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New Horse On A Tiny Budget

Off Course
#1

My gelding is beginning to show his age, and I know that at some point he’s going to need to step down from his current job with me. I’m hoping that this won’t be for a long time (and he will have a home with me regardless of if he is rideable or not), however it got me thinking about… horse shopping! Sorry for the novel…

What are the creative options out there to get a nice horse on a very small budget? I have the ability to keep a horse (my job comes with a stall, and I have the financial means to care for one), but I’m currently living in the world of mid/high 5 figure horses and a few 6 figure horses (hunters/equitation) and the idea of horse shopping with my miniscule up-front purchase budget is well… DAUNTING. I know, I know, there are plenty of absolutely lovely horses out there for way less than that but I’m very in my head about this. I have no specific budget yet (let the saving begin), but we’re talking hopefully less than 10k.
I do hunter/jumpers, dabble in dressage, and like to go for the occasional trail ride. I have always been limited to what I can do by my horse’s ability, which has been frustrating. I was doing the 3’ probably 5 years ago, but since then have really only been jumping max 2’6’’ every now and then (lets be real, mostly x rails) due to riding horses with physical limitations or very green babies. I’d like a horse that has the eventual ABILITY to jump at least a 3’ course nicely (whether we actually show at this height is a completely different story) and has nice enough gaits and balance to do some real quality flatwork/dressage. I’ve been spoiled with being able to flat a couple really nice horses recently (see 6 figures comment) and ugh. I wish. The horse also has to have a good personality, it has to actually like being in my presence and show it, and it needs to be quite smart. I like the WB type of movement and balance, but I’m also open to off-breeds provided they have the athletic ability and gaits/balance I’m looking for. *please don’t attack me… BUT I don’t think I want an OTTB. I’ve had them, I know many, they’re lovely horses, but I’ve had TERRIBLE luck with lameness issues, most never being fully diagnosed and the rabbit hole of thousands and thousands to try and fix them. I know this can happen with any horse, and I know there are many very sound ones out there, but the track is hard on their bodies and personally I think finding those very sound ones is hard and apparently not something I’m good at :wink:
Here’s where I can get creative- I have tons of experience with babies (yearlings-3 year olds) and the groundwork/breaking to saddle process. So, I could do a baby if that would help my budget. I’m also mid-sized and not opposed to something smaller… like 15hh would be acceptable if it took up leg (although 16hh preferred). Any creative ideas about how to look for my next heart horse? Where to look, what to look at? Again, this is (hopefully) a little farther down the road, but I’d love to start thinking and saving now.

#2

Network, network, network and connect with one or more breeders. Establish your abilities handling babies with them and start saving. I think that will go farther in helping you find something of quality and yet keep the purchase price reasonable or much closer to your budget. Purchasing in utero also comes with some discounts; but, of course there is more of a gamble to it (lessened if you know the breeding program inside and out).

#3

I was shopping earlier this year, also on a tight budget. It’s a compromise. Well, at your budget (and mine), likely multiple compromises. :slight_smile: But it’s usually the same basic rules:

Young and old horses are usually cheaper than mid-age horses.
Any horse with “prospect,” “potential,” or “green” in the ad is usually cheaper than the equivalent horse already successfully doing what you want.
OTTBs are usually cheaper than WBs.
Horses that require maintenance are usually cheaper than those who don’t.
Horses with bad habits (e.g. cribbing) may be cheaper than those without.
And so on.

You just have to pick your poison - which flaws or deficiencies are you OK with and which ones are you unwilling to accept? You’ve already ruled out OTTBs, which are high on my list of horses for bargain hunters and that’s fine, but to stay within your budget, you’re going to have to be willing to accept some other flaws/deficiencies.

I also endorse exvet’s advice to network. I ended up buying a horse that wasn’t officially for sale from a friend of a friend.

