Anybody else having problems selling their horse at the moment?

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marcia123horse

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anybody else having problems selling their horse at the moment, I'm fed up with people wasting my time, I try to be honest, let the viewer try the horse, re: jump her hack her out, walk her into a trailer, let them catch her from the field, brush her tack her up, the list is endless, they say they are interested talk money etc, then disapear of the face of the earth ggrrrrrrr:mad:
 
Yes me...

Ive got 3 appy yearlings to sell, but nothing, the odd enquiry but never goes further than that.. I know im in Spain, so that puts a lot of UK buyers off, even though its easy to import, Ive advertised in the horse mags here and the interent, but still nothing, and anyone who does enquire wants them for next to nothing.. I dont think the recession has helped...
 
im having similar problems trying to sell our dalmatian puppies - we paid 700 pound stud fee so theoretically we are supposed to sell them for that as dad has been to crufts kc registered baer deaf tested etc etc but due to recession we thought we would sell them for 600 - we have had nothing but timewasters ! we ended up selling the second half for 400 (14 in litter) and we still get people asking us to drop price.....we had one couple pick two of them and put down a deposit - they then didnt bother coming to pick them up and after my nan phoned several times they called us back and said weve bought another two we dont want them can we come and get our deposit ! THE CHEEK ! we then had another girl who chose one via email was besotted with him and phoned everyday to see how he was - then didnt turn up to pick him up !!!! after we waited in for her all day ! she sent an email 3 days later saying she lost our number but she still wanted him....surprise surprise we havnt heard from her since ! luckily we only have one left but i feel sorry for him as 13 weeks old now :( he really needs to bond with someone !
 
I help a lady out whose got quite a few horses and wants to sell a couple of them, she either gets no replies or complete timewasters. Its a nightmare ! One lady arranged to do a swap with one of her ponies and was late turning up so we text her and she said she was 10mins away and then never turned up ! If you have changed your mind, atleast have the decency to say so...
 
The market for selling is the worst I have ever known it.
Buyers know this and sellers are now expected to jump through hoops to sell their equines.

I am selling a kids pony, 2 viewings followed by at least a weeks trial, this seems to be the minimum people now expect.

I've had plenty of enquiries though, but mostly from people who are clueless and I won't sell to numpties so not helping myself lol x
 
I think everyone is in the same situation, you either get total novices who are not balanced and really not ready, or joy riders who school, hack, come back several times and then come out with things like "he's got to much scope for me, he'd be wasted" or "I have lots of others I'm trying so will let you know" which of course they never do grrrrr! when my daughter put her horse up for sale he was cheap as he has a hip abnormality (vet thinks he was born like it, she has had him 3 years and its never been an issue but he wont pass flexion test on that leg, all of which was in the ad) she got so fed up in the end she has decided to keep him
 
ive got a just broken 4 year old for sale, have had 4 viewings..

1st people was for a kid not suitable for kiddy to hard work,

the the damn beast went lame, and belive it or not 2 people have been to see him of course they know he is lame. one lady has been back twice, bot are really keen and waiting for him to come sound!

so the buyers are out there, although i will say he is very resonabally priced.
 
I think if you have something good at the right price, it's selling. This is based on my experience last week - horse on market 5pm Monday, phone rang off the hook, first viewing booked for Thursday, full asking price offer made Thursday evening, horse vetted Friday and dropped off Saturday. And I had people queuing up to come and see him. Not particularly cheap either (over 5K), nice 6yo. I had the opposite problem when trying to sell an established eventer last year, so I think it is really the type of horse which dictates what is selling. The one I just sold was excellent to hack, not huge, a sought after colour and had done a small amount of everything with me. He was easy to handle on the ground and wanted to be your best friend. I'd buy another like him to produce and sell....but I wouldn't be in a hurry to sell an eventer.
 
I am having trouble buying - I want a nice youngish horse, 16.1 to 16.3, I am not looking for anything exceptional - just honest, broken, and willing to jump. Can't find anything for less than about 7k, which is sadly beyond me at the moment. I accept I have a low budget but people seem to want a lot for their unproven horses. I just phoned about a 5 year old that was working nicely on the flat and over small jumps, turns out they want £15k for it. I didn't expect I could afford it but this seems too much.
 
well, I'm selling an allrounder, 15.3 , 9 years lovely horse, reasonably priced but no luck as yet. its such a shame when I know she would make someone a friend for life, really lovely natured.:(
 
Speaking from the Point of View of someone looking to buy a horse I honestly do not have a clue as to what I should be paying.
After my past exploit of buying the wrong horse I am being very casual about it (probably) this time.
I tried a 6yo who has been out and about a bit but rather than unschooled she had been badly schooled I didnt try her for long as I was still in shock about the way her owner demonstrated her. It was the tick tock method of getting her on the bit so consequently I had a rubbish ride. My knee is playing up at the moment but I am pondering going back. Training wise she was 6 going on three unbalanced and all over the shop but mentality wise she was a 12.
So go on well bred Bay 16hh ID xTB what price does one think (incl cheap tack and rugs) humour me.
 
