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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
   
Location: Montana | Just as the title says, what is the best time of year to buy a horse, not sell one, but buy one. My dad has his ideas, and I have mine, so seeing what others have to say. Thanks and have fun voting! :) |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
 
| When you need one. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | When you find the one that you can't stop thinking about and it's in your price range. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | streakysox - 2015-11-14 9:58 PM
When you need one.
When is that? Lol. I don't need a horse, but am looking for something to work with while my mare is bred. I agree with the people who voted to buy one between Oct. and Dec. but my dad thinks Jan. Is better. I know spring and summer the prices are higher. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | When I buy is when the horse catches my eye and all I do it think about that horse THEN its time to buy, lol.. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| There are a lot of variables.
In the fall people are dumping horses, so they don't have to buy feed for the winter. Generally there is an influx as soon as they come off of pasture. Most people cull their bottom horses during this time as in their mind they are not worth feeding.
In January/February people start counting their hay, especially if it is a bad year weather wise, if they are going to be short, then people will cull again, these horses in the sellers mind were a little better then the fall ones, but still not their top pick.
In the spring people have already invested the extra money to feed, therefore think this horse is worth more. Most people will wait till they slick off, as a shiny horse sells faster then a shaggy horse as a rule of thumb. They are also a year older, this can be a positive or a negative thing, especially in the barrel world, people will pay less for an unbroke 5 yr old then an unbroke 3 yr old, just because of the futurity potential.
Also taxes, it depends if you claim the purchase as an expense, then depending on your year you may want to buy in 2015 for the write off, or hold out till 2016.
I know where I live, there are so many horses being culled at auctions as hay prices are at the highest price in 15 years. I bought a yearling halter broke, roan, conformationally correct, fat, granddaughter of boonlit dancer for 325. And I was not at the auction to buy, but how do you pass that up |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Very good info! I'm ready to buy, but my dad thinks I should wait until it is further into winter. However, I also reminded him that he doesn't want to get the trailer out with 3 feet of snow on the ground either, LOL.
But while I'm obsessive about horses in general, I'm generally not obsessive over any one horse unless I already own it. If the horse sounds like it fits the bill and is the price range I'm looking for and I get along with it, then I'm ready to buy. But I don't get myself in a hurry anymore. :) |
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 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5408
| When the seller is needing money! |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| mtcanchazer - 2015-11-15 10:36 AM
streakysox - 2015-11-14 9:58 PM
When you need one.
When is that? Lol. I don't need a horse, but am looking for something to work with while my mare is bred. I agree with the people who voted to buy one between Oct. and Dec. but my dad thinks Jan. Is better. I know spring and summer the prices are higher.
If you need to replace one for various reasons, if you are trying to move up, or if you are changing to a new discipline. I have as many as I want or need so if one comes along that I think is a good buy, I just keep my money in my pocket. This is my goal and certainly no one has to agree with it-----i want quality not quantity. |
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Mrs. Troy
Location: western Nebraska | I just bought some new projects and now have some nice finished horses for sale. They aren't culls and not "dumping" priced. But neither were the ones I bought. You get what you pay for no matter the time of the year |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | streakysox - 2015-11-15 12:29 PM mtcanchazer - 2015-11-15 10:36 AM streakysox - 2015-11-14 9:58 PM When you need one. When is that? Lol. I don't need a horse, but am looking for something to work with while my mare is bred. I agree with the people who voted to buy one between Oct. and Dec. but my dad thinks Jan. Is better. I know spring and summer the prices are higher. If you need to replace one for various reasons, if you are trying to move up, or if you are changing to a new discipline. I have as many as I want or need so if one comes along that I think is a good buy, I just keep my money in my pocket. This is my goal and certainly no one has to agree with it-----i want quality not quantity.
I was joking. I don't know what I'd do without my horse(s), they keep me sane. Ask my dad, though, and he doesn't know why anyone needs a horse. :) |
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 Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | cheryl makofka - 2015-11-15 10:57 AM
There are a lot of variables.
In the fall people are dumping horses, so they don't have to buy feed for the winter. Generally there is an influx as soon as they come off of pasture. Most people cull their bottom horses during this time as in their mind they are not worth feeding.
In January/February people start counting their hay, especially if it is a bad year weather wise, if they are going to be short, then people will cull again, these horses in the sellers mind were a little better then the fall ones, but still not their top pick.
In the spring people have already invested the extra money to feed, therefore think this horse is worth more. Most people will wait till they slick off, as a shiny horse sells faster then a shaggy horse as a rule of thumb. They are also a year older, this can be a positive or a negative thing, especially in the barrel world, people will pay less for an unbroke 5 yr old then an unbroke 3 yr old, just because of the futurity potential.
Also taxes, it depends if you claim the purchase as an expense, then depending on your year you may want to buy in 2015 for the write off, or hold out till 2016.
I know where I live, there are so many horses being culled at auctions as hay prices are at the highest price in 15 years. I bought a yearling halter broke, roan, conformationally correct, fat, granddaughter of boonlit dancer for 325. And I was not at the auction to buy, but how do you pass that up
This... I just bought an own daughter of Holidoc, correct, good temperament, and green broke for 750. The women wanted to down her numbers to 4 that had sentimental value, and didn't want to feed all winter. I always watch but notice around this time of year you get the best deals and then again in Jan-Feb.
