Mini Prices?

[Rose Hollow]

We're just getting into minis and we think we've found 'the one', but we need to make sure we're getting a good deal.

She has a very nice, solid conformation, she has some Boones Buckeroo blood a little ways back, and she's in foal to a relatively average sire.

She is UTD, healthy, and sound.

We were just wondering is $500 was a good deal or not, and maybe a list of what kind of minis sell for how much, so we can familiarize ourselves with the market.

Thank you so much!

 

[Miniv]

If she's papered, you got a very good deal.

 

[Jill]

$500 is a pet quality price, so if she's above pet quality it sounds like a good deal to me.

 

[Carolyn R]

Welcome to the world of minis.

There are so many variables that go into a purchase, with out seeing the horse and knowing the owners, it is hard to say, what a good deal in someones eyes may not be a good deal in others eyes. I do agree with Jill that for a mare, $500 is what I would consider a pet quality price.

There are people that want to downsize this time of year and will push anything and everything out the door, there are the factors of the sellers personal affairs and economic situation trying to place their horse due to hardships, the economics of the area the horse is from controls the cost too, the color of the horse (yes, many times sadly color plays a role in pricing), don't forget that it is just as important HOW the horse was cared for (which costs money!)as well as it's conformation. Is she well socialized, is she wormed regularly, vaccinated, teeth floated, hoof care up to date.

Good deals are out there, but it is always a buyer beware market. Do your research on the seller/breeder, there are alot of great people out there, but there are many that " the more you learn about them, the less you want to know".

Just some food for thought, since you are just getting into minis, are you sure you want one in foal? There are some awesome well trained geldings out there at reasonable prices. If you have your heart set on a mare, what about considering a 2-3 year old and possibly breeding her down the road after you have some time to bond with her and show her?

Best of luck with what ever you choose.

 

[Tremor]

$500 is a pet quality price, so if she's above pet quality it sounds like a good deal to me.

Not in my area!

In my area $100-200 is pet quality. Anything above is good!

 

[Lizzie]

According to where you are in the US, $500 might be a great deal or an average price. If this mare has been proven healthy and sound via your vet check and since she is in foal, it might be a good deal. You should probably familiarize yourself with the horses close up in her pedigree. First three generations only really count. Anything further back than that, will mean little. Who are the horses in the pedigree close up? Try to see pics if possible and show records if any. It will all help you decide whether this is the girl for you. You will also have to consider the (maybe) everage foal she has. Will you be able to keep and geld if necessary? What do you know about the sire of the foal? All things to consider I suspect.

Lizzie

 

[mydaddysjag]

In my area pet quality is about $200, you can find a show horse for $500 if you look hard enough, and easily find a show prospect in the $750-$900 range if your looking for a colt or gelding. I just saw a fairly big name trainer selling AMHR/ASPC show colts on gelding contracts for $250 I wont say their name as that would be advertising, but if you watched nationals, you saw this trainer winning time and time again.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

It's hard to say with basic info. IMO you have to look at it that your just buying the mare and don't look at it like your getting a 2 in 1 deal, especially if the stallion she's bred to is average, as long as the stallion is conformationally correct and not a health risk for the mare, it sounds like your paying an average price for a broodmare.

 

[SampleMM]

Have you considered the fact that you could lose the mare and foal while foaling? Foaling out a mini mare is not something I'd wish upon any "new" mini person. In my opinion, I think you would enjoy a filly or mare that wasn't bred. Good luck.

 

[Joanne]

Wow $500.00 and in foal would be cheap in my book. I certainly have never paid that little for any mare, let alone one in foal!

But as Sample mentioned, the question is are you prepared or will you be prepared with a barn stall for her to foal in and do you have an experienced horse veterinarian available to help you when she is foaling?

Minis are not so easy in that department. They often foal in advance of what we think of as "normal" for a full-size horse and it is best to be prepared.

If you have found a mini that you connect with and love, that is important. Keep in mind that mares, even ones in foal, do better with another mare as a companion.

Best of luck with your decision. These are amazing animals and will bring you many years of joy!

 

[targetsmom]

Here is how I look at buying: For a commodity like food or underwear, getting a good deal makes sense. But when purchasing something unique, like a house or any animal, I ask myself two questions:

1) Is this exactly what I want - a perfect match for me and my circumstances?

and 2) Can I afford it?

If those answers are both "yes" nothing else matters. I have a 25 year old riding horse that I bought in 1994 and felt I might have paid a bit too much for. Do I regret that purchase? Not on your life!! One of the best purchases I ever made.

 

[CMC]

If this mare is the quality you want then $500 is a great deal. We have never found a horse that "caught our eye" in that price range. Maybe it is the area we live in.

