Fed up of selling my horse!

LeannePip

LeannePip

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She's been up for sale for about 10 days and already I'm fed up of potentials and time wasters!

Against some peoples opinions, wrote a huge comprehensive add to hopefully answer a lot of questions and just get some serious enquiries. nope . . . i have had;

- 'Hello, could you tell me about your horse please . . .' this really bugs me because the add has so much detail in so what do you want to know . . .

- have had huge conversations with people think they seem perfect and look forward to a viewing, for them to say at the end would you be happy to loan for a year or so first . . . my add does say potential trial short loan period as horse is just coming back into work but a year is taking the biscuit.

- people call to see if i'll take £1500 less than she's advertised for, only up for £4k, on the basis of her quirks which i have already accounted for in the price and been upfront about in the advert.

- Have had a few kids emailing to see if they can loan her for the summer and send her back before school. one even said she would have her for the summer and then sell her for a 50/50 split. not sure the 6weeks of your time should equal the six years of my time thats gone into her!?

- people getting annoyed with me over the phone when i am honest and say i'm selling because i want to event seriously (Grassroots plus) and i don't think thats what she wants to do - as if i've mis advertised her in some way! I'm selling her as a 'fun, safe, confidence giver' and have in no-way implied that she is a serious top level competition prospect for any particular discipline!

I just want the perfect family to show up, forgive her little foible and love her for her amazingness - she really is a wonderful horse for anyone who wants to go out and have fun doing everything and she's given me so many years of fun i just want someone to enjoy her as much as i have!

Also link to H&H add if anyone happens to be looking; http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/clas...uthampton/flashy-confidence-giver-484117.html
 
I love this horse!!! Have seen you out and about on her so many times and u know how much I've admired her :) selling is always rubbish, I'm sure the right person will come along soon. She'd have been ideal for me haha
 
I think you need to be more specific in your advert!

Indicate exactly what time frame of loan/trial you might contemplate. So 'would consider a fortnight's trial to right home' or 'would consider maximum two month's loan with view to buy, with appropriate contract in place'.

Advertise her price as 'no offers' if that is the case, or 'very near offer considered'.

Start the ad with a summary of what job you think she would do - judging from the ad it would sound like she would do well as a riding club/pony club showjumper / hunter or low level dressage horse (you don't give any details of the scores she gets, if good scores then state usually '65 per cent plus at Prelim/Novice'). I think anyone with a bit of experience will read between the lines that she is not a consistent event horse being a little bit nappy and not good with water. However, I'd still reword the bit that says she is 'great XC' - if she is a bit nappy leaving the start box and hesitant with water then she wouldn't be 'great XC' in my book and encourages people to enquire who want to event her. Perhaps could be reworded to say something along the lines of 'I am selling her because I want to compete at BE100 plus, and she is not quite brave enough XC for this job').

From your description, she sounds a little over-priced. She is not a total confidence-giver for a more novice rider as she can be a bit nappy, but perhaps hasn't got enough potential for the more experienced rider. If that is not the case, then you need to make that clearer, particularly with regards showjumping results and dressage scores.



Hope that helps explain how the advert reads to an 'outsider'!
 
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I think that the photos show a horse that looks as if it is a competition horse that would go on, normally photos are not good enough in this case I think they are better than a £4k horse which will be a bit conflicting with your target market of a lower level home, the fact you mention her napping behaviour twice in the ad will put off the more knowledgeable person wanting a confidence giver as that is contradictory in my view.

You almost say too much, trying too hard to be honest makes the ad rather confusing, I would cut it back, change the photos to show less talent and target a RC lady looking for low key fun, getting the ad right is half the battle when selling, it cuts out the timewasters and makes the right people get in touch, putting in too much detail can be as detrimental as not putting in enough.

She is a lovely mare who should be snapped up at that money.
 
No, Thank you! I really appreciate the feed back and will edit the add to reflect your comments i can definitely add the scores a pitch her at he beginning as a pony club/ RC horse to be more specific.

But i don't think she's over priced as a fun all rounder £4k for something that; you can hunt one weekend, dressage the next, showjump consistently the next week, take to the beach/ fun rides and never have to worry about being bolted or bucked with, not a dirty stopper and easy to have around at home, is not a lot.

I just want to be honest about her, the napping is more annoying than anything as its not overtime or even a regular thing or anything that i can see/find that causes it just some days she just doesn't want to hack alone, but she has been with a fairly 'green' home for the last year and they've hacked her and it not caused an issue. Not really sure what to do for the best don't mention it and disclose it on the call and risk false advertising or just trying to fight her corner when people call and ask about it?
 
