Horse for sale, vetting prospective buyers

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splash30

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Please can you help, I have just put my horse up for sale, I have never sold a horse before (they all tend to stay forever) I'm normally the buyer. He just hasn't grown tall enough for me.
I'm pooping myself as I want to get the right home, I will be completely truthful (there is nothing to hide just not a novice rider horse) but how do I vet prospective homes/buyers? What do you ask? How do you know they are right? And how do you say no if needs be? Any pointers will be appreciated.
 
Ask them about their past experience, what they are looking to do with their future horse, where they plan to keep him, what trainers they have
Leave them to waffle and listen to what they say (and don't say )

It's easy to say no - I don't think he's quite what you are looking for but thank you for your interest
 
I ask a lot of questions, scour their FB and other social media presence, then allow a viewing. I see how they are with the horse, chat for ages, allow them to school, jump hack, and let them put the horse to bed/wash off/turn out. If they aren't interested in caring for the horse afterwards, I'm not interested ins selling to them. If they ride like the horse is a machine, I'm not interested in selling to them. As long as they have a plan to improve, I'm perhaps not as fussy about actual riding ability as you would think. I want them to treat the horse like a sentient being.

If that is all OK, I make it so I see where they are going to keep the horse. If it is local I will make discreet enquiries and have a drive past. If it is a long way away I will insist on delivery and COD, so if the home isn't OK I won't offload. In the case of them not having the horse, I would refund vetting fees. I don't sell often, but every home I have sold to has been lovely, as I have pre screened the people. I'm not interested in how smart the yard is, I am interested that it is safe and appropriate for a horse, most of all with a caring vibe.

I also would have bought back any horse that I sold. They matter too much to leave them if it is not working out. I would have felt bad that I made a mis-match. Only had one owner ring for advice about (pre-declared) bucking, but they very much did not want to sell him back to me. Advice given and it all went fine from then on.

Don't be afraid to turn people away. I once had to move a horse as a potential buyer was NOT right for Charlie Horse, and she started to stalk us, parking outside the house, threatening legal action for her time, petrol and disappointment, and giving abusive phone calls. I shipped him out for 6 weeks and she gave up (presume she thought we had sold him). Really it just proved that she was an unsuitable owner! He would have had a horrid life, for many reasons.
 
Pay attention to the questions that they ask. Are they interested in the welfare of the animal, likes and dislikes, management, soundness and health issues? As opposed to just what he can do performance-wise.
Do they ask to see him trotted up in hand, then ridden. As opposed to just clambering on for a joy-ride.
 
My own experiences as a buyer were that on one occasion I rang up about a horse that sounded right for me.The owner asked,very pleasantly,what I was looking for.I told her and she said that she didn't think the horse was suitable and told me why.I thanked her before I rang off because I had had experiences of people wanting to sell me entirely unsuitable horses in the past and I was grateful for her honesty.
As a seller I had someone ring me about a horse.I asked her what she was looking for and said that my horse was not suitable and told her why.She thanked me because she had also had people try to sell her unsuitable horses and was grateful to me for my honesty.
 
When I bought Millie, her previous owner asked for 2 references so I provided one from my farrier and one from a fellow livery who has known me for over 15 years. I was happy to oblige, because I knew that this meant she cared about the horse and hopefully had nothing to hide. I also offered to add her as a friend on FB so she could have a look at my page/pictures etc.
We are still friends on FB and she loves to see what we are up to but has never once interfered and although I have offered her to come and visit, she has yet to do so.
 
When selling my last one who was a very challenging horse on the ground and who had some medical issues (I was unable to keep her otherwise would have. not a pts case) I spoke extensively with her about her experiences and encouraged her to speak to my vets and really consider what she would be taking on. I also asked for two references from her which I followed up and both spoke highly of her. All turned out very well and she loves the mare and is always happy for me to come and visit.
 
Agree with all of the above... Subtly but thoroughly checking the person out on FB, Linkedin, Instagram etc.; checking out where he or she wants to keep the horse; asking for references and following these up. Making sure during a viewing they can handle the horse correctly, pick up feet, tack up, re-rug etc. In terms of riding ensuring they turn up in appropriate riding gear and are able to do their girth & stirrups & mount safely/correctly. Pet hate is someone throwing themselves into the saddle and if the horse moves hauling him/her in the mouth. If I saw that I'd ask them to dismount & leave.
 
spacefaer said:
Ask them about their past experience, what they are looking to do with their future horse, where they plan to keep him, what trainers they have
Leave them to waffle and listen to what they say (and don't say )

It's easy to say no - I don't think he's quite what you are looking for but thank you for your interest
Click to expand...

That's what I do, literally when I get someone asking about my horse - the first thing I do is ask loads of questions about them then I decide there and then if my horse sounds like he'd suit them! Best way IMO. I also ensure I go and check the home before I agree to anything.
 
As a buyer I was much happier when the seller took the interest suggested above. It showed me that they cared for their horse and were keen to find the right match. I willingly shared videos of me riding and showed pictures of the yard etc.
The most successful exchanges have to be two way.
Good luck
 
I’ve only sold two horses, and had one very good and one bad experience. The bad experience- I sold the horse to a very well know local person, had loads of good reviews about him from other people I knew, and I went to a local event to watch both him (and his partner who he brought the horse for) ride before they came to see him. He wasn’t a straightforward horse so I was very careful with where he went. Everything was great, I got regular updates, and then they split up within 6 months of the sale, horse was sold on, and he has cut contact with me. I’m constantly worrying about where he has ended up, as he could be quite difficult and I wish that I had followed my previous experience.
My good experience, the horse went out on loan. I vetted the people through social media, told her everything possible about the horse, and asked everything I could about her experience. I made sure she could do everything with him, from catching to hacking out alone and even picking up feet. I also said no to a lot of potential loaners. The buyer had the horse on loan for three years, and then she asked me to buy him. He is still in the same home, and I see regular updates on social media.
I suppose what I’m getting at is that you can do all the checks in the world, but when the horse is gone, it’s gone unfortunately, and you don’t know what will happen?
 
Just wondering about the social media thing - I have a couple of pages but because of my job, they’re impossible to access. Think misspelled and fake name and no pictures of me other than ones where you can’t see my face!

Would this put sellers off?
 
You can ask for references, any genuine person would be happy to oblige.
I think you also just get a feeling tbh, When you speak to them and meet them. And I wouldn’t be too harsh about the riding, I’ve tried quite a few horses over the years and still find it utterly terrifying, riding someone’s horse in front of them! Probably ride like a complete numpty!
 
Jellymoon said:
And I wouldn’t be too harsh about the riding, I’ve tried quite a few horses over the years and still find it utterly terrifying, riding someone’s horse in front of them! Probably ride like a complete numpty!
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I am such a klutz myself that, as long as the buyers have a sensible head and a good heart, the horse likes them and the ride goes OK as far as the horse is concerned, then that is good for me.

One horse I sold was sold to a rider who barely did a rising trot without shooting out of the saddle, but they were a proper horseman in all other ways, simply hadn't had that much recent experience. I held my breath when they did a canter, but the horse did the nicest, smoothest canter you could imagine. They were a perfect fit.
 
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