First time selling a horse... advice needed

[Sherbie]

Hi All,

Looking for some advice from HHO. The big lad is now up for sale, not what I ever planned atall. Also like alot of other horse owners, my budget is minimal so keeping him long term is not an option just now. I cant go into detail but did not expect to be in this situation.


Anyway reading another thread earlier got me thinking about any advice people may have about selling a horse. Ideally he should be going to an experienced home with a competant rider. How can I make sure this is the case? Is that even possible? Fair enough I could get a general idea when speaking to someone or meeing them but is it possible to make sure they are experienced rider before they try my horse? The last thing he needs is to be messed around. (thats if anyone wants to see him)


Basically, what would be your advice to someone selling a sensitive horse (ridden, great in all other ways) . What to look out for ect. I have only returned to horses over the last 3 years after a break and never had to sell so any experiences HHO has to share would be much appreciated.

Thanks x

 

[be positive]

Start by writing a correct ad, put mainly positives in with something along the lines of " this wonderful horse deserves an experienced rider to continue with his education" that, if there are also enough good points should appeal to more knowledgeable people without making him sound like a useless problem horse.

If he jumps well get a really good photo as well as one side on to show his conformation, a video is also very useful.
Make the ad stand out with a good heading, word it carefully, put it in paragraphs that make it easy to read and make sense of, do not use negatives always positives, keep to the truth but big him up, people expect some exaggeration about how great they are.

When they contact you ask a few questions, you may be selling but there is no reason you cannot be picky, if you do not like the answers just say you do not think he is suitable for what they want, you never need to meet them so if the take offence dont worry, I have done this and most people take it very well if you sound sincere.

When they turn up to try, see how they are around him, if nervous they may just need some time to relax, if they get on and look unsuitable ask them to get off, again if they dont take it well he's your horse you sell to someone you feel is suitable.
Just to add most people are nice, they may not be right for your horse but I have met some lovely people when selling and am still in contact with some of them

 

[Irish Flo]

I think the best thing you can do is be honest in your ad about him explaining what he rides like and that he'd suit a more competent rider who has the experience and skills to take him to the level thats hes more than capable of achieving.

Most of the time if a horse is been sold privatley the potential buyer would ride them in their current home the first time, Firstly because, 1; your not going to let someone you have never met and dont know anything about drive of with your horse for a trial 2;Personally I always made a point of trying the horse in their current home because their relaxed and happy and it would give me an idea of how theyd be at my home when they settled.

Plus, usually most experienced horsey people can read other horsey people a mile of, their body language around a horse..are they rough, kind.. do they just talk about the horse as if its abit of meat instead of as potential life long friend (that sounds abit cheesy, but you know what I mean lol) And most important youd be-able to see how they ride. And if you are more concerned about the home your horse goes to rather than the £££'s you kinda have the upper hand. If you are not happy with a potential buyer, if you feel that they will just ruin all the hard work youv put in or will just add your baby to an over-stocked shed of underloved horseys then... I shouldnt really say this ...but you could just fobe them of... say there is another potential buyer coming that evening or the next morning and theyv travelled a fair distance and it would only be fair that they get a shot at making an offer to...

please dont butcher me for saying that any1 lol I had to do it once, this very VERY over weight lad can to see my beautiful we delicate 14.2h years ago and I told him the pony had stood on a big stone and hurt his foot so he wouldnt be-able to ride him... best thing I ever done!! a lovely we family came the next day with their daughter. they have him 12years now and I still get updates and photos, hes 25 and still winning classes lol

 

[Sherbie]

Start by writing a correct ad, put mainly positives in with something along the lines of " this wonderful horse deserves an experienced rider to continue with his education" that, if there are also enough good points should appeal to more knowledgeable people without making him sound like a useless problem horse.

If he jumps well get a really good photo as well as one side on to show his conformation, a video is also very useful.
Make the ad stand out with a good heading, word it carefully, put it in paragraphs that make it easy to read and make sense of, do not use negatives always positives, keep to the truth but big him up, people expect some exaggeration about how great they are.

When they contact you ask a few questions, you may be selling but there is no reason you cannot be picky, if you do not like the answers just say you do not think he is suitable for what they want, you never need to meet them so if the take offence dont worry, I have done this and most people take it very well if you sound sincere.

When they turn up to try, see how they are around him, if nervous they may just need some time to relax, if they get on and look unsuitable ask them to get off, again if they dont take it well he's your horse you sell to someone you feel is suitable.
Just to add most people are nice, they may not be right for your horse but I have met some lovely people when selling and am still in contact with some of them

Thank you very much. It is very scary to be selling a horse for the first time. I love this horse so much but circumstances have changed and the plans for him have all gone to pot. I might add this is not his fault in any way. he is no youngster so trying to get people to look past his age and he will also see he will never be a first horse. I have submitted adverts only today but worried about how to go about making sure, as much as poss he will be happy. x