How do you go about describing a horse who doesn't jump?

brighteyes

brighteyes

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Essentially the horse is a super-looking, healthy and sound, well-bred animal who is an absolute pleasure to have around/take out and about but simply can't get it's legs and brain organised enough to jump?

It will hack past any traffic, is easy enough in the school and is in its prime at 10.

How do you word a suitable advert, stating categorically it was bred (though 100% not born) to jump!? It will reliably and definitely get from one side of a fence to the other, but erratically, often carelessly and not always 'pleasantly', but then regains calmness. Jumps placed around the school do not bother it in the least, so not worked up by the sight of them, which is very puzzling. Will the horse simply have to take its chances out in the wide world?

Do the limitations affect the value massively?

This is NOT my horse btw.
 
There are a lot of people out there who do not want to jump. I am one of them. I want a horse that is pleasant to handle and safe to hack and can do a bit of dressage. I don't care if it can't jump a stick on the ground.

They should just state clearly in the advert what he is good at and then add, this horse is not a good jumper, so please do not look at him if this is important to you...
 
I think just what you said! :)

Play up the good parts and leave the not jumping out of it other than stating, matter of factly it doesn't jump. I don't feel it should affect value really as the other things it does well are hugely important.
 
There are a lot of riders out there that dislike jumping!!!
So, target the horse at a non-jumping home.
Really sell safe hacking ( a huge bonus)

A good looking safe and sound hack will always have a good base value.
The quality and corectness of the flat schooling and associated dressage results will further boost value and saleability.

Don't try and make the horse into something he is not.
 
I'd buy him!! I have no interest in jumping but the fact he is sane and sensible while hacking would be a huge bonus to me! I'd advertise him with some words along the lines of "not a natural jumper - would suit dressage or hacking home"
 
ihatework said:
There are a lot of riders out there that dislike jumping!!!
So, target the horse at a non-jumping home.
Really sell safe hacking ( a huge bonus)

A good looking safe and sound hack will always have a good base value.
The quality and correctness of the flat schooling and associated dressage results will further boost value and saleability.

Don't try and make the horse into something he is not.
Click to expand...

Brilliant advice.
 
I sold a horse like this, that even though he tried bless him was not a natural jumper, legs and brain did not match. I sold him as a 'perfect hacking horse', and he got sold really quite quickly, have to say this was in 2006 though.
So I would push the 'hacking and great temperament' thing.
 
Maybe just don't mention jumping in the advert. You see plenty of adverts that don't mention any form of jumping and I always then assume that either the horse or the owner doesn't jump for whatever reason. While this will put off buyers who want to jump, it won't put off those who don't and those are the ones you want anyway.
 
My horse was described to me : Jumping isn't his forte! ;P

And I don't bother about his jumping ability or lack thereof. In fact, we have dabbled a little bit, but more so from a dressage point of view to help with engagement from behind. But we're talking ground poles and teeny weeny ankle biter jumps. I digress...jumping isn't that important to lots of folk. Sound, sane and pretty are all good points. :)
 
maisie06 said:
I'd buy him!! I have no interest in jumping but the fact he is sane and sensible while hacking would be a huge bonus to me! I'd advertise him with some words along the lines of "not a natural jumper - would suit dressage or hacking home"
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I think this is more the way to do it, as it isn't that he is unable to jump due to soundness issues or that he is unsafe or unwilling, just that he's a bit rubbish at it.

I bet that if required to hop a log out hacking, or pop a fence in say a riding club horse showing class or during handy pony/trec the horse could do it (from OPs description) so probably no need to say non-jumping or can't jump.
 
I would consider him if i was still looking. I don't jump and am not in the least bit interested starting - good flatwork and a sane head were top of my list and i actually got really fed up of looking at horses under dressage listings which only had photos of them jumping.
 
Can't quote as I'm on my phone but agree that maisie06's idea of "not a natural jumper" is the best way to put it. If I was looking at an advert that said something along the lines of "suited to flatwork" I personally would jump to conclusions and assume that the horse had some physical issue preventing it. Sounds like a lovely horse though, sure loads of people will be interested - not enough sensible ones about!
 
100 % traffic sound, born adventurer and explorer, looking for someone to hack extensively with, but prefers to keep all 4 feet firmly on the ground and go around gates / fences / poles ;)

Think plain adventures rather than plane adventures!
 
I'd put "would suit a non-jumping home for hacking, showing, dressage" (or whatever you think his strengths are.)

Lots and lots of riders dont jump. But do make it clear in the advert otherwise you'll end up wasting your own and other people's time. Or risk him going to an unsuitable home.
 
boxcarhorse said:
I'd put "would suit a non-jumping home for hacking, showing, dressage" (or whatever you think his strengths are.)

Lots and lots of riders dont jump. But do make it clear in the advert otherwise you'll end up wasting your own and other people's time. Or risk him going to an unsuitable home.
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Is my real worry TBH

But the rest of you have given me real hope that the ability to pop a fence when asked isn't going to be vital. All the WANTED ads on Horse Quest are asking for perfect all rounders and need to pop a course of fences without hotting up or getting strong :(

I will advise the owners accordingly, as they want the very best home for this horse and don't really know where to begin.

Thank you all for the very helpful and reassuring replies.
 
I would maybe buy a horse like this if they could do a bit and know plenty of people who don't like jumping at all! I have seen plenty of adverts that just say 'doesn't really like jumping' and if he is particularly good on the flat then make the most of that! Just make sure it doesn't read potential soundness issues as that would put anyone off.
 
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