. Morgan horse/pony knowledge for amateur rider - Update. We have a Morgan

[Willesdon]

@Bogey2

… but if you want to concentrate on dressage and move up the levels you do need a certain type right?

Lower level dressage, the level at which most amateurs are going to ride here in the UK, is filled with Welsh Cobs, gypsy cobs, New Forest Ponies, the hairy thing that lives out in the mud all winter … and currently the fastest growing division is OTTB dressage. We frequently have national champion Welsh or hairy cobs.

It is only when a rider decides that it is only dressage and nothing else and then seeks to rise to the upper heights that the WB comes to dominate.

As the discipline of dressage comes to be understood with greater depth, the non-WB comes to shine because there is greater ability to train a TB or a cob or a pony appropriately.

[lazaret]

I have to say just as a general comment - I do dressage ponies and I think in general the market is now valuing a smaller, saner steed for those who don’t have international ambitions.

Prices used to be very low in this sector, and now they’re not. If you have a good moving, very sane and trainable horse in the 14.3-15.2 range, the prices are now double what they used to be. Not Morgan specific, though it’s great for the breed.

[Rackonteur]

@endlessclimb

Once my competitive goals are good and dead (we’re getting close, with how expensive things are getting), I’d love a rock-solid minded Tennessee walker to cruise the trails with and go camping and such.

Or maybe a gaited Morgan?

[endlessclimb]

That sounds super, too!

[clanter]

@fledermaus

To me they are the ideal general saddle horse especially if you like the shorties (although now the ‘sport’ type is often bred for height, more’s the pity).

Daughter’s mare stands at 14h even won the mare’s division of Sport Horse in Hand at the 2023 Morgan Nationals, this mare missed placing reserve world champion by 1/10th of a point in a total class of over forty head of sport horses that looked down on her.

[poltroon]

There are a couple of Morgan Horses for Sport type facebook groups that seem to have reasonably priced horses come around. Of course hard to say what each one is in person, and there’s the challenge of near enough to you.

I recently purchased a Morgan mare. We are still getting to know each other, but I think for OP’s thoughts of amateur dressage and trails Morgans are an excellent choice. Mine doesn’t look like a dressage horse just standing around but was started in dressage and eventing and is very capable. My plan is for us to just go and do a lot of local stuff.

[lazaret]

Not sure where anyone is or what ages they are interested in but the UConn program has a number of nice young morgans in their virtual horse sale.

Horses for Sale | Department of Animal Science

[MorganMaresVT]

Yes, they are selling mostly young, newly started. But there is a 2015 mare in there I have been eyeing. Unfortunately they say she wants to be a jumper. I live life with all 4 feet solidly planted on the ground

[Willesdon]

Just a comment, but for an online sale of university bred and produced horses, I would have expected well produced media, multiple conformation shots, some decent video of a trot up towards the viewer and away and then some useful video of the animal working. And a multi-generation pedigree in the usual format. Surely selling must be part of any equestrian course offered at the University? Pretty head shots aren’t enough to make any judgement.

[luvmyhackney]

Agree, I looked and there is nothing but a written description. I’ll buy off video but not off a headshot.

[MorganMaresVT]

I read somewhere, probably their Fb page today, that students are curating more extensive photos/video. I do find it a little odd they didn’t have it all ready when the site launched, but believe it’s forthcoming. I think they’ll have a lot of interest

[islgrl]

The listing on the FB page says all that is coming…

[lazaret]

They typically do the video around a week before the sale goes live.

[jvanrens]

@islgrl

The listing on the FB page says all that is coming…

The should maybe add that to the website too.

[MsM]

I now see more pictures and videos.

[rockymouse]

I looked, but not exhaustively, for an idea of what these horses have sold for in past UConn auctions. Anyone know how much they go for, broadly?

[clanter]

@rockymouse

for an idea of what these horses have sold for in past UConn auctions. Anyone know how much they go for, broadly?

I am just pretty much shocked at what people are gladly paying for Morgans these days. Mid five figures has pretty much become common for prospects of good blood lines. Proven with show record is a six figure horse

[lazaret]

I didn’t look in covid times but they were in the 4-10k range before.

[cristalle]

She caught my eye too. So pretty!
I really like #2, the 5 yr old, too.

[quietann]

I am not seeing that, except for some “show” lines. I am, however, seeing more “call for price” or no price listed. The unstarted young stock are mostly not expensive at all.

Both my mares cost low 5 figures (well under $20K) and I consider them fairly priced for what they were. Lola perhaps a bit overpriced given how green she was for her age, and her very small size.

On the other side of the coin are buyers – not show buyers usually – looking for trained, BTDT (but not over 12 years old!) versatile Morgans for low to mid 4 figures. Those days are gone!