[SP3]

I live in New England where horse prices are very very expensive for a decent horse, ($1000 for a barely broke horse, $5000 for a broke horse and a good $10000 for anything that has show potential. My grandparents recently went to Arizona where the prices for a really nice horse seem to be around $2000 at best. They were "shopping" around for a horse down there for me (they were actually camping but I was laughing and saying "bring my a horse back!" lol it probably would have fit in their trailer, its huge!) and said there is no reason to buy here for $10k, what I could buy there for maybe $2k, I dunno if that's such a smart idea.

First off, my grandparents dont know much about horses, they were trail riding in AZ but other than that probably couldnt tell the difference between a shetland pony and a great dane. They're idea of "a very nice horse" might be my idea of "oh my god O.O that horse is gonna eat me..." lol. I also ride english and I am not so sure that a horse for $2000 is going to be an "english" horse or know english style riding, I'm sure down there english horses probably cost more because fewer people ride them. Another big thing is shipping, across country is probably big big money, getting a vet check down there and hopefully being able to see/ride the horse before I buy it, big big bucks, in the end I'd probably be spending more, lol.

I dont know if thats such a good idea, has anyone ever bought across the country or at least a few states over/out of the country? Is it a safe practice and have you ever found it to be a money saving idea? Any opinions are great ^^

[cassidy]

well i think you need to consider costs all togeter work it out an then decide if you better off getting across state

aslo do you not no a horse person who could find you one?? an have you searched the net ?

[SP3]

I dont know "horse" people over there but my grandparents have friends there who have a couple of horses for trail riding but dont really know anything about conformation or most things that normal riders do (like since their horses are western I asked them what gaits they had, they stared at me, I said "do they trot, lope, jog?" again they stared at me. They awkwardly laughed and said the horses had 3 phases, slow, really really fast and stop. eep @_@) but I have looked up a few horses out west and in other parts of the country that are really nice for a nice cheap price... but how much does it cost to trailer/fly a horse? Is it too strenious for them?? I'm worried that if I buy a horse out of state they'd probably get injured on the way here or go crazy if they had to drive 2, 3 maybe 4/5 days just to get here... and different states have different laws about horse contracts (what's legal, whats legit) and I have boughten out of state before NH and it was a bad experience. (horse had a bad old injury I was unaware of and than when she was trailred a good 6-8 hours it became apparent how bad she really was. )

[naughtygirl]

LOL im so glad i love in a small country!!

Charlie was a 5 hour drive frm where i live.

[TrueColoursFarm]

well - consider buying in Canada. We're a LOT closer for you and our prices are generally cheaper as well with the strength of your dollar against our dollar.

Yes - I have bought most of my horses from way far away ...

I am in Ontario, Canada (east coast) and have bought horses from Florida, Texas, California, Montana, British Columbia, Alberta, Nevada and my latest one is coming from REALLY far away - New Zealand!

It can work if you know what you are looking for and trust the person you are buying from, and you are both speaking the same language. Its no good if you ask if the horse has a nice soft lope, and they say "uh - yes" not really knowing what you are asking and when your new horse gets home, you find he runs around with his head stuck up in the air and they just didnt understand what you were asking

We have clients from California, Europe, Texas, etc have us look for horses for them up here all the time and if I dont know that particular discipline (ie upper level dressage horse) then I align myself with someone who DOES know, so that the buyer can be comfortable with what is being told to them

Good luck - it can work out for you but be prepared also with your shipping - it will run you in the $2000.00 - $2500.00 from that area to you

[SP3]

TrueColoursFarm thanks that helps out a lot, I never thought of buying from Canada, (which is only 9 hours away from here ) do you know of any horse listing places like equine.com that is for canada? or do most sites like that have listings on those sites... I guess I'll have to look into it

[SP3]

also, has anyone "trailered" their horse by train or airplane?? or just in the trailer for several hours? Im curious to know the cost difference, I cant haul the horse myself but I'd probably try to do the most cost effective that's the most comfortable for the horse

[TrueColoursFarm]

SP3 - it will probably be cheapest to go with a commercial hauler on your route, since they will be using a 10 or 16 horse trailer and can allocate the costs across all 16 horses.

Try equine.com or here are a few others for you:

http://thetackbox.groupee.net/groupe...m/f/6380098833

http://www.equiman.com/cgi-bin/forum...e=60&LastLogin=

http://equimarket.equestrianconnection.com/

Good luck - hope it helps!