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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

How much would you pay for this pony?

34 replies

WildFlowerBees · 06/03/2022 20:00

13hh Welsh x Exmoor, 11yrs old has sweetitch and has previously had a suspensory ligament injury, after being rehabbed is unable to ride for long due to going lame. Unpredictable nature, some days great other days very spooky/flighty. However, is sweet natured easy to catch groom etc.

Id be interested to know if you were buying as a non ridden companion pony what you'd be happy to pay.

OP posts:
freshcarnation · 06/03/2022 20:01

Nothing. I wouldn't touch a pony with sweetitch. It's a dealbreaker for me

Original poster
WildFlowerBees · 06/03/2022 20:05

@freshcarnation

Nothing. I wouldn't touch a pony with sweetitch. It's a dealbreaker for me
I understand lots of people wouldn't choose a pony like this. Does SI really lower the value?

I'm not selling but I am asking for a reason.

OP posts:
Matilda1981 · 06/03/2022 20:07

I personally always think ponies like this should be pts as who knows where they’ll end up! I don’t think many people would want to pay for a companion that has sweet itch - enough hassle if a pony you’re riding/competing has it but most people want companions to be as easy as possible!!

villainousbroodmare · 06/03/2022 20:08

Wouldn't take it if you paid me.

Trekles · 06/03/2022 20:08

It's hard as hell finding a decent home for a pony like that. Let alone sell. Look at the recent thread where the OP is struggling to afford to keep her elderly pony, and considering the options.
Honestly who is going to pay money for a pony with the problems you described? Only somebody who doesn't know one end of a horse from the other.

Eve · 06/03/2022 20:10

Wouldn’t pay anything and agree with Matilda1981 should be put too sleep.

Dodgy dealer pages are full of companion ponies who have been regimes as companions and then sold as riding ponies to new homes who have to deal with the heartbreak of finding them unsuitable.

Original poster
WildFlowerBees · 06/03/2022 20:10

Ok, I have her on loan as a companion, her sweetitch is well managed by me and I absolutely adore her. I want to buy her because I know returning her at some point would not be in her best interests so I'm wondering what I should offer/counter offer.

OP posts:
Trekles · 06/03/2022 20:10

Sweet itch would definitely lower the value of any pony, possible exception being if it was a top flight competition pony.

Trekles · 06/03/2022 20:13

@WildFlowerBees

Ok, I have her on loan as a companion, her sweetitch is well managed by me and I absolutely adore her. I want to buy her because I know returning her at some point would not be in her best interests so I'm wondering what I should offer/counter offer.
That makes sense. She's lucky to have you in that case. I'd offer a nominal sum, honestly. Talk to the owners. With what you describe they might well just sign her over to you.
stevalnamechanger · 06/03/2022 20:15

Thing is .

This isn't about the value of the horse only , you have to factor in your sentimental value .

I'd say 500-1k max but I'd be being generous .

You just have to be prepared for potential future costs

stevalnamechanger · 06/03/2022 20:16

And I know that's too much, I'm pricing on how much I would personally pay for something I was attached to .

Really they should let you keep her for free

Original poster
WildFlowerBees · 06/03/2022 20:17

Thank you, she has a lot of horses she buys and sells and her prices start at 4K so I wanted to get some feedback before I speak to her.

She is the loveliest girl we have a good relationship and I cannot see her go back to the same place where she won't receive the proper care for her issues.

OP posts:
Matilda1981 · 06/03/2022 20:18

In this case I think £500 is more than ample to offer the owners - are they likely to want her back anyway? They may be happy with you loaning her forever knowing that she has a good home?

stevalnamechanger · 06/03/2022 20:18

4k for a companion? You usually can't give them away!

Original poster
WildFlowerBees · 06/03/2022 20:22

@Matilda1981

In this case I think £500 is more than ample to offer the owners - are they likely to want her back anyway? They may be happy with you loaning her forever knowing that she has a good home?
This is true in the time I've had her the owner has never called or checked on her. It's a close knit community so most equestrian people know who's who and where. She's been loaned as a companion but owner says she can be ridden. I wouldn't A I'm too tall and B why would you ride a pony that goes lame after being ridden?
OP posts:
freshcarnation · 06/03/2022 21:09

Ah, so it's a rescue situation really then. You're very kind. Lucky pony

ThisisMax · 06/03/2022 21:22

Why not offer to make a £500 donation to a pony welfare charity if shes open to this?

CityOfGunthers · 06/03/2022 21:29

I paid £1 for a similar pony as a formality to change the ownership. Offer a nominal amount, you'll most likely find the owner will bite your hand off for it.

Original poster
WildFlowerBees · 06/03/2022 21:36

@ThisisMax

Why not offer to make a £500 donation to a pony welfare charity if shes open to this?

This is a lovely idea, thank you 😊

OP posts:
MrsTimRiggins · 06/03/2022 21:38

I think £500 would be extremely generous. Sentimental value is immeasurable of course!

Original poster
WildFlowerBees · 06/03/2022 21:50

She is so lovely once you get to know her, I absolutely adore her so the sentimental value is sky high!

OP posts:
toastfiend · 06/03/2022 21:55

Me personally? Nothing. I wouldn't take on a companion pony that needed the kind of maintenance and oversight that SI entails because there's lots of cheap companion type ponies out there that don't need that.

If you're attached to her, though, then I'd offer a nominal fee, probably no more than £500, so long as you're happy that you'll never get that money back. I'd also be clear in your own mind on what you would do with her if you became unable to keep her for any reason - I don't think it's fair for ponies like this to be passed from pillar to post/have uncertain futures, so I'd make my peace that I'd have her PTS if I became unable to keep her.

Eloise666 · 06/03/2022 21:59

I agree £500 is ample; really should be nothing, but £500 seems reasonable for a loved companion.

beingsunny · 06/03/2022 22:01

You may find she is happy for you to keep her on indefinite loan, if it's the uncertainty maybe sound her out with the idea?

I gave away one of my ponies when I was a teen to a family we were friends with, she could technically be ridden, no issues but was an oldie who was a companion in their back yard to one of theirs who didn't like being turned out alone. I was just happy she was well cared for and loved.

DoobryWhatsit · 06/03/2022 22:10

I rehomed a Shetland from a rescue charity and they asked for a donation of £150. But I've known people "sell" a pony for £1 just to legally transfer ownership. She won't find anyone who's willing to take a companion with sweet itch (laminitis I can cope with, but I wouldn't touch anything with sweet itch) I guess there's a risk that now you've got it sound, she could try and sell it quickly as a ridden pony, but if she were to try and sell honestly? She would have zero takers.