#4

If you have the appropriate facilities/company to raise a baby well, I’d start talking to breeders. You should be able to get a decently bred WB weanling under $10k. Not the flashiest, not the one that was deemed a stallion prospect at inspection, and not the one that is by the trendiest stallion - but a very nice horse.

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#5

I would reach out to your veterinarian or farrier to see if they may know of someone that may have something reasonable since you have the ability to bring a young horse along.

For instance, I am involved in off-breeds (Arabians) and know of probably a dozen well bred but inexpensive horses that are looking for homes, but not being publicly advertised for little to no money. I try to match them up with the right people via networking.

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#6

You should be able to find a nice 2 year old for 10Kish. I got my DonDeluxe/Weltmeyer filly in trade, but she was advertised for $7K as a 2 year old. She did have a very operable OCD that the seller was not aware of until I had her vetted, so that added a few months of time off and a few thousand for the surgery, but now she is totally sound and healthy, and quite a nice 4 year old. If you can go for that WB that is looking like it will be smaller than expected, or a WB cross of some type you can get a nice horse and save a lot of $$. There are some TBs out there bred for sport. Granted, I’ve never sat on 6 figure horses, so maybe I don’t know what I’m missing, but I wouldn’t call $10K a miniscule budget, and it should be possible to find something. It seems like 2 year olds are often the same price or not much more than weanlings and yearlings, and of course you’ll be riding sooner and assuming less risk of a baby trying to kill itself.

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#7

You can find a very nice weanling or yearling for $10k. I find two year olds to be a bit more expensive, upper teens seems to be the average starting point for high quality at that age.

If you want to show in the hunters I would not suggest looking at 15 hand horse. That’s just too small to get down the lines. Although, you could definitely save some money by looking for something that is 15.2 with plenty of stride.

Another option is a quarter horse or appendix. They purpose breed for hunter type movement and I’ve seen some beautiful horses at affordable prices. I saw an add for a beautiful young quarter horse the other day who absolutely had a hack winning canter. He was four figures. IMO, they fit in today’s show scene better than most thoroughbreds.

#8

This made me think: is there any chance you could do some work for a breeder in exchange for getting a youngster at cost? The small-scale breeder I know seems like she could always use some extra help handling the young horses and giving them basic groundwork training, and she always has a couple 2-3 year olds who haven’t been spoken for yet… so maybe a trade could work?

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#9

This! I just bought a 3yo QH with a hack winning canter.

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#10

Having worked as a barn manager in a barn full of 6 figure horses that were extremely well trained and absolute dreams to ride, I know exactly what you’re going through in wanting to find that but under $10k. I have ended up free leasing all of mine…former 6 figure horses that were stepping down a level or two that I found through my boss or other friends in the business. However if you want to buy, I agree that young is probably your best bet. Especially if you’re experienced in bringing youngsters along! Best of luck!

#11

Are you looking now? Kimmy Risser has a nice one that she’s looking for “creative options” for. It’s very nice, and only five years old, but has some hock changes. No soundness issues, but it’s always a crap shoot. Guess it depends on your level of tolerance for an imperfect PPE. Might be worth reaching out to her for discussion.

#12

Definitely consider buying a youngster now, if you can swing the cost of two horses’ expenses. Connecting with breeders is a good idea, they might have something they need to move unexpectedly, that is in an ugly stage over the winter, etc. that would be discounted.

Also, when I hear ‘tiny budget’, I think under $2500, not $10k :joy:

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#13

Thank you all so much for your replies. I’m definitely in my head about this. I’m not currently ready to buy. My job comes with one stall, and one stall only. When it comes time to retire my gelding, my hope is that a new rideable horse will take that stall, and I will board him nearby. There are many field board situations around me that are cheap and provide good care, they just don’t have the amenities and an arena like the show barn I’m at now has. Which is totally ok for him when it comes time for him to retire (he’d actually prefer to live in a field).

