Horse Shopping: Is this a realistic budget?

[katiepadie12]

Feeling out of the horse market loop and wanting to manage my horse shopping expectations. Please humble me…
What I Need:

• Work Ethic
• Reasonably Sound
• Jumps good
• Must be able to do minimum 3’3”-3’6”
• some show record
• Can take a joke (doesn’t have to be every joke)
• Good canter
  What I want:
• Jumper that could cross over in hunters
• Forgiving
• Uphill/light in the hand
• decently competitive
• attractive and good personality
• smaller
• has a good step
  What I am willing to deal with:
• Quirky (for me this includes trafficky, super sensitive, bucks within reason, only likes an educated ride, etc)
• Older (depending on soundness)
• Not super competitive (want something that will leave the jumps up, but doesn’t need to be jump off winner)
• bad mover
• something that needs a very specific program

My budget is 40 k (50 max) and my plans for the horse are to compete at local rated shows 3-4 times a year. I really just want something with work ethic that’s fun and safe. I am working with a very well-connected trainer, so I am somewhat hopeful. Please let me know yalls thoughts.

[CHT]

Size? Area?

Where I live, a capable 3’6" jumper/hunter that is mostly safe/honest and “light in the hand” is very rare. They just don’t come up for sale that often. The budget wouldn’t necessarily be unrealistic, but you would have to be very patient finding it.

[katiepadie12]

I’m petite so anything 15hh+ could in theory work. I am searching in Texas and surrounding states.

[Amberley]

@katiepadie12

I’m petite so anything 15hh+ could in theory work.

Then I would say yes, definitely. 15.3hh will be your magic size to look for. You can absolutely find a “quirky” 15.2 or 15.3 mare in that price range who will do the 1,2m jumpers.

[Tini_Sea_Soldier1]

Tough budget to find a warmblood unless you’re getting something young or a bit older, or are open to TBs.
Once they go above 3’, it’s tough to find even the quirky ones for less than 60-65.
Honestly, the 16.1 size might be your sweet spot, as they’re too big for the small junior hunters but are dwarfed by some of the bigger “large juniors”.
The challenge here is that you’re looking for a three-ring horse essentially and that type at that height are also equitation prospects. Are they out there? Sure. But you might want to look for a nice, ex-steeplechase TB type as they’re often brave and bold enough to do the jumpers but if you find a nice moving one, they can sometimes tone it down and make a nice hunter too.

[Tha_Ridge]

If you were looking for straight jumpers, I’d say the budget is small but reasonable. Wanting something that fits this criteria and is attractive enough to play in the hunters is going to be double.

[findeight]

Thinking maybe something like an Appendix might work? If you are willing to look for type and a training foundation but not necessarily tons of miles over fences at rated shows? Look at QH or APHA shows and bigger Open shows populated mostly by these horses for a well started over fences horse that just needs fine tuning and some polish. Just might have to look past some of what you see at the horse itself, how it uses itself over fences, is it willing to at least try.

In your region and those breeds, horses tend to be less popular after they age out of Junior Horse eligibility…which is a whole other discussion but can lead to some better prices for, say, a 7-8 year old QH versus a 7-8 yo WB. Not talking champion or big winner here, just workman like and fixable.

While all horses are individuals, work ethic and temperament are typically not an issue in these breeds. And there are alot of them in your region.

[Madison]

I would make the “cross over to the hunter ring” a point that is a plus if you happen to find it, but not a criteria that eliminates otherwise good prospects. Hunter ability drives the price up, unfortunately.

For what you are looking for, I’d look at eventing sale barns, not just h/j sale barns. The event horses would cross over well for what you want.

[sassy]

I think this is at least 75k for something attractive and quiet enough to cross over into the hunters. Likely 100k+

[blondewithchrome]

In my area (mid Atlantic) unless you buy a TB or older, a solid 1.10+ (I see you say “minimum” so I read that as your lowest you’d want the horse to do is the 3’6, so obviously for a 1.15, 1.20m scope you’ll pay more) horse that’s attractive enough for the hunters will be double this. Unless you are well connected and can get in on one that’s got a hole you can live with, or owner is very picky about where horse goes, $40k will be very hard to do. Deals are always out there but as others said, it may require patience. You may want to go visit Wellington and Ocala at the end of March - there are ALWAYS end of circuit fire sales where you could get lucky and find this in your budget.

If you’re willing to settle on the “hunter” criteria I think 50k could do it…but the Hunter quotient will really drive price up, as others have said.

[TEVindisch94]

I have a horse that meets 90% of these criteria, would be within max budget with negotiation, so it’s possible! He’s in that price range because he had a colic surgery a few years ago and although he’s a good boy, he’s a very specific type of ride that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

[fivestrideline]

Echoing that this is more doable if you drop the hunter criteria entirely. As the poster above said, if you can take something with a pretty big quirk and imperfect vetting, you might get lucky! And some people may list the horse higher but be willing to negotiate (this is where a good trainer comes in handy).

Is $40k-$50k “realistic” for your list? No. But is it entirely impossible with the right compromises and a huge dose of luck? Also no.

As some have said, look at end of circuit fire sales, “off breeds” like TB or Appendix (which is heavy TB), things that lack a show record, eventers that don’t want to go XC anymore, etc. You’re in a good spot being able to ride smaller horses, so that should really help.

[katiepadie12]

Thank ya’ll for your very helpful responses. However, I wanted to clarify that I’d be very willing to buy the horse that only satisfies the needs list and is within the willing to deal with section. The wants are more so added bonuses. Additionally, I am hoping to increase my budget with the sale of my current horse. Thanks again!

[ThreeWishes]

It’s the cross over into hunters in the wants list that’s giving most commenters pause. Good luck with your search !