What would be a reasonable price for an 8yo, SWB mare? She was a hunter but was pretty much ruined by bad riding over fences so she needs a career change. She’s very pretty, a lovely mover, not marish at all. Dark bay, over 16 hands (not exactly sure how much but some), sound. Solid w/t/c but her lead change is rushed and very anxious. I don’t think she’s got enough pep for upper levels but I think she would do well at the lower levels.
I would think high 4s or very low 5s given all of the training issues.
What does “ruined” mean? Bad stopper? Will rear and flip? Panic and bolt? Unless you know and trust the seller, take “ruined by bad riding” and “needs a career change” to possibly be code for, “pending breakdown”. Please vet this horse thoroughly.
If she vets and is reasonable on the flat, she’s basically a green prospect, so 25k or less.
If she rears/bolts badly or has some expensive lameness, I’d personally pass but would be a project in the high 4s.
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I agree with the above posters. I bought my mid-level prospect (w/t/c, basic lateral work, had competed novice eventing and had already gone training and 1st level dressage) but off-breed for 10k last year, and that’s the prices I’m seeing Region 1 for a similar horse, higher for more purpose bred, but quirky without the potential for mid or upper levels lowers the price.
Somewhere between 10k and 40k depending on how nice the gaits are, how amateur friendly and hole-free she is at training/first level, and how clean she vets .
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I wouldn’t pay more than 4. Rushing her changes, she could be sore. She’s goiung to have to come back to basics; hunters carry themselves very poorly, and she doen’t have the muscle to use herself correctly. Then, as she starts to use herself correctly, more problems may pop up. There’s alot of risk even at the low levels, just to get her to keep her shoulders up and use her back.
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Grade barely broke draft crosses are starting at 10k if they look cute in english tack so more than that!
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Why do you say this? Hunters are definitely different, but I don’t agree that they carry themselves poorly. They carry themselves for what they are trained to do. A good hunter should still cover the ground, be very well-balanced and be able to adjust. Though a hunter is more stretched out, it is not supposed to be on the forehand. So, I don’t think, to me at least, it’s moving poorly.
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you might be amazed at what a change of career might do for her. Different training program , different feeding program and different level of demand might make her into an energetic and forward athlete
systematically starting over in Dressage from the base of the pyramid might find that properly balanced change. All the usual Xrays apply
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This horse has a lot more baggage than a green broke one. It’s worth less than something with a solid temperament and the potential to hunt/event etc as well as do dressage, even if that something is a draft cross.
I come from a different time and place when it comes to today’s “hunters”. I had a TB mare that I hunted, and showed Hunters, showed equitation, and Jumpers, and I can tell you with no u certainty, she never limped around a ring with her head pointed down. There is absolutely no, none, show “hunter” horse that carries its self well, or in any manner that is healthy for its feet, legs, back, or well being. That’s what I mean by not carrying its self well. "Hunters " today are on par with western pleasure horses, and to buy one means restarting it from the ground, if it isn’t already permanent damaged from how it was used. Hope that clears up my point any.
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"I come from a different time and place when it comes to today’s “hunters”. I had a TB mare that I hunted, and showed Hunters, showed equitation, and Jumpers, and I can tell you with no u certainty, she never limped around a ring with her head pointed down. There is absolutely no, none, show “hunter” horse that carries its self well, or in any manner that is healthy for its feet, legs, back, or well being. That’s what I mean by not carrying its self well. “Hunters " today are on par with western pleasure horses, and to buy one means restarting it from the ground, if it isn’t already permanent damaged from how it was used. Hope that clears up my point any.”
I find that harsh, and I personally disagree.
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Same.
I don’t understand why there is such a stereotype surrounding hunters. The competitive hunters are some of the best horsemen I’ve met.
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We have the lower end of HITS winter shows here (HITS bought our formerly thriving winter circuit to cut it down and get higher attendance in CA.) When I have watched hunter flat classes, there have been a variety of horses ranging from the negative stereotype to the type who look like national champion candidates at training or first level. The horses who were using themselves best in a relatively efficient balance won every single class I saw.
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