Holding a horse

Rosepup

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Hi all,

What is everyone's views on how long you should hold a horse for a potential buyer? I have a horse for sale, reasonably priced, and a lovely all rounder. They have viewed him twice, had as much time as they wanted each time. Agreed to buy as long as vetting passed. All good. No a week has gone by and they still haven't arranged the vetting. I have other people interested who want to view. What do I do? Show him to the other people or wait longer? They did not pay any deposit or anything. I think a week is a fair amount of time to organise a vet check.
I have asked what the story is but have yet to receive a response. The sale is hard enough on me as it is without it being dragged out...
 
I wouldn't have held it at all in the circumstances you've described. Most likely they don't have the money and are dragging it out due to that. If anyone else wants to view let them come imo!
 
If no deposit then I'd give them a last chance (coz I'm soft) - if no vet booked by Tuesday (as in the vetting by Tuesday - not having done the booking by Tuesday) then you will assume they are not interested and will show other potential buyers.
If they do get the vetting booked I'd also be very clear about timescales for completing the sale and collection given they have history of dragging heir heels.
 
I'm soft too! I am just getting annoyed now by the whole thing, I will give them till this evening to respond. If nothing I will be showing him to others! Very annoying though.
 
I would say a week is more than long enough to arrange a vetting. Given that they haven't left a deposit I would feel that I was entitled to show the horse to other prospective purchasers. If you've tried to contact them and haven't heard anything back it does sound rather as though they won't be going through with the purchase.

Many years ago I once 'sold' a horse. They paid a deposit, he flew through the vetting and then they just disappeared off the face of the earth.
 
I would expect the buyer to speak to their vet the next working day after the viewing and to be notified of the date and time for the vetting immediately afterwards. If they haven't left a deposit tell them you'll be carrying on the viewings.
 
I reached out to them during the week and they said they would get back to me...and nothing! If I had taken a deposit I feel like they would have had more pressure on them. So probably my own fault in a way.
 
I reached out to them during the week and they said they would get back to me...and nothing! If I had taken a deposit I feel like they would have had more pressure on them. So probably my own fault in a way.

Quite frankly they don't sound the sort of people I'd want to sell my horse to. Carry on with the viewings.
 
I would expect the buyer to speak to their vet the next working day after the viewing and to be notified of the date and time for the vetting immediately afterwards. If they haven't left a deposit tell them you'll be carrying on the viewings.

^^ This.

Exactly what I did when I bought my horse. I really liked him and wanted him, I wasn't going to hang around as I knew that they may show him to other people if i don't show i'm serious. I rang the vet the next morning and got a date and time of the next Tuesday for the vetting. All went through and, from the day I booked the vetting, the horse was delivered to my yard in 7 days.

If they haven't arranged it after a week I would tell them you need confirmation the vetting is booked on or before X day next week by this evening and if they don't give you confirmation today you'll start letting others view the horse.

If they really like the horse and have the money they'll get their bum in gear! If not then I'd just continue to show to other people and if anyone else is interested sell to them.
 
Thanks, just wasn't sure was I being fair but onwards and upwards now ��

I think you are being completely fair. I'd send them a quick message just to let them know that you will be continuing with viewings so unless they pay a deposit, the horse may be sold to someone else. Good luck xx
 
I know if I wanted to buy I'd be itching to get the horse vetted and with me! Thanks everyone, will wait and see if I get any response from the message I sent this morning. If not its their loss, they have missed out on a horse in a million!
 
I know if I wanted to buy I'd be itching to get the horse vetted and with me! Thanks everyone, will wait and see if I get any response from the message I sent this morning. If not its their loss, they have missed out on a horse in a million!

Exactly if they can't be bothered to arrange the vetting then it's their loss! You can sell to someone who will be excited about owning the horse :)
 
No deposit, no holding. Keep showing him to interested buyers: the first money down buys the horse.

*Also, horse does not leave the property until all monies are cleared and in your account.
 
no deposit, no holding would be my view too. There is no reason a vetting couldnt be arranged for a day or two later at most. I fell in love with a horse on first viewing and was throwing the deposit at the owner as i didn't want to risk someone else getting the horse.
 
