so . . . is $27K out of line or in range for a hunt horse?
And what would make a hunt horse worth that?
just curious, but not looking
[QUOTE=Drive NJ;6615124]
so . . . is $27K out of line or in range for a hunt horse?
And what would make a hunt horse worth that?
just curious, but not looking[/QUOTE]
I think the worthiness of most things is determined by what people are willing to pay for it 
What Katyusha said. If someone will pay it then it has that value to that buyer.
As for what would make a hunt horse worth that, it will be different things to different buyers; good looks, speed, brains, gender, age, soundness, size and ability come to mind off the top of my head.
The more selective the buyer is, the smaller the choices. That doesn’t mean the price has to be high but you either have $$$ and pay full retail or you have a lot of folks, in many places looking for you and one of them might find something off the beaten path for a lower price.
I guess what I am asking is talent?
it is a good looking bay 18H draftX gelding
supposely drives - trail rides - hunts - good manners
what kind of hunt experience would make a horse worth that $$ –
what would make the price less?
For that $$ I’d be looking for a horse that has hunted several seasons so has a proven hunt record, will keep up first flight but also go in the hilltopping field, that has a safe jump, no quirks and a great attitude. I’d want it to be sound and not require “maintenance” for that.
You don’t mention the age of the horse, but I would probably want it to be in the 8-12 range.
Experience, safety and fun factor are what you are paying for. If the horse is a snaffle ride, jumps anything you point it at, and brings home a grinning rider, that’s worth money.
However, since I paid $300 for my somewhat quirky OTTB and still come home with a grin on my face every time, it’s also what someone is willing to pay.
JMHO!
I think it’s way overpriced…
and my first thought was that no way is he a “cross” at 18H. At 18H he’s a full draft. Maybe a light built one but full.
Horses that are that big are frought w/issues related to size & pounding them. Knees go early, bad feet (big & expensive to shoe size 5’s & up, won’t hold shoes, need custom mades, etc) metabolic diseases, lack of wind, heating up due to heavy muscling, hard to get running fit. They weren’t meant to gallop and move on. They were meant to pull and work. Kind of a a wrong body type for the sport kinda thing. I would start subtracting $$ for any of these things.
I’ve had several so some of this is personal experience. Just sayin’!! Of course there are good/great crosses but I gotta wonder. We’d need more info but I’d think a 27K fieldhunter would be perfect & likely tb, ISH or something lighter.
full draft?
Not sure why you would think he would be “full” draft because he is 18h…I have met plenty of wb (real ones not draft crosses), half drafts and even a couple of full TBs that are 18h or over (one full TB who was a full 18.2h)
At that price he would have to have PERFECT qualifications of an experienced foxhunter with a couple of other “show/event” talents AND have found a person who has deep pockets and has fallen in love with him!!! For me…he would also have to cook, balance my check book and drive the truck/trailer home from a hard day’s hunt!! There ARE a few people who would pay that, but I don’t know them!!!
[QUOTE=levremontf;6615785]
Not sure why you would think he would be “full” draft because he is 18h…I have met plenty of wb (real ones not draft crosses), half drafts and even a couple of full TBs that are 18h or over (one full TB who was a full 18.2h)[/QUOTE]
Im thinking someone doesnt know how to measure a horse if they think a TB is 18.2.
[QUOTE=Drive NJ;6615124]
so . . . is $27K out of line or in range for a hunt horse?
And what would make a hunt horse worth that?
just curious, but not looking[/QUOTE]
It’s not out of range for a nice horse. Lots of men Hunt and some folks would rather be on a large horse. Think dead beginner rider who has Hunting on their bucket list or the aging foxhunter who needs something completely dead calm, but lovely, to Hunt each week. The horse would have to be sound and a saint and the price tag is worth is to some folks.
Thanks Halo but I know very well how to measure a horse 
and would rather any of mine be under 17.3h than over. Plenty of very tall TBs out there, I have known a few at 18h and one who was 18.2h.
18 hand crosses are easy to find – lovely Remus is a true 18 hands (out of a Perch mare, by Tb Refuse To Lose.)
He is worth $28k easily - brains, looks, jump, kind, easy, gent’s horse, ladies’, kids’, etc.
Yet, he’s worth $.02 b/c of soundness.
Surely you’ll see plenty of $28k field hunters - but they’d better be good and sound, and very very pretty as in show quality.
[QUOTE=Drive NJ;6615124]
so . . . is $27K out of line or in range for a hunt horse?
And what would make a hunt horse worth that?
just curious, but not looking[/QUOTE]
Not in Northern VA. That’s mid-range.
