Allow trial or not?

B

benrolo

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 November 2006
Messages
109
Location
Bedlington
Visit site
We have my daughter's 12'2 pony up for sale as she has outgrown him, last week we had a mother and her 8 year old daughter come to see him, they were at the yard for about an hour and a half, he never put a foot wrong. Said they would be in touch on Thursday to arrange another viewing, didn't phone until Saturday. They then came back on Sunday and she rode him for over an hour out on the roads, back through the farm and on the lunge, he hates being on his own so they probably saw him at his worst while out on the roads, but again he did nothing wrong. Overall I think he is probably too much for the child, he has been on the PC games team, done HT and can jump 2'9 SJ courses; anyway mother asks if he can go on trial, I suggested a month as I know he will take a couple of weeks to settle, she said she would phone last night but hasn't.
Question is (and I think I know the answer) would you now agree to the trial if she phoned back?
 
I wouldn't put a horse out on trial anyway. What happens if he gets injured or if they ruin him and he comes back having been mistreated? Someone I know has had her pony out on loan, got it back and it now rears and won't load. It's far too risky in my opinion to trial. If they can try as many times as they like where he is now I don't see why they would need to trial, anyway.
 
It is always a gamble with horses. they have tried the pony out twice and as said what happens if your pony was injured during the trial. I would avoid allowing a trial and look for another potential home
 
I am about to buy another horse, and certainly wouldn't expect a trial. If I'm honest, I wouldn't feel comfortable having one anyway. What if it got injured???

I do think that it's different with kids and ponies, and if it can be arranged then trials for this purpose are just great. However, this woman sounds like a bit of a timewaster - so I would say no. And also tell her that you don't think that the pony is for her anyway.
 
Thank you for your quick replies which have confirmed what I already thought, when my daughter tried him 2 years ago she knew instanly he was the one for her and we love him to bits so he has to go to the right home.
 
i had people like this they are joy riders. they come and ride for hours on end. saves paying £25 for half hour lesson. give her a miss
 
Id' say no trial but she is welcome to put a deposit on the pony and come and ride and try it from your existing yard? that way she may get peace of mind and also you can keep a beady on pony.

However, is she wants to do this, its a non returnable deposit for the trial period from your yard, as you will not be able to show anyone else the pony...hence if she wastes your time then its her loss and you make a few pounds...
 
Where've you advertised the pony? He sounds like a slightly smaller version of one being sold off the yard where I am. The lady put him on the Pony Club website and was flooded with calls, she could have sold him about 10 times within a week!
 
Last year I trialled a horse for a two week period - the horse came recommended and as I was over 150 miles away they just sent the horse for a 2 week trial period. Anyway I quickly found out that the horse wasn't suitable (got thrown off the first time I sat on its back) so I turned it out in the field for the rest of the two weeks. I arranged transport from a reputable carrier and sent him on his way - when he arrived back at home he came off the wagon very lame with a capped hock and swellings on his quarters that eventually had to be drained. He was lump and bump free when he went on the wagon so it was a very difficult situation. Both injuries could have been caused either in the wagon or in a field situation and there was no neglect of care but I stumped up half the vets bill anyway because i felt kinda sorry for the horse (not the owners who, like so many, tried to sell me a known broncer!)
I have owned four horses and three of them I have had on trial and have all been ok - the one person who refused again sold me a duffer which i had to give away in the end. (probably doped with hindsight).
Anyway, I can fully understand why she would want a trial - there are a lot of unscrupulous sellers out there and this is a purchase for her daughter so the emotional involvment will be very high. However, it's not practical for you and there is a risk of injury etc. If you do decide on a trial insist the horse is insured for all risks and make sure you see the insurance document. I would also insist on a non-returnable deposit to cover re-advertising costs (as you could have theorectically sold the pony during the trial period) I think marsden has the answer - let them have a couple of weeks trial out of your premises. Best of luck
 
I would never let my horse go away from my yard on trial - this woman hasn't exactly called you when arranged and sounds a bit unreliable. If it was a keen, enthusiastic and GENUINE potential purchaser I woul d let them come to ride the horse at the yard where it is kept for up to a week, where I could keep an eye on things and be on hand to answer questions.
 
So difficult this one....................As a seller "No !" an idiot can ruin a good horse in a couple of days ! As a buyer........I have never had a horse on trial, had horses from dealers with an exchange policy. The other day I tried a horse, private sale so no guarantees, she was lovely except she seemed hard to stop in the school, there could have been 101 innocent reasons for this, but would I gamble several thousand pounds on it ? No. If I could have had her at home and found she wouldn't tank off with me I would have bought her.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top