I have bought from out west and in the US (while our CDN dollar was good) a lot during the past few years since the dropped prices and people not being able to afford hay. I am fortunate I have a good supply. |
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Take a Picture
Posts: 12838
| If you don't get impatient around here you can get nice horses for cheap. My farrier and his son go to all the sales around here and saw one go through the sale that was a grandson of Shining Spark. Sire has 250+ AQHA points and is a 1D horse. Horse sold for $27. Two year old and had already been gelded. This is not uncommon. NE TX |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Good information...I'm doing my best to be patient, get the word out to the right people, and watch carefully. Part of my problem is the ability, at least right now, to travel very far (i.e. out of state) and I'm picky and have a set price range. Thanks for all the good info. :) |
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 Professional Amateur
Posts: 6750
Location: Oklahoma | Any month out of the year!!! My last two purchases I was NOT shopping! Owners contacted me because they knew the horses would fit my program. I purchased them. Prepared or not - there is a way to have a horse purchase work if it is the one for you.
Regardless of the time of year, I do not change horse's prices due to winter. They are finished and in my pasture, should I need them. To keep myself and the Child Gone WIld on the road it can take 6 to 8 horses. With that being said, regardless of the time of year, if someone calls me and wants to do a "click and ship" purchase - I will deal with them to get them going down the road with their new horse and I benefit with the referral business.
Younger horses you can seem to get better deals on during the winter because people don't want to feed them or ride them.
SHOP BABY SHOP!
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | Right now is a good time to buy from me! I'm about to drop prices again. this is definitely not the time to sell for top $. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | casualdust07 - 2015-11-16 8:54 AM Right now is a good time to buy from me! I'm about to drop prices again. this is definitely not the time to sell for top $.
And I know you have nice horses, but how would I get one home! Same to Pocob! |
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You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | mtcanchazer - 2015-11-16 9:59 AM
casualdust07 - 2015-11-16 8:54 AM Right now is a good time to buy from me! I'm about to drop prices again. this is definitely not the time to sell for top $.
And I know you have nice horses, but how would I get one home! Same to Pocob!
yeah I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I need to decide if i want to sell Lucy for less than I wanted NOW, or just hang on to her until I get to a point where I need to make a decision. So far, I haven't had any interest at all. not even a spam email. One person called because they were in the area and looking so a friend passed my number on but the minute I said she was 14 it was off the table, which is fine. I like her, I don't mind keeping her. I'll just need to move some horses around before I graduate. Blah. |
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 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| The winter months.
No one wants to feed them through the blowing cold if they can get them sold first.  |
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 Chicken Chick
Posts: 3562
Location: Texas | I believe the winter months are best for buying for the most part. People don't want to feed as many, can't afford to feed as many, don't want to get out and ride them... have babies coming in the spring so they need to downsize a little. Maybe they need some extra Christmas money etc. Granted you can find a deal year round, but maybe you will have more to choose from in the winter months. In the spring and summer people are out riding and enjoying their horses more so they may be a little less excited about getting rid of one.
That is my theory anyway. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | Just before winter. People don't want to care for and feed during the winter months. |
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Veteran
Posts: 276
| It could be any time. I think it is best to be ready to buy at all times, but be patient. Good horses at good prices sell very quickly, so they can be hard to find.
As a rule of thumb, though, I would expect to pay more in the spring/summer than I would in the fall/winter. |
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 Schnoodle Lover
Posts: 2987
Location: **Cactus Country down in South Texas*** | Anytime of year, you just need to sit down and write up a list of what you are looking for and a price range on what you want to spend, how far you will go to look and try etc. If I were to look at a certain time, I would be looking at maybe end of summer beginning of fall. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | I know what I'm looking for even if I don't have it written down. But it seems difficult to find what I want on the price range I can afford to spend...and I'm not even looking for a finished horse, let alone a 1D/2D horse. Oh well, the right horse will come along. :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
| and what do you do when the horse that is pretty much exactly what you think you want (eventually) falls into your lap when you aren't sure it's time to buy? like when you are going into a long, cold, stressful winter... what do you do then?! dang it. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | star1218 - 2015-11-16 3:52 PM and what do you do when the horse that is pretty much exactly what you think you want (eventually) falls into your lap when you aren't sure it's time to buy? like when you are going into a long, cold, stressful winter... what do you do then?! dang it.
Don't have a good answer for you...buy it? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 516
| It depends on what kind of horse you're looking for. For me, I was looking for a futurity horse for this upcoming year and right now was a good time to buy my guy because I can start running futurities in December, the seller was leaving for 60 days and didn't want him to sit, and we're going into winter. Lots of factors come into play. |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | WiscoRacer - 2015-11-16 6:59 PM It depends on what kind of horse you're looking for. For me, I was looking for a futurity horse for this upcoming year and right now was a good time to buy my guy because I can start running futurities in December, the seller was leaving for 60 days and didn't want him to sit, and we're going into winter. Lots of factors come into play. That is kind of what I'm looking for as well, but isn't an issue if I can't do futurities either. It seems like there are more geldings available right now and I'm definitely wanting a mare. :)
Edited by mtcanchazer 2015-11-16 8:10 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | Most want to cut back on their numbers when it starts to get cold and they have to buy hay. It's usually a good bargaining tool as well. I will pay this and you don't have to winter them.... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1079
| mtcanchazer - 2015-11-16 5:30 PM star1218 - 2015-11-16 3:52 PM and what do you do when the horse that is pretty much exactly what you think you want (eventually) falls into your lap when you aren't sure it's time to buy? like when you are going into a long, cold, stressful winter... what do you do then?! dang it. Don't have a good answer for you...buy it?
Lol, thanks. I was thinking out loud i guess. That question mark is my exact problem! |
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Best time of year to buy a horse?