Each day we hear more news about the economy and depending on who you listen to, it’s in recovery or still on the verge. What equestrians do know is that the price of feeding and caring for our equines has gone up and many people who previously had the disposable income to afford horses no longer have it and are forced to sell.
This has created a buyers market in the U.S. but due to the economic situation of many, buying may not be an option, however, because the dollar is currently valued lower than the Euro and the Canadian Dollar, buying horses within the U.S and Exporting horses is less expensive than buying abroad.
The question then becomes, “How much is my horse worth?” and “Where do I sell my horse?”
Factors for determining value include:
1. Disposition – how well behaved is the horse? Kind, gentle, people loving, or spooking and disinterested in humans?
2.Value of sire/dam and offspring – Is the horse registered and did the sire and dam compete, earn prizes or money, have siblings earned points or money?
3. Physical traits such as age, health and conformation – is the horse well put together, healthy, and within an age range that allows for many years of riding?
4. Breed and type characteristics, pedigree and background – Does this horse match breed characteristics, have a desired pedigree, been well handled?
5. Accomplishments including training, show records, prizes and earnings – How much training does the horse have? Has he/she been shown, earned points, or prizes?
The following do NOT determine the value of your horse
1. Emotional Attachment
2. Perceived Value
3. Direct or indirect costs of ownership (maintenance, veterinary bills and financial needs) You can not determine value based on what you paid and the horse has cost you since purchase.
A simple way to help determine how to price your horse accordingly is to visit a number of websites and equine publications and view ads containing a horse similar to yours? Think of it as pricing a vehicle that you would be selling. To sell in the current market your price and product (horse) must be competitive.
Where do you advertise your horse?
Choose a popular websites, breed associations or publications when listing your horses. Most publications and breed associations have online websites to list horses. I have listed a few below..
MyHorseForSale.com
Horsesmans News
Walking Horse Report
Saddle Horse Report
Appaloosa.com
Morganhorse.com
Pinto.com
Palominobha.com
Each site has unique approach and layout, it is often best to place ads with multiple sites to increase exposure of your horse. It is also beneficial to use social media marketing to spread the word that your horse is for sale and available.
Another option if you are emotionally attached to the horse is to consider a lease option, where you retain ownership and the leasee cares for and provides for the horse.
NOTE: The average price for a 5-10 year old quarter horse gelding trained for youth or all around sells for $8,500 (price was derived from taking the number of horses matching the criteria in a 50 mile radius of Fort Worth, Texas from all of the above websites) Prices for all horses matching the criteria were averaged together. Actual prices ranged from $900 – $10,000+ (Horses priced above $7500 had show records, and well known or sought after pedigree’s.)
Morgans current average price in Texas is $2,660 (horse between 3-10 years of age, all disciplines and all sexes. Criteria were relaxed to reflect decreased number of horses meeting criteria)
Arabian (no part or 1/2 arabians included in this set) Texas average price for geldings between 5-10 years of age is $8,200 for all disciplines prices ranged from $1000 – 27,000 for finished, experienced show horses.
For additional information please contact Lydia Bagley at lydiabagley@myhorseforsale.com