Advice Please! Selling Tricky Horse!

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Eccles

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Ok, have 7 year TB x WB by well known pony dressage dressage stallion. 16.1hh stunning to look at, correct paces, loves flatwork, loads of presence, placed all unaff events so far. BUT I want to get back to eventing and he doesn't! Has been nappy when I bought him, but sorted it (so I thought) but since reverted back to type. Stood right up today after asked to jump tiny cross pole for the second time. Have had lots of BE trainer help, have evented to decent level myself and am at a loss with him!! Can't make his head want to do something he doesn't want to do! He will happily do dressage all day but may nap out hacking. Nothing a good sorting from Mr Whippy sorts (saw BBs previous posts - made me laugh) but not confident enough to sell privately and not dishonest enough to lie to people! What to do? Sorted him last time as was kept at home and had time and no distractions, but feel hard to really do at livery yard as other ppl need to use facilities, and everyone had different ideas about horses. Anyone know a decent dealer who will take him in part ex for young horse to event - not a star - just willing!!!! Or am I just giving up. My only horse and I put all my time and energy into him and no there is nothing physically wrong - all checked with brand new saddles to boot..... any ideas all gratefully received.
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If he actually has talent to do well in a dressage arena then a dealer could probably find him the right home. I think it would be your best way to go, and be honest about him, and yes, they'll be more likely to take him if you buy one off them! Good luck.
 
Oh thanks Tigers Eye. I think he would make a lovely horse for someone... but he is tricky, my horses usually sell privately so was not sure how honest I would need to be with dealer - I spose if you are taking a horse to a dealer there usually is an issue, whether you admit it to them or not! Have had one horse off a dealer before - who ended up a star... but not sure what i would need to pay... am north west midlands, right on border.
Hmm thought about project horses, but do horses sell off there, have had a look on their site and most seem almost comically over priced!!!
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Thanks lots
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WB x from a good dressage sire? Why are you worrying, your horse should easily sell as a dressage horse, assuming he doesn't just prefer flatwork but also moves straight and has nice paces. there are plenty of riders out there who have no ambition to leave the ground
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You could put him out as a dressage horse but not for an absolute novice and he should sell, as long as the price is right
 
You say, your horse is tricky but yet he excels at dressage, IMHO, I would not consider a dealer, you wont get much for a part exchange. You say he has reared up over a little jump and he isn't for you but maybe he could be for some one else. I see many adverts for horses with something put in it like'does not like schooling or does not like jumping.'

I would be honest about your horses abilities on an advert but you dont have to point out the negatives over and over.

I have met many people who really dont jump their horses and never really push them either, so never really get a rearing up situation.

I really hope you can find a private home for him, Im sure there will be a new mum out there suitable.
 
Really? I promise that it is not just down to one stand up over a little jump, he is nappy and switches off. I would love to keep him as he has more character than any other horse I have had, but he is my only horse and it is not fair to make him someting he would rather not be. He is flashy and talented and finds flatwork easy, he loves showing off, he will happily canter around a field without being strong (not limited to an arena like a lot of them!!) but do you really think I could sell him privately with no comeback??? Even ppl that only like dressage surely want to hack? I cannot guarantee that my horse will do that job.
 
Quite a few people never leave the arena except to load up and take to competitions but would probably want to see some BD points - can you get these or has he got some already? I would advise an honest advert to a dressage audience and see what happens - the dealer could then be plan B
 
Yes no doubt could get some BD points, not sure whether the registration/entry fee/travel/time etc would be worth it though - can you do BD on a ticket like BE nowadays?
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Send me some pic's I'm looking for a dressage superstar and can't be arsed to jump/too chicken. Has he really only stood up when asked to jump though?
 
Could sell via a dealer. I did years ago with a tricky horse. They charged full livery per week plus 10% of the sale price. Couldn't sell him privately as I was totally honest about all his quirks, and although most were in the past I knew he would revert to type if sold to a wimp. Dealer sold him within 2 weeks and got me a grand more than I was originally asking!

Or, be totally honest, and advertise privately Sounds like your horse has a real talent.

Do you remember that advert in the H&H mag a few years ago. Chap was selling a mare that he thought was a complete pain in the arse and he couldn't get on with. He advertised the horses' quirks and he had hundreds of calls. Many were just to say how refreshing it was that he'd written an honest advert. The person who bought the horse was chuffed to bits because they loved the challenge.

Lastly, I bought a real 'mistake' horse years ago from a dodgy dealer, who wouldn't take it back. As far as I was concerned the horse had a screw loose. Again, sold him via above dealer - who knew what the problems were.

Horse went to an equally mad woman (she must've been!) who absolutely adored him. Saw them out competing several times in latter years and he was still nuts but she loved him. And he went for a fair old price even then.
 
try to sell him private first.be honest if someone is after a dressage superstar then their probably not novice and will be able to work with him anyway
 
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