Do people even want to sell their horses?

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keepitugly

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I've been looking to buy another horse for about a month, let's just say I've never been in the position to buy a horse of this type before so naturally the first one I tried I loved but was warned off not to rush into it and try some others first. Well that one sold the next week to some other lucky ****** and here I am wishing like hell I hadn't listened.

I've enquired about countless horses asking for a photo of them stood up with no tack and a video of the horse, out of about 50 horses I get 2 replies back, one of which was a photo of the horse with its backside to the camera at a weird angle and the blurriest video I've ever seen of a clearly lame horse shuffling around the arena.

Advert after advert of horses with headshots, scrambling over fences, trotting round over bent, but no comformation shots, no decent video? Maybe it's me but where I work we buy and sell a few, before we place the advert we spend 10 minutes to brush the horse, stand it up on the yard and take a conformation shot, job done, if someone asks for a video on the flat, we take it out and we video it on the flat, ten minutes job done, might sell your horse.

I'm getting so frustrated, it's a huge investment for me and I don't have a huge amount of spare time to traipse around the country looking at unsuitable horses because people can't be bothered to take a photo so I can see if it's legs are on the right way.

I'm just feeling at a bit of a loss as the ones I like I am seeing advertised are either way out of budget or way under budget but so cheap I know they're not as described. 3k for a totally sound, easy ride 1.20 horse anyone? I don't think so.

Just needed a rant, I can't be the only one feeling this way. I almost feel like I've been lucky in the horses I've purchased so far my budget has been so low I haven't had much choice I've just bought them off our dealer in Ireland unbroken from the field no fuss, unfortunately he doesn't stock the kind of horse I'm after now.

If anyone wants to point me in the direction of any good breeders/yards who might have a straightforward youngster without the 5 figure price tag feel free to PM me, I'm very open to suggestions.
 
Buying horses can be a nightmare, but then so can selling!
If you are looking for unbacked then I would recommend vechtom sports horses. I got my girl from her last year fairly cheap for what she is and she has been a delight so far.
http://www.vecthomsporthorses.co.uk/ also have a look at her facebook page as sometimes they sell before they get on the website
 
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I know of a place but it's in Scotland. They do really lovely horses though and prices seem to start from 4 grand. It was out of my budget but I would have gone otherwise. Called lohoar sport horses. They have a mare currently whose sire is ramiro b http://www.drumcarrow.co.uk/index.php/horse-sales/image/82

You never know though about price. Mine was 3 grand, sound easy to ride and although I am training him for dressage he would be easily capable of jumping in the high levels he has a showjumping canter according to some coaches. But to be fair his owner didn't seem to realise how much he was actually worth we underpaid by a lot haha. Maybe just get a list of yards in your area and go round to see if they know of any horses for sale. That's all we did after i gave up on the idea of lohoar or another dealers. I ended up finding a riding school run by a woman who buys loads of horses trains them up a bit and sells them on. She had over 60 for sale at the time. I could pm you the name of it but its in the north of Scotland haha.
 
What are you looking for and what's your actual budget? Oh and what area(s) would you consider? I know of a few very good people who sell genuine horses :)
 
Feel your pain. I'm horse hunting too. If adverts are rubbish then I pass. There are more horses than buyers out there especially this time yr so, you'd think sellers would try a bit harder! I thought I'd view a few that had rubbish adverts and lower than my budget, diamond in the rough etc. I viewed some right rubbish horses, one was so aggressive I wouldn't get on it and that was 3k! But, I did view a cracker with a low price guide, I'd discounted it at first because the advert was so basic. Was very tempted to buy. I've got a vetting booked for next week on a horse I found locally. But your right, I've never had responses back to horses I've enquirer on and surely they can't all be sold? Good luck in your search
 
FfionWinnie said:
I saw a SJer advertised for 9k and the photos were it stood over the door of a stable wearing a rug. Not a single pic of it near a fence I kid you not!
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I hate that. If you are selling a horse for something specific at least show it doing that. If i were to sell my horse I would have at least one photo of him doing everything I said he can do, other than farrier stuff (although I would have to put that he isn't brilliant with the farrier or vet and he can't be clipped without sedation so I doubt anyone would want to view him anyway haha).

It's usually just photos of the horse with rugs on or doing something not related to what it's advertised for. Although I did see a show jumper for sale claiming that it would be a brilliant show jumper as it had good breeding. However it's front pasterns were sloping so badly i could see why they weren't jumping it.
 
rachk89 said:
I hate that. If you are selling a horse for something specific at least show it doing that. If i were to sell my horse I would have at least one photo of him doing everything I said he can do, other than farrier stuff (although I would have to put that he isn't brilliant with the farrier or vet and he can't be clipped without sedation so I doubt anyone would want to view him anyway haha).

It's usually just photos of the horse with rugs on or doing something not related to what it's advertised for. Although I did see a show jumper for sale claiming that it would be a brilliant show jumper as it had good breeding. However it's front pasterns were sloping so badly i could see why they weren't jumping it.
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I was so taken aback by this one I spent 5 minutes ranting about it to my oh who in the end asked me if I was telling him cos I wanted him to buy it for me. Eh no, LOL! (But I'm sure I could find one I do want for that money if you like dear).
 