I guess I haven’t completely ruled them out, I just haven’t had the best experience with them personally and know of others who have had similar issues when it comes to the OTTB prospects and weird medical/soundness things. An OTTB that is a proven sporthorse would be another story, but my budget doesn’t allow that! A young unraced TB bred for sport would be just lovely.

Thanks for the suggestion! I hadn’t really thought much about QHs but those that are more of a sporthorse type would definitely do the trick. I especially like the idea of an Appendix- my first lease horse was an Appendix and was a fabulous lower level dressage horse.

This could be an option. I recently started a job as a barn manager at a hunters/equitation show barn and so far, am enjoying it. The hours don’t give an option to hold a secondary job, so right now I don’t see that as feasible, but who knows what the future holds!

UGH the struggle is REAL. I’ve always had kind of expensive taste with very little money to spend, and as a quite broke college kid the last time I was in the market, it was HARD facing reality… and now that I’ve had a taste of the 6 figure horse thing? Even harder. That’s so awesome that you were able to free lease! This would 100% be an option for me, and it’s not one I thought would be a thing… a lot of the girls I know that lease are spending 50k+ to lease, so I didn’t think that would be an option…It would really need to be a free/care lease if I were to lease. If it was a lease, I would definitely be open to something older and stepping down, provided it was still able to comfortably jump around a couple times a week. How do you find such a thing??

Unfortunately, purchasing now isn’t an option. The barn I’m at right now costs $1500++/month to board plus training/lessons/etc. Due to my job, I get one stall with 2 lessons per week for my horse for free. That’s going to my gelding right now, who’s not quite ready to retire yet, but will be at some point, hence the planning and considering. I can afford upkeep (vet, farrier, etc) on two, and could afford to keep one at a no frills, no arena, field board retirement situation (the gelding, when it’s time), but no way I’d be able to keep two at the current barn. Also no way I’d be able to split time between 2 barns with riding facilities in order to actually keep 2 consistently in work… going to visit and groom a retiree a few times a week would be one thing. Sad, but the reality of it.

$10k would be a stretch for me for sure and would require some saving up in between now and the retirement of my guy… the lower the better!!! I just have stupid expensive taste in horses :frowning: :joy: and now that I have this job where I get to work with the wildly expensive ones, the expensive taste has only gotten worse :joy: Why can’t those beautiful imported 17hh Hanoverians with all the chrome and beautiful floaty gaits and perfect jump form that also have perfect temperments and snuggly personalities and pack their kids around the Macclays and win all the time and have never taken a lame step just be easily within my budget gosh darn it!!! :wink:

#14

Oh, I get it. I have friends with expensive horses, and I’ve had my share of WBs (bought for under $2500, but that was well before the current market). I now have a $350 grade pony in my backyard, and am actually quite happy. He’s sound, sane, a cute mover and has personality for days. I’m sure most of us wouldn’t say no to something tall, dark and fancy :joy: but I realized I am never going to spend that kind of money, and I don’t need that for what I do (not H/J).

Keep saving and eventually the right opportunity will come along! The more connections you make with trainers/riders/breeders, the more likely you’ll find that creative budget solution.

#15

My gelding that I have now was free! I really lucked out with the situation. He lacked in the training/experience department when I got him but had the best temperament and was super smart. He’s a Friesian/MorganX (not exactly h/j material) but he was super athletic, sound, great gaits and balance for dressage, and enjoyed jumping and somehow had decent form. He’s not exactly built to jump, so I’ve kept it low key, and he would never win the hunters. I love him to death, but I’d love to be able to do a little more with my next one when he’s ready to be done. Honestly, I don’t need super fancy either… it’s not like I have money or time to show in anything rated anyway… but a girl can want!

Anyone have any tips to find breeders? My barn typically deals with the finished show horses. I’m on the East Coast (MA). WBs, TBs, or off-breeds bred to be sporthorses!