They don't sound committed enough to own a horse. Get those viewings booked in this weekend, I wouldn't sell to them on principle.
 
I'm a bit soft too, would probably tell them now that they've got til the end of the day to book a vetting - and if you don't hear back by this evening get booking more viewings in!

I've just bought a horse - viewed him for the second time on Saturday, got the vetting booked for Weds and he's coming home on Sunday! The seller told me on the second viewing that 'they aren't sold til they're sold', and it definitely got my bum in gear cos I knew he was the one and couldn't bear the thought of losing him to another buyer.
 
I would expect the buyer to speak to their vet the next working day after the viewing and to be notified of the date and time for the vetting immediately afterwards. If they haven't left a deposit tell them you'll be carrying on the viewings.

This. It's Friday .. book those viewings in and good luck with the sale :)
 
100% agree with all the points made! They obviously aren't committed enough and it's turning me off even selling him to them!
 
Until the horse is paid for it is still on the market & you should not stop viewings. The people saying they want to buy him pending a vetting should put their money where their mouth is, they haven't even left a deposit & that's your fault as you haven't taken one.

Don't stop any viewings, message the potential buyer saying that you have others coming to view the horse & if they want him they need to put a substantial deposit on him for you to hold him (deposit only refundable if he fails vetting) & them to arrange the vetting quickly. If they don't leave a deposit then he is still up for sale & will be sold to the next viewers should they decide they want him.

You can't pussyfoot around as you are turning away potential buyers in favour of someone who has seen, said they liked horse but have left no deposit, arranged no vetting & will possibly pill out as they have nothing invested in the purchase. You will end up having to pay to advertise again. The world is full of these dreamers!!
 
So a small update. Took the viewing for tomorrow and low and behold, the other person got in contact saying they are still interested. Must have seen the ad I put up. They want to view him again on Tuesday. So I guess I'll see how tomorrow goes as I have a list of other people who want to view as well!
 
No deposit, no holding of the horse ! You get so many timewasters or dreamers that like to play at buying horses. Drives me nuts.
 
If I wanted a horse I wouldn't be waiting a week to get it! Longest I lasted was 30mins when I viewed my mare. I went home, told mum about her, and was begged to go get her cause she was unkempt. Then got the face ate off me for buying another horse when I brought her back 😂 But it was mums fault. Always is.
 
So a small update. Took the viewing for tomorrow and low and behold, the other person got in contact saying they are still interested. Must have seen the ad I put up. They want to view him again on Tuesday. So I guess I'll see how tomorrow goes as I have a list of other people who want to view as well!
so seen twice already plus a 3rd on Tuesday and still no date for a vet visit, ring them tell them the first person to put a deposit (sustantial) subject to OK vet report buys him, they are taking you for a mug (sorry)
 
I know it's crazy. But I already have other viewings to get through tomorrow now so will see how they go! 1st person to leave a deposit is who he will be held for.
 
So a small update. Took the viewing for tomorrow and low and behold, the other person got in contact saying they are still interested. Must have seen the ad I put up. They want to view him again on Tuesday. So I guess I'll see how tomorrow goes as I have a list of other people who want to view as well!

I think they are sounding like total timewasters, I have always let the seller know within a couple of hours post viewing and offered a decent deposit subject to vet check. Good luck with your sale, I honestly wouldn't be wasting any time or energy on them.
 
When I bought Kevin, the first viewing (Sunday) I told them I liked him and wanted to come again with a instructor, I booked that viewing on the way home
( Wednesday) and let them know. On the Wednesday I bought, subject to checks, was home with me on the Saturday. It was the longest week of my life. These people are not smitten with you horse, I would sell to the first person who left a deposit and was the right sort.
 
I think they are sounding like total timewasters, I have always let the seller know within a couple of hours post viewing and offered a decent deposit subject to vet check. Good luck with your sale, I honestly wouldn't be wasting any time or energy on them.

Not everyone who doesn't buy your horse is a timewaster....
 
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