Horse selling fun ?

[MissDean]

Rant alert - please take it in the light hearted (with a slight undertone of rage) ,rant that is is intended to be. Sort of.
Please do not go and view a horse if the following applies:
- The horse is actually to young for what you are after and 3 inches too big - horse is as advertised. Hasn’t shrunk since you called or got 4 years (yes really, they wanted at least 4 years older) older.
- You have A £2000 less budget than the asking price of 6,500 - please discuss this BEFORE the viewing. We don’t all have big budgets, that’s cool, but please discuss!
- You don’t actually want a 15.2 cob (that you’ve come to view), you want a 16hh sports horse but thought you’d come and look ‘just in case’. It’s ok. I didn’t want to eat dinner until 9pm today anyway and I love bathing horses and arranging my day around you, just for the fun of it.
- Bring the ENTIRE family and all ride, to then announce that you only lost your horse recently (sorry to hear that, really) and aren’t ready for another but thought you’d try some to see what you might like in future. This was a hard one to smile and wave about. Nearly lost my cool, didn’t, pat on the back for me.
-you don’t want anything green. From an advert of a horse that is advertised as green and was a saint at viewing.
-you want a horse that’s hunted a full season. From an advert that states horse hasn’t hunted yet but would make a lovely hunter type.
-you are fresh of a riding school (not a problem but wouldn’t have suggested horse to you) but your made out you are super experienced, and you come along get on my horse (5 year old!) with washing line reins, kick him in the guts and wonder why he’s a little too forward for you.

And please please please please please if someone sends you 30 videos of the horse in every single scenario, thank them. Even if the horse isn’t for you, I don’t mind. It’s not hard but it goes a long way.

Next rant instalment, the fun of vettings.....


???
God give me strength

 

[Red-1]

I just sold mine, it was very easy thanks to the current Covid rush on horses. But...

3 people tried her and only one set didn't offer full price. They informed me, after trying, that she had already decided not to have her, before coming, because she didn't want a mare and she didn't want a grey.

Yep, selling a grey mare!

Was always a grey mare.

And to add to the inconvenience (yes, greys do need a bath before viewing) the appointment had to be arranged and rearranged a couple of times to suit.

Happily, next day, the horse found her perfect family, but we had turned a load of people away on the phone which may have helped matters.

 

[Berpisc]

I had one lady who came to look at a well bred welsh cob youngster, took one look at his ears (too small apparently) and took against him.

 

[lannerch]

I bought a horse too young , a year younger than what I was looking for as everything else was perfect , so it doesn’t always apply lol .

 

[MissDean]

I bought a horse too young , a year younger than what I was looking for as everything else was perfect , so it doesn’t always apply lol .

a year either side is worth a look, but the horse is 4 and they wanted an 8-10 year old!

 

[lannerch]

a year either side is worth a look, but the horse is 4 and they wanted an 8-10 year old!

Lol totally agree mine was a 2yo though so it did mean I had to wait mote than a year before she could start doing anything

 

[Trouper]

God give me strength

I think in your shoes I would rather He gave me gin! I think you deserve a medal for your restraint with the idiots.

 

[dorsetladette]

Yep. Selling daughters 12.2 riding pony. Mother and daughter came to view, daughter loved pony, mother loved pony but wanted instructor to come and view. That's fine. Delayed a couple of other viewings as home sounded fab. Instructor turned up, declared my pony lame and left within about 10 mins. On the way out of the gate I heard her mention to the mother she had a lovely pony that would be ideal for daughter. Sure enough, following week daughter was riding said pony, and instructor contacted me privately offering to sell pony for me - yeah the lame pony!! Took him off the market, turned him away for the winter and sold to a lovely family in the spring.

 

[honetpot]

I always leave them in the field, I do not bath them and to fit viewings around my routine. So if its they waste my time, it's of little of it as possible. If they can not see past a bit of dirt, can not catch and lead it from the field they are not getting it anyway, no matter how much they offer. I also make sure they phone and I ask them an open question, what sort of horse are they looking for, that's when I wean a lot out.
I hate the 'friend, trainer', I know they can be useful, but the person buying is the one who is going to ride it and look after it, and if they are not competent should they be buying a horse? I have only once had someone offer me a stupid offer, I just put the phone down on them, but I did have someone haggle while the granddaughter was getting the pony to be loaded, and almost told her to stuff it.