Where are people advertising?
I'm selling a very safe hunter on behalf of a friend, however i don't have the sort of budget to put him in H&H (I'm not making money on this so selfishly i'm loathed to spend more than i have to.)
Thanks
 
winterhorses2 said:
Where are people advertising?
I'm selling a very safe hunter on behalf of a friend, however i don't have the sort of budget to put him in H&H (I'm not making money on this so selfishly i'm loathed to spend more than i have to.)
Thanks
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An online add on HH is fairly cheap, or was last time I wa selling. I sold our TB through HH. horse mart and free ads seemd to yeild idiots. All the enquires from HH seemed 'proper' horse folk.
 
I bought a new horse a couple of months ago, our friends have bought a horse and we've both sold or loaned ponies. There are buyers out there and we're willing to pay sensible money for a good horse - I paid just 10% under asking price for our new eventer. Why? Simply because I was convinced he was worth every penny - I knew how much effort and time (and therefore expense) the previous owner had put into producing him. Having taken him out a few times now though, we still got a real bargain, so it does seem like it's a buyers market with some very good horses going for prices you wouldn't get 12-24 months ago. Stick in there is my advice!! Good luck.
 
I've got two geldings, unbroken but pretty well handled nice people, 2 and 3 years old, to make 15hh whp type and a good, genuine all rounder type to make 16.1 and ready to break that could show too. They are not ugly and they're certainly underpriced but no callers, am allmost at the point of giving up and trying to find someone who will take on the bigger one for a few years with a share option when he is sold; it's just finding the right people to trust them with him.
 
I have a fab five rising six year old pony, she is the perfect child's pony, I have never met anything so well behaved. On top of bein a total saint in all ways, she is super talented and stunning to look at. The price, is dirt cheap for what she is (rare lol), but I've had one person come to see her, unfortunately the girl was a bit small for her, but she was perfect to try out.
I have seen things for over double her price that are nothing on her! I don't know what people think they should be paying for quality stock...

I am very disheartened, and I can't drop the price any more. Looks like I might end up keeping her for longer and having to find a rider to take her out more, and hunt her over winter. I feel sorry for her, as she has so much to give someone, and I can't give her what she needs either. :( she is such a little darling and if she were a hand bigger I'd keep her!
 
I am going to get shot down for this but I have never viewed so much rubbish. On the whole inexperienced people have bought youngsters not done a good job/lied to me...the most recent told me it never bucked or reared EVER. It was fab on first go and then I met a very different horse second viewing. Another person in the yard muttered to me try it a few times before hand. I had gone armed with my money receipts change of passport form etc.

Then it threw me off (Bucked) and it rodeo'd with the owner. It never bucks!!

So I think I was up to about 23 horse viewings...Yesterday I found an old riding school photo and every horse in that photo hacked /showed etc 100% traffic/bombproof/ all snaffle mouthed/I dont remember laminitis/none were fat etc etc. They lived out 24/7 all 20 of them. No rugs elbow grease to clean up.

I want to know where all the good allrounders have gone. I am not going to buy now(save my money) and am going to keep going to the riding school and look after the old retired cob! Who was cheap to buy but I realise worth his weight in gold! Good luck with your sale but if your horse is a good one it should sell?? I have met only about 3 decent people.
 
Sure indie there are dishonest people out there, but that goes both ways....
People trying to sell on horses not exactly as advertised and buyers trying to prove they are more capable than they are. It just seems to be the way.

Magicmillbrook will look at H&H online but am only on lowly hunt servant wages so every penny counts lol
 
Abacus said:
I am having trouble buying - I want a nice youngish horse, 16.1 to 16.3, I am not looking for anything exceptional - just honest, broken, and willing to jump. Can't find anything for less than about 7k, which is sadly beyond me at the moment. I accept I have a low budget but people seem to want a lot for their unproven horses. I just phoned about a 5 year old that was working nicely on the flat and over small jumps, turns out they want £15k for it. I didn't expect I could afford it but this seems too much.
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that a major ouch ..

ive got a nice looking 4yr, broken and ready to ride on, he will hack tc and has been taught to jump.. in credibley non spookie and perfect with all traffic..
he also goes through water, has had clippers over him etc.. i can now say he is also good with vet (before any one says im advertising im not horse is lame so going no where at the moment)
any way hes up for 1300. and i thin that is a decent price in current market.

(hes a very nice looking horse, passport says irish but theres a lot of spanish about him.)

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I agree with Scrumpyjackles, nothing seems to be selling, we have Miniature Daschunds for sale, we last sold a litter march 2010, could have sold them 10 times over.

Now?, have dropped price on this litter had 4 people swear to turn up no sign of them, whether horse or dog if your not going to turn up why can't they phone?, I find it really rude, we have so many many people phone saying they are desperate (sp), have always wanted a "sausage dog", so either turn up, or phone if you can't, it's not hard.

