ND3canAddict - 2017-02-08 11:27 AM I think the prices are a little nuts for almost everything.  I've been looking for a "broke" 3-4 yo mare for my daughter, IMO, our budget is reasonable.  There are a ton of them that are GD, or GGDs of "somebody," that are riding green to decent for $7500-10,000.  I understand the owners think they are ate up with potential, but I think they're worth $3500.  I don't inquire if they are that far off the budget.  Many times I assume they will be $5k or less, so I ask because the ads aren't priced.  They tell me $10k (or more) and then try to hard sell me or tell my my budget isn't reasonable.  Which, of course, ****es me off- I know there are very nice horses out there that fit the bill and are within my budget.  I will wait- I have more time than money.

CanCan - 2017-02-08 11:48 AM  207 views. I guess we are the vast minority. 

OhMax - 2017-02-08 12:22 PM

I'm not a fan of futurities and won't buy one who's been futuritied, so a 5-6 yr old is right up my ally. I like to pattern them myself so well broke and lightly started on the pattern is great.

But that's worth $2500-$5000 to me and depends more on how broke than how well bred if it's a gelding. I totally get paying a little more for proven bloodlines, but if he flunks out of the barrel pen I have a well bred gelding who now I have to find another job for or convince a buyer he's worth taking the gamble on even though he doesn't excel at what his pedigree says he should. Mares I could see going a bit higher for the bloodlines as there's breeding potential there.

People always think their horse is worth top dollar, I won't say I've never priced one on the high side of his worth because everyone also wants to haggle and walk away feeling like they got a good deal.

But horses are a lot like houses. They say the first 2 weeks a house is on the market is the most traffic it'll ever get in a robust market. Once it's been on the market over a month people assume something is wrong with it. So you'd better price it right the first time because it'll be a harder sell if you don't. I feel it's similar for horses - if I see an ad that reads too good to be true but has been bumped up 40 times in 6 months, I start to wonder why.

IRunOnFaith - 2017-02-08 11:39 AM I found a WEANLING filly the other day advertised at $80,000. Both Grandsires were big names but a little older in popularity. Sire has a 2017 stud fee of only $750 with no incentives. Dam has no show records available to view. Foal is signed up for no incentives... 



I guess they're worth whatever you want them to be worth now-a-days. 

ND3canAddict - 2017-02-08 12:35 PM This is funny.  A little OT, but many of the ads I am reading don'thave prices on them.  The ad reads like the horse should fall in my budget, so I ask and the horse is priced WAY higher than I would have imagined. Here's the funny part- the seller gets irritated with me for "tire kicking" after I say the horse isn't in my budget.  WTF, female dog!  You didn't price the horse, how am I supposed to know I can't afford your cute little no-name 3 year old with 60 rides???!!!! 

Silly Filly - 2017-02-08 1:43 PM I saw that and keep thinking they made a mistake and will correct it soon.......

CanCan - 2017-02-08 12:48 PM


 207 views. I guess we are the vast minority. Or everyone else is elling a horse. LOL.

Speedy Buckeye Girl - 2017-02-08 2:30 PM I saw that too and first thought they must have accidently added another "0"...but then even so...8k? 

I just want to know what these people do for a living that are able to buy these high dollar horses...

IRunOnFaith - 2017-02-08 12:39 PM I found a WEANLING filly the other day advertised at $80,000. Both Grandsires were big names but a little older in popularity. Sire has a 2017 stud fee of only $750 with no incentives. Dam has no show records available to view. Foal is signed up for no incentives... 



I guess they're worth whatever you want them to be worth now-a-days. 

Silly Filly - 2017-02-08 12:43 PM I saw that and keep thinking they made a mistake and will correct it soon.......

rodeoveteran - 2017-02-08 3:16 PM You can thank the Divisional races for the high cost of a barrel horse. Those that sell think that this is great but those that buy, especially on a limited budget are SOL. IMHO this is the reason the Divisional format was created and supported by big names. Those big names had horses to sell (either that they raised/trained or brokered that could off shut off the clock like the horses they made their careers with. They did however, find a market of buyers who would buy one of the "lesser" horses just to say that they bought it from So-and-so. Then those buyers needed a format where they could justify the money they spent by placing in a "D". Then big money took an interest and now you have today's horse market. I sure can't afford to buy a winner! When I was horse shopping I couldn't believe the prices they were asking for horses that were not well broke, not all that fast, certainly not fitted to sell, all in short, not as good as the horses I already owned......yet I could not sell anything for any kind of money. As far as the "older" broke horses on the market, it doesn't bother me. If I hear one has been futuritied (especially in my price range) a red flag goes up, I wonder what kind of shape it's body AND mind are in. I would prefer that they get a chance to grow up mentally and physically. I want one for LONG term, not just for a season or two.

astreakinchic - 2017-02-08 1:35 PM They are rich enough that they don't have to work.... 

