Do I stand a hope in hell of selling an in-foal mare right now?

Pssst. Pearls....I've been a seller, well actually have some on there now myself funnily enough! I'm an awful degrading owner you know ;)
 
I can't see how this helping OP. I have been to see 2 horses advetised on DD and they were both in good condition and owners were really nice and helpful.

Op, how about advertising on coloured contacts. Don't give her away. I had allsorts of people wanting my horse because they thought he would be a free horse and not realising the seriousness of his problems.
 
Not getting into the DD argument, I personally wouldn't advertise one on there, but then I dont sell mine :o

There might still be a market for good coloureds, but the bottom has dropped out of the rest of it. Travellers are getting rid of colt foals for next to nothing and the fillies dont do much better. The really nice ones will still do OK but people will want to know what the stallion was.

I saw in foal mares go through a couple of sales in the last few weeks for less than I would expect the meat man to pay.

Too many poor quality ones were bred when coloureds became fashionable. It didn't matter what the horse was, if it was coloured it was bred from. The results are all too obvious if you visit the bin end sales.
 
Both those little welshies are stunning! GV, yes there are *some* horses and ponies in an undesirable state on DD, but also some great little beauties too. As somebody else said, we all know that there are some dodgy dealers on the likes of horse quest etc, so what's the difference?

Anyway, going back to the op, yes, I think there would be people interested. It might be more difficult to sell an in foal mare in the current market, but not impossible! :) do you know who/what the sire was? I'd imagine it would be easier if you had a bit of history!
 
rockysmum said:
Not getting into the DD argument, I personally wouldn't advertise one on there, but then I dont sell mine :o

There might still be a market for good coloureds, but the bottom has dropped out of the rest of it. Travellers are getting rid of colt foals for next to nothing and the fillies dont do much better. The really nice ones will still do OK but people will want to know what the stallion was.

I saw in foal mares go through a couple of sales in the last few weeks for less than I would expect the meat man to pay.

Too many poor quality ones were bred when coloureds became fashionable. It didn't matter what the horse was, if it was coloured it was bred from. The results are all too obvious if you visit the bin end sales.
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A voice of reason, thank you.
 
Gloria Victous said:
And proud of it too, good girl.
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Ohh yay, Saturday night entertainment, we have an elitist in here guys and girls... make sure you get your diamond tipped, gold pointy stick out for this one;):p:p:p

OP, I agree with whoever said they would be intrigued to see the foal, if you have the circumstances to allow, why not wait it out? If not, I would perhaps look to sell locally in a local paper, I often use Adhorse, but really, people generally search all sites when looking to purchase. Just make sure you use the right key words for your horse... cob, brood mare, in foal, coloured etc, and price realistically but not to cheaply, also if the mare is looking a bit ropey, hold off and take some time to ensure she is well covered and healthy before advertising, thats what I would do.
 
rockysmum said:
Too many poor quality ones were bred when coloureds became fashionable. It didn't matter what the horse was, if it was coloured it was bred from. The results are all too obvious if you visit the bin end sales.
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This is so very true, having recently been to Exeter (Now Newton Abbot) sales, the quality was absolutely awful, and nothing was selling. Moreover, where you would normally see ribby wormy horses (there were those) but there was a shocking amount of morbidly obese horse. I couldn't sit through the whole sale, I couldn't stomach it.
 
Queenbee said:
Ohh yay, Saturday night entertainment, we have an elitist in here guys and girls... make sure you get your diamond tipped, gold pointy stick out for this one;):p:p:p

OP, I agree with whoever said they would be intrigued to see the foal, if you have the circumstances to allow, why not wait it out? If not, I would perhaps look to sell locally in a local paper, I often use Adhorse, but really, people generally search all sites when looking to purchase. Just make sure you use the right key words for your horse... cob, brood mare, in foal, coloured etc, and price realistically but not to cheaply, also if the mare is looking a bit ropey, hold off and take some time to ensure she is well covered and healthy before advertising, thats what I would do.
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Is it because I am a new member on this forum and have very few posts that I am getting very little support. I have heard that OLD members get a huge amount of positive support. I hate being a foal.:cool:
 
Gloria Victous said:
Is it because I am a new member on this forum and have very few posts that I am getting very little support. I have heard that OLD members get a huge amount of positive support. I hate being a foal.:cool:
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To be fair GV, I actually think it is the tone of some of your posts that has elicited such negativity.

