[sabrina]

I have my chestnut stallion up for sale, he is a stunning boy and I have had quite a lot of interest in him BUT what I am finding is, people want him cheap, have no idea about blood lines and just looking to breed for the sake of having a foal. Now I bred him and have fed, wormed, injected and had his feet done over the past 5 years. Break down of his vetting, Society £100 DNA both parents and him £60 per animal Vet £120. Then you get the person who comes away with, ( I would not pay more than £100 for a Shetland ). If you want a well bred, fab natured, Show Champion Stallion then look around and see what they cost. Its not buttons.

[rbarlo32]

Had to same with my Miniature Stallion except we bought him as a yearling and he is 6 this year.  I haven't been offered more then £250 I think and then half the people haven't looked at where I am from when they do they decide I am too far away.

[sabrina]

If I break him to ride and drive then he would go for 4 figures, I have the time and the carriage +harness but I know  I would keep him. OH wants me to cut down numbers and with 2 other youngsters coming up I must do what is best for them and myself. I had people after my black gelding but they did not have a clue on how much time a pony needs and their child just wanted one because their friend had. I never sell any ponies unless I am sure the home is right . would not be the first time we have had posh people come to look and not understand that I would not sell them anything.

[smiley bucket]

I know people always want a bargain, thousands of horses for sale at prices that will/should be a fraction of what it has cost to get them even old enough to break,  but that's horses I guess, fools breed horses for wise men to ride lol.
Would be lovely to see a ride and drive shetland stallion, have you thought about advertising him in USA?

[sabrina]

Would not want him to go abroad. We bought a cob foal back in October 2012. I took one look at him and saw something stunning. His breeder had done a grand job with her mares and foals and . I would not have insulted her by paying anything more than the asking price. Yes there are plenty of cheap horses and ponies for sale but 1, they have not had the money spent on making sure they get the best start in life and 2, lots are breed from any old thing. The saying you get what you pay for is so true. anyone who has ever bought from me becomes a friend of life, why, because my animals are given the best, they are well handled from day one and it is very important to me that they go onto first class homes. I know where all my ponies are, see them doing well in the show ring which makes me so proud. I can lead out my stallion, 3 year old and 2 year old colt out together without any problems. They have been taught to give me respect and in return I do the  same to them. I have a Stallion in Shetland who gained a silver award in their evaluation scheme as a 3 year old last  year and will now be brought out under saddle. he is on loan as I am not ready to part with him. running with a friends mares so he is a happy boy who I can visit anytime and will be over the summer. Looking forward to seeing his first foals in the spring its not about money for me. anyone who wants to buy cheap cannot afford the sort of care I expect my ponies to have and that is what matters.

[Roxy]

Its the same throughtout the horse world.  People just think times are hard, and think breeders are desperate to sell..  I have bred one Fell foal this year, and did not put the mare back in foal.  Prices at the Fell sales were awful in the Autumn.
 
I know how much it costs to breed and rear a foal, but some people do not see the full picture unfortunately.  It is such a shame when you have laid out all that money, only for people to come and offer a silly price.  Do hope a genuine buyer comes along who realises the potential of your pony and offers a sensible price.

[sabrina]

If he is not sold Roxy then I will break him to drive and have some fun. He will only be 6 years old this coming August so time is on his side. I just feel he is wasted with me now but I do love him to bits. That's is my biggest downfall, I put so much of myself into the ponies that selling any it just painful hence the need to find the right home.

[ellied]

Know what you mean, the Highlands are the same, folk say they can get a coloured cob for a few hundred so why would they pay more for a purebred  animal bred with care for lines, quality, nature etc   I am struggling to get the price for an 11yo ridden mare that I'd have got for her as a foal, and as for unbacked youngsters I might as well not have bothered spending the 20+ years getting to know the breed and bloodlines and types and all the skills required to breed successfully, the experience to cope with the heartbreak and stress of owning, breeding and most of all dealing with "buyers" who have no intention of buying   I am thinking of giving up, not for the first time - I just don't know what else I'd do if I gave up the animals, probably go round offering to help everyone else out for the chance of being around them like I did before I got my own in the first place

The odd decent buyer is still out there, though, I got 2 decent sales last year despite all the hassle of the rest, and keep hoping to find another few more coming my way sometime.

[Castle Farm]

Iv'e been looking for a Cob or D for months, but it seems finding an owner that doesn't lie about it's ability to be a sencible ride is proving difficult.

Nappers, buckers and rubbish fit only for the meat wagon seems to be all thats out there.

Most owners seem to think that thier animal is worth a lot more than it is, get real.

[clydesdaleclopper]

It's so frustrating when people don't understand all the time and effort that has gone into producing an animal.


Do you do much driving? I would like to learn as I don't think my pelvis is ever going to be up to riding again and we have just bought a lovely Eriskay gelding for my boys to ride. I quite fancy doing some driving with him.

[sabrina]

I used to drive my cob mare but when we moved here it just was not safe to take her out. Traffic just would not slow down. Saying that a guy renting a paddock down the road from me drives his ponies all the time. he goes into the middle of the road if cars show no sign of slowing down. I have one Shetland gelding broken to drive and one I am working on. Archie my stallion had his first hack out with Emma on his back ( me leading ) on Saturday. He has had the ground work but this was his first time out and he never put a foot wrong. Breaking to ride or drive takes time and care, never a job to be rushed and having the right carriage and harness is very important for the safety of both. A pony for driving needs to have a good trusting temperament.100 percent safe not all ponies take to being in harness. If you do not have the experience then I would suggest you find someone who does breaking to harness.