Best way to show a horse off to a buyer?

[SNORKEY]

Hi, I'm about to advertise my boy for sale and just wondering how other people ride their horses when people come to view them!
I have an area in the field i school in with a couple of jumps.
When someone comes to have a look should I take my time when I get on him and warm him up slowly like I usually would. I've always felt rushed when showing a horse off before, and when someone came to look at him for loan a little while ago they trotted as soon as they got on him, wound him up and then went to jump him and got thrown off!
I guess if someone's not going to patient with him when riding/ viewing him they arn't the right person anyway.
Also do you trot the horse up first and do everything before tacking him up? It's been a while since I sold a horse, and being pregnant I havn't got the energy for people messing me around or coming for joy rides!

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Ive never sold a horse but i wouldnt buy if the riding was rushed as it would ring alarm bells for me....warm him up as normal and spend the time talking to the persective buyer's about him and his Buttons. I would much rather that than a quickie
X

 

[LouS]

Depends on the horse, I just do as I normally would to warm up but I don't spend ages schooling like I normally would.

I'm showing quite a green horse at the minute and she takes a while to settle when you get on, so I normally walk her for 10 minutes whilst talking to them, bending etc, then give her a loose trot round, start doing circles getting her soft and listening, then give her a canter on each rein, then ask them if they want to see me pop a few fences, sometimes they already know she's not for them so I don't bother just doing it unless they want to see.

After I've popped a few fences I ask them if they want to get on or if they want to see anything else.

Just do what you need to do to make the horse look its best, don't rush your warm up but don't spend 20 minutes trotting a circle. It really depends on the individual horse and what you're selling it for etc.

I always chat to them while I'm riding the whole time as I like to be really thorough and honest about what's going on, as she is green and she needs riding well, so I'll tell them what I'm doing to get her to settle, correct her etc. I always wish people would do that when I see them when they're clearly having to hold the horse/having a few issues and they just ride through and say nothing, I want to know if it always does that, how they deal with it etc. But maybe people want me to shut up haha, they never say.

 

[lcharles]

I would do exactly what you usually do with everything, from bringing him in, grooming, tacking up. I'd ask if they'd like to catch him, tack him up etc as it shows that they are easy to do (if they are!) I'd let them know little things like 'He always pulls a face when you put her saddle on/she likes her girth done up slowly. As they are small things which i doubt many people would be bothered by but keeps the horse happy.

If you warm up for 20 minutes then do that, ask the viewers if theres anything they want to see in particular. You'll show him off at his best if you do what you usually do and just be honest. Maybe let them ride him before you jump him if it winds him up. xxx good luck xxx

 

[LouS]

Sorry I didn't read the last bit of your post.

I normally have the horse clean and in the stable when they come unless they request otherwise, I then ask them what they want to see/want me to do and every single time they just want me to tack up and get on, nobody has ever asked me to trot up. I had one girl ask if she could tack up herself last week, but nobody has been bothered about seeing them in the field at all, I think it depends what you're selling.

I really do like to present a clean horse though, I always think the riding is the most important bit to people and if they suit then they can see the other parts after.

 

[baran]

I normally have the horse clean and in the stable when they come

Mm, this would immediately make me wonder if the horse was difficult to catch or groom! Definitely prefer horse to be out in field and watch it being brought in.

 

[LouS]

They can see it be caught if they like riding it, they can brush it if they want, horse doesn't know its not dirty. I've never had anyone ask me anything otherwise, people just want to see it ridden then take it from there. More selling competition ponies/horses than family pets though.

 

[ihatework]

I think the best way to approach things is to never assume anything. All buyers are different and have different expectations!!!

To that end I'd always engage the buyer into a conversation so you can guage what they expect.

On the phone ask if they would prefer to see the horse 'au natural' - caught from the field while they are there and groomed while they are there. Or if they would prefer the horse to be in, clean and ready for them. If the latter have the horse smart and tidy but leave minus boots, minus tack and minus hoof oil.

When the people arrive ask if they want to see the horse stood up and trotted up - then act accordingly.

When riding don't rush too much, talk the buyers through your regular warm up routine and ask if they are happy for you to do that in front of them. Try not to go OTT on it, 15 mins ish of basic walk / trot/ canter, then stop and ask them if they would like to see anything specific under saddle while you are on board.

Also, one thing I would mention on the phone is your facilities ... I'd happily view a horse with only a paddock to ride in but would expect (for my purposes) to be able to have a second viewing in a school with decent fences available.

 

[Littlelegs]

Depends on the horse. A family pony I'd ask if they want it in or out, otherwise in unless they specifically ask otherwise. Horse clean & smart already, would ask them what they wanted to look at first. Then give a quick brush over & pick feet out before tacking up. Warm the horse up as usual while they ask any questions & I'd ask if there's anything they'd particularly like to see, but would always aim to show them the best range possible of the horses capabilities. I would also have jumps set out before they come. Whilst I personally will show it's scope, I'll also have a few smaller fences so the potential purchaser can have the option of a smaller fence too. After riding I'd then let them prod about, picking up feet etc, whatever seems appropriate. Then if interested I'd invite them back to hack, catch themselves etc.

 

[SNORKEY]

Thanks for your replies. He's an ex county level show horse / dressage prospect so il probably get him in first and all cleaned up looking good. I always think if they want to see him being caught ect they can come back and do everything them selves. He's also bit of a pain to catch walking away from you unless he has a treat, he's with mares at the mo, but when he's in a mixed herd he comes running to you! So I hope someone believes me when I tell them that!