Falling prices?

[AppyLover2]

I posted this on the Back Porch on someone's thread concerning the miniature horse market. Just thought I'd bring it here because it's rapidly disappearing back there under all the political talk.

A neighbor came by this morning and asked if I noticed the mini in his pasture. He went on to tell me that his daughter went to a local sale/auction this past weekend and bought a 2 year old registered spotted mini gelding who is trained to drive, and she bought a goat. She gave $100 for the horse and $60 for the goat.

I haven't seen the little fella yet and have no idea what registery he's in.

 

[Laura]

I'm seeing it all over

. I moved the horses I wanted to move, now we'll just sit and wait for things to improve. My horses are still listed for sale, but if they don't sell, that's OK. We have plenty of grass & hay and will be fine and I bought meds ahead of need (vaccines and dewormers). Just like the stock market, there are amazing deals to be had right now for folks with the time and money to let them sit until the market changes.

 

[Alex]

A neighbor came by this morning and asked if I noticed the mini in his pasture. He went on to tell me that his daughter went to a local sale/auction this past weekend and bought a 2 year old registered spotted mini gelding who is trained to drive, and she bought a goat. She gave $100 for the horse and $60 for the goat.

Very sad, but I can believe it. Extremely well bred horses are going for hundreds, even thousands of what they could be sold for.

Its surely a market for buyers, not sellers...

 

[jayne]

I know these aren't minis, but just this morning there are FIVE free horses posted on Craig's List by 9am. Sad, sad sad.

Jayne

 

[Katiean]

What I have found is it is mostly the BIG horses that are over 20 that are for free here.

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

a 2 year old registered spotted mini gelding who is trained to drive,

Really? Well it seems likely that like most auction purchases, there is more to the story. Not too many 2year olds can be called 'trained' in fact most are barely started in harness. Prices are down tho, every where and there seem to be fewer buyers even looking. Personally I can wait, the market will improve again in time.

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

There is no doubt that the overall "market" for horses is down. But having said that, there still is a very good market for quality horses, just not as much of a market for average or pet horses. If someone is in the position that they were counting on sales this fall/winter of their horses and based the prices on those of a year ago, then that is probably not going to turn out well.

But if you have enough hay/grain and can afford the proper meds and farrier/vet care, you should be just fine until things turn around again.

For people who are in a position to buy right now, the timing couldn't be better!

It's a great opportunity for someone like myself who is still in a "building phase" to buy some high-quality horses and not spend an arm and a leg. The prices of auction horses are pretty much public knowledge these days so everyone knows what I paid for my horses from the LKF sale. I personally think I got a heck of a deal on them and if more come up that really fit for us we may buy more before this is all over.

In some ways (preparing to be flamed here!

) I think this may end up being a good thing for the miniature horse breed. If less people are breeding mediocre horses, maybe the overall quality will go up. If we're being honest here, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of miniature horses that really shouldn't be reproducing.

Flame away!

 

[Irish Hills Farm]

I went to the Somerset, KY sale today and prices were very, very low. Any where from $100 to $400 I'd say. BUT I have to say the quality of horse there, was nothing more than pets, some registered AMHA, others AMHR, and some WCMHR. So, I feel the $100 to $400 was about right, if not to much actually.

And I have to agree with those who've stated a GOOD QUALITY animal is still bring good money.

 

[SaddleTrail]

I'm hoping this is the proper place to post and to ask questions about prices, etc for mini's. I live in Northern Calif, Shasta county which is hot during summer and pretty cold during winter. I have the room, the shelter and the want and need for a few mini's. What is the going rate, price for a pet quality or breeding quality mini? If I were to be able to breed it would be for the pleasure of having a foal of my own to imprint not for selling. I would prefer one who has been handled and maybe even trained to pull a small cart? I have more time and love then money and I want a horse to lavish all this love on.

I have the room, shelter, time, love, eagerness to learn all I can. My pygmy buck walks into my house now looking for treats, the dogs all come in when they want etc. I'm a animal lover and cherish my pets.

