Argh cheap horses and tack - {RANT}

the first prospective buyers for my mare haggled with me to get a reduced price with the saddle and bridle thrown in. However they turned out too inexperienced for my mare so didnt have her.
The next buyers that came haggled to the same reduced price but were happy to pay extra for saddle and rugs. They ended up buying her.

So i guess it just depends on what the buyers are like and how much they are willing to haggle on the day. Some want everything for nothing but others are happy to pay for suitable tack.
 
amage said:
Well to be honest in this instance I think more fool you. If I had a customer who was "wobbly" in the arena I would not let them into a field for a canter!!
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But they wanted the horse, and I wouldn't let them buy before seeing if she was going to be suitable. By wobbly I mean heels not down and top half wobbling (literally) to stay in balance, but was in control

What should I have done? Taken the money and not taken him into a field - pfftt I like my horse more than that!! :rolleyes:

Also everyone that has seen her has offered me a deal, but not what I wanted, because stupidly I didn't allow enough "hagggle" room to make them feel satisfied

However one lady asked 5 times about tack... the answer didn't change (no you cannot have the wow saddle for £1.6k including the horse!!!)
 
I've just had this from a lady going to try out my horse on Thurs. She sounded appalled that nothing came with the horse - why should it?!! When you buy a house, you don't expect all the furniture and saucepans to be included!!
 
If I went to see a horse, I would always ask if I could buy the saddle ( as in extra money on top of the horse, not included in the price) if it fits well....because we all know what a pain getting a correctly fitted saddle is. Most recent horse was advertised as tack included- however, it obviously didn't fit him and had given him a sore back- so I asked for money off- not paying for something thats useless to me and the horse- owner was then free to sell it on seperately.

Also- I would personally prefer to sell a horse with its saddle- at least then I know its going off in a comfortable well fitting saddle......
 
I come from it a different direction! I never ask about tack as I am not interested in it. I do not want some rubbish GP that I will then have to sell. I also do not want some bridle that has diamante or other horrid bits all over it. I also have nice rugs and all my horses fit 6'9. I also only use leather headcollars so not interested in a rubbish one. As for it fitting correctly I think that is a myth as I see loads of incorrectly fitting tack especially on cheaper horses.
 
Getting a new horse home is quite stressful and it always helps to be able to keep lots of things the same! I think tack comes into this.

Although now I wouldn't be so bothered about tack as I have more of an idea of what I like to ride in and an idea of saddle fitters etc in the area I am now based in.

I paid an extra £500 for my horse for her tack and a rug and a fly mask. The saddle sadly didn't fit! It wasn't the one I'd tried her in - just one of those issues of buying a horse and talking to the owner when the horse had been sent away to be sold! I've learnt from that!

A pony I had on loan came up for sale with all her stuff as the owners were giving up, but I didn't buy her - So she stayed at the yard I had her at to be sold. They sold her for half the price they wanted not including her tack and rugs etc but the owners never went to collect her stuff! She had come with feed bins, 2 full grooming kits, synthetic newish saddle, 2 bridles, trimmers, all her rugs (T/O, Stable, fleece etc) several numnahs!

People are all different with horse prices and the things that they come with!

And I can be a huge numpty when trying horses - Mainly due to getting nervous the first time I ride any new horse!
 
LEC said:
I come from it a different direction! I never ask about tack as I am not interested in it. I do not want some rubbish GP that I will then have to sell. I also do not want some bridle that has diamante or other horrid bits all over it. I also have nice rugs and all my horses fit 6'9. I also only use leather headcollars so not interested in a rubbish one. As for it fitting correctly I think that is a myth as I see loads of incorrectly fitting tack especially on cheaper horses.
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Bit of a sweeping statement really.....implying that people selling 'cheaper' horses have ill-fitting '' rubbish'' GP saddles and bridles with horrid bits on it......

Each to their own...personal taste and what not. Your 'nice' rugs might have others reaching for the spew bucket:p
 
LEC said:
I come from it a different direction! I never ask about tack as I am not interested in it. I do not want some rubbish GP that I will then have to sell. I also do not want some bridle that has diamante or other horrid bits all over it. I also have nice rugs and all my horses fit 6'9. I also only use leather headcollars so not interested in a rubbish one. As for it fitting correctly I think that is a myth as I see loads of incorrectly fitting tack especially on cheaper horses.
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Same here really, I am quite fussy when it comes to tack and would rather choose it myself. If a horse I was interested in came with tack I would say I didn't want it and ask if they would they drop the price accordingly.
 
poppymoo said:
Bit of a sweeping statement really.....implying that people selling 'cheaper' horses have ill-fitting '' rubbish'' GP saddles and bridles with horrid bits on it......
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Not really as if it was a very nice expensive saddle (not that expensive necessary means well fitting), you'd be less inclined to sell it with the cheaper horse for 2 reasons
1. The buyer would probably not want to pay market value or could not pay market value for high end saddle

Example if buying a £1.5k horse shown in a Butet - you are unlikely to want to pay £2.5k for the horse + saddle

2. If you paid a lot for the saddle, you'd take a massive loss from cost to market value (butet cost £2.5k market value £1k), therefore be inclined to hang onto to it so not to crystallise that loss!
 
