How much would this kind of horse cost?

mydogs · August 12, 2020, 5:37am

If you were looking to buy a horse who met the following criteria, what would you expect to pay?

novice packer (possibly moving up to training)
behaves well at shows and on trails (ie: isn’t spooky when taken to new show venues or spooks at new fences)
“floaty/flashy” type of gaits (ie: receives 7+ on trot/canter)
confidence building type of horse (ie: not one who runs/pulls to the fences, easy to control/handle during cross country)
calm disposition (ie: on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being dead calm and 10 being super hot, you would consider the horse to be a 1-4)
bonus: needs more “push to go” than “pull to stop”
gelding
14.2 to 16.1hh
over 6 years old, under 18

*Also: instead of a novice packer, what would you pay for a training level packer, assuming there is no desire to move up to prelim.

GoForAGallop · August 25, 2020, 10:42pm

>novice and/or training level packer with show experience

Well, first, you need to clarify. A novice packer is different than a training packer. And the show experience needs to be clarified a bit too…recognized events? Local combined training stuff?

It may not seem like a huge difference, but in my area it could be a $5-10k addition (or subtraction) to the price depending on the answers.

Also…it SHOULDN’T effect price, but it does…mare or gelding? Cute or flashy?

Height factors in too…is this a pony someone is going to grow out of? (Or you’ll have to hunt down that rare adult who likes a 14 hander?) Or bigger?

I know you’re trying to be vague, but the above are all things that could +/- a few thousand $$ to the price.

mydogs · August 25, 2020, 10:42pm

Hm, guess I should add more lol. I didn’t want to be “picky” and then get responds like “THAT HORSE DOESN’T EXIST” or something along those lines. I’ll add more

GoForAGallop · August 25, 2020, 10:42pm

I think it’s possible to still be vague while giving a few more details.

Also, age is important. A 5 year old (although I don’t believe a five year old training packer exists! :lol:) vs a 10 year old vs a 15 year old vs a 20 year old will all price out differently.

bornfreenowexpensive · August 25, 2020, 10:42pm

I boil this down to good moving, easy to ride, quiet…training level packer.

What you don’t have is age and size.

Also location and who you are buying from will affect price. And capacity to move beyond training level and the price goes up as well.

I’m going to assume no on moving beyond training level…so a packer meaning that they are capable of schooling a little higher but their comfort zone is training level. If you are looking a youngish (sub 15 years old) and average size—this area would be 15-25K. Possibly more IF they are so nice on the flat to also be marketable as a dressage horse.

Theses types though can be found for really a wide range of prices. If you are really talking a 7 mover (a really good mover to me generally scores 8s or 9s)–but all else the same, then you may be able to find them closer to 15K or even sub 15K. That said…they can be hard to find as those good packers often sell quick.

GotSpots · August 25, 2020, 10:42pm

Also, where you are in the country and who is selling the horse will affect the price a lot. Plus, there’s a lot of range in what you’re asking for. For example:

That horse, particularly if it’s a novice packer that will do a few Trainings but not Prelim, and if it’s a bit older/plain looking/not super flashy (so will score in the low 30’s if accurately and correctly ridden but isn’t a super-star), could easily be 10-15K or less, particularly if it’s in the midwest. But a fancy 9 year old Training packer in Virginia, that will consistently win the dressage with a monkey on its back and which can move up to Prelim with some confidence is much more likely to be well north of 25-30K.

But findable? Absolutely. With those rough specs, and knowing I’m always more worried about safe jumping than super fancy, I’d look for a pony club horse who has been outgrown or whose kid has gone on to school. Also may find an older schoolmaster who is stepping down a few levels - the horse may have some jewelry or need a little maintenance, but could be a lovely partner.

scubed · August 25, 2020, 10:42pm

Not so long ago, I did a search for novice packer that could do training and would have good chance of being in the ribbons at both levels for a timid rider in a program with a good trainer. Maintenance ok, but no significant issues. Budget under $15k, $12k preferable. I found about twenty in the area I, II, III, IV, VIII regions so they are definitely out there, but as everyone has said, this is a type of horse for which minor differences can have a major impact on price. Bigger (to a point) usually adds $$, fancier - obviously, who is selling (having a top professional involved will add $$, but may improve the experience). A Current example (I am in no way involved with this horse - just wanted to show an example of what comes up on a google search): http://sporthorsenation.eventingnation.com/listing/the-perfect-man-the-name-says-it-all/

netg · August 25, 2020, 10:44pm

I agree about price ranges. I think you could find a pretty nice moving young QH in this area for well under $10k. May not technically be a novice packer but pretty much would be after one x-country school, there are some who are just SO broke and ready to go. Cow experience a plus. On the other hand, I know a 6 year old WB who fits the description, but also has shown hunters, can learn a lot more dressage, and has tons of potential so he’s quite a lot more than that.