LeannePip said:
a fun all rounder that you can hunt one weekend, dressage the next, showjump consistently the next week, take to the beach/ fun rides and never have to worry about being bolted or bucked with, not a dirty stopper and easy to have around at home
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So that is (approximately) what you should put as the first line of your advert. You can then add something along the lines that she is 'for sale as she is not quite brave enough XC to fulfil your eventing ambitions', to deter those looking for a cheap Grassroots eventer.
 
She's a beautiful little mare! I think though as you have said in the advert she has been in a hacking home and needs a bit of work to get her back up to competing maybe include some more recent photos of her and maybe a conformation picture?
 
In fact I'd word along the following lines:

"Are you looking for a fun all rounder that you can hunt one weekend, dressage the next, show jump consistently the following week, take to the beach/ fun rides and never have to worry about being bolted or bucked with and is easy to have around at home. Then Pip is the one for you. Very reluctantly for sale, as she is not quite brave enough XC to fulfil my eventing ambitions."

I'd take out the 'flashy' in the title - just encourages the wrong sort of buyer for the horse.

Make the lead photo on the ad one of her showjumping or dressaging, not XC as that will attract more people looking for an eventer. Probably best to title the ad "Fun All-Rounder".
 
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I agree with TGM.

I'm actually looking for a horse at the moment and came across your ad when searching - I moved on quite quickly as I'm looking for something to jump 1.10+ with, but for me reading the ad, the fact that you've mentioned the napping twice would suggest to me that it was a fairly significant issue. Also it does make her seem overpriced and it come across as a contradiction - I wouldn't expect a confidence giver to nap.

If it's minor and a sporadic issue I would remove from the ad and just mention it to people when they call.
 
Honestly? :p
have seen her ad on fb and from that I thought you rather upsold her given the issues she has had recently. Also obviously I know why you have bought a new one but the ad read as though she would be perfect for what you want to do/someone with similar ambitions. That was just the feeling I got from it.
I assume the stifles aren't an issue any more/she has no special keep requirements as iirc she had to be kept out as much as possible previously?
Also saying she is a schoolmistress/confidence giver that naps seems a bit of an oxymoron. Is she a low level competition school mistress? Realistically your target 'fun' market will want to hack/rely on hacking to keep horses fit etc.

Don't get me wrong I think she is a great mare, but to me the ad didnt really add up to what I know of her from your postings on here.
 
she sounds like the type I would want if I was looking but the mention of nappyness in the ad would completely put me off and I wouldn't even phone. agree with TGM with the revised wording and would like a confirmation shot from the side with no tack as well as a flat and jumping one. I wouldn't mention napping till someone actually comes to see her as you say it is occasional and not violent..and if it hasn't been a problem with her loan home you may find in a happy hack/local riding club type home she may not do it at all....good luck
 
ester said:
Honestly? :p
have seen her ad on fb and from that I thought you rather upsold her given the issues she has had recently. Also obviously I know why you have bought a new one but the ad read as though she would be perfect for what you want to do/someone with similar ambitions. That was just the feeling I got from it.
I assume the stifles aren't an issue any more/she has no special keep requirements as iirc she had to be kept out as much as possible previously?
Also saying she is a schoolmistress/confidence giver that naps seems a bit of an oxymoron. Is she a low level competition school mistress? Realistically your target 'fun' market will want to hack/rely on hacking to keep horses fit etc.

Don't get me wrong I think she is a great mare, but to me the ad didnt really add up to what I know of her from your postings on here.
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Oh, I didn't think to check back history on here. If the horse you are selling is the one below I do think you need to declare the medical issues to any potential buyers:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?660091-Locking-Stifle-Treatment-Nightmare
 
I should add by management does she still require ulcer supplements too?

I just think with her history, knowing that she needs bringing back into work it would seem a bit of a gamble to buy her and assume none of these issues will come up again, add to that the nappiness and although I do think she is a fab type of mare it is a lot of risk for someone to take IMO.
 
I've seen your ad and although she's the height and stamp and price I want I was put off by the use of flashy as thought she would be on the sharper side plus the napping is not what I want. Having said that I prefer lots of info in the ad as Will not waste mine or others time if not suited. She would be perfect for my daughter who would not be phased.
 
Would she pass a vetting?

It seems bizarre that you haven't been honest enough to include her medical history, which is the reason you bought another horse, as she kept going wrong.

