How do you sell a horse?

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kez1001

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I've never been in the position where I've had to sell before and I'm a bit clueless as how to go about it.

I've advertised on a reputable sales page and avoided Facebook as worried about time waster/tyre kickers.

I've got the horse in regular work, albeit I'm not the best jockey out there. He's not got any issues but he is quick and he is an exracehorse. I appreciate it will take me a while to find him the right home, if I had a field at my back door he would stay forever. He's competed BE (no glowing record but jockeys fault, he's only don't two events with me) also done unaff DR and some BS on a ticket. I'm not in a position to compete him as no transport and no time due to young family, which is really why he's for sale.

He's only advertised on one site at the moment, I'm thinking give it a month and try another site.

Is there anything else buyers expect? Should I consider sending him away to sales livery? He's not really been ridden by anyone except myself in the four years I've owned him which is going to be an issue I think so was thinking of getting other on board. Any other thought greatly appreciated.
 
Hi I've been on both sides lately, sold one and now buying. If you're realistic on price for description you should be able to sell anything. You can spend more money on schooling and livery but you might not get back any more than if you just get the price right now for where he's at. It may widen the market you can sell to though and I guess there are plenty of ex racers so you need to make him stand out. That said, i pumped schooling money into mine, tried private sale, didn't have time to hang around as selling is so time consuming, so took a deep breath and offered her back to the dealer I bought from at bargain price. I know the mare will get a good home and I cleared the decks to start again. Depends on your priorities.... Good luck.
 
Could you put a link to the ad on here and pick up some advice from the wealth of experience on here? I gather the right words are very important and some really good pictures/videos can make a lot of difference.
 
When I was looking I relied mainly on Facebook, there is a page for our county that everyone seems to use and it was really handy!
 
anj789 said:
Hi I've been on both sides lately, sold one and now buying. If you're realistic on price for description you should be able to sell anything. You can spend more money on schooling and livery but you might not get back any more than if you just get the price right now for where he's at. It may widen the market you can sell to though and I guess there are plenty of ex racers so you need to make him stand out. That said, i pumped schooling money into mine, tried private sale, didn't have time to hang around as selling is so time consuming, so took a deep breath and offered her back to the dealer I bought from at bargain price. I know the mare will get a good home and I cleared the decks to start again. Depends on your priorities.... Good luck.
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Thanks for your reply. I'm feeling that I'm going to be in for a long wait at the moment, price is the part I'm dubious about. I think I've probably over priced him at the moment however I'm not sure. Home really is the most important part for me and I've not really been sure what to put him on at. I would really give him to the right home but I've been warned not to go down the "free to good home" route - though it has crossed my mind.
 
Rosiefan said:
Could you put a link to the ad on here and pick up some advice from the wealth of experience on here? I gather the right words are very important and some really good pictures/videos can make a lot of difference.
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I'm not sure I'm allowed to post a link in case I get button pushed for advertising. However I'm happy to share link via PM. Agree about the correct wording, I've been careful not to be negative about him. But I'm wary of making him out to be something he's not and then people's first impression is disappointment. Thanks for your input.
 
Farma said:
When I was looking I relied mainly on Facebook, there is a page for our county that everyone seems to use and it was really handy!
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That's interesting to know. When I was looking I never used Facebook but I guess it's taken off more in last few years. Thanks
 
He doesn't sound like the type of horse where sales livery would be a viable solution, you'll spend more than you'll make. And as you are happy to ride him it would be better presentationally to stay with you.
 
criso said:
There are some websites and facebook groups specifically for ex racers. Might be worth putting him on those.
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I'm interested in finding out about these groups, as I'm in a similar situation. Very talented horse, but had an op last year, and I'm WAY too heavy for him, although I've done all the fitness/competing on him. Like the op, a good home is essential.
 
And also you might need to rethink how you view him.! So he has "only" done 2 x BE events..fact is, he has done it so that makes him more interesting as you aren't going down the whole "potential " route! I think it's easy to focus on the negative aspects when we as private individuals are selling ..I know I did! Might even think about putting him on the BE site as well.

But don't put an ad up like on H&H at the moment. Lovely looking 5 year old, in draw reins. Draw reins have a place but the mere fact they were shown on a baby would put me off seeing it.
 
cundlegreen said:
I'm interested in finding out about these groups, as I'm in a similar situation. Very talented horse, but had an op last year, and I'm WAY too heavy for him, although I've done all the fitness/competing on him. Like the op, a good home is essential.
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These two are a good starting point. The first links to a website and you have to pay but it's not much

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Source-an-Ex-racehorse/178409375503533?fref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ex-racehorses-for-sale/157673377649889?fref=ts
 
dieseldog said:
He doesn't sound like the type of horse where sales livery would be a viable solution, you'll spend more than you'll make. And as you are happy to ride him it would be better presentationally to stay with you.
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Yes I think you might be right. Just squeezing in the time, need a clone!
 
Luci07 said:
And also you might need to rethink how you view him.! So he has "only" done 2 x BE events..fact is, he has done it so that makes him more interesting as you aren't going down the whole "potential " route! I think it's easy to focus on the negative aspects when we as private individuals are selling ..I know I did! Might even think about putting him on the BE site as well.

But don't put an ad up like on H&H at the moment. Lovely looking 5 year old, in draw reins. Draw reins have a place but the mere fact they were shown on a baby would put me off seeing it.
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I think it's more that we completed two events but they don't look good on paper! So I don't feel they are a credit to him. Certainly easy to focus on the negative side as a private seller as I don't want to mis lead anyone or waste their time.

Draw reins in a pic of a young horse for sale :( that's sad, each to their own I guess but I'm with you I wouldn't be seeing that one.
 
It may be worth trying him on the "source an ex racehorse" website, as mentioned above. It's completely dedicated to the lovely ex racers and people will obviously head there knowing what they are looking for - lots of very honest adverts too x
 
try the exracers club - think its exracers.com, i know they have a classifieds I bought one from there many years ago and struck me as a knowledgeable group and genuine buyers/members
 
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