1st Flight horse (a “packer”), good jumper, quiet to the fences, good in the field, already hunted with a recognized hunt for 1 or 2 years.
Some will even pay this for an outstanding 2nd Flight horse that will take care of it’s rider in any and all situations, one with a soft, educated mouth, nonplussed with hounds, activity, stands like a rock, experienced hunter.
I know of people that have paid $50K and up for a 1st Flight horse to hunt with the “big” hunts here (Piedmont and Orange County), and a very nice lady who paid over $30K for a “packer” for 2nd Flight (she didn’t want to ride 1st Flight) that would take care of her brilliantly. She got one that did just that. Worth every penny. Stunning horse, too.
[QUOTE=Drive NJ;6615370]
I guess what I am asking is talent?
it is a good looking bay 18H draftX gelding
supposely drives - trail rides - hunts - good manners
what kind of hunt experience would make a horse worth that $$ --[/QUOTE]
In my neck of the woods at least 2 years with a recognized hunt going 1st Flight. Sound, perfect manners (not just good). Most buyers would expect one in this price range to look more Tb than draft, … but if he’s put together nicely with a nice head, then that’s fine.
what would make the price less?
Only one season of hunting or only been to a limited number of hunts, was a staff horse, limited experience in 1st Flight, spent most of time in 2nd Flight.
This is JMHO, of course - based upon what my hunt friends have paid for horses, and their expectations.
Key qualifications of any hunt horse are temperment, soundness, experience and ability.
What makes a horse less, is less of these characteristics. For that price I’d say the geography plays a huge part, but horse has to be 100% sound and vet with nothing significant, have a puppy dog personality, totally dependable and predictable in the field (as much as any horse can be), seen it all, and be atheltic enough to do just about anything respectably. Not perfectly, but respectably. A horse like this can also event, has decent ring work, hacks alone, no significant ‘quirks’ and is just coming into his prime (8-10yrs). Price, in the right neighbourhood, is totally realistic IMHO. Height is like colour, it matters for some and not for others. Its not the most important thing about this horse in my books.
Really good hunters at a cheap price are getting harder and harder to find. If a rider needs a good looking, sound, experienced horse to take care of them, then the price will likely be $20,000 or more. Except for the OTTBs, the pool of prospects is much smaller (and more expensive) than in recent years due to all of the people who have cut back on breeding. Prices on the OTTBs have also climbed – nice horses that used to be around $1000 are now listed $2500-$4000 and still at the track with no additional training.
Having said that, I know you can still occasionally get a nice, safe horse with limited experience and medium ability, but sound and with a great temperament for around $5000. If someone is looking for something that fits that description – PM me. Also can often get deals on smaller horses.
You will pay the premium for the top horse, especially in Virginia!
I spent a lot of time looking for a hunt horse this summer…in Virginia…wanted something under 10, sound, 16.1 or so, attractive, polite in the bridle, hunted enough to know what to do when the field turns, had to have a super jump, would take a mare…15-20K they had less than a season under their belts but were quiet and enjoying hunting. Found NOTHING that truly fit the bill even though I kept upping the budget. At least nothing anyone would sell no matter how much they were offered:lol::lol:!!! Luckily, one of my young horses decided she was born to hunt and I could stop looking because if you are looking for a genuine hunt horse without something compromising about it they are few and far between and worth their weight in gold!
[QUOTE=Benson;6615911]
It’s not out of range for a nice horse. Lots of men Hunt and some folks would rather be on a large horse. Think dead beginner rider who has Hunting on their bucket list or the aging foxhunter who needs something completely dead calm, but lovely, to Hunt each week. The horse would have to be sound and a saint and the price tag is worth is to some folks.[/QUOTE]
This. A steal for a big man who needs a saint that will stay sound and tote him around once a week.
My horse that I just sold fits that description to a T. I was going to have some people foxhunt him this year for me but due to the fact that I just couldn’t swing paying board for two horses I let him go for a steall of a price. Mostly…because he hadn’t been proven yet. My plans were to lease him out for the winter to someone to fox hunt so he could learn the ropes. Than sell him.
He didn’t like the horse show ring. Was bomb proof on trails and would be on the buckle. Just didn’t get out to be hunted.
I sold my Bel/TB cross for $18K in 1999. He was 9, had hunted first field (Red Rock Hounds) for 3 years. Was solid, sound, good jump, handsome. Went to be a hunt horse back east for a man…PA, near Unionville…
I think what makes a hunt horse worth $$$$ is the ‘safety’ factor. Good brain, athletic, etc. Enough to think about out there without having to worry about your horse, too…
