Is this a good horse for the money?

Question

Below is a picture of a horse I went to look at a few days ago that I am thinking about buying to begin hunter under saddle training. I bought my first horse from these people and they always have very nice horses, so I know she is coming from a good place. Personally I think her conformation looks good and she is a really nice mover with a smooth trot. She has great ground manners and she's got plenty of get up and go which I like. Does her price seem fair? I know horse prices are down right now, and I know I'll be paying more for her color, she's drop dead gorgeous, but it seems a little high to me. Would $4000 be a fair offer?
http://horsetopia.horse-for-sale.org/classifieds/ad223741

she is a registered Paint

Answer 1

Hmm, one thing that is missing is her experiance level. She's 6 years old so she is probably not green anymore but you don't know where they got her from, how long they've had her, or what age she started training. Has she ever been competed or shown? That's a big one, because some "quiet" horses can be a handfull at shows if they aren't experianced.

If she has show experiance and isn't green that is an excellent price. If she is still green then I would put the $4k offer out there and see what it can do.

Best wishes!

Answer 2

Actually, for stock seat, she's right on the money - not too tall, good haunches, nice neck set - etc. and that flashy overo coloring is really a nice touch.

Yes, you do pay more for the color - and her registration etc. And assuming she's all that the blurb says she is, $4K is a bit steep - but fair. Not a bargain - however.

However, as an old eventer and field hunter, at 15.2 hh, she's a little bit on the short side. I would prefer at least 16hh - or taller - and a lot more leggy and leaner - more Thoroughbred than quarter horse type for a hunter. The taller, leggier horses look - and go - better over fences. This is especially true for field hunters - where you could easily have to jump a hedge or rock wall. Shorter horses have a bit of trouble with solid fences - especially where there isn't a style close by.

Also, although she has really pretty colors, many judges simply prefer bays and sorrels - even grays are considered a bit risque. Paints are considered - well - too flashy. Even a good Appaloosa will place below a bay or sorrel of similar skill level. Sad but some things are based on traditions.

If you want a good stock-seat horse - she's a good candidate. If you want a good hunter/eventer - keep looking. consider a Hanoverian - bay or sorrel.

Answer 3

What are horses like her selling for in your area? Her color may actually work against her in the bigger shows, where most of the big time hunter horses are more solid. The paint judges seem to favor this more and like the louder ones in the western events. And it may just be the picture, but she seems to tie in a little high in the neck. So she made not be able to bring her head down level and travel without an arch in the neck. I would check out the new Paint Horse Journal. This month is the Hunter under Saddle issue and has a lot of useful info on how to select a HUS prospect and what the judges are looking for. But in the end, if you like her and are willing to pay $4000 for her, then no one else's opinion should really matter. It is your money and if this mare makes you happy, then buy her.

Answer 4

She is quite a striking mare at first look. Her confirmation does look good, she's pretty square and it looks like she's got strong feet and a strong shoulder and hip. I show Hunter Jumpers, and I'm not sure that she's built for that type of work, though if you are planning to show her in breed shows as a Hunter on the flat she'll probably clean up, as it looks like she's got some animation and character. It doesn't say "how much" training that this horse has in the ad, though I think that if she is "well broke", papered, and (most importantly) passes a Vet Check (just because you have purchased from these people before doesn't mean you shouldn't have a Vet look at the mare; you'll be paying good money for this horse, so you want to cover your bases--make sure the Vet pays close attention to the feet and the eyes on this horse, as problems with this breed are common in these areas) I think that the price they have listed is quite fair, and if you offer something I wouldn't go much lower than $4200.

Answer 5

I personally like the mare and think that $4000 is reasonable IF the bloodlines are decent, but her neck ties in very high and seems short for her body. ALWAYS GET A VET CHECK!! A horse can appear completely sound, yet there can be major problems in the legs (hocks in particular) starting at this age. Make sure that you work her both on the ground and on her back.

Check her manners - does she stand while being groomed? Pick up all 4 feet without a fuss? Stand for mounting/dismounting? Can she go in and out of all four gaits (if you plan on doing dressage about 1st level make sure that she has the ability to do an in-hand gallop! IE that she has excellent control)? Does she bend and flex at the poll and whithers? Does she drive from the hind end? Does she yield to leg pressure?

Be sure to watch her movement to make sure that she does not have a lot of "action" in her knees.

Answer 6

She looks fabulous from the picture - but you can't ride a picture........so:

1.) Get a pre-purchase exam and get all her legs x-rayed and look for arthritic changes in the hocks, knees, coffin bone and navicular bone issues, besides all the usual things a pre-purchase exam does. (It's about $300.00 at the Midwest Equine hospitals on average.) Have her teeth checked out, too.

2.) See if you can get a buy on trial (10 days or preferably 30 days.)

This is a very fair price for a sound horse who has good conformation (can't really tell from the photo - but her front legs are straight!!!) With her very nice color. Even if she weren't broken to ride.

The fact that she is so young and broken to ride with her color make that a real steal of a deal.........so my question would be "what's wrong with her at that price?" Really check out the navicular and coffin bones as the Paint and QH breeds tend to have more upright pasterns and little feet with a heavy body leading to problems. If she's sound - BUY BUY BUY!

Answer 7

What a beautiful horse! I believe you should always bargain. It's like buying a car, you never pay sticker price. $4000.00 is a reasonable offer. If they are persistent on the price (and if you do not want to pay full price) then ask how many people have looked at her, has she had any medical or soundness issues. Have you ridden her? How much training has she had? Does she clip, stand for farrier/vet, etc. You should be able to negotiate price based on all the necessary questions. Be persistent. Good luck, she is gorgeous!

Answer 8

Yes, absolutly a great price for that horse. Yes $4000 would ne a fair offer... You can tell alot of work has been put into this horse... so it would be very worth the price. Good luck ! She is beauty !

Answer 9

Seems to me to be a pretty mare. If she will walk, trot and canter with her nose out and on a seemingly loose rein, this is what you want. I don't know if western hunters jump however if they do you want a horse that will hold an even stride between the jumps, change its leads on the turns and not become excited. If you have a horse that does this for the price they are asking and she is sound, no/minor nevicular changes etc. you have a great deal. I would have the vet check her left hind leg, as it appears she minimizes weight there in all pictures.

Answer 10

I think $4000 is a fair offer for her. Is she papered, and is her breeding good? Also, what are her accomplishments as a comeptitor, or does she have any? If she is an unpapered horse, $4000 is still too much. If she is a paper horse with no experience performing (in any discipline) then I'd offer $3800 or so.