Hey there, just have a few questions. My brother and I want to invest in a barrel horse for resale. He is 100% not a horse guy, while I do have horse experience. Forgive me if I sound like a total idiot here.

We have no idea what investing looks like, but our goal is to find a 2yo or 3yo, send to a trainer to get started and bring along, race, and then sell later. We are expecting the horse would be out of state, possibly TX/OK, since there isn't much going on here in St. Louis. 

Just a few questions to start:

1. For a great 2yo/3yo prospect, what price range would you expect to stay in? We know pricing will range based on several factors, but want to hear opinions.

2. Where would you start? We'd like to find a trainer first, and then a horse. Is this realistic? Do trainers normally help people look for investments? 

3. Do people typically purchase for resale out of state? 

Any other info you can think of would be great. 

Horse = Worst investment ever in the history of mankind and even before mankind back when all that existed was ameba's and it was still the worst investment ever. 

if you are dead set on losing money send the $$ to me and I wlll come to where ever you are and punch you in the face. 

the outcome wll be the same and it should be cheaper 

Wow, you're a genius.

Again, if anyone has some real information pertaining to the post, I'd be happy to hear it. 

I just started down this road - I have bought two prospects. The 3 year old was sent last year and this spring, she didn't make the cut. So I now have her at home and she needs more training (read-more money). My second if just off being broke as a two year old so I don't know how this one will turn out. 
I spent an average of about 10k on the prospects. I could not sell the 3 year old for any more than her initial cost. So the 6 months of professional training would be a wash if I were to sell her now. 
I enjoy doing it, and will continue because it's exciting for me. But if you're in it to make a profit, I think the odds are slim to none. 

Oh....I bought the first horse and THEN found a trainer. The second horse, this trainer was a HUGE help for finding it. 
Both of mine were purchased out of state - sight unseen and shipped to me. Moving forward, it will be horses we've bred ourselves. We bought two broodmares that we loved, and are breeding to stallions that we think will make a stellar prospect. 

That was good advice. Could have been said different for sure, but still sound advice. 

Theres alot to think about when wanting to invest in a horse, but really I think the only way that you could make money is doing all the training yourself. You would have to find a filly/colt out of a nice stallion thats got a name behind himself to get started and thats not going to be cheap, vets cost and pray that nothing happens to your investment along the way, we all know these babys are always looking for a way to hurt/kill themselves I have had a few friends buy babys off the track and start from the ground up to try to make a few bucks off them, but its really just a hobby and like I said fingers cross if nothing gos wrong.. Good Luck

If you dont know any trainers and want to invest in a horse to be trained for barrels to make money on its going to be a crap-shoot..

There are several top notch futurist players in Louisiana and Texas. Most likely they would jump at a chance to help you pick out a prospect because each has his or her bloodline or favproturning style or whatever. Some like only big horses while some like small horses. They know who matures early and who late and who not at all. It sounds super exciting. I can imagine the feel of one of mine winning a slot race! ?? Keep me informed of your journey. I can live through this adventure virtually. On Facebook, I'm Sandra Maddry.

That's what we are hoping for - to find a nice futurist trainer who would basically buy on our behalf. Thanks for the info Sandra!

I wish you nothing but the best!  However make sure that you go into it with your eyes WIDE open.  The initial cost of the horse will probably be the cheapest part of the journey.  You will be paying the trainer monthly fee's of at least $750 (I think) plus all vet and shoing expenses.  Then when they start to haul the horse you will be paying fuel and fee's.  If you are wanting to go into the futurity world those fee's aren't cheap and I believe some you start paying on before you ever know for sure about the horse being ready.  It is an expensive game.  

Are you sure that your brother will be in it for the long haul since he knows nothing about the horse world.  I'd hate for him to think that he was going to turn his money quickly only to find out that it is a few years down the road if ever then leave you hanging with all the expenses.

Like I said before I wish you the best but do your homework

Thank you for your info! We expect to be in on a horse for at least a year. We know it won't be a quick flip. We are prepared for the expenses of training and care, god willing the horse doesn't try to kill itself lol. 

I'm in Ok and 750.00 is cheap for a futurtity trainer!  I have a friend that sends horses to trainers.  Even trainers that doesnt have their name out there is not that cheap in our area. 

The futurity world is way to rich for my blood! but love to watch them babies! and the trainers!

This changes things. No way you can flip in a year and make money. Might as well go to the casino as the odds would be the same. You need to commit to at least two years.

Most futurity trainers want the horse as an early three-year-old at the latest and if you are going to run them they cannot run them until December at the earliest of their three-year-old year until December of their four year old year. I wish you luck! 

If you want to futurity a young horse you better have a really big pocket book. Alot of young horses can't handle the pressure of being a futurity horse, theres alot of rejects. And if you'ur wanting to flip a futurity horse within a year You would be better off fliping houses,cars,boats. Horses are not a quick flip in the barrel world, as we all know.. 

Probably the riskiest investment you could make.  Kind of like a kid going to Hollywood in hopes of making it big. 

Not trying to be Debbie Downer here.  I've just been in this a long, long time. I still raise a few babies, and hope they'll sell and do well, but I do this because it's what I love. 

You are looking at more like 3 years to turn a horse for profit.  I know the price per month that I stated was on the low side, you will probably be spending closer to $1500 per month on all the training and expenses.  Figure your initial purchase prices  plus $54,000 ($1500 x 36 months) you would have to win the big futurities and sell really high to make money.

I don't see how any honest/ethical  trainer  could lead you down "the investment " road. You'll pay too much for a top prospect, you'll pay a minimum of $1000 per month (minimum), your horse will have to place in the top 5 of several futurities to earn some money back and be marketable for a premium price that might make money. If he stays sound and you keep him an extra year or two but he's still average you'll lose even more money.
If you'd like to get an idea of budget , start with watching the Copper Springs sale today and the Myers sale in a couple weeks. When you have $30 - 50k In a nice prospect you're going to invest probably that much again in training and hauling. Now look at the futurity earnings stats in Barrel Horse News and see how many horses earn that kind of money in their Futurity year. Futurities are your biggest opportunity for ROI so that's why I used them for earnings stats reference. 

This is real talk from someone that's been in the business for a long time. I know it's not positive but I know you didn't come here for a bunch of fluff ;-)

Not here for fluff - I appreciate all the honesty! Thank you guys!

so you're saying I was right? 

Liana D. is on of the top notch trainers and upstanding person.  You'd do well to listen to her.