It is incredible how many sellers go on about what a brilliant show jumper the horse they're selling is, or that it's a cross country machine and then put up a video of it trotting around a school for 5 minutes without a pole in sight.

Also not a fan of those ten minute videos taken by someone wearing a head cam riding behind so you only ever see the back end of the horse being sold.
 
Equally though I have had buyers asking for videos and endless questions that are promptly replied to and I haven't had a single thanks but he's not for us response. I think email makes buyers a bit lazy and if anyone is seriously interested they pick up the phone!
 
I agree- its too easy for time wasters to click a button and request a video when theyve no intention of buying, especially on FB. I find true buyers ring first, ask questions, then come and view (with a deposit ready). I rarely answer emails as I dont have time to sit at a computer. I state in the ad'please phone for further information' .....If a serious buyer phones, asks sensible questions then requests further photos or a video, Il take what they request then send it to them.
 
I don't have any questions generally , I just want to see the horse move and stood up, if they put a proper conformation shot in advert in the first place it would save a lot of time. If I like the horse I'll go and view, if not we've saved everyone's time. I think in this day and age it's a much quicker way of doing things. Fair enough if people don't want to be emailed but then don't put your email in the advert.

To me it seems a logical thing to already have good photos and a video ready to send to people who request. It's not like I'm asking to see a video of it doing everything, I just want to see it move! We have all sorts of requests, and we just go out and film it, it's not a bother we'd be working the horse anyway, we want to sell the horse so we do it.
 
JackJill said:
Equally though I have had buyers asking for videos and endless questions that are promptly replied to and I haven't had a single thanks but he's not for us response. I think email makes buyers a bit lazy and if anyone is seriously interested they pick up the phone!
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stormox said:
I agree- its too easy for time wasters to click a button and request a video when theyve no intention of buying, especially on FB. I find true buyers ring first, ask questions, then come and view (with a deposit ready). I rarely answer emails as I dont have time to sit at a computer. I state in the ad'please phone for further information' .....If a serious buyer phones, asks sensible questions then requests further photos or a video, Il take what they request then send it to them.
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This annoys me. I have spent hours trawling through adverts, hours traveling the country, hundreds of pounds on fuel, failed vettings and stolen deposits, and when sellers get arsey about answering a few questions via email its a flipping cheek. I prefer to communicate by email, then I remember to ask everything and have answers in writing, they can't be glossed over or deflected. I am a serious buyer, I've money in the bank, I know what I want and am keen to find the right horse, is it too much to ask that sellers make a bit of an effort too, whether or not their horse turns out to be the right one? Apparently it really is for quite a few of them.

I'll add that it really is appreciated when sellers are helpful and even though I've not bought a horse yet, I know who I'd deal with again in future and who I certainly wouldn't.
 
Flame_ said:
This annoys me. I have spent hours trawling through adverts, hours traveling the country, hundreds of pounds on fuel, failed vettings and stolen deposits, and when sellers get arsey about answering a few questions via email its a flipping cheek. I prefer to communicate by email, then I remember to ask everything and have answers in writing, they can't be glossed over or deflected. I am a serious buyer, I've money in the bank, I know what I want and am keen to find the right horse, is it too much to ask that sellers make a bit of an effort too, whether or not their horse turns out to be the right one? Apparently it really is for quite a few of them.

I'll add that it really is appreciated when sellers are helpful and even though I've not bought a horse yet, I know who I'd deal with again in future and who I certainly wouldn't.
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I took a horse 1 1/2 hours away the other day, for someone to try xc as the buyer was a decent distance away from me - I agreed to meet halfway at an all-weather xc course. I thought they were a serious buyer and I totally stood by the horse as being capable of what they were looking for. Never bothered to let me know afterwards. I guessed they weren't interested .......

Cost me fuel, course hire and my time.......
 
That's so rude of the potential purchasers Spacefarer but as I was saying it's no problem sending videos exactly what the potential purchasers require etc rather the lack of thanks but no thanks! it takes seconds to reply if it's not what you are looking for, just good manners sadly lacking these days.
 
Flame_ said:
This annoys me. I have spent hours trawling through adverts, hours traveling the country, hundreds of pounds on fuel, failed vettings and stolen deposits, and when sellers get arsey about answering a few questions via email its a flipping cheek. I prefer to communicate by email, then I remember to ask everything and have answers in writing, they can't be glossed over or deflected. I am a serious buyer, I've money in the bank, I know what I want and am keen to find the right horse, is it too much to ask that sellers make a bit of an effort too, whether or not their horse turns out to be the right one? Apparently it really is for quite a few of them.

I'll add that it really is appreciated when sellers are helpful and even though I've not bought a horse yet, I know who I'd deal with again in future and who I certainly wouldn't.
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I agree. I work 7 to 7 underground and can't take my phone with me. When I was looking I preferred to email to ascertain if the horse was still available and any important questions so I didn't forget and to arrange a suitable time for both of us to talk on the phone having explained the fact I couldn't just call up due to my job.