Sister Kristina

 

[midnight star stables]

Both of my last few buys were weanling foals well over the $1000 mark. Depending on quality, registration (WCMHR is not valid registration) and condition, $500 for a bred mare is an extremely cheap price and does classify under the "good deal" range. Look at the LB Classifieds. While there might be some good deals, some horses are still bringing high prices.

 

[Carolyn R]

Both of my last few buys were weanling foals well over the $1000 mark. Depending on quality, registration (WCMHR is not valid registration) and condition, $500 for a bred mare is an extremely cheap price and does classify under the "good deal" range. Look at the LB Classifieds. While there might be some good deals, some horses are still bringing high prices.

Same here with pourchases and Excellant point about WCMHR! I forgot to mention about the WCMHR, there are a few LB members that have hores registered under this registry, but it is not looked at by the majority as a favorable registry to have a horse listed under. It holds little standing with many breeders and if the mare is listed under this registry only, MANY will tell you that you should perceive her valued as an unregistered animal. You must also verify that all papers are in hand, not applications but actual registration papers and they are current, if registered in a previous owners name an application for transfer from th eprevious owner MUST accomp. the paperwork. Just make sure your ducks are in a row and remember, it is better to save and spend your hard earned money tomorrow on what you really want based on your long term goals rather than purchase one immediately based on your short term wants.

Once again, Good Luck in your mini adventures!

 

[fourluckyhorseshoes]

Here is how I look at buying: For a commodity like food or underwear, getting a good deal makes sense. But when purchasing something unique, like a house or any animal, I ask myself two questions:

1) Is this exactly what I want - a perfect match for me and my circumstances?

and 2) Can I afford it?

Wow-- I've never thought of looking at things that way. It definitely helps prevent the " I got it just because it was cheap" purchase.

If those answers are both "yes" nothing else matters. I have a 25 year old riding horse that I bought in 1994 and felt I might have paid a bit too much for. Do I regret that purchase? Not on your life!! One of the best purchases I ever made.

 

[CS Classic Acres]

I usually just read the forum, but the last point on making sure all the paper work is in order, is a great one. Please ask for a copy of the stallion report that has your mare on it, or to see the reciept from the registry that it was received in the office. I am still working on papers for a foal that I had the "breeders certificate " for.

 

[Minimor]

The best way to determine if you're getting a good deal on this mare is to do lots of comparison shopping. Look at saleboards and websites to see what is for sale & for what prices.

Without seeing photos of a horse it's pretty much impossible for anyone to say if you're getting a good deal or not. Some horses would be a super deal if they were priced at $500 and I've sure seen some horses that would be seriously overpriced at $500. Pedigree doesn't necessarily help too much; when you're looking at horses that have Buckeroo 4 generations back, there are a lot of horses to look at. One well known, popular sire several generations back doesn't necessarily mean a lot either, because one has to know what horses are in the 3 generations that come after than well known sire. If there are a lot of good horses in those 3 generations then all is good, but if there aren't--one good stallion cannot necessarily overcome several poor quality horses in those 3 generations.

I have bought good horses for $500 or less; in one case I got a real good broodmare for $500--the seller had a personality conflict with the mare so priced her low to get her moved out. Good deal for me because I got along fine with the mare & she did produce nice foals.

 

[Jill]

Good luck whatever you decide to do and I know we all look forward to pictures when you pick your new mini out!

 

[AshleyNicole]

it is better to save and spend your hard earned money tomorrow on what you really want based on your long term goals rather than purchase one immediately based on your short term wants.

Once again, Good Luck in your mini adventures!

Love this and it is very true....When I first started out I just wanted a pet and the first wasn't registered the next was but was really still a pet (ended up with stifle issues so watch for that..didn't see that until we got her home) I researched and found the quality I wanted and I admit a time or two since have bought less than quality because of immediate wants and regret it. Now before I buy I research...I look up as many horses I can in the pedigree and determine if they are quality (conformation and what they have produced) If the horse I am buying has had foals I try to find as many as I can so that I can see if it produces quality. If they haven't had foals I look at what brothers and sisters have produced and go from there. I also try to buy horses that will cross well with my stallions/mares. I have never paid $500 for any of my quality horses but there are deals out there now because of the economy and I have seen nice colts/geldings go for that much but truthfully not yet a bred mare I'd want in my program(not that they aren't out there)

Good Luck with whatever you decide

 

[Sue_C.]

Not in my area!
In my area $100-200 is pet quality. Anything above is good!

Seriously??

I would SO NOT be raising a miniature in areas such as this, you would soon go broke trying to get good horses selling in such an area. It isn't a question of HOW one breeds, raises and sells a horse so cheap, but WHY???