Anyone seeing large price drops on horses for sale in the US West yet? I have been priced out of buying anything with much decent training for almost 2 years now. As much as it sucks for those out West I am kind of hoping the drought and hay prices will translate into some decent priced stock coming available. I don’t want to ship to my home in the Midwest but for the right price I am starting to consider it.
Here in Idaho I am still seeing some really expensive price points on horses that would have been give aways a few years ago. A horse with navicular for 10,000 because he is a loud Appy. If it is a broke saddle horse 7,000 and up. Horses that are 20-21 years old, grade and just pulled out of a pasture where they have been sitting for 10 years are priced ridiculously high. They are sitting a little longer than they were a month ago, but someone is still willing to pay those prices.
However, I am starting to see some panic starting at hay prices and lack of availability. Once that reality sets in, I expect horse prices will start to fall.
Sheilah
3 Likes
If you’re willing to look in out-of-the-ordinary places, and filter through a lot of cruft, there are some deals to be had. But in general, while there might be some drops in price, they’re not large.
2 Likes
I’d agree, in a few months I expect folks having to pay winter hay prices will start to put horses up for sale. I’m already seeing a lot of inexpensive young project horses showing up, and teenaged+ ranch horses are dropping in price… These are all mustangs/AQHA/OTTB/grade horses though.
I am willing to look at any breed and size and have been for almost 2 years. And
1 Like
Can I ask what your budget is?
I have been looking in the 10k range. Have some wiggle room for the right one. I just refuse to pay double what prices would have been a bit more than two years ago for the same animal. Yes, I understand that I am looking for a higher caliber animal than I have ever bought. But the sub 1k pony I bought right before the market went crazy was hands down the best one I have bought in my 2 years of searching with off and on projects in that timeframe.
2 Likes
I’d look in west TX and NM, and AZ. Nevada may have some as well, but I’m not as familiar.
You’ll find a lot of stock/grade horses - most are downhill built, but a handful come through at least level. Albuquerque Area Horses, Tack and Farm Equipment fb page would be a good start to find those smaller markets. Again - there’s a lot of “hard passes”, but occasionally you’ll see something that’s not half bad and most are in the 5-10k range.
There are also a few small racetracks around so you’ll come across OTTBs too, if you’re not opposed to them. I know of at least one for sale under 10k. Another one I used to lease went on trial in Santa Fe a few months ago, but I don’t know if he sold or not.
1 Like
Check out Red Rock Hounds in Reno, NV. Owner A. Murray often has nice horses for multiple disciplines for decent prices.
Do you happen to like Arabs? I see a lot that would easily be 2x or 3x the price if they were another breed and they can be cute little dressage horses.
5 Likes
I love Arabs. Unfortunately so many are being started in such a way that the retraining for dressage is difficult and tedious. That is what I have been doing so far and would like either unstarted or started right at this point. Most of them I have been seeing that appeal to me are being priced higher in response to the general increase in the market and started with the Arabian show headset already. The cheaper ones are often pretty much unhandled and I just don’t have the time or desire to deal with something spicy that may want to kick my head off before thinking things through. Someone’s not too spoiled 5 years old pasture pet would be an awesome thing for me but that one just hasn’t come along yet.
2 Likes
Colorado’s Western front, ie Grand Junction/ Durango area has lots of horses on the craigslist, some look promising
after we lost a very nice just turned three old my daughter’s trainer offered and gave her one of their smaller failed to grown into a big horse (the mare is five years old and about 14h, she gets measured for her pony card in a few weeks)
Small horse was just being kept because it was there, (and its bloodlines are of desired stock)
But training a never touched much five year old is really similar to handling a yearling, the progression is quicker but going quicker there is the chance of overlooking some basics
1 Like
Unless they come from BLM. Some of them come to you rather willing, some come extremely distrustful and instinct-driven. Five of mine were over 10 when captured and 4 of them, well…they’ve been tough-nuts-to-crack.
1 Like
I am not wanting untouched that is the issue. I am finding so many breeders just make foals and then just turn them out mostly untouched until they decide to mess with them or sell them. It has been very frustrating.
Sounds like I have what you are looking for on all counts… in the Midwest (PM if interested) and as far as prices - do I wish I could find property out west for prices of two years ago!!!