Any advice will be taken happily and thank you for any help/advice in advance.

JayDee

 

[StarRidgeAcres]

I'm hoping this is the proper place to post and to ask questions about prices, etc for mini's. I live in Northern Calif, Shasta county which is hot during summer and pretty cold during winter. I have the room, the shelter and the want and need for a few mini's. What is the going rate, price for a pet quality or breeding quality mini? If I were to be able to breed it would be for the pleasure of having a foal of my own to imprint not for selling. I would prefer one who has been handled and maybe even trained to pull a small cart? I have more time and love then money and I want a horse to lavish all this love on.I have the room, shelter, time, love, eagerness to learn all I can. My pygmy buck walks into my house now looking for treats, the dogs all come in when they want etc. I'm a animal lover and cherish my pets.

Any advice will be taken happily and thank you for any help/advice in advance.

JayDee

Hi JayDee and welcome!

You're off to a great start by coming here and asking questions. This is a great place to learn and share. I'm certainly no expert, so hopefully others will add their opinions also.

As for the going price for a pet quality - well that could be anywhere from free to four figures, depending on what makes it "pet" quality. There are many people right now who don't have financial means to properly care for all the minis they currently have. I bet if you put a wanted ad on the sale board asking for specifically what you want and what area you're in, you may get some offers. Of course, buyer beware. Ask questions so you make sure you're not getting a horse with thousands of dollars in medical bills on the horizon.

As for breeding, I strongly suggest you read some the Information Pages on this site about breeding. It's not like dogs or even big horses. And it's not for the weak hearted. Just my adivce.

You're doing the right thing by asking questions! Read as much as you can, visit websites and other forums, etc. I have no doubt you can find a mini that fits your budget and goals!

 

[SaddleTrail]

I'm hoping this is the proper place to post and to ask questions about prices, etc for mini's. I live in Northern Calif, Shasta county which is hot during summer and pretty cold during winter. I have the room, the shelter and the want and need for a few mini's. What is the going rate, price for a pet quality or breeding quality mini? If I were to be able to breed it would be for the pleasure of having a foal of my own to imprint not for selling. I would prefer one who has been handled and maybe even trained to pull a small cart? I have more time and love then money and I want a horse to lavish all this love on.I have the room, shelter, time, love, eagerness to learn all I can. My pygmy buck walks into my house now looking for treats, the dogs all come in when they want etc. I'm a animal lover and cherish my pets.

Any advice will be taken happily and thank you for any help/advice in advance.

JayDee

Hi JayDee and welcome!

You're off to a great start by coming here and asking questions. This is a great place to learn and share. I'm certainly no expert, so hopefully others will add their opinions also.

As for the going price for a pet quality - well that could be anywhere from free to four figures, depending on what makes it "pet" quality. There are many people right now who don't have financial means to properly care for all the minis they currently have. I bet if you put a wanted ad on the sale board asking for specifically what you want and what area you're in, you may get some offers. Of course, buyer beware. Ask questions so you make sure you're not getting a horse with thousands of dollars in medical bills on the horizon.

As for breeding, I strongly suggest you read some the Information Pages on this site about breeding. It's not like dogs or even big horses. And it's not for the weak hearted. Just my adivce.

You're doing the right thing by asking questions! Read as much as you can, visit websites and other forums, etc. I have no doubt you can find a mini that fits your budget and goals!

Thank you so much for the Warm Welcome and I will heed any and all advice given!. Ive been reading what I can on the mini's, I dont want to put a wonderful pet in my care with out the knowledge of caring for them correctly. I am going to make up a list of questions to ask any seller so there wont be any thing left out hehehe.

I feel like a teenager getting their first car hehehe

Breeding for my own foal would be the most wonderful thing. Ive helped birth calves, goats and 1 foal. I loved it, thought my heart was going to burst in love for them and heck they weren't even mine hehe.