#16

I got VERY lucky and with my first free lease, it was a good friend of mine whose former 2 star event horse was stepping down to the lower levels right about the time I had to put down my own horse. She offered him to me for a year free lease and I competed him through Training. My second one was my boss’s former Advanced horse whose brain was fried at the upper levels and he graciously let me compete him through Training, again. Then…third one was a friend who moved overseas so I kept her gelding going while she was gone. It’s all been luck and networking! It sounds like you probably have a great network going and are very capable, so I’d be willing to bet some of these opportunities are out there for you! Best of luck, I really
hope you find the perfect situation!

#17

I once joked that I was going to name my next horse “Kijiji” (US equivalent… “Craigslist”) so I would remember where he came from and not be so hard on him and myself.

That said, in spite of some frustrations (I am naturally a little hard on myself) I had some really good times with my Kijiji horses. In spite of also riding some much, MUCH more expensive and talented horses.While I am forever grateful for all those rides on all those amazing horses, one of the many lessons they taught me was that expensive doesn’t mean perfect.

So as others said, of course budget means compromise. But you don’t have to let it mean “inferior”. Focus on finding what really matters most to you. Find something you will enjoy and click with. One of the mixed blessing/curses of riding being part of your job is that sometimes you will have to ride something you don’t love. So I always say, if you are footing the bill on it yourself, make sure it’s one that brings you joy.

Also…I don’t think you’re unwise to save and wait, but if you did stumble across something very young, couldn’t you put it in the field board, then swap when your gelding is ready? Yearlingish horses don’t need a ton of concentrated work, so you can do some when your schedule allows and leave them when you’re busier.

#18

As for finding breeders, my suggestion (and what I did many years ago) was settle on either a specific breed or two or registry (if we’re talking warmbloods) and then find out from those organizations who is near you. If there are approvals close by go and watch/observe/meet people. If there are shows nearby in your discipline pay attention to which breeders’ horses are competing and then contact the breeders. Many breeders are more than happy to answer questions about ‘their’ breed, breeding program and focus. You might also find out if they have any ‘needs’ in terms of help even if it’s just an extra handler for an approval, etc. Get involved with one or more of these organizations. It usually doesn’t require that you own any horse.

When I was much younger I had decided to focus on one of two pony breeds and spent two years investigating, researching breeders within each all over the country before I decided where I wanted to focus my energies. Many, many doors opened up for me just by calling and inquiring about specific breeding programs, individuals, performance records, etc. I was on a very strict budget which did turn some people off but not the majority. I eventually started discovering some real gems and got offered some fantastic deals due to my diligence and interests. It took time, patience and quite a bit of networking. It helps not being a shy sort and a willingness to knock on a lot of doors. I got to see how other people ‘did it’ and meet some people who became invaluable mentors later on down the road.

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#19

If you go down the AQHA road, or really any stock breed, I bet you could find a deal on something that won’t work for breed show purposes.

I grew up showing H/J; and then got into APHA. There can be some H/J deals found if you have the right connections - especially with breeders. “Solid bred” paints (IE paint horses born without the gene to give them a paint horse pattern) are basically worthless to breeders.

I much prefer the brain on the stock horse breeds over the typical H/J breeds. As long as they have a big enough stride to make it around a true hunter course, and aren’t from any lines known for soundness issues, you can work out a solid diamond in the rough scenario.

#20

I second this. My first horse was an Appendix QH. He definitely didn’t scream “dressage horse” to anyone, but I tell you what, he ended up showing 2nd level (and doing well!) and schooling 3rd level movements before I had to retire him (due to heaves, and age). We also jumped up to 2’6", however he was never very competitive in hunters, he was only 15.1hh and he just didn’t have a big enough stride. We had some fun though! He had a phenomenal work ethic, a steady mind, and a personality that he was game to try anything. I certainly wouldn’t overlook the more “english” looking QHs and Appendix QHs, there are some gems to be found there! And a lot of times you can find a deal, especially if they are in a barn that is more geared towards western pleasure, etc. Good luck OP!

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