IRunOnFaith - 2017-02-08 3:24 PM


I can understand someone buying a finished, well seasoned, 1D Pro horse that's being jockied by someone well known for $80k But for a weanling out of a no name mare by a mediocre stud !?
Blows my mind...

astreakinchic - 2017-02-08 2:24 PM This makes me so sad to hear :-( 



Just because horses are futuried doesn't mean they are fried or done even if they are priced cheap.  Yes investigate but maybe that was someone's first time training one or maybe the horse just didn't pan but would be great in open divisonal races. My friend recently sold a gelding for $8500 because he is consistantly 3D and he is paid in full to all big futuries for the year.  NOT one thing wrong but he is just not a clock stopper...hes happy to crusie in the 3D.  Nothing wrong and she priced him reasonable. 

Three 4 Luck - 2017-02-08 3:34 PM


For me, it would depend on who the horse had been with.  Some futurity riders do a great job, some are downright crappy and it's a minor miracle when they turn out one that lasts.

astreakinchic - 2017-02-08 2:25 PM Nah I don't agree with it either. Refer to my above post. Some of the American Semi's qualifiers can be bought at that price RIGHT NOW

runnink - 2017-02-08 12:34 PM the best one is when people try to sell on FB without posting a price....from 1D to knows what a (feed) barrel is...post gets 100's of comments with everyone wanting a price...a week later the poster finally "publishes" the price and...crickets.

ND3canAddict - 2017-02-08 12:35 PM

This is funny.  A little OT, but many of the ads I am reading don'thave prices on them.  The ad reads like the horse should fall in my budget, so I ask and the horse is priced WAY higher than I would have imagined. Here's the funny part- the seller gets irritated with me for "tire kicking" after I say the horse isn't in my budget.  WTF, female dog!  You didn't price the horse, how am I supposed to know I can't afford your cute little no-name 3 year old with 60 rides???!!!! 

Griz - 2017-02-09 5:53 AM I won't even LOOK at ads with no price because (and this is MY opinion), I feel like the seller has them embarrassingly over-priced.

rodeomom3 - 2017-02-09 5:15 AM  I once called a private treaty add-horse advertised as 3D/same trip, price was 8K which I thought was very reasonable.   However I thought why go through the song and dance of private treaty and have numerous phone calls, for a lot lot of people that would still be out of their budget. I don't know maybe they do it to get more attention to the add but that would drive me nuts and I agree with you that they probably lose potential buyers. 

ND3canAddict - 2017-02-09 9:30 AM I understand that people sometimes want to keep prices private, but IMO if you don't post a price it should be illegal to also say "no tire kickers!"  Sheeeeeezzzzzzz!  I am a very serious buyer at $5K.  I am NOT at $10K. 

ND3canAddict - 2017-02-08 11:27 AM I think the prices are a little nuts for almost everything.  I've been looking for a "broke" 3-4 yo mare for my daughter, IMO, our budget is reasonable.  There are a ton of them that are GD, or GGDs of "somebody," that are riding green to decent for $7500-10,000.  I understand the owners think they are ate up with potential, but I think they're worth $3500.  I don't inquire if they are that far off the budget.  Many times I assume they will be $5k or less, so I ask because the ads aren't priced.  They tell me $10k (or more) and then try to hard sell me or tell my my budget isn't reasonable.  Which, of course, ****es me off- I know there are very nice horses out there that fit the bill and are within my budget.  I will wait- I have more time than money.

astreakinchic - 2017-02-08 1:33 PM No you are not the minority. The market is good right now and I feel like everyone has inflated their prices because of it. Just because you paid a $1500 stud fee on ol leroy and you fed him and raised him for 3-6 years does not mean I'm going to pay 10k for him as an UNHAULED basically 7 yr old. It's nuts! But horses are worth what someone is willing to pay. I don't think most people understand this but IMO after the age of 4 yrs those own sons and daughters drastically decrease in price range for people in my area because we don't have high paying derbies in the south. Also, I too saw that 80k ad and I'm like uhhh surely this is a mistake. For 80k you can buy horses that will be at the american semi's My views on prices on Open Horses: 1D anywhere - name your price 1D consistent occasionally 2D - 20k (if your lucky) all the way up to 250k 2D consistent big show 7500-15k 3D consistent big show 5-15k (depending on possibility of different rider making them clock faster, mind, are they a teacher for a child, etc) 4D consistent big show 2-10k (are these teachers, maintenance issues with age if they are teachers, etc) Embryos to Yearlings: To me based off dam (producer, her earnings, etc) and stud fee along with throwing in care fees. 2yrs olds- 4yr ols: Where your prospects are worth the most! anywhere from 2k-200k LOL After that they start decreasing for me because derbies don't pay as much and they probably were started but didn't make the grade, put on the back burner etc... Doesn't mean they can't make amazing open horses I just think it factors into price unless they are really coming on. Remember things are worth what someone will pay though!

