Anyone else struggling to sell their horse?

C

charliep

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 August 2009
Messages
56
Visit site
Ok, is it me or is nobody biting at the moment!??? I have had my horse for sale for 2-3 weeks now, on horsemart, horsehunter, horsequest... the list goes on... Have reduced his price down to a stupidly low £1600. He's a lovely horse with no vices, but not getting any emails at all!

Is it just me or is anyone else getting a slow/zero response from their adverts?

:)
 
sounds silly (and I don't mean to be offensive), but do you have decent pics up? When I was looking I just discounted ones with pants pics as I just wasn't prepared to be travelling around looking at horses when I couldn't even properly see what they look like!
Perhaps you could put a link up and people could give suggestions?
 
Yes, I'm struggling too. Had no response to my ads for my pony. He's really fab and would make a great competition pony for some keen kid as well as being a good friend!
 
Yes, they are selling at the moment but the ad does need to stand out. Decent pictures and a good description are essential. I was having a slow response to my ad for my pony and I got some great help from people on here. Oddly enough the best advice was on price. A pony can be too cheap, the feedback I had on my pony was that the price was too low. A friend of a friend saw the ad and thought the pony was too cheap and so assumed there was a problem.

Without seeing the ad and knowing what you are selling £1600 does sound low/or indicate there is an issue.

Hope this helps.
 
Hi, Not entirely sure I'm allowed to post a link, but figure the thread isn't titled 'horse for sale' so should be OK. Please let me know any constructive criticism please. (try not to be too mean as it's a heartbreaking sale)

I am going to be starting a new job working away from home mon-friday from the start of may, so he really needs to go before then. I can't afford full livery!

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/10_yrs_11_mths_16_0_hh_bay_thoroughbred_lincolnshire/91998
 
He looks lovely but what immediately jumps out to me is TB and ex racer....I think they are harder to sell as people have an image of ex racers. Personally I wouldn't look at a full TB but obviously there are lots of people who do.
Good luck.
 
Likewise, the ex racer bit is rather pointless as he has been out of training for 2 years, I wouldn't mention it unless asked. Focus on what he has done in the last 2 years- take out the bit about the bucking, what horse wouldn't buck if the saddle slipped badly? Ok maybe a few wouldn't but it doesn't say anything about his temperament.

Take out the awful picture of him jumping where he looks like he is underneath the jump- get a nice one of him stood up with no tack, a better side on one of him trotting in an outline and preferably a better one over a jump but the second one isn't too bad. I don't mind the price in all honesty, if he is green in the school it's fair. Mention how he is hacking out too and how he is to handle- does he live out all year etc.

Take out the stuff about why you're selling too, people will ask if they need to know. Also, if you've had him the last 2 years, put that in. Phew! Sorry, that sounds a bit harsh- the advert isn't terrible at all but those are some hints that I have picked up! :)
 
I think he's fairly priced for what he is and the ad implies you are open to an offer. I personally believe TB's have to stand out more than some other breeds just because there are so many of them around. I agree with peoples suggestions of changing the pics. One of him naked, and some more of him woking in an outline on the flat. Good luck, im sure you will sell him but its def a buyers market at the mo.
 
Have to say there are some very smart ex racers for sale at the mo, and from your ad, yours doesn't stand out!! Browse other ads, look at the ones that stand out and copy them!! Good luck :)
 
I advertised my horse last september for 4 weeks and had one call! i decided to readvertise in february around half term..horse n hound, horsehunter, pony club, horse deals and locally and is still advertised now!! had quite a few calls n only one person out to see him! People need to see him to appreciate him but again (re BE records post) they keep askin for his record name which does nothing for him but at least hes been and done it!!
If the price is too high no one looks unless its breeding is great..if the price is too low people think there's something wrong so we cant win!! arh!!
 
Funny that....because I'm struggling to find a horse I want to buy and within my budget!!!

But agree with others, his advert does not stand out much as there are loads of TB's around, and I do not think the photos do him much justice.
 
OWLIE185 said:
You don't say if he will hack out by himself or how good he is out hacking or with traffic.
Click to expand...

That would be a very important point for me too.

I think your horse is quite reasonably priced, but as others have said, take out the bit about the bucking, and try to use photo's which really show him off - the jumping ones in particular do nothing for him.
 
I have to agree that the photos aren't very flattering, or attention grabbing. Now the sun is out, maybe try and get some really nice shots of him - it really does make all the difference to an Ad/a buyer :)
 
Thanks for your replies,

Taking him out and about this weekend hopefully, so should get some better shots of him.

I guess the ex-racer bit and the bucking bit are in there because I'm honest. I'm not about to say he has never bucked because that is a lie. Yes it was exceptional circumstances, but if I was buying a horse I would like to know everything warts and all!

Thanks for all your comments, I will update the adverts over the weekend and post my new one for you to have a look at.
Thanks again!
 
Just sold my pony today, she has been on horsemart and horse exchange for 2 weeks then at the weekend i put her on preloved got an email on tue they came yesterday to try her and confirmed that they want her today.
My advise is get a good picture and put her on preloved.
Good luck, i do hope it goes well for you.
Teresa.
 
charliep said:
Thanks for your replies,

Taking him out and about this weekend hopefully, so should get some better shots of him.