I wouldn't pay 4k for a horse with a chronic stifle problem, ulcers and a tendon injury last year, that also naps occasionally.
 
Sorry, but no way would I be paying 4k for a horse with stifle issues (and tendon injury?) as well as history of ulcers.

Even at half that price, it would be taking a punt and I'm not sure I'd want to risk 2k on a horse that has a history of going wrong either!
 
I'd just put in that she's a good, competitive riding/pony club type who is easy to deal with. Take out the word nappy as she actually sounds like she tends to be backward thinking at times. Just need to say that she is a bit green xc as you didn't do much with her, but has been out hunting & jumped everything asked. Potential to do grassroots with the right rider.
Change flashy to fun.
You can add in the hacking bit, but tbh I would leave out & if a person rings up you can explain, it's easier to explain the backward bits talking than writing online!

Ets. I don't know about medical stuff on her but things can heal - if it's a previous tendon problem then you could just say that becuase of this will be low level riding club type
 
Pips only downside is occasionally she can be reluctant to hack on her own, shes always fine in company and also fine if you take her away from home on her own. However saying this, Pip has been in a hacking only home for the last year where she has hacked on her own and in company and has not caused an issue.
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This part is confusing and contradictory - does she or doesn't she nap? If it's not an issue then I would be questioning (as a buyer) why you mentioned it in the ad.

I also think anyone would be bonkers to pay 4K for a horse with ongoing or at least unsolved stifle issues.
 
TGM said:
In fact I'd word along the following lines:

"Are you looking for a fun all rounder that you can hunt one weekend, dressage the next, show jump consistently the following week, take to the beach/ fun rides and never have to worry about being bolted or bucked with and is easy to have around at home. Then Pip is the one for you. Very reluctantly for sale, as she is not quite brave enough XC to fulfil my eventing ambitions."

I'd take out the 'flashy' in the title - just encourages the wrong sort of buyer for the horse.

Make the lead photo on the ad one of her showjumping or dressaging, not XC as that will attract more people looking for an eventer. Probably best to title the ad "Fun All-Rounder".
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Honestly, even without the stifle/tendon issues then 4k+ is a steep price for something that naps. It might well just be something that needs a kick on to go and therefore no issue, but it would put me off massively. People who want nice RC allrounders want something thats straightforward and easy. They want to go up, hop on and ride, and always having to hack in company is a pain in the bum! People looking for a good grassroots horse might overlook it as they could ride through it, but if you are selling her as she cant do that then it limits her market.

I spent about 8 months horse shopping for a friend just over a year ago. She would have considered your mare as she is a confident rider, the same way she considered youngsters and horses needing a step down. All she wanted to do was ride and do the odd RC thing. Perfect sort of home for her. But she wouldnt have paid 4k for her, and thats before we take into account that shes been in a low level hacking home for a year and theres a question mark over her soundness.

Its difficult pricing horses. There is a psychological phenomenon that causes people to value things they own much higher than things they are looking to buy. Ask yourself realistically what you would pay for her if you were viewing her to buy. I love my boy and hes priceless to me, but hes not priceless to the people who would be interested in buying him if I sold him ;)
 
I like your ad (and your horse!) and in fact I showed it to a friend a week or so ago who contacted you to arrange to meet but you never got back to her so she assumed horse had sold. Or perhaps you didn't think it was the right home, but it is polite just to drop a line ;)

Eta - just read the whole thread and if it is the same horse with the stifle probs she wouldn't suit my friend anyway.
 
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I am a little confused by the fact you say she can jump 1m for showjumping and xc and even has the potential to go higher. She can do all jumps but bit wary of water but with right rider that will not be an issue.

So considering grassroots includes 90 to 100 as a prospective buyer I am now questioning why you want rid of her since to you she can do that? I may not be understanding eventing right but that is what BE says grassroots is. So your ad says she can do grassroots level in a way then says she can't. Possibly why people are confused and aren't calling.
 
Thanks for all replies, I haven't read in detail ATM but just wanted to pick up on a couple of points about medical history, I don't think these are usually listed in an advert but I have fully disclosed all issues to interested parties that have called, r.e the stifles these were treated as a 5/6yo and haven't been an issue since and she's happy in a normal yard routine I.e turned out daily but has had to have the odd day in for bad weather and this isn't an issue. We did treat her for ulcers and this was resolved in sure that can be said for a lot of horses. And the tendon was much of a nothing, she came in lame with a fat leg so vet came out and we box rested her for 2/3 weeks by which pint she was almost sound vet scanned the tendon and didn't find anything atall so we rested until sound and scanned again still nothing so she came back into work which is when she went hacking for the year to see how she'd gone and she's been 100% ever since. But I have told everyone who has enquired that this was the reason for going out on loan.

