How to determine the Worth of Your Horse
By Lydia Bagley
Each day we hear more news about the economy and depending on who you listen to, it’s in recovery or still on the verge. What equestrians do know is that the price of feeding and caring for our equines has gone up and many people who previously had the disposable income to afford horses no longer have it and are forced to sell.
This has created a buyers market in the U.S. but due to the economic situation of many, buying may not be an option, however, because the dollar is currently valued lower than the Euro and the Canadian Dollar, buying horses within the U.S and Exporting horses is less expensive than buying abroad.
The question then becomes, “How much is my horse worth?” and “Where do I sell my horse?”
Factors for determining value include:
1. Disposition – how well behaved is the horse? Kind, gentle, people loving, or spooking and disinterested in humans?
2.Value of sire/dam and offspring – Is the horse registered and did the sire and dam compete, earn prizes or money, have siblings earned points or money?
3. Physical traits such as age, health and conformation – is the horse well put together, healthy, and within an age range that allows for many years of riding?
4. Breed and type characteristics, pedigree and background – Does this horse match breed characteristics, have a desired pedigree, been well handled?
5. Accomplishments including training, show records, prizes and earnings – How much training does the horse have? Has he/she been shown, earned points, or prizes?
The following do NOT determine the value of your horse
1. Emotional Attachment 2. Perceived Value 3. Direct or indirect costs of ownership (maintenance, veterinary bills and financial needs) You can not determine value based on what you paid and the horse has cost you since purchase.
A simple way to help determine how to price your horse accordingly is to visit a number of websites and equine publications and view ads containing a horse similar to yours? Think of it as pricing a vehicle that you would be selling. To sell in the current market your price and product (horse) must be competitive.
About Lydia Bagley
Lydia Bagley has been riding and showing horses for 22 years and has been an instructor for the last 6 years. Today she focuses on using proven Classical Dressage methods and Natural Horsemanship to create partnerships between horse and rider. Lydia enjoys teaching children & adult beginners up to intermediate level riders. The original article can be found here: http://lydiabagley.wordpress.com/2010/02/19/how-to-determine-the-worth-of-your-horse/