Duckz · August 25, 2020, 10:44pm

Within your specs given for a Novice packer with room to move up to Training I would expect to pay anywhere from 5k (older, smaller, less fancy) to 20k (younger, bigger, more fancy). Training packer with room to go Prelim 10k - 30k. Age makes a big difference here, as does size.

Winding_Down · August 25, 2020, 10:44pm

I would say 20k and up, if you want a fancy moving, easy to ride, attractive, sound horse. If you are willing to be forgiving for any of the above, you can go much less.

When I say this price range, I am talking about the sort of horse that can go out and win consistently in Area II events… :winkgrin:

Appsolute · August 25, 2020, 10:44pm

Years ago I sold one that had just about everything you wanted. Wasn’t a flashy mover, but could get decent dressage scores - went double clear jumping phases without fail.

He was small - 15 hands
On the “older” end of what you want at 13
“funny” breed / color - was an appaloosa and spotty

True training level packer, no pull, and you really didn’t have to nag him. Set the pace, look up and steer. Schooled all prelim level stuff. Could also go in the hunter ring and place well (lovely jump with square knees - always finds the distance).

We sold him for $15,000 in 1996.

Mtn_trails · August 25, 2020, 10:44pm

I think I priced my horse too low.

cyriz_s_mom · August 25, 2020, 10:45pm

The other thing that I think would really affect the price is if the horse has any maintenance requirements. If you’re willing to look at a horse who requires some maintenance, I would expect it to be quite a bit less than one with no current needs.

subk · August 25, 2020, 10:46pm

If you are willing to go 14.2 to 15.3, not so flashy mover but scores well because they are correctly trained, atypical breeding, and something with good ribbons at recognized BN/N I think you could find that around here for $10-15K. Maybe less if it needs a little maintenance or it is really not classically attractive–maybe not.

If you want your list description that is closer to 16+ hands, flashy mover, warmblood I think you are talking $20-25k IF for some reason (like age) the horse can’t run Prelim ever/any more. Maybe less with some serious age and/or serious maintenance.

Part of the problem is the “top end” of what you describe (16+ hands, flashy gaits, less than 8 years old, easy peasy to ride) is not a horse many people are going to look at think it will be limited to the lower levels. THAT horse with UL potential is going to be very expensive.

So the REAL question is what characteristic are you willing to give up that is the cause of this nice horse being unable or lack potential for the ULs? Age, maintanence, physical ability, movement, cuteness? Because there WILL be a reason it doesn’t have UL potential.

IfWishesWereHorses · August 25, 2020, 10:47pm

In NZ, you’d find it for $6-8k NZD, maybe up to $10k ($8k USD) if it was super flash/youngish/dead quiet/well trained

FairWeather · August 25, 2020, 10:47pm

A big, good moving horse that could pack an amateur? 25K on up.

asterix · August 25, 2020, 10:47pm

So, the horse that scubed posted from sporthorse action sounds like a real packer. At 14, he probably has some good years left…
But he scores pretty poorly on dressage - mid 40s consistently at Training. There is nothing wrong with that but if the OP wants a horse that can score 10+ points lower with an ammie rider…that 12k horse would be 16k.

I spent a long time a year and a half ago shopping, so I have some sense of the market (and although I am in area II, believe me, I considered plenty of horses from other areas). Absolutely the horse you describe is out there, but if it is on the younger, sounder, and fancier end the price will likely start at 20k on the Eastern seaboard.
A slightly older schoolmaster stepping down, with maintenance or requiring a good ride to break 35 at Training would be significantly less expensive, and I think those horses are worth their weight in gold. I have one, safe as houses through Training no matter what you did, competitive at prelim. Never crossed my mind to sell him.
When I bought him he was 9, had done a training but had not finished - ex dressage horse lacking some of the building blocks he needed. He was fancy and talented but clueless. He was not inexpensive but I’ve had him for 10 years and he made all my dreams come true, has been my best friend, and was worth every penny I paid.

Xctrygirl · August 25, 2020, 10:47pm

[QUOTE=IfWishesWereHorses;7726867]
In NZ, you’d find it for $6-8k NZD, maybe up to $10k ($8k USD) if it was super flash/youngish/dead quiet/well trained[/QUOTE]

And then another $5-10k to get it back here and through quarantine.

Emily