Pony investment opportunity

[Lion1024]

As someone actively leasing - prices are all over the place nowadays. The 1/3 the purchase price does not apply as widely as it did even 5 years ago.

To answer the OP’s question: a solid large that you can lease over and over again for SS will bring in a different price than a large that can do the children’s division. I don’t think I’d want to own the SS Large as an investment right out of the gate. But if it could do the children’s and then eventually need to step down and do the SS - sure? Question is - what do you do with the pony when she needs to retire?

And yes it could get hurt and need a retirement sooner rather than later, but you sound horse savvy enough to know that part…

[Pennywell_Bay]

If you do it-don’t be like me. Get a fancy pony, own my place so minimal output for the devil, have great trainer, pony is cute as the dickens. Kid falls in love with pony and now----- after serious talk and negotiations (I negotiate with mini terrorists apparently)- pony is staying…

[SuzieQNutter]

Or like me, got a horse off the track. Could not come from behind, did not know how to go in a circle, did not know how to go in a straight line.

THE smartest horse I had ever trained, went on the incorrect lead once. I said uh uh, good boy on correct lead and never went off on the incorrect lead again.

One month to the day Mum comes out. Did I get a he is going well comment or anything like that. Nope.

Did get yhat horse should be doing lateral work by now.

What would she know. 4 weeks of being worked 20 minutes a day. SHEESH!

So next day I asked for shoulder in in fitting trot in the middle of a paddock as no arena. He did it. Praise, other way praise hop off.

Next day in sitting trot I asked for travers. He did it. Praise other way praise. Got off.

Next day in sitting trot I asked for half pass. Same thing.

I lay in bed that night thinking how impossible this was. The next day I threw everything at him. Turn on the forehand. Canter half pass. %$$^ it let’s try piaffe.

That horse slowed right down and went forward again, without flicking an ear.

I called an instructor as in one month and 4 days that horse had surpassed his rider. He was never sold.

[JustTheTicket]

I think it would be worth it if you don’t look at this an an investment opportunity and go more like you’re buying this pony for your daughter. If all the other stuff works out and she turns out to be the best kid’s pony ever, the lease stuff will fall into place. If she’s not, or the market just isn’t there or any other things that could go wrong (because horses), are you ok with keeping this pony around as only your/ your daughter’s pony? Are you willing to pay her bills even if she doesn’t offer any sort of ROI?

[Jenerationx]

@Pennywell Bay

If you do it-don’t be like me. Get a fancy pony, own my place so minimal output for the devil, have great trainer, pony is cute as the dickens. Kid falls in love with pony and now----- after serious talk and negotiations (I negotiate with mini terrorists apparently)- pony is staying…

That’s an adorable pony!

[clanter]

Scribbler said it all. The Grandparents with the unlimited check book want a safe reliable push button horse that is very “pretty” and pleasant to be around.

[Gamma]

@gertie06

And that’s why I would lease her out, not sell her. Age is always a heavy consideration to a buyer, but not so much to a lessee.

But think about why… Because age is a serious risk for the owner (that’s you). Age = chance of ending up with a retired (non-earning) pony who is still eating, pooping, and needing regular vet+farrier. Just like the rest of us, the first budget item pony has is fixed costs (rent/board, medical) and the second is putting money away for retirement. Your hypothetical lessors would cover the first one, but the second will come straight from your potential profit.