Dreading selling my mare because of buyers

[PuddingSummer]

I just need a little rant real quick

I have a young little horse that’s fab to ride but a typical Welsh hot head and I’m dreading buyers.

She needs to be sold because I have a 1 year old daughter and hoping to have another very soon. The horse is in no way a kids pony so not safe for the small people to be around and I’ve lost any motivation to ride so it’s in everyone’s best interest.

I’ve already had someone buy the horse but the women completely over horsed herself and I asked to bring her back.

The second viewing I had the woman was very nervous and only mentioned whilst heading out on a hack that she’d broken her back. Right on queue a pony bolting at us in the field and a scream and yank on the mouth later, that viewing clearly didn’t go well.

Third viewing was cancelled and I’d wasted my parents time with childcare arrangements.

The horse isn’t stupid money, is being professionally schooled weekly because I can’t ride without pulling out all the stops with childcare. I’m working full time and don’t have the energy for these people. I don’t have the £200 a week schooling livery money to send her away.

I’ve never sold a horse before and right now, I’d never want to ever do it again

 

[magicmoments]

I would say you've got to assess them as much as you can before they come to even view in the nicest possible way. In the same why as anyone wanting to view a horse may do online searching first.
I say this as someone who has never sold a horse, so there may be posters with much helpful advice.

 

[ihatework]

You need to be a little more canny about sussing people out on the phone. You’ll still get the odd one slip through though.

Dont be afraid to stop a viewing the second it becomes apparent that not a match.

Unfortunately selling horses can be an effort and a hassle, especially if they aren’t the most straightforward.

 

[PuddingSummer]

I have to admit the first one was my fault, I should have put my foot down but the red flags were only apparent in hindsight. The second one I thought was a real winner, we spoke in length on the phone and she had her own land along with 3 other welshies - it was only on viewing did it become clear that she was possibly too nervous. The third lady sounded perfect but she found a lovely little horse before the viewing and fair enough on her she cancelled and it wasn’t her problem that I had to arrange childcare.

I don’t know how dealers spend all day selling horses, answering the same questions over and over, dealing with cancelled viewings. I’m bored of it and I’ve barely scratched the surface!

 

[IrishMilo]

If you want to share the ad (you could change a few details if you don't want to be identifiable) we could help you word it in a way that will ward off numpties.

Ask for videos of people riding before they come too. I've stalked potential buyers after speaking with them on the phone and then turned them away due to what I've seen.

 

[Zoeypxo]

If its facebook i always have a look on profiles/pictures first. If they have no riding pictures i ask for some and videos as proof of riding experience

 

[pistolpete]

I think it’s very common for people to think they’re up to horses that really are too much for them. I know so many people myself included that have bought ‘too much horse!’ I guess all you can do is tweak the advert to make her sound really bold and totally not novice ride and maybe describe the type of rider you think she would stunt? I find those ads the best when I window shop. If they sound like they’re describing my style. I’m interested.

 

[cauda equina]

Have you tried word of mouth - vet, farrier, PC/RC contacts and so on?
If you know someone who knows someone who's looking for the type of horse you're selling that can cut out a lot of faff, and you will hopefully get some good background info on potential buyers too

 

[PuddingSummer]

Have you tried word of mouth - vet, farrier, PC/RC contacts and so on?
If you know someone who knows someone who's looking for the type of horse you're selling that can cut out a lot of faff, and you will hopefully get some good background info on potential buyers too

Funny enough it was word of mouth that caused the first sale!

I’m advertising and making the mare sound awful in the hopes it weeds out the serious, but then I feel like I’m doing the poor thing a massive disservice and not actively ’selling’ the mare

 

[ihatework]

Funny enough it was word of mouth that caused the first sale!

I’m advertising and making the mare sound awful in the hopes it weeds out the serious, but then I feel like I’m doing the poor thing a massive disservice and not actively ’selling’ the mare

You do need to be careful on how you word things. Make sure you also highlight her good points and the sort of home she would suit

 

[SO1]

Is there any way of advertising her on the welsh sites on Facebook with a link to an advert or not mentioning prices.