I guess the ex-racer bit and the bucking bit are in there because I'm honest. I'm not about to say he has never bucked because that is a lie. Yes it was exceptional circumstances, but if I was buying a horse I would like to know everything warts and all!

Thanks for all your comments, I will update the adverts over the weekend and post my new one for you to have a look at.
Thanks again!
Click to expand...

I can understand you wanting to be honest, that is exactly how I am! But don't mention bucking or the fact that he has never reared or bolted. Focus on the positives! Get a good side on photo of him with just bridle on and prhaps one with you on him stood up square. If he hacks well, emphasise the fact. It took me six months to sell my TB last year who was competing BE Novice and I ended up taking less than I wanted because I thought the home was right for him. I don't envy you - I hate selling horses!!
 
Am trying to sell a horse for a friend and we have had 7 viewings and not one of them could ride him, and he is straight forward but likes a competent rider, nothing wrong with that! Owner would go down to £5k, but the calls have dried up now (went on the market 3 weeks ago) and we are losing hope :(

If anyone is interested he is on Horsequest, Allrounders/hunters over 16hh, search for Whistle Away.
 
Join the "can't sell my horse" club! It's a buyers market if they've got the time to sift through the rubbish!

I ditto the other responses but would just like to add - a 10 yr old ex racer who didn't come out of training until they were 8 is not going to have low mileage regardless of whether they raced much or not. Would also suggest that you make sure what you write is backed up by the photo's e.g. you say he's soft in the mouth - put a photo showing a nice contact as opposed to the one where it looks like you're having a pulling session :o

He does look like he'd make a nice hacker and I hope you find a good home soon.
 
I've got the same problem, as I've got my husband ill and I've got to have an op which will put me out for about 6 mths, I've dropped my TB to a very low amount.Maybe this putting people off? I have also had lots of calls from teenagers wanting something "forward going" and with all tack. I won't sell a green TB however nice natured, to a teenager, which is what I've put in my ad. .http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/5_yrs_3_mths_15_3_hh_chestnut_thoroughbred_suffolk/93168
Does this come over as too harsh? I just don't want a nice horse to end up frightening someone and being spoiled through inexperience. I can't think of any teenagers that are up to riding young TBs. When I was 13, (a long time ago!) I used to ride all the point to pointers at a livery yard, but those sort of people now are few and far between. Sorry, this is turning into a rant!!
 
Hi Gig47- I saw your advert and thought what a nice mare she was, nothing offputting in there at all. Have you had much interest since? Your pics are lovely.
 
I haven't had problems - someone came to see another horse at the yard she had been kept at and heard about my horse. We took her out for a blast round a course BH Monday, original interested party didn't show but another person saw her, they came to see her last Thursday, again on Tuesday, had her vetted yesterday and I'm just awaiting the arrival of funds in my bank account and I'll be delivering her.


She is however a delightfully pretty all rounder who's done PC camp, RC teams, won at Intro on her sub-30 dressage score, is only 8, lives in or out, goes shod or unshod (even in road work), is nicely bred and is a real sweetie to have on the yard.
 
Farrierlover said:
Hi Gig47- I saw your advert and thought what a nice mare she was, nothing offputting in there at all. Have you had much interest since? Your pics are lovely.
Click to expand...
Glad I got the pics right! Ther are several videos of her as well on youtube, I always tell people to look at those as well before going any further. I had somebody from Scotland ring me up, talked for ages several times about her, she was going to pay money into my account today, and have Gillies pick her up next Tues. All of a sudden, I got an email saying she couldn't proceed. I think her money source didn't materialize, but why go through all of that if you haven't got the funds!! I didn't realise that I could be that naive, but she did sound perfect to have the mare.
If I get one more teenager emailing me I shall scream! I've even taken to asking every bodies age before going any further!
 
Weezy said:
Am trying to sell a horse for a friend and we have had 7 viewings and not one of them could ride him, and he is straight forward but likes a competent rider, nothing wrong with that! Owner would go down to £5k, but the calls have dried up now (went on the market 3 weeks ago) and we are losing hope :(

If anyone is interested he is on Horsequest, Allrounders/hunters over 16hh, search for Whistle Away.
Click to expand...

Took me a little while to find him (goes to show how many there are on the market atm!) But he is lovely. If your friend is willing to drop the price that low he'd be a steal! Shame I don't do geldings.... :p
 
gig47 said:
I've got the same problem, as I've got my husband ill and I've got to have an op which will put me out for about 6 mths, I've dropped my TB to a very low amount.Maybe this putting people off? I have also had lots of calls from teenagers wanting something "forward going" and with all tack. I won't sell a green TB however nice natured, to a teenager, which is what I've put in my ad. .http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/5_yrs_3_mths_15_3_hh_chestnut_thoroughbred_suffolk/93168
Does this come over as too harsh? I just don't want a nice horse to end up frightening someone and being spoiled through inexperience. I can't think of any teenagers that are up to riding young TBs. When I was 13, (a long time ago!) I used to ride all the point to pointers at a livery yard, but those sort of people now are few and far between. Sorry, this is turning into a rant!!
Click to expand...

Ooh, lovely mare! Perfect project for someone. Hope you find the right home for her :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top