I really am not trying to deceive any one she is a cracking horse who has had issues, the hacking was a major issue at 5yo but I would say this is mostly resolved now 3 years later. Do people really expect to buy horses that have never had problems requiring veterinary treatment?

Benz I'm sorry if I didn't get back to your friend I have replied to all messages I have had and returned phone calls and left messages if no answer so do apologise if this was missed but I can't find anything else?
 
Just cut out the waffle, which is confusing people, horse is open to vet, and a good all round RC type, suited to capable teenager.
Horse is for sale. Do not say anything about loan / trial
 
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Bonkers2 said:
Just cut out the waffle, which is confusing people, horse is open to vet, and a good all round RC type, suited to capable teenager.
Horse is for sale. Do not say anything about loan / trial
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I agree to much waffle .
But honestly with a minor nap with past health issues I think she may well be overpriced for the market .
Selling things anything except food off supermarket shelves requires effort , selling horses requires considerable effort and time and patience .
 
LeannePip said:
Do people really expect to buy horses that have never had problems requiring veterinary treatment?
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No they don't. However, they do normally tend to clear of horses that have had soundness problems that may reoccur. Rightly or wrongly, they are likely to be wary of a horse who has serious problems with upwards fixation of the patella in the past, particularly if the problem has regularly occurred when the horse has been in work, as opposed to occasional UFP in an unbroken youngster. I agree that you don't necessarily need to mention it in the advert, but would expect such veterinary history to be declared by the seller and obviously it should be reflected in the price of the horse.
 
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I am a bit confused by the fact you describe her in the title as 'Flashy Confidence Giver' then go on to say she can nap in the start box, and out hacking on her own. If I was looking for a confidence giver I certainly wouldnt buy one with even the trace of a nap. Naps only get worse with unconfident riders.
 
I do think in which case you have to be aware that you will get a lot of enquiries that go cold once you tell them about the stifles. Given her previous issues + the napping I think she is well overpriced I'm afraid.
And yes for 4k I might expect for a horse to have had one issue, not 3 at her age. And as many say on here, why would you buy trouble when you aren't looking for something amazingly talented that over rides that.
 
LeannePip said:
And the tendon was much of a nothing, she came in lame with a fat leg so vet came out and we box rested her for 2/3 weeks by which pint she was almost sound vet scanned the tendon and didn't find anything atall so we rested until sound and scanned again still nothing so she came back into work which is when she went hacking for the year to see how she'd gone and she's been 100% ever since. But I have told everyone who has enquired that this was the reason for going out on loan.
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I think the problem is that anyone serious enough to hand over upwards of 4K is going to want to see that she can stand up to the work you've said she's capable of in the ad.

The way you've written the post indicates that she had a tendon injury, so she was sent to a hacking home for a year, and now she's able to go on and do everything she could before. It's a big gamble to buy on that basis because there's no proof that her tendon/stifles are going to be OK in "hard" work. And it's relatively easy to have a horse be sound as a happy hacker.

I'd also be peed off if I took the time to ring someone and only then did they tell me of all these problems.

I expect any issues the horse has had to be in the ad, so I can make an informed decision there and then.

You say "do people really expect every issue the horse has had to be in the ad?" and the answer is yes, if the issues are as big as hers are - especially with a price tag like that.

Sometimes you just have to take a loss with horses and admit that they're not worth what you want them to be worth.
 
Do you know..you can write up absolutely everything in the advert and still get muppets coming along asking questions that are written down in black and white...it took me a year to sell my daughters horse..specifically saying not up for hunting or eventing as getting on in years, bit stiff but great for hacking low level jumping and dressage....still had people coming and saying yes wee are going to hunt him, event him or even funnier, he should be fit living out in this field...hang on in there, the right person will come along, 10 days is not a long time! Put at the end of ad, no long term loans or whatever it is you aren't offering! Good luck
 
4K would be for a horse that has no medical history that could recur (e.g simple cuts or wounds), that DOESNT nap - a horse that will nap is not a confidence giver as if you put a nappy horse together with a nervous rider you can bet the napping will deteriorate.
Advertise her for 3kg as a fun riding club allrounder who needs a confident rider to hack alone and I bet you get more enquiries.
 
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