 

[icee]

i've only sold one horse...she ended up in a lovely home, but i remember the viewings to be a bit of a palava. there were three weird ones i'll recall!

one was very novicey and my just turned 5 y/o was very patient with her bouncing around in the saddle. she was about 40 and seemed a bit on edge at the viewing, could have been nerves in fairness. i politely told her i did not think they were suited and youngster had a lot of potential that needed bringing out- hence why i was selling her, as i couldn't give her what she needed. she was very talented and was wasted with me. the viewer did not take this well and began bombarding me with texts, calls, begging to come back and see her. i told her no and then blocked her. so she tried off different numbers, found me on facebook, my instagram and even snapchat!!! i blocked her on every single platform. she did this over a period of weeks..it was a bit unsettling.

another viewer who came was a father and daughter, she was about 12 and a lovely rider. the dad was very wary about buying a horse and didn't really understand much about horses, so they came back for a 2nd viewing with an 'experienced friend'. the experienced friend got on my horse and rode her around absolutely dreadfully, booting her in the ribs, bouncing all over her back and trying to make her gallop around the arena. trying to see if she was bombproof? who knows- the kid was very capable and the mare wasn't spooky in the slightest. i was seething with quiet rage and pulled them up. the friend then told me they would not be taking my horse unless i committed to a several month trial. i refused as i needed her sold asap- as per advert.

another viewer turned up a different day, i hired out the local sj course for them so she could try a proper course and different environment..girl was about 14, loved my mare. mare was for sale about 3k, the mother turned around and offered me 400 pounds. i told them where to go...

people! x

 

[LEC]

I just don't get these issues. I have never had a single joy rider. I discuss with people over the phone and weed them out before they are coming to see the horse. I tend to focus on them and not actually on selling the horse. I ask what they are after and their experience and then I see whether they will match on paper and decide if its worth them coming to see the horse. The only way I wouldn't run people through my questions is if they know someone I know. Then they normally have asked about me in advance to the person we mutually know.

 

[ihatework]

I have to say I’ve been lucky and not had many issues either. I’m not sure I’ve had a single obvious joyrider.

A handful of more novice buyers that have allowed me to fine tune my questioning! But nothing crazy.

I do think that sometimes people don’t quite know exactly what they want, and will try a bit outside their spec. It then might sound a bit daft when they turn around and say they don’t want a grey or the horse is too big / too old, but often what they might mean is ‘had I liked riding the horse enough I’d of considered that compromise. As it is I just don’t really want to buy your horse and this is the best excuse I have’ - I’ve probably been there!!

So for example I just went young horse shopping. One of my pretty firm criteria was strong damline performance (not just the bloodlines). Now those are pretty hard to come by and I had a few nice on paper types that had attractive bloodlines but no dam/grand-dam performance.

The first I viewed there was lots to like. Completely as described, sweet natured, well put together. But she was on the expensive side and just didn’t do enough for me. So the unproven damline has her as a ‘no’ despite me knowing that in advance.

I did however go on to buy another one with an unproven dam because I liked the horse in front of me enough to compromise.

 

[Lamehorses]

I just sold mine, it was very easy thanks to the current Covid rush on horses. But...

3 people tried her and only one set didn't offer full price. They informed me, after trying, that she had already decided not to have her, before coming, because she didn't want a mare and she didn't want a grey.

Yep, selling a grey mare!

Was always a grey mare.

And to add to the inconvenience (yes, greys do need a bath before viewing) the appointment had to be arranged and rearranged a couple of times to suit.

Happily, next day, the horse found her perfect family, but we had turned a load of people away on the phone which may have helped matters.

I didn't want a mare, or a grey...
But that's what I ended up buying ?

 

[IrishMilo]

I ask for videos of prospective viewers riding, unless it's a horse marketed for a novice. Had too many people paint themselves as the next CDJ when they get on and can barely keep up with a rising trot.

 

[eggs]

I had one lady who came to look at a well bred welsh cob youngster, took one look at his ears (too small apparently) and took against him.

Probably the same person that phoned up when I was selling a dressage horse many years ago and the only question she asked was how big were his ears as she wanted something that had Fresian type ears .....

 

[honetpot]

Only horse that in theory we went for a 'joy ride', I bought and paid full price for. I used to sift the adverts so carefully that usually that there is not many I do not buy. The one we went, just to see, was well under our budget, too old, and TB, but my daughter loved it, so we bought it.

 

[Upthecreek]

I ask for videos of prospective viewers riding, unless it's a horse marketed for a novice. Had too many people paint themselves as the next CDJ when they get on and can barely keep up with a rising trot.

