How do i find him a GOOD home??

[Romansmum]

Well the time has come to admit that i am going to sell my horse!!

BUT I'm not sure how to make sure he has a good home as he has had a hard life and has been mis-treated in the past.

I took him on as i had just lost my Pony aged 25 - and thought a quite little TB would be good for me.....

BUT he's just too sensible - I know i should really appreciate him but he's been and done verything and i feel a bit of a fraud riding a horse who makes my riding look miles better than it is!

(BTW i know i sound mental)

Any way - he is about 13 years old 15.2HH bay gelding and LOVES dressage (which i'm not exactly thriled about doing) he'll jump and hack out all day - will be boxed shod clipped with no problems. (we're going Xc and hopfully hunting with the bedale this winter - if i still have him!)

His two bad points are - He has a scar on his back fetlock and he doen't like being fussed he doesn't do anything he just pulls faces - not really with me but new people.

So....(sorry this is a long post)..how do i find him a home who will love him AND not be put off by the grumpy faces he will pull when people come and see him - I would be prepared to let him go for a BARGIN price (like £1000) if it was a good home

What do you think what do i do?

 

[Skhosu]

I found a lovely home for my grumpy boy ( exactly like yours, except hated dressage, stomped round, and still does!!) and I was just really honest, taught them how to deal with him from the start and no problems!
I wouldn't got fo rbargain prices, your more likely to get people who know nothing. I would go for a normal price, and explain he has a bit of character, doesn't like being fussed and wee out the ones who are too timid to deal with him!

 

[Romansmum]

How much would you suggest? I did think of that as i don't want people thinking there is something wrong with him when there's not. It's just i'm hopfully getting a youngster to bring on and i just need enough money to get one and i need to know he's got a good home as i can't afford to have two!

 

[jackpalfreyman]

I dont want to sound funny, but advertising him for a really cheap price will, in my opinion, attract real plebs- first horse.out of a riding school sort of people fi you get my drift?. dont mean to sound like a snob, but i think i have a point.

 

[Lopod]

Please dont sell him cheap... Lots of people would love a boy like yours if he's as versatile and sensible as you describe and would be prepared to pay a reasonable price. If he's grumpy you need people who appreciate his rideability, not the ones who want a big furry pet.

 

[vic07]

I agree. ask for too little and you get plebs. I'd ask about 4-5000k. As he is so safe, wouldn't bother about faces! If you start too low you are stuck. You can always reduce!

 

[bellgave]

Agree with all the above advice. Ask for way mor emoney if he is such a sint, horses like that are worth their weight in gold, and as it has been said already you will get some seriously dodgy charecters for that sort of money. Dont forget you have to vet the possible new owner too, dont allow anyone your not happy with to even come and see him, you should be asking them as many questions as they ask you!!!!!

 

[Romansmum]

he is 13 years old just up loaded some photos of him have a look tell me what you think - sorry i do look like a muppet!

I think your all correct about the price - I'll advertise him at what i he's worth and if i don't get any joy i'll reduce it.

 

[Gingerbird]

Would you sell him for 1 or 2 grand to a good home?

 

[cariadssogreat]

I would ask £2k , tbh,

 

[BethH]

You're mad to sell, I bought a youngster to bring on having had to retire my old boy, he is such a nightmare i would do anything at the moment to have a horse like yours - shame you don't want to swap for something that is a real challenge! My youngster (who passed a 5*vet as a 4year old) after 2 years of being incredibly hard work was diagnosed with kissing spines. He is still hard work being re-habbed after surgery and has regular panic attacks where he is so green, as I was unable to work him properly and socialise him out and about. You just never know what you are getting!!

Sorry don't mean to be voice of doom but everyone I know with a young horse has really been through the mill with them - I really envy you finding such a marvellous horse to ride and he looks just beautiful. I hope he finds a good home - I am almost tempted to come and see him myself!

 

[jo1]

If he had been an inch or two bigger - I would have been very interested!!! Pity you cant stretch him!!!

 

[hairycob]

Damn - just what I'll be looking for when Oliver grows out of his pony - guessing 6-9 months. Bet there will be nothing sane when I have to look!

 

[GinaB]

I'd take him if I could, he's sounds lovely!

 

[no_no_nanette]

Would really support everything that people have said about not offering him at too low a price - you'll get inexperienced first-time buyers/bargain hunters - and he sounds as though he'd appeal to lots of experienced people who would love a good RC horse. I would think price him at about £3,500? Explain that he pulls faces but isn't nasty, and be prepared to ask people lots of questions about their experience with TBs, what they want to use him for, what they've had previously, where he's going to be kept, etc. Anyone who is interested in offering him a good home and who really likes him will understand and appreciate that you are keen to check out potential new owners. I know I'd be more confident about buying a horse whose seller was so concerned to check that he's going to a good home. Good luck!

 

[malibu211211]

Hi,
Nooooo don't sell him cheaply

He looks such a lovely chap and I think people won't be put off by his faces. I had a mare on loan and she pulled the most horrendous faces but I loved her to bits

Mali xx

 

[Romansmum]

yes i would I just need to know that i'm not abandoning him to move on to a new one.

I imagine his proper price would be about £2000 but if i knew he'd have a home for a long time then i could be persuaded. It is so lovely that you all have said such nice things i suppose i got so worried about his grumpy faces

i couldn't see his good sides thanks for all the feedback about his pics too!!

 

[Johns_Horse]

Well he sounds like a great horse who is very safe and would be ideal for a confident dressage rider i would market him for between 3 - 5 k as he is very safe and from what you said he does nothing wrong just pulls faces.A way to see if he goes to a good home is if you do sell him to someone nearby you could always just have a look in for the first week as they should let oyu do this if their a honest and reliable buyer.

 

[Judie]

I think if he does what you say, is safe etc I can't quite see the problem with pulling grumpy faces. I think you will do him more injustice selling him for too lower price, I think you should value what you have and sell him for £4k, he is a smart chap with so much to offer., you will surprised what parents will pay for 'safe'!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Definately don't advertise him too cheaply. As people have said you'll get bargain hunters coming for him & that's definately the buyers you don't want. He's 15h2", nice size, not too scarey for some nervous riders. 13 years of age isn't old, he's experienced, he can jump, do dressage, he's safe to hack etc........ Don't they call this type of horse a schoolmaster. I tell you a dealer would like a whole yard full of these!!!!! He could sell him time & time again. Put him up at £3500-£4000 & be prepared to negociate a little (but not much) with who you consider to be the right person. Go to see where he will be kept if you want, the buyer should have no problem with that. If they have a problem then don't sell to them.
You will have no problem selling him, you'll hget a good price & you'll find a nice owner. He sounds wonderful.