Am I living in Cloud Cuckoo Land?

The Bouncing Bog Trotter

The Bouncing Bog Trotter

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 December 2008
Messages
2,041
Location
East Sussex
Visit site
I've been advertising my pony for sale (sorry, yes it is another post asking for help about selling) and I've only had 3 calls and all have been from mums with young children. This is the link to his ad:

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/13_yrs_14_2_hh_grey_connemara_east_sussex/89597


Am I way out on price considering his age? He really is a total schoolmaster but by that I mean he is a pony that needs to be ridden properly, he's not a 'sit and look pretty' pony. He happily jumps 1m courses and would affiliate with ease, he'd also BE. He's been out on loan to a PC home and comes back over Easter as his rider had outgrown him. I've owned him since weaning so his full life history is known. At the moment he's only on Horsemart and I'm going to do a Horse and Hound advert but want to make sure the price is right.
What are your thoughts? Be honest!

Thank you!!!
 
I'm not very good at these..., but my immediate response was that you need some better pictures hun. Hard to actually see the pony as it were.

Also, the price seems a bit steep given the age and that tack, etc. is not included.

Just my thoughts. I know this is a hard one for you. Hugs.
 
Nice pony, advert looks fine and price is reasonable too! If i were looking for that type of pony i would phone you based on that advert and price.
 
They are professional photos that I have permission to post so I'm not sure why the quality is so poor - I'll try reloading them on Horsemart to see if that helps. I posted the photo of him on the flat on Jobo's earlier post on here about galloping and it came out with no blurs.....

His full wardrode including rugs and tack (basically 13 years of accumulated kit) is available - shall I include it in the price rather than reduce the pony price??

I hate selling ponies!!!!! :(
 
I would include all his stuff in the price and lower it to £3500 if you want to sell.
We are still very much being affected by this recession, and I do not think the market is that strong, in a better market fine, but if you want to sell now then I advise as above.
 
I don't think you're living in Cloud Cuckoo Land at all - he's been there, done it, got the t-shirt, and if he can take a keen youngster or even a tiddly adult out to have a lot of fun locally, then he's worth every penny. I have to say, i'd have him like a shot - i'm only 5ft, and he'd be the perfect size for me. He's the right price, i think ,for all the things he can do.

*searches down back of sofa for £4k-worth of change*

Have you put him on the PC website? I think people there might be a bit more realistic given the long list of "things he can do" - dressage to elem, WHP, eventing, etc, and you're more likely to get the price you want for him. Horsemart gets a lot of viewers but not necessarily the "quality" viwers you want. i would do H&H and maybe Horsequest, given his WHP and pony eventing history.
 
You have an absolute mother's dream of a pony there to sell. If I had the money, and sadly right now I just don't, I would honestly be taking your hand off for him. He would just suit my daughter when she moves on from Oliver.

I guess the age does sadly put some people off. Not that 13 is old, but if you're buying for a child that may well outgrow this pony in a few years the "resale at a later date factor" may well play on their mind.
 
Thank you for all your responses!!!

In terms of advertising on the PC website, I've been reluctant to as he's not suitable for a smaller child. I hadn't thought that adults might be looking on there.

In terms of someone outgrowing him, he was ridden by my 5'8" friend while I was pregnant and she looks fine on him - he's a 6'3 rug size hence not being suitable for a younger rider!
 
trundle said:
I don't think you're living in Cloud Cuckoo Land at all - he's been there, done it, got the t-shirt, and if he can take a keen youngster or even a tiddly adult out to have a lot of fun locally, then he's worth every penny. I have to say, i'd have him like a shot - i'm only 5ft, and he'd be the perfect size for me. He's the right price, i think ,for all the things he can do.
Click to expand...

Ditto! The market isn't ragingly fast at present - but there are plenty of folk looking for this sort of pony and prepared to pay a decent price. You've included ovno and if someone is keen, they'll kid themselves that you'll take £1000 less and ring up!
 
