Advertising a Hunter

[Steeleydan]

Ive bought a horse to sell on, hes a hunter, I bought him with the intention of selling him on, but he is so nice and so easy and push button I have gone really soft on this horse, where would be the best place to advertise him and how to I go about getting him a good home, as I know from past experience hunting people can be very hard on a horse. I did reply to a wanted ad in horse and hound and when I questioned the man he got arsey and said he felt like I was giving him a job interview. I didnt like the sound of how he rode anyway.
Iam I been silly and should I just get on with it?

 

[spacefaer]

H&H
Horsequest

As with any equestrian discipline, it's not in a horse owner's interests to be hard on a horse - I hope you've just had bad luck in your experience with hunting people.

We have a 16 yr old who's still going strong (and pulling like the proverbial) but we pick and choose the ground he goes on, which meets he does - he won't pace himself at all so we have to do it for him!

What's your boy? I know of several people looking..... pm me if you'd prefer (being wary of this no advertising lark!)

 

[Grey_Eventer]

alot of hunts have classified sections on their websites- you could put him on your local hunt sites.
if failing that, ask the secretary to put the ad in an email...
i dont think were all hard on our horses! we had a horse hunt once/twice a week until he was 18! hes now 20 and retired with hock problems- not from hunting, from a kick in a field when he was younger....
i know of a few people looking aswell....

 

[Steeleydan]

I totally understand what you mean as not all people are hard on there horses, but I have been involved in hunting for many years and have seen how alot of hunting riders treat their horses, I too had a hunter that hunted till he was 20, he only lasted that long cos I was kind on him, didnt gallop him through deep plough and canter flat out up the middle of the road. Alot of heavy men sit heavy on their backs and bounce heavily about, it makes me cringe. I could name only a hand full of people in our hunt that I would consider 'kind' enough to sell a horse too.
The more I think about it the more I think Iam so tempted to keep him

 

[Noodlejaffa]

Very interested in this post! I've got a nice big horse I've been trying to sell and Horsequest hasn't come up with anything :-(

He's done a season's hunting (he's 6), but wouldn't make a master's horse, which seems to be what all our hunts are looking for at the moment.

And of course the main enquiries are for people looking for a loan...and he's too big for me to ride.

 

[spacefaer]

Do you think that location plays a big factor in a horse's saleability? All the people I know who are looking are based in the south (ish) of England and either don't have time or aren't prepared to travel.

I've been all over the country looking at horses - but it costs a fortune and takes days! Last year, I went to Kent, Suffolk, North Wales, North Yorkshire (twice), Cumbria..... and I live in Gloucestershire.

noodlejaffa - why won't yours make a master's horse? Surely it depends on the hunt and the country he's asked to cross? I have one which would field master (say) the Croome brilliantly - but not the Taunton Vale, for instance.
I reckon it cost me about £100/day in time and fuel.

 

[Noodlejaffa]

Cracking of the whip is an issue!

 

[spacefaer]

ah! definitely more of a horse for the field, not hunt staff then!

 

[wench]

which is your local hunt? Burton? Grove and Rufford?

 

[icemaiden113]

Just adding to this post as well as I have a big hunter for sale. Has been huntsmans horse (my husband) and hunted in the field. Can't seem to generate any interest in him! He will cross any country has showjumped to a professional level and is a true gent! So I too am at a loss as where to advertise!
As for crackinga whip on a horse - this would only ever be done by the whip! (and even then is not the done thing!).

 

[Gamebird]

Also finding this interesting.

I am based in North Yorks and have sold two hunters on Horsequest in the last 5 weeks. One was my Nov/Int eventer who was a cracking hunter and I was aiming him at a Master/Field-master or similar (fine towards the front of the field, but not very patient at the back!). I had enquiries from all over the country, from Devon, Duke of Beaufort, B&SV, Quorn etc. mostly all from field-masters. He has gone to Shropshire for the asking price. He was sold over a month ago and I am still getting enquiries.

The other was a horse which has been with a kennel-huntsman until last season, then with a Master (I also hunted him a bit in the field, but mostly on point). He was tried and sold subject to vetting to a Master in Hampshire within 24hours of the ad going on Horsequest, again for the asking price.

The second horse is still in the 'Hunter' section on Horsequest, big grey gelding with a chap in a tweed coat on him, title is 'Fantastic professional hunter' if anyone wants a look at the ad.

Distance (and price) appear to be no object for the right horse!

 

[luckilotti]

interesting!

this is the 1st time i have been in this section, and i was drawn in by the thread title on the forum main index.

I am about to start looking for another horse (i have lots already but not a main riding horse! majority are in their 20's now) and 2 of my best horses have been hunters, even though i dont hunt!

one i sadly lost in an freak accident aged 11 and the other, my horse of a lifetime was retired in 2005, and is due to shortly be PTS.

i'm now off to have a look at the hunter section on horsequest!

 

[vicijp]

i'm now off to have a look at the hunter section on horsequest!

You could always take a look at the hunter on my website.

 

[Noodlejaffa]

Oh well look out for mine - he's titled Stunning 3 / 4 Holsteiner Gelding... Price very neg! but need to sell him soon as I'm getting too attached to him!

 

[icemaiden113]

Can you send them my way I have a cracking huhnter for sale big lad at 16.3hh but has hunted hounds and in the field also xc, teamchased and showjumped to 1.30m!
He is the roan in my sig!

 

[kick_On]

Best way to advert a hunter for sell is to take them out autumn hunting and basically sell horse whilst riding.
If it's a well manner, man's hunter will sell very quickly, with good price. A few years ago i rode out for poeple who where selling hunters. And yeap they sold very quickly and to good homes and good horse wher quirky as well, so if you sell this way don't lie....
But if you use this method there are a 'good grape vine system', so you could sell to near by hunt as well