rowdyred":54qe7dwf said:
I hear people talk about seeing horse go at a sale barn for 150-300 dollars, then I start asking around all I can find are 1200 and up, I want a couple of bred mares that will probable never be ridden, that I can put in a pasture that my mom and dad can set in the shade a watch, and then a colt or 2 it would make my momma so happy, I can afford 150-300, I cant afford 1200. I hear people talking that horses are getting cheap, what to you consider cheap?
Agree there are "good" horses going for next to nothing (10 cents on dollar) as result of the sheeeety economy, $500 to $1000 a year to "properly" feed, mineral, water, groom, trim hooves, vaccinate, de-worm, etc. On the other hand, there are many compromised horses out there for cheap prices (malnurished, wormy, no vaccinations, hooves in bad shape, ribs showing, serious attitude problems, laminitis) that are both privately owned and at auction sales in the $100 to $300 range. Also consider Vet bills and health & nutrition re-conditioning of a "poor" horse to get it up to speed...add those costs to the purchase price...not including all the hassle, trouble, work involved in the process. JMO.
However, if one wants a "good" horse (with or without registration) that is in GOOD health and has been properly cared for, with a good attitude, unless the owner is desperate for $$ you will not find one for those prices (can be exceptions, for sure). When the chips are down, owners cut corners... :cry2:
Another consideration: Any "trained in bit and saddle" horse (anywhere between one and six months of training, depending on breed, trainer, etc) one cost on average between $300 and $500 a month for that training (unless you do it yourself).
An untrained, neglected or abused horse is a train wreck waiting to happen, even with a good competent new owner.