stayceem - 2017-02-09 9:03 AM

I have noticed the same thing 7-9 year olds which in my experience are harder to teach to a job, are 5-7k and I just cant do it. Prices are high and as exciting as that is, I wonder how people afford this sport. I am capable of training a horse but am by no means a professional trainer. I have had to buy unbroke if I want something decently papered.

In general though, I am annoyed that a decently bred horse sits in the pasture until they are 7,8,9 and were broke but years ago. Just seems like a waste.

FLITASTIC - 2017-02-09 10:05 AM See, I find quite the opposite. The 7-9 year old group is MUCH easier to train. THey are more focused, not babies, etc. Don't need the drills etc. Just show them their job and let them do it.

Silly Filly - 2017-02-09 10:43 AM


I saw that and keep thinking they made a mistake and will correct it soon.......

FLITASTIC - 2017-02-09 11:05 AM


See, I find quite the opposite. The 7-9 year old group is MUCH easier to train. THey are more focused, not babies, etc. Don't need the drills etc. Just show them their job and let them do it.

stayceem - 2017-02-10 9:23 AM


My experience with these horses have been trail horses or basic riding horses. They weren't taught the fundamentals for barrels and in my experience, they are more mature minded and physically more mature but they also have somewhat learned what they want to do. I have seen and worked with a few horses who were never asked of much and it was hard for them to get that competitive edge or desire to exert a lot of effort.

I don't start them young as I like them to be physically ready but I still think them learning to "work" at 4 vs 8 makes a big difference. And when I say work, I don't mean barrels. Also I find it harder for them to learn how to control their body when they are older. Building that muscle and getting good balance. I broke my gelding as a late 6 year old and he struggled for a long time at a lope. He had so much body to control, he just couldn't keep himself organized. It took longer than most 3-4 year olds.

Just in my experience horses who are 7, 8, 9 and haven't been started in a "job" yet usually aren't broke the best either. They are rideable but as we know, rideable and truly broke are different. Obviously exceptions but that's my experience.

FLITASTIC - 2017-02-10 12:08 PM


Come to think of it I do agree with what your saying! I bet the difference between you and me is the level of " Broke" we expect from our horses in training. I don't really follow the band wagon on all the rib cage work, and being able to control every aspect of a horse's body at any time I choose. I see so many people at races doing what I call " Picking" on their horses.. 2 hours of mini drills in the warm up pen etc. I am the son of a 6x NFR qualifier and my momma taught me as a small kid that for a horse to " Want" to give you their heart/bottom, they have to LIKE and WANT to do the work you are ASKING them to do, not TELLING them to do. We start all of ours on the pattern the same, like many of you all do, but if a horse is naturally a little stiff, we roll with it and maybe they are a roll back style, rather than doing hours and hours of bending, 10,000 bit changes etc. SO I do not demand that my horses are absolutely crazy slidy spinny broke. If they have a basic handle, they listen to me, they want to learn, we just make it work. Obviously if they are making a huge mistake we fix. But If I have one that wants to be bendy on 2 barrels and roll back on other, or all roll back, I'm fine with it. Older horses tend to know what works for them, and I just exploit that.

FLITASTIC - 2017-02-10 12:08 PM


Come to think of it I do agree with what your saying! I bet the difference between you and me is the level of " Broke" we expect from our horses in training. I don't really follow the band wagon on all the rib cage work, and being able to control every aspect of a horse's body at any time I choose. I see so many people at races doing what I call " Picking" on their horses.. 2 hours of mini drills in the warm up pen etc. I am the son of a 6x NFR qualifier and my momma taught me as a small kid that for a horse to " Want" to give you their heart/bottom, they have to LIKE and WANT to do the work you are ASKING them to do, not TELLING them to do. We start all of ours on the pattern the same, like many of you all do, but if a horse is naturally a little stiff, we roll with it and maybe they are a roll back style, rather than doing hours and hours of bending, 10,000 bit changes etc. SO I do not demand that my horses are absolutely crazy slidy spinny broke. If they have a basic handle, they listen to me, they want to learn, we just make it work. Obviously if they are making a huge mistake we fix. But If I have one that wants to be bendy on 2 barrels and roll back on other, or all roll back, I'm fine with it. Older horses tend to know what works for them, and I just exploit that.

