Advice on selling horse

[Christmas Crumpet]

We are having trouble selling a horse and wondered if I could have some advice about what price we should sell her at. She is at sales livery because we are moving house but she still hasn't sold after 6 weeks despite being advertised in H&H, Horsequest & PC website.

She is a 15.3hh 7 year old irish mare, quite stocky but well put together. She is very easy to do in all respects at home and out and about, good hacking alone and in company, good to travel, leave in trailer all day etc. No bad habits i.e. rearing, bucking, spinning round, bolting. Its just not in her make up.

Absolutely fantastic hunter, snaffle mouthed, never pullls, never misbehaves, stands, goes off on her own or with field, jumps absolutely anything and always very safely (ditches, hedges, timber, wire, gates etc). Even if you get it wrong, she gets it right. She is so tough she will hunt over any country be it bog or beautiful grass. She will hunt as many days a week as you ask and still come out the stable bright eyed and bushy tailed. She would suit a child coming off ponies, a mum, teenagers, dad - anyone. Has hunted with Heythrop, Farmers Bloodhounds, Warwickshire - all hunts where she has kept up and flown over everything. She's been hunted hard all season and would suit anyone to hunt. Mother leading kids or teenager wanting to go up front.

There really is nothing wrong with this horse at all - she does everything. She would be such a fantastic pc or rc horse and would do any job with a smile. She showjumps brilliantly and has great flatwork.

So here's the thing. She's been advertised at £7k which I think is too much but do think £6k or thereabouts is about right. How much would any of you pay for a horse like this? Are horses like this selling at the moment?

 

[BigRed]

Your horse is far too expensive in this current market. She has no special talent, other than being a sensible sort - which I accept is VERY important. I would say her price should be more like £4-5k.

 

[cm2581]

Sorry to say that I think the horse is probably only worth £3-4k!! That is probably not what you want to hear! Its not a superstar competition horse. As you've said, nice RC/PC. Maybe 2 or 3 years ago that might have been worth the sort of price you are asking but not now. In all honesty, I'm pretty sure I could go and find a horse of that description for £2k!

ETA: Also very much depends where you are in the UK.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Crikey - if you can find one for £2k let me know!! We have reduced her price on the adverts and are open to offers so fingers crossed we can sell her this time. I did think she was too expensive but girl selling her says she's worth every penny. we will see - people will only pay what they think a horse is worth. No point in asking too much because we won't get any interest. The market does seem very sluggish at the moment so dropping the price is definately the way forwards.

 

[autumn7]

This mare sounds like gold dust. If I were looking I'd be there like a shot if advertised at
£5500 or thereabouts. A proven hunter with a sensible head and able to diversify for some good fun local level stuff, a real gem and hard to find - very hard to find.
In my opinion she'd be worth every penny. Really don't know what to suggest though re. selling, apart from possibly turning her out so least work for you during your move, waiting until autumn and next hunting season approaches and advertising again.
All the very best with a sale soon though, not cheap on sales livery with weeks ticking by.

 

[JanetGeorge]

This mare sounds like gold dust. If I were looking I'd be there like a shot if advertised at
£5500 or thereabouts.

I'd agree that at this time of year that's about the right level for this mare. In September, hunting fit, you'd probably get more when someone finds their best hunter has gone lame and needs 6 months off.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

We've already had one phonecall about her since advert went up half an hour ago so fingers crossed. Will happily take £5.5k if someone offers it!

 

[naza]

any luck?

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Some people coming at 11.30 today to see her but not really hunting people. Think more RC and an older lady so not that hopeful really!! Phone has rung a bit since ad gone up.

 

[marmalade76]

Shame she's not in your price range Naz, if I was looking I'd snap her up!

 

[fliss26]

I think around £5000 is a more realistic price at the moment.

I am currently trying to sell my mare for 3k she is 14 though and it appears that even though she is proven in every sphere. Hunts like a dream has JA winnings & BD points I haven't had one serious phone call! I understand that age is not on her side and that horses are going for a pittance but Surely a fun, sensible & quality horse must have a place some where in this climate?

Would you recommend a sales livery?

 

[solitairex]

I too am having problems selling a hunter - wrong time of year really! He's up for sale on Horse and Hound online... 4k, 16.1 10 year old perfect hunter, jumps everything etc, tb but good feet etc... take a look! I think for hte current time of year he's too expensive but whatever the money I get from him I shall spend on my next pony/horse! Please take a look.

I wouldn't say yours it too expensive! xx

 

[spacefaer]

Bad time of year to be selling a hunter - most people I know are glad to have stopped mucking out and have chucked their huntesr in a field for a couple of months - they're not looking for next season's horse just yet.

TBH, selling a horse as a hunter out of season has always been seen as slightly suspicious - most hunting people would like the opportunity to at least see the horse hunt, if not try it themselves (although glowing references from a reputable source always help!)

If you have a horse which is a fab hunter, which also has a realistic competition life, then advertise as a competition horse which also hunts. Otherwise, I would suggest putting her in a field until the market picks up in about July.

ETA mares are always more difficult to sell in the hunting market - more hunting people seem to discriminate against mares than in any other equestrian discipline.

 

[Steeleydan]

Is this the horse you bought to replace your lovley grey? If so why are you selling her so soon, thought she was everything you wanted.

 

[henryhorn]

Where in the UK are you, I have a friend looking for such a horse and it's a five star home..
pm me.

 

[Paddydou]

The problem with anything is that it is only worth what someone is prepared to pay. Your horse probably is worth every penny of £7k but there may not be a suitable buyer out there prepared to pay that.

The glory days of easy money are gone. These days its much tougher.

Couple this with the wrong time to be selling a hunter and your a bit sunk really!

Try rewording your advert, add the words open to offers for the right home quietly in there and see how you go.

Hope all works out well for both you and your mare.

 

[Luci07]

If you are advertising on Horsequest, it is worth paying the extra so that your mare is featured on the premium page. That way she stays on top and both myself and a friend who did this as well had considerably more success. Ditto I would emphasis her competition record at this time of year as people won't be looking for hunters and could well think your mare can "only" hunt.