What Are The Going Prices For Miniature Horses?

[Rachel K]

I know that show quality Miniature Horses are anywhere between $1000.00 to $2500.00 and upwards, but what about pet quality Miniature Horses? What are their going prices? B quality I suppose you call them.

I have been reading through the threads here on Lil Beginnings as well as doing some research through the internet. I found a few Miniature Horse breeders here in Iowa but they raise show lines and their sales bring in over $1000.00 per animal. Very beautiful animals to be sure but I just can't afford to start out with a show herd.

My plan is to start off with non show quality horses and slowly introduce quality ones into the herd with the money from the foal sales. Possibly starting with a nice stallion first since a stallion is half the herd.

My question being, how much is the going price for a non show quality horse? Not low quality, just not show quality.

 

[minimomNC]

Price always depends on the area you are in. My suggestion would be buy one or two of the best you can afford instead of 5 or 6 of lesser quality. Buy mares first and breed to the best stallions you can afford to. Hopefully your first foals will be good quality and sell for higher prices which you can then use to buy another quality mare. When you have say 4 or 5 quality mares, then think about a top quality stallion to compliment your mares. Selling one quality foal at a good price is alot cheaper than selling several low quality foals for less money. Then should the worst happen and the foal didn't sell, you have one foal or two foals to take care of instead of 5 or 6. Buliding a good herd slowly will pay off more in the long run than buying lesser quality and then trying to sell them later.

Good luck with your plans, I hope it all works well for you. As for pet quality in our area, sometimes your lucky to get $500.

 

[Rachel K]

I see your point. I fear however that I couldn't afford to buy one show quality filly, much less two. Not when the going prices are $1000.00 at the lowest and more commonly in the $2000.00 range. At least not at the moment that is. My plan was to start off with one or two non show quality mares and maybe buy a show quality filly next year to introduce into the herd. Slowly weed the non show quality ones out of the herd and slowly introduce the show quality ones into the herd. I could afford to pay $800.00 total for two lower quality mares, and then with the help of foal sales I could afford a show quality filly next year.

Maybe I forgot to mention also that they would be pets.

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

Well to be honest pet quality horses can be had for about 500 up to 1500 depending on where you live.I see you are looking for mares at about 400 dollars

Just to paly devils advocat here..

I am not sure that a 400 dollar mare-bred then considering the cost of vaccines, feed, farrier work not t mention the time you spend watching the mare and waiting for them to foal will give you much more then a 4-500 dollar foal and then when you figure expenses you are usually out money not making it-

That said it might be better to get a pet mini, see if it is what you want give yourself a chance to learn as much as you can and see if breeding minis is something you will be intersted in

 

[nootka]

Trust me, your foal sales are not going to equal enough to buy show quality horses in addition to the foaling and care for the mares til they foal and that's even if there are no compliations.

If you're breeding pet quality, you will get pet quality prices, just my observations.

Honestly I know of someone who has a very good quality show worthy and breeding worthy young mare for sale. She is 2 this year and breedable next year, the only thing stopping her from selling for around twice what you're quoting for two pet quality girls is that she's "over" the 34" around 36"...from known bloodlines, Nat'l Champ bloodlines and very loving and sweet. We are in the NW US, but still.

I think $1000 is still quite low for well-bred horses and if you were going to spend $800 on two, you might just wait and look.

Breeders like myself get painted into a corner for some reason or other and you may have an opportunity you might not realize.

You are best off to buy ONE nice quality mare, and either have her bred or buy her bred to a nice stallion. Build your herd slowly rather than playing the numbers game. Not saying you might not find a diamond in the rough, but it's less likely esp. if you are not as experienced....pet quality is priced that way because it's usually not hte best breeding stock.

If you honestly think someone would pay you enough to make more, then go ahead, but be warned that it isn't the "gold mine" you hope for to breed pet quality horses, I just haven't seen it...I barely make anything breeding good to very good quality horses, and I still get pet quality from my best attempts....(not putting down "pets" as mine are pets as well as show and breeding horses where they are good for it).