I always assume that tack isn't included, and if it is then I would have a very good look at it and most likely make a lower offer not including the tack.

I've just counted up and over the last 10 years we've bought 15 horses/ponies ranging from £300 to £6500. Of those only 3 came with a saddle included; 1 had a broken tree,1 bridged terribly and the other was 18" on a short backed 14.2hh :rolleyes:. Interestingly 2 of the more expensive horses had decent saddles that cost extra to purchase, which we did because they fitted well.

Certainly when we've been selling I've been amazed how obsessed people are about having tack. One woman point blank refused to buy the horse unless she could have the breastplate (cost £15 new :confused:), so I willingly obliged.
 
Jen_Cots said:
Not really as if it was a very nice expensive saddle (not that expensive necessary means well fitting), you'd be less inclined to sell it with the cheaper horse for 2 reasons
1. The buyer would probably not want to pay market value or could not pay market value for high end saddle

Example if buying a £1.5k horse shown in a Butet - you are unlikely to want to pay £2.5k for the horse + saddle

2. If you paid a lot for the saddle, you'd take a massive loss from cost to market value (butet cost £2.5k market value £1k), therefore be inclined to hang onto to it so not to crystallise that loss!
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Thats not my point.....if you don't want to sell your expensive saddle- fair enough ( although frankly, what are you going to do with it if it doesn't fit any of your other horses).......but surely you wouldn't just sell a cheaper horse with any old cheap and nasty ill-fitting saddle instead?
 
Nope and this is why I cannot sell a saddle with my horse - but if I could (in my case my saddle is a wow) the eBay value is £700 - and if you are in the market for a £1.5k horse, you are not going to want to pay £700 for the saddle, so even if I was selling it with the horse I think I would be stuffed.

I would hope new buyers would get one fitted, the only bonus in my case is that she is a good standard off the peg fit !!
 
Jen_Cots said:
Nope and this is why I cannot sell a saddle with my horse - but if I could (in my case my saddle is a wow) the eBay value is £700 - and if you are in the market for a £1.5k horse, you are not going to want to pay £700 for the saddle, so even if I was selling it with the horse I think I would be stuffed.
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Actually.....I bought a 1.5k horse, and spent substantially more than £700 on getting a decent saddle fitted;)

Mind you, he was a bargain:D
 
At least you know for sure that it fitted, whereas buying it from a seller (and ok a wow is adjustable, but say it wasn't) for £700 you could be highly out of pocket and not a lot you can do about it as caveat emptor!
 
It sounds as though your horse is being tried by those new to owning a horse or just trying to take the mick in terms of price. Maybe the newbies feel scared about the thought of buying a saddle as they have no experience of it? I understand it is very frustrating when you've said the tack isn't included & they persist, but you can't blame them for asking once.

My horses have never come with a stich, to the point of I turned up with headcollars to travel them home. Like to think I'd be as capable as most other people about sorting out properly fitted tack for them. I did have a gentle intro thou, as I'd had my first mare on loan for 2 years before I bought her (when her owner lost her job), so I'd already ditched 'her' saddle & got one that fitted her, & she'd had another bridle etc, so I had had time to accumulate a wardrobe for her. I'd been happy to do this as we had fun together, she was an excellent teacher for me & she bucked everyone else off (we just got on well) so I knew her owner would only ever be able to sell her to the meat man.
 
I would always ask if a horse came with any tack included - no harm in asking.

I wouldn't necessarily want to buy the saddle, but if it fit the horse well and was comfortable to ride in I'd probably be interested.
 
pip6 said:
It sounds as though your horse is being tried by those new to owning a horse or just trying to take the mick in terms of price. Maybe the newbies feel scared about the thought of buying a saddle as they have no experience of it? I understand it is very frustrating when you've said the tack isn't included & they persist, but you can't blame them for asking once.
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I think you've hit the nail on the head here
I've had 3 people to see her, all would be owning a horse for the first time (although one family had kept ponies).

I've had offers from all of them, which I have rejected, as made the mistake of not leaving much haggle room. Plus I would really like to find someone who is a bit more experienced, but lost their confidence!

I'm probably the worlds worst seller!

The rant was really because when all of these people were trying to haggle they kept bringing up the saddle repeatedly, once I don't mind. However to kept trying to refer back to it, (when offering me less money), doesn't do much for me!
 
There have been several people looking for nice al rounders looking to restore confidence, can pm you there names if you want. No idea if you've got what they want, but may be worth asking them.
 
Jen_Cots said:
I think you've hit the nail on the head here
I've had 3 people to see her, all would be owning a horse for the first time (although one family had kept ponies).

I've had offers from all of them, which I have rejected, as made the mistake of not leaving much haggle room. Plus I would really like to find someone who is a bit more experienced, but lost their confidence!

I'm probably the worlds worst seller!

The rant was really because when all of these people were trying to haggle they kept bringing up the saddle repeatedly, once I don't mind. However to kept trying to refer back to it, (when offering me less money), doesn't do much for me!
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If 3 people have offered a lot lower amounts that would imply that the horse is overpriced. Things are only worth what someone else will pay for them.
 