FLITASTIC - 2017-02-10 1:08 PM


Come to think of it I do agree with what your saying! I bet the difference between you and me is the level of " Broke" we expect from our horses in training. I don't really follow the band wagon on all the rib cage work, and being able to control every aspect of a horse's body at any time I choose. I see so many people at races doing what I call " Picking" on their horses.. 2 hours of mini drills in the warm up pen etc. I am the son of a 6x NFR qualifier and my momma taught me as a small kid that for a horse to " Want" to give you their heart/bottom, they have to LIKE and WANT to do the work you are ASKING them to do, not TELLING them to do. We start all of ours on the pattern the same, like many of you all do, but if a horse is naturally a little stiff, we roll with it and maybe they are a roll back style, rather than doing hours and hours of bending, 10,000 bit changes etc. SO I do not demand that my horses are absolutely crazy slidy spinny broke. If they have a basic handle, they listen to me, they want to learn, we just make it work. Obviously if they are making a huge mistake we fix. But If I have one that wants to be bendy on 2 barrels and roll back on other, or all roll back, I'm fine with it. Older horses tend to know what works for them, and I just exploit that.

IRunOnFaith - 2017-02-08 1:39 PM

I found a WEANLING filly the other day advertised at $80,000. Both Grandsires were big names but a little older in popularity. Sire has a 2017 stud fee of only $750 with no incentives. Dam has no show records available to view. Foal is signed up for no incentives... 

I guess they're worth whatever you want them to be worth now-a-days. 

turnedout - 2017-02-11 10:25 AM

I went to look at a couple prospects recently, found one I really liked. Picked him out due to conformation and his quiet mind. Didn't even know how he was bred. Told the ranch owner he's the one I wanted and asked for the price. He wanted $8000 for an unbroke and unregistered colt. I offered $2000 and walked away. A month later I had him in my backyard for my price.

I absolutely agree with futurities and slot races increasing the worth of horses! Do I think my horse COULD win a slot race, yep...has he, nope! People are pricing on the "could" and not the "did."

Jenbabe - 2017-02-10 4:28 PM

I don't have a problem with the age as much as I do the incorrect training these horses have. Once an issue or habit has been created it takes time and can be difficult to undo. Everyone thinks they can just do it on their own. Then when they realize they can't, either because of lack of time or ability, they want to trade for something further along or better broke. I can't tell you how many times I get asked to do trades on horses like these. I'm not selling a problem, and I don't want to trade for a horse that has issues. I'm not saying it can't be done, because I've been able to take those kind of horses and make them work, but what people don't realize is that those kind are a dime a dozen and they aren't worth much.

The biggest problem I see in general in the horse industry today is a lack of general horsemanship, knowledge of basics, and a lack of willingness to learn.

This is a subject that I could probably go on and on about, so I'll quit there!

IRunOnFaith - 2017-02-08 12:39 PM

I found a WEANLING filly the other day advertised at $80,000. Both Grandsires were big names but a little older in popularity. Sire has a 2017 stud fee of only $750 with no incentives. Dam has no show records available to view. Foal is signed up for no incentives... 

I guess they're worth whatever you want them to be worth now-a-days. 

FLITASTIC - 2017-02-10 12:08 PM


Come to think of it I do agree with what your saying! I bet the difference between you and me is the level of " Broke" we expect from our horses in training. I don't really follow the band wagon on all the rib cage work, and being able to control every aspect of a horse's body at any time I choose. I see so many people at races doing what I call " Picking" on their horses.. 2 hours of mini drills in the warm up pen etc. I am the son of a 6x NFR qualifier and my momma taught me as a small kid that for a horse to " Want" to give you their heart/bottom, they have to LIKE and WANT to do the work you are ASKING them to do, not TELLING them to do. We start all of ours on the pattern the same, like many of you all do, but if a horse is naturally a little stiff, we roll with it and maybe they are a roll back style, rather than doing hours and hours of bending, 10,000 bit changes etc. SO I do not demand that my horses are absolutely crazy slidy spinny broke. If they have a basic handle, they listen to me, they want to learn, we just make it work. Obviously if they are making a huge mistake we fix. But If I have one that wants to be bendy on 2 barrels and roll back on other, or all roll back, I'm fine with it. Older horses tend to know what works for them, and I just exploit that.

IRunOnFaith - 2017-02-08 1:39 PM I found a WEANLING filly the other day advertised at $80,000. Both Grandsires were big names but a little older in popularity. Sire has a 2017 stud fee of only $750 with no incentives. Dam has no show records available to view. Foal is signed up for no incentives... 



I guess they're worth whatever you want them to be worth now-a-days.