The amount of times the only response I got got was "yes still available please phone for answers" and nothing further, not a suitable time to call nothing.

I haven't got the time in the the day to be calling people up continuously to try and talk about a horse without knowing they will answer and I certainly don't think it's fair to call someone at 6 am or 8 pm when they aren't expecting it! Hence it was always email first then arrange a phone call for me. Doesn't mean I'm not serious about buying.
 
As a seller, I NEED to talk to potential buyers by phone, how on earth can I ascertain whether theyre suitable, sensible knowledgeable people, and right for my horse, if I dont talk to them?
Call me old-fashioned, but I dont have time to go home from yard or work and sit at my computer in the evening, sending videos to people who are possibly totally unsuitable.
If they phone first, seem sensible, knowledgeable and a good match for the horse Im selling, yes I am able to send more pictures, or a video.
 
Stormox, maybe state this in a reply email after answering your potential customers' questions and requests? And maybe ask them for their phone numbers so you can talk to them at your expense if you feel it's necessary?
 
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stormox said:
I agree- its too easy for time wasters to click a button and request a video when theyve no intention of buying, especially on FB. I find true buyers ring first, ask questions, then come and view (with a deposit ready). I rarely answer emails as I dont have time to sit at a computer. I state in the ad'please phone for further information' .....If a serious buyer phones, asks sensible questions then requests further photos or a video, Il take what they request then send it to them.
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This, and don't let anyone put you off with the 'don't buy the first one you see c**p'.....if it suits, buy it and be grateful you've not had numerous wasted weekends trawling round to see horses that aren't 'the one'! Good luck with your hunt!
 
Flame, I usually put in the advert (as well as the best pictures I can take) 'please phone for further information' if they e-mail when Ive explicitly put 'please phone' then its their fault if the horse gets sold to someone who does phone.
 
I have recently both bought and sold, and have some observations.

As a buyer, I too will not travel without a video. I guess 80% of videos I was sent had poor quality paces or were lame. TBH, if I have to go through an adoption interview just to see a video I give up, especially as I am not interested after most of the videos. Having a half hour question and answer to have it all wasted in a 30 second clip is depressing.

If I am interested after seeing a video then I am happy to be cross examined, so I don't waste time travelling to be deemed unsuitable.

In these days, of even having decent video off a mobile phone, I don't see why all adverts don't carry a video.

When I sold the horse recently my advert had several photos, including one stripped off side view, and a video showing all paces on the flat, jumping both at home and at a show and also ridden work in a field. If I had not sold so quickly I would have included footage in traffic, over XC and at a hunt. Pretty much as a previous poster said, if I say she does it I video to show she does!
 
The last 2 horses I sold I had requests for videos, which I duly emailed off the following day. In both cases another buyer phoned, and Id had a deposit subject to vetting before the person Id e-mailed to got back to me to say theyd like to come and view.
 
spacefaer said:
I took a horse 1 1/2 hours away the other day, for someone to try xc as the buyer was a decent distance away from me - I agreed to meet halfway at an all-weather xc course. I thought they were a serious buyer and I totally stood by the horse as being capable of what they were looking for. Never bothered to let me know afterwards. I guessed they weren't interested .......

Cost me fuel, course hire and my time.......
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It was nice you did that but I would have insisted they paid for fuel at least for that once I got there or no chance to sit on the horse. Would do that next time so you at least get something for it.
 
When I sell horses, I always go to a lot of effort to provide plenty of video footage and photos. This stops the photo collectors wasting my time, and those that believe the horse isn't what they are after, calling and wasting time for us both. My last eventing horse had: 4 competition photos (2 jump, 2 dressage), 10 minutes un-interrupted flat work schooling, 10 minutes of showjumping schooling (in blocks of 2-3 minutes, to allow for jump changing) and a professional XC video taken from a competition. All footage included what I stated in the ad what the horse was capable of. I had no emails of people asking for footage, instead I had genuine inquiries discussing the horse. I had extra footage that I did send to these prospective buyers, just to keep the interest rolling. He sold within a week, to the first caller, and I had pretty much booked out the week with people organizing times to see him.

When I was searching for my first dressage horse, I honestly got to the point where I moved on if the photos were crummy and there was no video. I don't want to waste my time calling and discussing a horse, then being sent footage of a stiff-legged, crooked mover. If the video/photos are there, I can decide if I'd like to have a serious chat to the owner. There were plenty of horses in ads that were presented well and looked good, so I was busy following up on these. I didn't have time to follow up on 'maybe' horses. By putting in a little effort into the ad, it saves everyone's time. By a strange twist, I had actually dismissed the horse I eventually bought based on dodgy photos the owner used in his ad. They updated the ad two weeks after I'd initially seen it, with a lovely body shot, and I thought 'This horse actually looks alright!'. There was also some footage of him schooling, and he looked sweet. If this had been done when the ad was placed, I would have called then and there!
 
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