Advice required ref selling a horse from people who actually hunt

[Flibble]

Hi Guys I would be grateful for an opinion for those of you who actually hunt.

My horse is rising 7 and ridden everyday in an arena but no way is he Hunting Fit.

He hunted before I bought him. It was as a youngster in Ireland so I have no idea how well behaved he was.

He is a very honest horse over fences, I have done one fun ride where he appeared to have no issues with fences,ditches or water but in the 18 months I have owned him personal issues have meant we have not been out and about much.

So to my question it has been suggested I advertise him as a hunter but by a non-hunting friend. Would anyone in the hunting fraternity be interested in a horse early in the year who was not actually hunting fit and might be a bit too excitable ? I have always assumed the hunting fraternity would rather pick up one that was fit at the start of the season.

Sorry if this is a bit wishy washy but never having hunted I quite honestly havent got a clue.

PS Please be nice to me

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Hi, just tell them the truth- he was hunted before you got him but you have only done a sponsored ride. Can you get any info or references from his old hunt? Most hunt horses have lost a lot of fitness due to the weather so his fitness level is less of an issue than normal. Hunting folk buy at anytime of the year, its just the best prices are for fit,proven hunters at the beginning of the season...

 

[Digger123]

I think I would probably advertise him as having hunted in Ireland and then play up on all his good points.
I think you are right in saying that they would rather pick one up at the beginning of the season.That's so they can introduce them to the hounds and just take it steady to begin with.

 

[Flibble]

He's the guy in Drifters blog in my sig how would you rate him I dont really want to waste peoples time.

 

[Lucy_Nottingham]

well he certainly looks the part!
If someone experienced wanted a project hhunter to bring on and either sell as more experienced or just do half days to begin with themselves etc, then it might be very feasible to sell him.

on the other hand, you could sell him as an all rounder or something similar but state in the advert that he has hunted previous to your ownership of him and therefore you can't reference his ability (unless you can get info from the irish hunt he went with!)

bonny horse though!

 

[Flibble]

Thank you for your kind feedback all I have to do now is work out a price and then tear my heart out!

 

[DayyZee]

well , if he was hunted in Ireland then he woudl be brill on the field anyway i would have thought =]

 

[cptrayes]

Why not send him hunting with someone? Then you can sell him as having recently hunted. Choose a drag hunt so you can control how far you have to go before he runs out of steam if he is not that fit. Lots of people buy at this time of year if they have just crocked the one they started the season with!

 

[sonjafoers]

I hunt and if I was looking for a new horse at this time of year that hadn't hunted this season then I would accept it wasn't hunting fit. Your horse has hunted previously and that's all you need to say in your advert - as long as you are honest then it certainly wouldn't put me off. If I was planning on buying him I would just think about taking him to a few meets before the end of the season, then hound exercise before the autumn season starts.

 

[Angelbones]

I would suggest finding someone experienced who could take him out hunting for you - I wouldn't worry about him being fit enough as long as he's not asked to overdo things. Looks like a nice chap - better to give him the best chance of finding the right home if he can definitely do the job he is advertised as possibly being able to do. I wouldnt buy a horse to hunt who hasn't actually been before as I'm too old now to take a chance of it turning out to be a nutter, but the horse wouldn't necessarily have to be a seasoned pro. I also discount the 'has hunted in Ireland' thing as its virtually unprovable. Good luck, hope it turns out for the best for both of you. x

 

[Flibble]

Thanks if I go this way then I'll have to wait for the ground to improve.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

get someone local to you to take him out hunting and tell people he s for sale. a few half days will suit him as not fit and hopefully he will settle and sell himself on the field!

 

[Starman]

well , if he was hunted in Ireland then he woudl be brill on the field anyway i would have thought =]

Although if he was that good then he probably would have been kept in Ireland

 

[spacefaer]

have PMd you!

 

[Flibble]

Thanks for your replies one and all I do know someone who might take him out just need for the weather to soften up!!

 

[MrWoof]

"Hunted in Ireland" is a very ambiguous statement indeed.

I ended up with 4 broken ribs, a knackered shoulder (still not right) and a serious kick in the crotch before it tiddled off after having dumped me via various "pet lamb jumps" and then a real bucking session.

Was bought as "Hunted in Ireland - seasoned and safe".

It had no mouth, no manners whatsoever and thought that standing on two back legs was the norm - and would have won an Olympic Medal for bucking!!

Ask a seriously good horseman to try it first.
Could be amazingly brilliant - could be extremely dangerous.

 

[millitiger]

i wouldn't sell it as a hunter.

you can mention it has hunted in the past but make clear you don't know what it was like hunting.