I’ve had prospective buyers be offended by this and if they are, tough! I would always ask now after having someone coming to view that didn’t know what side to mount the horse from and fell out the side door after she booted the horse in the ribs and it shot forward ? She wanted to event apparently........

 

[Pippity]

I have to say I’ve been lucky and not had many issues either. I’m not sure I’ve had a single obvious joyrider.

A handful of more novice buyers that have allowed me to fine tune my questioning! But nothing crazy.

I do think that sometimes people don’t quite know exactly what they want, and will try a bit outside their spec. It then might sound a bit daft when they turn around and say they don’t want a grey or the horse is too big / too old, but often what they might mean is ‘had I liked riding the horse enough I’d of considered that compromise. As it is I just don’t really want to buy your horse and this is the best excuse I have’ - I’ve probably been there!!

So for example I just went young horse shopping. One of my pretty firm criteria was strong damline performance (not just the bloodlines). Now those are pretty hard to come by and I had a few nice on paper types that had attractive bloodlines but no dam/grand-dam performance.

The first I viewed there was lots to like. Completely as described, sweet natured, well put together. But she was on the expensive side and just didn’t do enough for me. So the unproven damline has her as a ‘no’ despite me knowing that in advance.

I did however go on to buy another one with an unproven dam because I liked the horse in front of me enough to compromise.

Yep, I went to view one and turned it down because it was too big. As with you, I had some flex in my requirements and for the right horse, I'd have gone an inch above my preferred maximum height, especially as horse heights are often more "We'd LIKE it to be this height..." in adverts. But this just wasn't the right horse.

 

[Red-1]

I didn't want a mare, or a grey...
But that's what I ended up buying ?

To be fair, this was also me when I bought the grey mare in question. The difference is, I had decided that I would consider her before putting people out to view. I didn't look, then ring up to tell the people that I had made my decision not to buy her before setting off!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Having spent the 80s and 90s selling (as well as backing, producing etc too) I think I could fill a book easily....
Selling the small ponies was an art in matching riders, also taking into account the situation to be kept in, further training etc.
I had a very dear 12.2 who was patent safe off lead, so anyone I didn't know who arrived to try a small, were asked to put child rider on my 12.2 1st for assessment. Most parents were cool about that and understood, the odd ones were not. One particular pony club parent stood out from most, a very strident pushy mum, unfortunately had slipped through my safety screening on the phone...... safe to say that the poor kiddie wasn't allowed by me to get on the sale pony, her mother wouldn't agree to her sitting on my test pony, despite mother arguing very loudly!
I eventually sent them packing, but silly moo still got someone else to try and buy the pony! (Mid county std 13hh nursery stakes pony, v safe, but forwards going, ideal 2nd pony).
Luckily I was alerted and pony got sold to Germany where he went sj v well.

Selling the off the track TBs could be hard, at least with the ponies it was usually word of mouth from the showing world. Even then it was amazing how many arrived inappropriately dressed, over inflated ideas of capability, lying.........blatantly! I did have a bit of a local reputation for being tough but usually fair, but the animals needs came 1st every time.

I sympathise with those who sell for a living these days, I really do!

 

[Merry neddy man]

I didn't want a mare, or a grey...
But that's what I ended up buying ?

Ditto

 

[bubsqueaks]

I ask for videos of prospective viewers riding, unless it's a horse marketed for a novice. Had too many people paint themselves as the next CDJ when they get on and can barely keep up with a rising trot.

Thats a brilliant idea - thank you

 

[ihatework]

Yep, I went to view one and turned it down because it was too big. As with you, I had some flex in my requirements and for the right horse, I'd have gone an inch above my preferred maximum height, especially as horse heights are often more "We'd LIKE it to be this height..." in adverts. But this just wasn't the right horse.

Height is definitely one that gets quoted a lot.

Thing is, it’s generally not about what the stick says on the wither (or not, if the horse hasn’t been measured, but that’s a different story!).

It’s how the horse rides. You can have a tall, compact, nicely balanced average mover be a much nicer/more suitable horse than a smaller but bigger moving horse. Equally an under height horse might take the leg and ride better than a taller weaker horse.

I would happily view a 17hh say, but in reality half might ride too big etc

 

[Shantara]

I didn't particularly want a mare, or a TB, or a solid colour, or one above 15.3...