Liz

 

[Rachel K]

I have been doing research on them and I am most certain that I do want to raise Miniature Horses. I'm not looking to make a profit on them, maybe just break even in the long run.

I guess that at this point show quality isn't as important to me. I do want to raise quality miniatures in the years to come but maybe I won't ever reach the point where I am raising show stock. My point being that at this point I just want some miniatures as pets.

 

[nootka]

I would advise finding a couple of nice geldings. I have one for sale that may go over, myself, and I may have to lower his price way down, but it's not because he's not quality, it's just that my crazy husband destroyed our pastures and it's hard for me to get them all outside right now waiting for it to be ready for them in the interim.

Things like this happen to other breeders as well.

Perhaps lease a nice mare?

I would advise not breeding if you're really just wanting pets...read some of the breeding threads, it's not for the faint of heart.

If you've done your research you then know that ifyou're breeding pet quality horses, your prices will be low and I'm here to tell you it's more likely you will go backwards than even break even.

Just not sure what to tell you even though we're in different parts of the country, I think it's the same all over. Don't be afraid to ask around for what's out there, you might be surprised and get a better deal than you hope for.

I'd put off the stallion for last, personally, as there is always the option of breeding out.

Forgot to say it's not so much show quality as it is GOOD quality. Correctness and proportion as well as overall soundness. Anything else is just irresponsible, IMO. No horse is perfect, but show quality can be arbitrary (I've seen horses with obvious dwarf traits winning shows), so please just do your homework on quality and opt for registered when you can. There ARE deals out there.

Liz

 

[horsehug]

Hi Rachel,

Another thing you might consider is that many breeders are willing to take payments on horses and that way you could maybe afford one of breeding quality, and then possibly add another the same way after you paid for the first one.

Just a thought!

And I wish you the very best in your search. )

Susan O.

 

[Rachel K]

How much would a nice quality filly cost? Either as a young filly or as a breedable or bred mare? I'm open to changing my mind and aim towards the quality, even if its just one vs. two. I do see the points that you guys are making.

Breeders are willing to take payments? If so then that might change everything. I thought for sure that you would have to pay full price.

 

[nootka]

I sold a gorgeous, well-bred (one of the top bloodlines in the country) A/R bay filly with no conformation defects, just a little smaller than I like to breed (probably going to be around 31" at maturity) for $1600.

I think her foals will easily bring at least that...she was only 6 months old, but I know there are others in the middle region that sell for much less and are equal or better quality.

My mare wasn't shown, but her dam was, and sire is and will be.

Anyway, I think for $1000 and up you can find decent quality mares they may be A or R only not both, but then again I may be surprised as I often am...

Good luck in your shopping, just don't rush...you may in fact find more than you hope for for less than you fear.

Liz

 

[nootka]

I sold a gorgeous, well-bred (one of the top bloodlines in the country) A/R bay filly with no conformation defects, just a little smaller than I like to breed (probably going to be around 31" at maturity) for $1600.

I think her foals will easily bring at least that...she was only 6 months old, but I know there are others in the middle region that sell for much less and are equal or better quality.

My mare wasn't shown, but her dam was, and sire is and will be.

Anyway, I think for $1000 and up you can find decent quality mares they may be A or R only not both, but then again I may be surprised as I often am...

Good luck in your shopping, just don't rush...you may in fact find more than you hope for for less than you fear.

Liz

 

[horsehug]

Rachel,

You should look at as many miniature horse websites as you can. You would be surprised to see sale pages with nice fillies and mares, some even bred, for anywhere from $750 or $800 on up. Granted many (or most) are more than that....... but sometimes life makes people have to sell, and you can find super deals on nice horses if you really look around.

Susan O.

 

[Rachel K]

Breeders are willing to take payment plans on their horses? If so that would change everything, because I thought for sure that you would have to pay full price at the purchase of the horse.