I would not rule out children with experienced parents I think there was a poster on here looking for some fiesty pony for her son as he was bored with the quieter types.

 

[stormox]

Have you got the right market looking? Is she suitable for an adult or more for a child/teenager? How big is she? Welshies vary a lot.....
But unfortunately you will have to put the work in and show her to her advantage.

 

[slimjim86]

Is there any way of advertising her on the welsh sites on Facebook with a link to an advert or not mentioning prices.

I would not rule out children with experienced parents I think there was a poster on here looking for some fiesty pony for her son as he was bored with the quieter types.

Honestly I was a better rider at 15 than 35 lol

 

[honetpot]

PC pony for teen, who is ready to move up?
I am thinking of selling my homebred 14.2/3 and have asked a friend who has sold something for me before to take it to prep it for sale. For it's age it done very little and has been on loan to the same family, who have only hacked it out and done a local show.
Where it is at livery, can they not do the viewings? I tell my friend what I would like for it, pay basic livery, and anything over the price I want they get to keep, so there is an incentive to sell it( the last one they made over £2k and it sold in two weeks), and not keep it forever in sales livery. I know one horse that was in sales livery for months and never sold so you have to be careful.

 

[PuddingSummer]

15hh 5yo Section D x Sports horse | Horsemart

All Rounder Horse For Sale in for sale in Essex. Search and browse thousands of All Rounders Horses For Sale ads on Horsemart today!

www.horsemart.co.uk

I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post her ad here but here it is. She would suit a confident teenager, she’s just not suitable to be around little people because she can be a bit bolshy on the ground!

 

[PuddingSummer]

The only reason she isn’t on the Welshie fb groups yet is because im planning to pop down when her rider is on board so I can get the most up to date videos. Hoping the Welshie groups will be a bit more successful

 

[Bellaboo18]

Thoughts;
I like how honest your advert comes across but it does sound a little negative.
I'm sure you know but you need more pictures and ideally a video.
I'd take out the will trash your fence etc. I'd expect most horses to not cope out on their own. This is something I'd tell people before a viewing. Likewise not doing well on full livery etc. I'd spin it a bit more positively i.e say her routine and say she's happy with this. Some full livery would suit her.
If that's what you want for her and are stretched for time, I'd see if you can get a sales livery where they take the cut from the sale. Hard to say without seeing her but I think she's underpriced.
Good luck x

 

[Goldie's mum]

I agree she's under priced. Do you think that perhaps if you chose a sales livery carefully they could take all the hassle for you & get a better price that still leaves you with what you're asking for at the moment?

If you carry on doing it yourself I'd certainly put the price up. Also I agree with IrishMilo, I'd ask for a video of the buyer riding.

 

[Wishfilly]

Is it still possible to find sales livery where they will take their costs out of the sale price as commission? Or possibly do a deal with the pro schooling her on that basis? Then you don't have to deal with people and they will hopefully be able to market her to the right person.

I'd definitely put more photos and a video up on the ad, though as well.

 

[millitiger]

She looks smart.
Assuming she would vet cleanly, I think it would be worth your while putting her on sales livery with someone with a good reputation.
They are much more experienced with adverts, queries and viewings and will likely find the correct buyer more easily.
It will cost a bit more but your current sales price looks very achievable for you to get out, even with livery costs taken out first.

 

[SO1]

I think you will struggle to sell her with that advert.

The part about her behaviour in the field would really put a lot of people off if she can't go on individual turnout but bullies other horses that could be very difficult to manage especially if on livery.

She is a youngster so you could just say that she is not suitable for novice or nervous owner as she is only 5 and still learning so needs confident and consistent handling. She would be suitable for a home with experience with youngsters.

 

[Equi]

Yeah I wouldn’t buy your horse based on that advert.

 

[pistolpete]

She sounds like she’d suit a lot of riders but not a lot of yards where the owners don’t have control of the livery situation. Rules out many homes. She’s beautiful. Hope you find someone soon.

