is good, but not quite as insane as it was. You’re still going to find the best horses by word of mouth. Your trainer goes to a show and mentions what you’re looking for to his/her friends. If they don’t have it, they may know someone who does.
Likewise, lots of trainers are posting their sale horses on their own Facebook walls rather than sale pages now. Search for trainers in your area and trainers with active sale programs and like or friend them.
My height of the pandemic purchase was not advertised. I posted an ISO add on my personal Facebook wall, and the breeder that owned him messaged me a video and invited me over to sit on him.
The sales listings have really fragmented since everything migrated to FB, and then started getting pushed off FB because you aren’t actually allowed to sell animals there.
So you probably need to research FB groups in your region plus trainers and breeders.
What @joiedevie99 said.
Why go far afield & sight unseen IRL when the Right Horse could be in your zipcode, with approval from a (trusted) Pro?
I am not in an area where there are options for such a horse, unfortunately. So depending looking at ads.
I see a few here and there on Instagram and have seen some nice prospects and started option in the last few weeks. Find some farms you like…follow them and every farm like them. Eventually stuff starts popping up. Or I can give you them name of the one I just saw…haha…just DM me.
There are a fair few FB pages I found useful when horse shopping last year - some are regional (but often have listings that aren’t regional!):
Dressage Horses - West Coast Only
English Only California Dressage, H/J & Eventing Horses & Tack for Sale
NW Rider’s Party
Eventers of the West (some horses advertised here would make good dressage horses too!)
OTTB Market (if you are willing to consider TBs)
The Plaid Horse Thermal Classifieds
Dressage Prospects 10k and Under
Dressage Horses - Available Catalogue
Dressage Horses for sale in New England
Dressage Warmblood horses worldwide
There are many more - a FB search of “Dressage Horses” with or without your location or the locations you are willing to search, will find many options.
Are there specific breed(s) you are interested in? Or age/training? Geography range? I have some thoughts but they are random…
Yes, I do. I don’t want to violate any kind of rules on this post. But you are welcome to send me a message if you like.
I think I sent a message, lol.
I also am looking and have a list of recquirements, are you still available to respond to a preospective buyer?
Ann
ann@annveilleux.com