I have brought many horses over the years and the most i have ever got was a head collar and lead rope, with a couple of them i even had to use my own headcollar and rope, as the owners wanted the head collar and rope back.
Seems to me more you pay less you get
 
horsegirl said:
If 3 people have offered a lot lower amounts that would imply that the horse is overpriced. Things are only worth what someone else will pay for them.
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Quite right - horse is only ever worth what someone will pay; however its a fantastic excuse

Plus if everyone that sees your horse offers you money for it, 100% strike rate, this implies she is a nice horse at a sensible price and I can pick and choose the buyer! (I did mention I was awful at selling horses)
 
must admit i would ask if the tack was included unless advert/seller stated otherwise as it should fit the horse to start with (well one would hope). i also would not be affended if asked this, the only time i ever got a bit cross with someone was when selling a little driving pony (harness included) when one potential buyer stated she diddnt want the webbing harness that i was offering with her but would buy her happily if i included the nice (brand new!) show harness she had seen hanging in the tack room, Urm NO said mare was only advertised for £200 inc full harness & the harness in question she was eyeing up cost more than that alone. she was quite cross with me for not being "accomadating to her request!" & concidence or not our tack room was done over 3 days later. luckily i keep everything at home & when im working them hang everything up out the way & weather in there.
 
Aoibhin this is one thing that scares me about selling horses - you invite people onto your property to see a horse, so they get to see the horse and have a good chance to look over all your kit and property.

Does make you think and maybe I should always have the tack out rather than fetching it!! :(
 
Jen_Cots said:
Quite right - horse is only ever worth what someone will pay; however its a fantastic excuse

Plus if everyone that sees your horse offers you money for it, 100% strike rate, this implies she is a nice horse at a sensible price and I can pick and choose the buyer! (I did mention I was awful at selling horses)
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It surprises me though that none of them came back and offered more - if I really liked a horse and my initial offer was rejected I'd see if we could come to an agreement, or pay the full asking price if I thought it was worth it!

Out of interest, did you tell them that the saddle is worth £1500 and you use it on all your horses? Its pretty stupid of them to push the point if you told them how valuable the saddle was!
 
Hi OP - Im currently looking in your price bracket and personally if the tack is of useable quality and saddle fitted correctly i always ask whether any tack / extras are included as part of the sale i would do this prior to the negotiations stage!!

It saves me having to organise the fitting of a new saddle which is something however that i would do if tack wasnt included, however if you dont ask you dont get and the thought of waiting for new saddle / getting it fitted whilst new horsey is in stable would be too much for me ive been waiting long enough!!

It must be frustrating if someone repeatedly keeps asking which i can understand your annoyance, particularly if you have told them how valuable your saddle is and reasons for keeping...

It is a difficult market as you said due to buyers and people wanting to feel like they have a good deal particulalrly in this current climate although more and more horses are selling and not for stupid money ive been noticeing recently down here so good luck!!!
 
Jen_Cots said:
Quite right - horse is only ever worth what someone will pay; however its a fantastic excuse

Plus if everyone that sees your horse offers you money for it, 100% strike rate, this implies she is a nice horse at a sensible price and I can pick and choose the buyer! (I did mention I was awful at selling horses)
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Some people will try it on, offer you a much lower price to test the water. My horse came with nothing,not even a headcollar,but they did deliver him reasonably cheap.lol
 
Sounds really silly, but I wonder if she is too cheap - esp if she is a confidence giver type, they really are worth their weight in gold! At the cheaper end of the market then you might pick up more bargain hunters/novice buyers etc (not saying that is bad, we all have to start somewhere/have our own budgets etc etc!!) and they might be more likely to have unrealistic expactations regarding what the mare should come with than someone who has been through the buying process a few times?
A couple of years ago I was after a sane confidence giver type (didn't care about comp results etc, just a super safe sane hack that wasn't a kick along, not hopping lame etc!!). You wouldn't believe how hard it was to find a genuine type and how far I had to travel, also paid a fair wack in the end - she has come on wonderfully since and with hindsight was a bargain, but at the time she was alot for what she was as she stood - if that makes sense!!
 
Yes that does make sense and I had her up for exactly what I wanted to sell her for, which was a mistake

I have now increased the price and got 2 more viewings booked so far. She is old (16), but well schooled - people so far have looked blank when she leg yielded and said "oh what's that"!!

Its my homebred with full 16 years of vet history, so I'm holding out for her perfect family!!
 
When we bought FH he was £1.5K for this we got:

A pony who was scared of everyone and everything,
An OK fitting saddle
No girth
Stirrup leathers with ripped stitching
No stirrups
A bridle which none of it matched
A cob sized browband which has scarred his ears (now is XFS)
No reins
A happy mouth bit which had been nearly chewed through (I could fit my finger in the chewed gap)
A 7ft lightweight T/O rug
A 5ft3 stable rug (he needs a 6ft!)
A headcollar which wouldn't do up
A leadrope which was held together by it's last strand


However now the pony has everything and more!!! :o :o
 
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