 

[PuddingSummer]

Thank you all for your messages, I hadn’t realised it hadn’t added all the original photos I put up so that was helpful to notice!

I’ve taken out the field and full livery issues and will explain more at point of discussion prior to viewings.

I’m overly cautious about her ‘issues’ after the first failed sale but I’m definitely making her sound awful when she’s actually a really smart, easy to ride and easy to take out mare.

If someone can provide the right home, then she would absolutely thrive but she is what people think of when you think of a welsh attitude

 

[IrishMilo]

Just had a look at the ad. It's really long and only has one photo not showing her off, which will immediately put a lot of people off.

I'd literally just put:

"15hh, 5 year old Welsh D mare. Progressing well in the school and hacks alone and in company. Not strong or sharp but can have the odd spook so not for a total novice. Would suit small experienced rider to continue bringing her on for all fun RC type activities! Good in all ways, no stable vices. Very sad sale due to lack of time" - and then you want a photo of her schooling nicely and one of her out hacking.

Sorry to be blunt but a photo of her stood still just isn't the best way to show a ridden horse off.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Just had a look at the ad. It's really long and only has one photo not showing her off, which will immediately put a lot of people off.

I'd literally just put:

"15hh, 5 year old Welsh D mare. Progressing well in the school and hacks alone and in company. Not strong or sharp but can have the odd spook so not for a total novice. Would suit small experienced rider to continue bringing her on for all fun RC type activities! Good in all ways, no stable vices. Very sad sale due to lack of time" - and then you want a photo of her schooling nicely and one of her out hacking.

Sorry to be blunt but a photo of her stood still just isn't the best way to show a ridden horse off.

I would want to see photos of the horse stood up square without tack from at least 2 angles as well as the ridden pics.

 

[PuddingSummer]

I would want to see photos of the horse stood up square without tack from at least 2 angles as well as the ridden pics.

I actually thought this as well and took these exact photos today

 

[horsimous]

Your advert combined with that photo give the impression that horse and owner don’t get on any more. Can you ask the person that schools her for help with the advert?

 

[horsimous]

I asked ChatGPT to make the advert more positive:

### For Sale: Maisie - A Talented and Playful Mare

Maisie is a delightful and capable mare, looking for a new home due to my full-time work commitments and a busy family life.

**Key Highlights:**
- Rides beautifully with a soft mouth
- Hacks confidently both alone and in company
- Full history available, including competition and clinic experience
- Loads and travels well in both trailer and box
- Good with vet, farrier, and dentist
- Up to date with vaccinations and dental care
- Easy to catch in the field
- Comes with all tack and wardrobe
- Passed a vetting in April

**Price: £4,000**

Maisie is not for a novice but is an excellent partner for a confident, adult rider. She is straightforward to ride in the school but can be a bit spooky out hacking, so she benefits from a rider who can give her confidence.

She predominantly hacks alone due to my time constraints, and she is currently being professionally schooled weekly. Maisie has primarily been hacked, ensuring she is clean-limbed and ready for more focused work. She would thrive in a riding club environment where she can participate in various activities. Although she hasn't been jumped due to lack of facilities, she has been exposed to poles and pole clinics without hesitation.

Maisie thrives in a turnout environment and is part of a herd most of the year, coming in overnight during winter. This lifestyle suits her well. She has a strong personality and does best with confident and consistent handling.

If you’re looking for a versatile and engaging mare with great potential, Maisie could be the perfect fit for you.

 

[MagicMelon]

100% be picky yourself. Think of it as choosing an owner for your horse. Thats how I look at it. I ask THEM loads of questions on the phone - their experience, what they want to do with horse / level, where theyd keep it and on what routine. Then Ill literally tell them on the phone if I think theyre suitable for my horse or not! Im sure that sounds so snobby but it isnt. I know my horse so I feel I know what sort of person theyd suit. No point in letting everyone come and view and they ruin your horse by not being able to ride or they love the horse but then tell you they want to keep your horse stabled 24/7 forever more when the horse has lived out permanently for the past 10 years.