I bought a solid bay, 16.1hh, ex racer mare She's been my absolute rock <3

That said, I can totally understand your frustrations!! I sell artwork and sometimes it's like pulling teeth trying to get information out of people, or correct references!

 

[Ample Prosecco]

We were selling an outgorwn 13.2 pony. Solid performer at 80cm SJ and ODE. Jumped the odd 90cm SJ or XC fence in training but would not get over a full up 90cm BS course.

Lady rang asking if he could 'jump a metre'. I clarified whether she meant could he jump over a single metre upright or go round a 1m track BS. The latter, definately not. As per ad! She said she wanted a pony who could jump a metre track but was willing to come and try. I stressed again he was an 80cm pony not a metre pony but they came along. During their first canter the child lost her stirrups, screamed and nearly fell off. I ended the viewing saying she was too novice for him. Mum got very uppity about that. Poor child was terrified and clearly a very, very, very long way away from needing (or wanting) a pony capable of competing over a metre. Some parents are just delusional.

 

[Annagain]

The thing is, unless you have access to loads of different types of horses in your everyday life, the only way you get to find out if a height/build/type is what you want is to try them when you're looking.

When I was looking, I saw a couple that I thought were probably shorter or finer than I'd like and soon realised that build was more important than height. My criteria was 16.2ish middleweight but I knew I had to be flexible so amongst others, I tried a 15.3 cob and a 16.3 chunky TB. I was far happier on the cob than I was the TB. The cob wasn't suitable for other reasons but the only reason for the TB was I didn't feel right on him in terms of his build. You could argue I should have known that and not gone to see a TB and I wouldn't have blamed the seller for thinking me a time waster but I hadn't ridden anything other than my two for 15 years so, while I suspected it would be the case, I didn't know until I tried.

And my 7-10 yr old, 16.2ish, anything but grey got me a 6 yr old, 17hh (I suspect, I'm too chicken to measure him) grey. He's lush.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I bought a pony from the sales. He was just gorgeous to look at grey Welsh A type. I broke him in and he was as bomb proof as you could get in a 4yo pony. Lady came to see hi., child rode round roads etc. They asked for a trial and we said yes as not far away. We got a phone call 2 days later that they wanted to bring him back as he had a small lump on his ear??? So we collected him. Lump was a sort of raised bald thing that wasn't really a lump just how he was and it was tiny!! I hadn't even seen it!! Sold pony to next viewers who had him many years and won loads !!

 

[Flicker]

I ask for videos of prospective viewers riding, unless it's a horse marketed for a novice. Had too many people paint themselves as the next CDJ when they get on and can barely keep up with a rising trot.

I understand why you would do this, but as a buyer I would find it unusual and a bit off-putting. Personal choice, but I probably wouldn’t progress with a viewing if someone asked to see a video of me riding first. That said, when I do view a horse I always ask to see it ridden first, and ask 1001 questions about how it is generally ridden, amount of contact, leg etc before getting on myself.

 

[oldie48]

I've clearly been very lucky when both selling and buying as I don't have any horror stories to tell. Horses and ponies have been as described, in fact I've bought several that the were the only ones we tried. Mr B was bigger than ideal, not a colour I wanted or the right breed but I was told he might suit me by someone I trusted and loved him the moment I sat on him. I only went to see Rose because I was viewing a horse later in the day that I thought was a strong possibility and I really didn't want a mare but she was local. I liked her immediately but told the seller I was seeing another horse later but I did like Rose and I'd let her know by that evening if I was still interested. I saw the second horse ridden and didn't even get on him, just not right for me. I did the deal on Rose very quickly. Both my daughter's ponies and her first event horse we bought without looking at anything else and they were all fab. When selling I think you have to accept that even with careful weeding out over the phone, you will get some people that aren't suitable. That's life, it's the same selling anything but I've had no problem in telling someone if the horse is clearly not right for them and I've been fortunate to have someone tell me the same although tbh I knew that within a few minutes of sitting on him.

 

[IrishMilo]

I understand why you would do this, but as a buyer I would find it unusual and a bit off-putting. Personal choice, but I probably wouldn’t progress with a viewing if someone asked to see a video of me riding first. That said, when I do view a horse I always ask to see it ridden first, and ask 1001 questions about how it is generally ridden, amount of contact, leg etc before getting on myself.

Why would it put you off?

I have to say that if someone asked me a tonne of questions about how to ride the horse down to such minute detail before getting on I’d assume they were either very nervous or very novice.