Valuation: 16.1 versus 15.3

[jhg140]

Maybe it’s a disconnect from the reality for jumpers? but for hunters… I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at barns where it was excitedly brought up that a potential sale horse would measure as a small jr. The small jr divisions typically have lower numbers (which equals less competition) and usually less overall quality in that pool, especially when it comes to the horses’ stride size. That is, of course, a generalization, but that’s definitely the knee jerk perception of the jr divisions.

For jumpers… if I see a video and the horse looks suitable for the height I’m buying it for and the scope is there, I wouldn’t care. I feel like people look at the videos/photos first, anyway (at least I do).

[dags]

I’m not sure the smaller horse is any less valued, but it is harder to sell, and so sellers that can’t carry the bills are forced to lower price to increase their buyer pool.

When it comes to the junior hunters, a big small is preferred to a small large, which is why someone would get excited about a prospect sticking within the small junior height, rather than just over the large junior height.

That said, small junior prospects have a hard time getting big numbers until they prove themselves over the 3’6" height & step. There’s always a question as to whether the stride is really there, especially when the jr/am chips into the in & out. In this respect the bigger horse tends to be a safer bet, and will sell easier or for a higher number as a 3’-3’3" Pre-Green horse.

[vxf111]

There are markets where small-but-otherwise-equal is good (junior hunter, first horse off a pony, polo pony, etc.) and markets where it’s not (virtually everything else) If the horse is going to be one of those specific categories, the small horse might get you a bump in price. But your average 3’0 local hunter type-- most everyone wants bigger.

[bornfreenowexpensive]

no difference in price but the 15.3 hand horse may take longer to sell.

ETA: And yes…I’ve sold a 15.3 hand horse before…and she was a Chestnut TB mare to boot. Never ran an ad. She was sold as a jumper to a pro who later sold her in Florida. She was a good mid level jumper (4’3"-4’9") when he sold her…I had her up to a solid 3’6"-3’9" and schooling 4’ when had sold her to him. She was also a training level eventer ready move up but really didn’t like the dressage even though she was a good mover.

[ChelseaR]

15.3 isn’t really that small. The problem with selling a 15.3 hand horse is that when many people see 15.3 on an ad they expect to see a horse that is really 15/15.1.

I have a mare who is just barely 15.3 (measured with a level stick). No one ever believes me when I tell them how tall she is. They all claim she must be over 16 hands. She’s not - she’s a real 15.3 (and taller than a lot of ‘16.1’ horses oddly enough).

I agree - no price difference but be prepared to take longer to sell.

[RugBug]

@findeight;8034270

Both would value the same in this hypothetical example. Horses are identical in all aspects including step and scope.

Maybe in the OPs hypothetical price point the height won’t make a different because you are either talking about people already on a strict budget that know they have to compromise or you are talking about people that know how to evaluate horses, can pick something that will be moderately successful and are looking for a good deal.

Otherwise, the height would make a significant difference in number of interested parties and from there possibly in asking price.

Honestly, if I was even going to look at a 15.3 horse, I would want to see it with a rider at least as tall as me before I would consider going to see it…and I love a little horse. My 16 hand mare is great…but I ain’t lying when I say she’s on the smaller side of life and won’t be an easy sell, if it ever comes to that. Thank god she’s pretty.

(edited to add that if the horse is in an area with enough small jr hunters, they might have more traction).

@fordtraktor;8035922

This thread seems like a disconnect with reality, honestly. I wonder how many of you have successfully sold sub-16 hand horses for the same price you would if they were 16.2? It is great to hear you say that you like them just as much, but the reality is the market just isn’t there.

Yes!