He sounds lovely but i would question using 'schoolmaster, confidence giver' in the same ad as 'Would suit a small adult, competent teenager or experienced rider wanting to downsize to a smaller, more economical model' as it could sound contradictory, I would phrase it as 'perfect 2nd pony' (But thats just me)
 
jrp204 said:
He sounds lovely but i would question using 'schoolmaster, confidence giver' in the same ad as 'Would suit a small adult, competent teenager or experienced rider wanting to downsize to a smaller, more economical model' as it could sound contradictory, I would phrase it as 'perfect 2nd pony' (But thats just me)
Click to expand...

It's a tricky one - he's not stupid, silly or hot (he doesn't buck, rear or jog sideways), he's just very typical of all of our large native breeds and isn't suitable for a small child (by that I mean under 13-ish). They just won't have the core strength to ride him properly. He would be great for someone experienced who wants a fun ride or for someone who has lost their nerve or who life circumstances mean they need a safe ride without being boring. I'm not sure how best to phrase it. :confused:
 
I agree about dropping the price to £3500 inc tack and re-phrasing the schoolmaster but needs a competent rider bit.

You should try advertising him on other websites, there are plenty of popular free ones out there such as horse hunter and horse exchange. I also like Horse Quest much more than Horsemart, their adverts are better and they always seem to have quality horses/ponies advertised on there.
 
I think your problem is you are actually underpriced so failing to attract the right sort. We have just sold an 8 year old reg connie mare 14.0hh from this yard for £7000. She has 100 BSJA points and had competed BE at intro and pre novice. She had plenty of interest at that price. Ok he is 13 but that is still young. I would up the price to £5500 and don't mention the tack etc. Sell him on his talent and achievements and then bargain for his tack after. i would also point out you are in a far better area for selling horses than we are. Have you put him on the Pony club website? Sounds like the perfect pony for a keen pony club kid.
 
I think the market is slow, I was trying to sell a talented 10 year old 15hh mare, perfect schoolmistress and genuine but had very little interest except from silly people who I won't sell her to. I think I will keep her a field ornament now!
I think your pony is lovely and about the right price though I do think people are put off once they get into their teens. I don't agree you should up the price though!!
Maybe you could include his wardrobe except saddle?
 
Stick with it a bit longer for the right buyer, especially if he has BD points. When I was selling my mare, I ended up having a bidding war between two determined buyers in the end, but the first few weeks of selling I was plagued with pony club mothers asking if I wanted to loan her out or put on loan with a view to buy - they seemed to think because they owned their own land it gave them entitlement to a free horse! Drove me mad but word often takes time to go around and the early birds are often the less serious buyers for some reason.
 
Its a tricky one! The market is still slow, I know a handful of people with really good ponies up for sale at sensible prices with no interest...but if my daughter was 3 or 4 years older and I was looking I'd travel a long way to come and see him...I don't think that his age is an issue as he is old enough to be experienced and still with a lot of miles left on the clock! He has good form and my immediate reaction is that he is too cheap for what he is...up the price and a different market starts looking, at that price they may ask if there is a hidden agenda?
 
As JRP204 said I would remove 'The Ultimate Schoolmaster and Confidence Giver' from the add and leave the rest as that is probably why you are getting mums asking about him for their younger children. Can you not say well schooled instead? Schoolmaster suggests a pony anyone can get on and ride.

I don't think the price is at all unreasonable, especially for a Connie, but it is a bad market at the moment.
 
Last edited:
I friend of a friend had a pony for sale, couldn't sell it, took it off the market, put it back on at a higher price and had his hand snatched off! Human psychology is a funny old thing. I wouldn't rule it out as a tactic. Looks like a smashing pony and the advert is fine. Agree with first reply that the pics are a bit blurry, so I'd have another crack at doing these.
 
Normally when people start these kind of post I think, really? you're asking that much?
However I think your price is right, people will pay for nice ponies and in pony terms 13yo isn't really old.
Just try and get some nicer photos, ie one jumping, a dressage photos, a confo shot etc, lovely pony btw :D
 
Thanks for all your lovely comments! I just can't understand why the pics are blurry and doubled up - the jumping one was gone earlier! They are pro photos that have been emailed to me and I've tried reposting them but they are no better. I'll get a jumping pic uploaded and also a stressage one - after getting permission!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top