Here is one breeder that is only a hour or two drive from us - http://www.hoofweb.com/timberview/index.html

What do you think of their miniatures? When I'm ready to purchase do you think that I should contact them? Plus I have a friend over in far eastern Nebraska. Maybe if I were to drive to the above breeders to purchase a filly I could also met my friend and pick up the purebred Oberhasli doe that she has promised me.

The above website hasn't been updated in a while but they do still raise miniatures.

 

[CharmedMinis]

I think everyone is on the right track in what they are telling you.

Nootka said it well, In my opinion as well, it's irresponsible to breed something less than GOOD quality horses, that doesn't mean they have to be show quality. I have a couple of horses that are really nice conformation wise, but I don't think they are show quality because they don't have the personality or presence of a show horse. The industry is over run with pet quality minis, just go to the auctions and see for yourself, there are tons that are in desperate need of homes.

If you just want pets I'd look for geldings or even rescues.

I'd seriously re-consider breeding, even just to break even. Here's an example from my own personal experience. I had 13 pregnant mares in 3 years. A total of 6 live foals out of those 13 pregnancies. 2 of those foals had horrible births and lots of issues and even if I decide to sell them, I won't beable to get much of anything because of their problems. My vet bills from just last year alone were nearly $35,000. I sold one foal for $1500. So I'm in the hole by at least $34,000, haven't added previous years vet bills up. Add in feed, farrier, and basic care and tack on a whole lot more to that amount.

Good Luck with whatever you decide

:

 

[Songcatcher]

I agree with the others. IF you want to get two mares for around $800, look at the auctions. However, don't expect to make any money on the foals. I have seen many weanling colts that hardly brought enough to cover the consignment fee and commission, if that much.

 

[Rachel K]

Here is another Iowa breeder - http://www.acesminis.homestead.com/

 

[horsehug]

Rachel,

To go and meet people in person and see the horses also, is a good idea also if they are a reasonable distance.

And I can't speak for anyone in particular as to if they would take payments. I just know that many do.

And it sure would not hurt to ask if you found a horse you liked.

Susan O.

 

[Darkstar]

I think the most important thing is to take your time and don't rush into anything. Go visit some farms near you and see what type of horses you like the best. research research research!!!

When you are ready to buy, buy the best horse(s) you can.

Maybe join a club in your area and go see some shows.

http://www.miniatureequine.com/iowa/index.html

 

[Black Magic]

I just placed a Shetland Pony (no papers) and an "R" mini for $500 for both of them.... They need alot of care, and I feel confident they will be better off then they were. It's not the price to me that counts, it's how the horse fits in with everyone and everyone fits with the horse.

God Bless,

Lynn W

 

[Cathy_H]

My plan is to start off with non show quality horses and slowly introduce quality ones into the herd with the money from the foal sales.

Please go back & reread this statement... By the time you raise a non quality horse to breeding status, nuture it through foaling, pay for the care etc etc you will most likely have more money in all of the above than you can get for your foal......................... Look for a nice bred mare with a live foal guarantee for sale from someone who will take payments or wait awhile until you have saved enough to pay a bit more.................................. I do not mean to squash your dream. Lee & I have been doing this since 1986. I could fill this page with stories of people who tried it your way for the most part. They ended up selling at a loss & some still owed money............. I say no one takes care of my horses as well as I do but we have had our share of problems. One year our vet bill was $10,000 & mostly because of breeding/foaling problems for three mares/foals abortions. Do not mean for this to sound like a lecture but rethink & ask other people how they afforded their first horse or so on limited funds................There are people who will let horses go for lots less IF you can prove you will provide a caring environment - we have done that several times in the past and these (colts) were show quality with some of the best bloodlines.. Get the word out but be aware some may try to push their problem horses off onto you. Sometimes cheap cheap means something is wrong with the horse & it takes time & lots of $$$'s for that to surface. Best of luck to you!