Horse shopping on a budget - does this horse exist?

[Incantation]

Thank you for the warning.

[NJRider]

I will message you.

[MorganMaresVT]

Have you looked at the UConn or UVM Morgans for young horses for sale? That might work out for your price range and goals.

Horses for Sale | Department of Animal Science

https://www.uvm.edu/cals/morganhorsefarm/horses-sale

If you join any of the Morgan sport horse FB groups, you’ll see plenty listed in New England. Your budget is a factor but since you’re considering a baby you have a better shot. If I wanted a baby, I would call Nancy Caisse at Townshend Morgans. Not much internet presence but you can friend her on FB and start a conversation that way.

[Christa_P]

This is why I plan to shop for a young horse, weanling - 2. The older horses that well trained for the community are much more expensive. If the older horse is in my budget there is likely a problem, maybe soundness, maybe they aren’t road safe or they’re too slow, but there will be a reason.

[poltroon]

Having just exited the market with a Morgan, I don’t think they’re out of your budget, especially if you’ll consider a youngster. I’m also seeing a notable uptick in listings of horses for sale or prices declining. I see a fair number of sport-bred, well-handled solid youngsters out there that would meet your needs for low risk.

Good luck finding your new partner.

[Incantation]

@MorganMaresVT

Nancy Caisse at Townshend Morgans

I sent a message on FB, thank you.

[foggybok]

@Incantation

I do love a nice TB, your boys are lovely! I bought my current boy as a 3yo, who trained but did not race. He has been one heartache after another and he has typical crappy TB hooves, which seemed very nice until I pulled his shoes. I really want something with a really nice hoof that can be barefoot most of the time. I don’t want to be fighting with long toe/under run heel and thin soles. I know there are probably plenty of TBs with nice hooves, but I am honestly a little soured by my experience the last 4 years. (He has more problems than just his hooves, but it sucks he needs 4 shoes just to stand in the paddock).

My famous red mare (she is a spokesmodel now) came off the track. I remember when the vet came to do a prepurchase for her and was shocked at her big, healthy beautiful barefoot feet. She even had a few white ones, but her feet would make anyone jealous. They are out there. Not all TBs have bad feet.

But I might suggest a different route, try an appendix quarter horse. The pleasure bred ones will be expensive, but you can get an OTQH pretty reasonably. Although way out of your area, I know a guy who has a barnful under 5K. The thing to watch for with them if that they are not too long backed and downhill, as some of the running QH can be that way. My very reasonably priced off track appendix mare was not. She was often mistaken for a warmblood. She had great feet and 3 great gaits (spectacular trot). My dressage trainer at the time offered me big bucks to sell her to him with the agreement that I show her up to third and he take it from there. He thought she had high level potential. I declined to sell her as she was my heart horse. She was good on trail and could jump as well, and at 16 hands, pretty much exactly what you are looking for.

[CanteringCarrot]

I think that you can find a decent horse from the Amish. I also think they sometimes they just sell in order to make money/do know what may be marketable vs only selling because there is “something wrong” with the horse. All Amish aren’t created “equal” either in terms of how they train or treat their horses. If you have a low budget, it’s not a bad option.

I will say if you do by something young, make sure that you’re comfortable with that, and/or have good support from a trainer. It’s important to put the right start on them, regardless of what you’re doing. It’s been fun with my youngster (bought him as a yearling), and now going into his 3 year old year I have a better idea of who he is. He trailers, ground drives, does tricks, and all basics wonderfully, but I do get slightly impatient re wanting something to ride but I have found a few opportunities to keep me from getting too rusty. So there’s that to keep in mind too.

If you want a mare, stick with that. I’m more of a mare person but keep on ending up with geldings. I’m very tempted to buy my horse’s younger sister…

[clanter]

I need to PM you as I have had posts removed by moderation saying I advertising when recommending specific horses and breeders

[blue_heron]

Honestly, if I were you, I would wait another 6 months to start seriously looking, rebuild your cash reserves in the meantime, and keep an eye out on Facebook and the like while you wait in case something pops up.

I find we don’t make the best decisions when we feel like we’re on a dead line. Both my friend and I lucked into horses. I think that’s what you have to do ultimately if you’re on a budget.

[SamBee]

@Incantation

I am thinking maybe a nice Standardbred? I really want something with good strong hooves this time around, and the ones I have known have had nice hooves. I am open to a saddlebred, Morgan or large mustang if they fit the bill, but I expect the Standardbred to be most affordable perhaps? I do love the Canadian horses I have seen, but don’t want a 2024 foal, and most of the older horses I have seen are out of my price range atm. If I can’t find anything I can wait a while until I have more $$ to spend.

eta A horse that has the potential to compete at 3rd, novice eventing, hunter paces and trail rides is my modified criteria.

If Third level is your goal I wouldn’t go for Standardbred, personally. Not that they can’t do it, but in general it won’t be as easy as with other breeds.

A lot will depend what’s common your area. Around here I’d look for a Clyde / Hackney or Clyde / TB cross, TB, or even a QH that’s not built downhill. If I lived somewhere where they were easy to find, would jump at a Morgan or Azteca and wouldn’t say no to a saddlebred.

[Mondo]

@SamBee

If Third level is your goal I wouldn’t go for Standardbred, personally. Not that they can’t do it, but in general it won’t be as easy as with other breeds.

Agree with Sam. Standardbreds are bred to trot and often don’t have a great canter. If you can find a sport bred Saddlebred, they are terrific to work with. I’ve trained a lot of Morgans, too and I love them. You can find one in the 15.2-15.3 range. If it were me, this is just my personal preference, and I didn’t have a lot to spend, I would definitely get an OTTB. Two of the best dressage horses I ever had were off the track. They can usually easily do 3rd level, so you should be able to reach your goal. Good luck!

[CanteringCarrot]

On a related note, circling back to the Amish thing because the last two posts made me think for a sec… Many of their horses are “harness” lines or more suited to be cart horses. They’re not out there purpose breeding for dressage. So you do have to consider that. Some people see knee action and hock movement and think that = nice movement for dressage. Sure, many horses can do just fine at the lower levels, and you don’t need something fancy or movement that you can’t even ride, but still just something to consider IMO.

I wouldn’t be shopping horses more suited for harness if I have 3rd level aspirations. Sure you have the ones that can do it, but they’re the exceptions.

[Incantation]

Can I tell you all how much I hate horse shopping?
Thank you all for your help though!

[CanteringCarrot]

A lot of things just sorta fell into place with my youngster. I wasn’t looking for him

So you never know what might come your way.

[Incantation]

Didn’t you say he has a sister that is available??

[fivestrideline]

@Incantation

Can I tell you all how much I hate horse shopping?

Word. Same boat, mostly the same budget (though looking for a hunter or jumper type vs dressage). It’s 0% fun!

[CanteringCarrot]

Yes, but I will not disclose her location while I ponder what to do

Plus she’s in Europe

[netg]

@Incantation

I do love the Canadian horses I have seen, but don’t want a 2024 foal, and most of the older horses I have seen are out of my price range atm. If I can’t find anything I can wait a while until I have more $$ to spend.

Remember, if you’re diligent about putting away all the expenses you’d be spending on a horse so you cam save, you’ll have a much quicker budget growth than prices on unstarted young horses go up.

[VodkaRedbullx2]

If you want to get to third find a warmblood breeder that takes payments.