It’s been about 10 years since the last time I went horse shopping soo I’m a little lost, to say the least. I’m located on the East Coast and am looking for reputable sale barns that offer young hunter prospects at a reasonable price. I’ve been referred to a few barns but want to see what else people have to say. No thoroughbreds, please. My budget is in the low-mid 5-figure range. Any and all tips are greatly appreciated!
Let me clarify, low to mid 5-figure range*
How far along training wise are you looking? Will your trainer (or you if you are experienced finishing out prospects over fences) be polishing its performance up?And are you talking 20k-30k or 40k-50k in that “low to mid 5 figure” range?
There really aren’t too many regular Hunter barns who do a lot of sales handling Green but well enough started over fences to proclaim them Hunters in that price range. The money is in getting them to shows, preferably on a clients dime, not keeping them home and that starts hiking the price. Particularly in the most desireable type/breed.
You might try contacting breeders but once their youngster goes into that commercial Hunter/sales barn additional training, sales presentations and commissions are going to take that price up.
There are also some smaller, lesser known barns who bring a few youngsters along but I’m noticing every year there are fewer of them as costs get higher. Might want to ask around, tack stores/vets/farriers to uncover these smaller operations. Might also consider traveling to shop, prices are not quite so steep off the east coast as horsekeeping costs are more reasonable. Midwest for example.
If you like a kind bay horse with chrome, as a general type, check out Ali Shackleford at Hidden Hill Farm. She breeds, makes them up, and sells them mostly as baby green types with a good base. Hers tend to all have great minds and similar type. She usually has several for you to look at, too.
And do you have a preference north, mid or south part of the east coast?
You should clarify how young too.
Yes, I have the resources to finish training. Ideally the northern East Coast would be nice, but I can travel between Florida and New York fairly easily. By “young”, I mean under 10 and by “hunter prospect” I mean not a made, been there done that type horse. I’m looking for a horse that’s been started over fences but needs finishing and at least looks like it’ll be suitable and willing in the hunter ring. I understand hunter barns are going to sell more made show horses, but I know some sell younger, less experienced hunters. I just don’t have the resources to go straight to a breeder and buy that young of a horse.
I know Chad Keenum has a bunch of nice horses - some will certainly be out of your price range but a friend of mine bought a horse from him that was on the cheaper spectrum for him. Another friend went down and tried a bunch, the ones she loved were out of her range but it is worth a try. If he doesn’t have anything, he might know of someone who does.
Raisethebar, do you know how much the one your friend purchased from Chad was?
Rosewood Sporthorses in NJ (rosewoodsporthorses.com) have a nice selection of young horses available for sale
Is your budget up to $50000? I do know of one that is a lovely Hunter. He is young and very pretty and going well. If you want to PM me and you are willing to ask on Facebook, I can tell you more and help you find a few others to try within an hour of that barn and a major airport.
Oh my…that edit really won’t work will it?! I meant I can tell you where to post on Facebook to arrange some other horses to look at.
Do you mind if I message you about at least one that I know of that might fit your specifications?
I wouldn’t use Chad Keenum, personally. I would be happy to tell you why via PM.
I’d also avoid a few other people around the Virginia area as well. Feel free to send me a PM if you are looking in Virginia so I can let you know what my own personal experience has been. I won’t speculate or gossip, but I’m happy to tell you only what has happened directly to us. If you don’t plan to look in VA, then there is no need for me to clutter up your inbox.
Check out Flower Farm, Ginger Parker in Glen Rock, PA. She’s the breeder and the trainer. She breeds level headed horses and will have some started youngsters.
Thank you everyone for all your help! I really appreciate it. It looks like I have several barns to look into 
If I was looking, the first person I would call is Emil Spadone, Redfield Farm, New Jersey. Good luck in your search!
[QUOTE=xbluegoox;8984058]
Rosewood Sporthorses in NJ (rosewoodsporthorses.com) have a nice selection of young horses available for sale[/QUOTE]
These horses are really $50,000 and under? Most look to me like they’d be significantly more?!
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These horses are really $50,000 and under? Most look to me like they’d be significantly more?![/QUOTE]
Those horses are pretty :love-struck:
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Do you mind if I message you about at least one that I know of that might fit your specifications?[/QUOTE]
Absolutely! Shoot me a msg. Thx!