It's getting to the point I don't want to answer the phone in case it's another time waster, good manners cost nothing, I just wish more people had them :)
 
No problems in buying..... as long as you spend shed loads of time weeding out the totally 'mis-represented' animals....over-fond owners who big up their steeds etc. Some really nice animals out there tho with decent owners or sellers.

Chatting with a friend ysterday (who is selling & has just had people who seem to be delusioned about their abilities :rolleyes:) some of the holding back could be down to the past 2 winters of bad weather, making some very cautious about buying altogether. Lots appear to want to loan animals, but not spend on purchasing. Friend has had over 20 calls from people asking her if she will loan instead. The advert says for SALE not loan! :rolleyes:

JHoward - that looks a nice sort :cool:
 
6 year old badly schooled plus cheap tack and rugs £4000 I'd say. and thats being generous.....my mare is beautifully schooled and very safe, sjs, xc, and is up for £5500 open to negotiation, and I think she's worh every penny. to have that piece of mind that she is not going to bolt buck rear, gallop off with you, or ditch you in a hedge because a tractor is comng is worth its weight in gold.:D
 
welsh_mare said:
I agree with Scrumpyjackles, nothing seems to be selling, we have Miniature Daschunds for sale, we last sold a litter march 2010, could have sold them 10 times over.

Now?, have dropped price on this litter had 4 people swear to turn up no sign of them, whether horse or dog if your not going to turn up why can't they phone?, I find it really rude, we have so many many people phone saying they are desperate (sp), have always wanted a "sausage dog", so either turn up, or phone if you can't, it's not hard.

It's getting to the point I don't want to answer the phone in case it's another time waster, good manners cost nothing, I just wish more people had them :)
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My daughter bought one a few weeks ago. We were joking today that we could have sold him several times over since he's been on holiday with me for a few days, so if you pm me the info I'll pass the details on to interested parties. Can't promise anything, but you never know.
 
The market is flooded for both dogs and horses. You only have to look at the rescue centres bursting at the seams too. So its a buyers market and whatever you think a horse is worth, thats irrelevant if no one will pay the price. Something is only ever worth what someone is prepared to pay. Or it will sit 'on the shelf'. Difficult for genuine sellers of genuine horses but i have noticed recently that they are going for thousands less than a few years ago- and theyre still not selling
 
Good horses are selling, one was sold from our yard within a couple of weeks of going up for sale and only advertised locally, he was a genuine sort, accurately described and fairly priced (certainly not cheap though).
 
my friend had a quality light weight cob mare for sale, 4 years old. safe as houses, quiet, hacks out alone/company, jumped xc and sjs. 100 % all ways. very sweet mare. advertised at 2000ono which i think is reasonable. the ad had lots of views but only 2 calls. some people came and didnt even ride her then said she was too slow. another person offered her 700!!
and she sold her eventually foor 1200 and they got a saddle bridle and rug out of her too!
 
I sold mine very quickly beginning of April to the first people to see him and I bought having been to a couple of dealers. Mine was not a cheapo horse and neither was the 5 year old I bought. 5 year old is a nicely bred ISH, very well put together and green. I got what I paid for!

Yard has horses coming in for sale and what I have seen is that people want a horse with a good competition record and coming into winter are not so keen on the babies. YO has found it better to put some local competition scores on the horses record and then they sell on much quicker.

It is also worth thinking that the market is now going to start getting flooded with people wanting to sell their horses before going onto Uni. I can't help but look at the established event horses and the proven ones are now coming onto the market - reasonablely priced but no fire sales.


I can't comment on puppies but as I see the bad end of this - the rescues, and poundies and the horrendous pound PTS list - (poundies get 7 days to be collected or passed onto a rescue or are put down), then I am not that surprised you can't sell. Dogs are being destroyed at an unbelievable rate right now so maybe breeding more isn't such a great idea.
 
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Quite recently, 3 horses have been sold from our yard. 2 belonged to the same person, both 'projects' originally, but advertised very honestly. The third was totally outgrown, but had a successful M&M showing record, fabulous character and an all round super duper chap. Took ages for them even to get phonecalls as a lot of people get put off by our location. However, the location also works as you know if somebody is serious as they will make the effort to come over here. In all 3 cases, the first 'mainlanders' to actually come and view, bought almost straight away!
I bought Markie 2 months ago for a grand, even though he's 19, as he's exactly what I've always wanted and my budget was extremely limited. His old owner could have sold him to 5 different people who offered her the money then and there but, thankfully, she waited for me to see him! He was only advertised with basic tack but, bless her, she threw in everything! 13 rugs in perfect condition, 2 bridles, fabulous saddle, enough bedding, horsehage and feed to last ages............the list is endless!
As long as the advert is technically correct, the price is fair and the horse is advertised to the right market (ie, pointless advertising a fantastic showjumper in just a small, local area where people want happy hackers), it only takes one person to come along...........
 
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