Gloria Victous said:
Of course Dragon Driving, such a good site, I am sure that a sound home would be found from the people that frequent such a site.
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... a tad snobbish
Gloria Victous said:
She is certainly selling the most vulnerable combination.
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... very fair point
Gloria Victous said:
So YorksG, you would sell on DD, would you, would you really?
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...goading
Gloria Victous said:
I must admit that I dont have that much to do with the bottom end of the market, so please excuse me for my ignorance on the matter.
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...Snobbish and yes, elitist

You have been a tad judgemental and over generalised, not all sellers on that site are bad, neither are the purchasers, I can assure you that there are a great deal of seasoned posters who have received equally short thrift on here. Would I buy of DD, yes. would I advertise on there, perhaps not, but then I have nothing to advertise and my youngster, whilst coloured would not be suitable for that site... not because it is beneath me, but because he is not a cob, will never drive and would be advertised as sports horse/ competition/ show. So the point is moot. Were I to have a cob type, I would perhaps reconsider but I would vet the home thoroughly. This however, would be the case whenever and wherever I sell a horse. There are good and bad by varying degrees in all spheres of the world, but this does not mean that because DD has a number of bad, it is by virtue a bad site for advertising this category of horse. It helps to be a little more open minded and perhaps slightly more tactful with your wording when you go onto an online site, regardless of whether you are an old or a new poster.

Its not that people have taken an instant disliking to you because you are new, quite the opposite, I think there is a bit of wit in you and you write an eloquent post, but people do not respond well in this word to such outspoken prejudice.
 
Op, I can fully understand the predicament you've been put in.. not been in that position myself, but have seen others that have been. I think it's so cruel on the horse and the new owner, as the seller is probably more than aware of what has happened, and is hoping this won't go noticed until it's too late.
Not everyone is in the position to cope with a new foal, and nor should it be forced on them either, if a person who's buying a horse wants one in foal, then they should get just that, not a, let's say, a beginner owner, just starting out in horse ownership, complete novice, being plunged into what is no less than a nightmare.
I'm assuming this is what's happened to you, you bought this mare, only to find you have a bogoff? How awful! Shame on the seller, taking advantage :(
Perhaps in all vettings, a blood test and scan to check for pregnancy should be included with regards to mares, as this could save future owners from getting an unwanted surprizes..
 
Well OP as far as I can see you are stuck in a difficult position. If you can't find out the sire so that people can know the possible height/colour of the foal then selling to a good home will be an uphill slog. The only chance is for the mare to be really good in herself so that someone ( aperson that will be very hard to find) will be prepared for her to foal, wean the foal & then have a mare they like to take further. Is she that good ? You may have to accept that you have been lumbered with it & go through to foaling (you never know the foal may be a stunner) & weaning. Then sell them individually. You have my sympathy.
 
The thing is that you can try. Advertise her completely honestly at a fair price (not too cheap though) and see what happens. But continue to think about what you will do if you cannot find her a home.

I wonder if anyone does grass foaling livery?

Paula
 
Right - getting back onto the subject OP.

May I ask why you bought the mare in the first place? I bought a mare in September a couple of years ago that was a BOGOF - I rode her until March and she gave birth to a beautiful fillly in June. I sold the filly in December (on dragon driving!!) and kept the mare. She did subsequently go very very lame but that is a whole different story.

Unless I could be sure of finding a very good home I would not sell a mare in foal. I suggest you might want to step up to the plate and take control of her and the foal's future. I know it is not your fault but it is not theirs either.

Best of luck.
 
Gloria Victous said:
Of course Dragon Driving, such a good site, I am sure that a sound home would be found from the people that frequent such a site.
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So my horses aren't loved or looked after then as i looked on Dragon Driving when i was looking for a coloured cob!!! Hate to tell you but my horses are very well looked after and very loved and don't get neglected or need anything as they get everything they need.

OP you could try advertising her on Coloured contacts, i also looked on there for a nice coloured cob.
 
Shadeyoak said:
Perhaps in all vettings, a blood test and scan to check for pregnancy should be included with regards to mares, as this could save future owners from getting an unwanted surprizes..
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The only problem with the blood test is it won't show until the mare is past 120 days, otherwise yup would be a good idea :)
 
mynutmeg said:
The only problem with the blood test is it won't show until the mare is past 120 days, otherwise yup would be a good idea :)
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Having stabled next to a large dealer who traded mainly with travellers, I would just assume that any mare who is old enough would have run with a stallion.

They would also be very unlikely to know which stallion the mares had been with. The yard next to us used to run up to 150 horses, mainly cobs/coloured together. In that lot would be a lot of colts and several stallions. I know for definate he would have no idea which mare had been covered by what.

I would also make the assumption that anything which had been through the lower end sales was also in foal.

They think its a bonus if a mare is in foal, they are amazed by our attitude.

One of his colts once escaped into my mares, I was furious and had the vet out to inject them straight away. His attitude? "Whats your problem, free covering and a couple of free foals next year :eek: :eek:
 
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