How would you sell this horse?? Problem pony...

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Morgan123

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I've sort of got drafted in to help my Mum's friend of a friend to sell her pony. it's a really sad situation and she can't keep him because of health problems herself and looking after her elderly father, but he seems a little unsellable to me and she and i have hit a dead end!! any help appreciated!!

Pony is:

- 14 yrs old, about 142hh welsh cobx
- She's had him since a foal (I think she bred him)
- basically happy hacker that has never really had any schooling. hacks nicely in company but at present, he's living on his own since her other horse died so if he sees another horse he gets upst and 'bucks and twists' to get back to it.
- A bit cheeky in the stable and can nip or kick occasionally, though basically just testing people out
- has popped over some low jumps (logs etc) but doesn't really know how to jump from what i can gather.
- has been in a trailer once (!) and so will need re-schooling in trailer to do so.

she loves him of course, having had him for all his life, and is reluctant to sell him as a 'project' to someone who'll jsut sell him on. i think she's aware that he's worth next to nothing, and she said she'll definitely LWVTB or even jsut long term loan. she's advertised him locally and just had one person look at him.

What can you do wiht such a pony?!? I've suggested:

projecthorses.com (perhaps as just companion even)
sending to a nice trekking yard (I think this is the best idea but don't think she's keen)
sending somewhere for schooling (impractical as he is already 14 and that'll be expensive)
trying to find a local kid who wants a project to school him before she sells him (impractical as she lives in middle of nowhere).

how do you find people who just want a pony to mess about with?!? any help or ideas appreciated!!

thank you!
 
do you think? that's good news. i can't think of anyone who wants a 14 yr old that doesn't school, travel, jump or hack alone, that's all, but maybe i'm being naive?? who would you target him at??
 
Ah bless him sounds like he's had an easy life to me and just hasn't fell into the hands of somebody that wants to push him/test him.

Even though he's 14, people are always looking for a happy hacker and, who doesn't want company when they are out anyway, I always do!

I think there is somebody out there looking for him - I want a companion for my cob of the same height - stick him in the post for me and I'll get my friend to ride him :)
 
What ever you do, if she sells her pony she needs to accept that she will lose control over his future. So, you might find a nice companion home via Project Horses and still see him up for sale a few months later, the new owner having tried him out and decided he's worth some money.
Maybe she should try offering him for LT loan first, she could do that on Project Horses.
 
Yeh that's true - I think she's a bit confused about what she wants for him, it must be so upsetting for her. I think loan may be best thing.

witchy - i can put you in touch wiht her if you like....(though not sure what he'd think about posting!!) !!!
 
There are always people willing to take on ponies like this. I have just taken on a 12.3hh newfe with all sorts of problems. Your one doesn't sound that bad to be honest. If i had the room and time i'd take him on.
I realy hope you find him a nice home and (((((((hugs))))))) to your friend it must be hard to let him go.
 
out of interest how long has she advertised the pony for.
maybe the ilph might be adle to point her in the direction of someone that might take him as a loan
 
So, he is a happy hacker in need of four legged company and a rider? Doesn't sound too bad to me!

Should be no huge problem to find him a nice loan home or even possibly get someone else to move their horse in with him and then loan/share him from where he currently is.

He is a good size for an older child or a small adult so should be quite possible to sort something responsible out. :-)
 
He doesn't sound that bad at all. Is he basically nice natured? I'd defo come and take a look. The fact that she is willing to LWVB is a positive but I would be very careful about the loan home, you don't want some one who will give him genuine problems.
 
Tickles said:
So, he is a happy hacker in need of four legged company and a rider? Doesn't sound too bad to me!
QUOTE]


Ditto ^^^ Have known plenty of people over the years that just wanted something like this. I'm sure there will be someone out there, just get some more adverts put up. Free internet sites, local tack shops, local riding/trekking centres etc.
Click to expand...
 
Does he always buck now? Or only when he's left behind?

What would he be like if he was on his own anyway and just a happy hacker?
:)

*not advertising :D* lol
 
Is it possible for your friend to move him to a livery yard and get someone to hack him for a couple of weeks? If this settles down his separation worries and he is then happy to hack alone and in company he should be able to find a new home fairly easily. While he is there he can do a bit of training walking in and out of a trailer for his tea and most of his problems will be solved. Many people are not really interested in schooling so I would work on presenting his happy hacking possibilities.
 
thansk for all your help, it's good to hear some positive feeback on him!

she can't have him at a livery yard (she's quite elderly and has health problems herself plus looking after her ill father, and he's lives in her field at home forever i think), but i did suggest that as would be perfect!

I guess maybe she's jsut advertising him wrongly or something - also she isn't all that complimentary about him (I think just trying to be honest) so maybe i should have a chat with her about his 'target audience' and how to present him positively but truthfully... nobody i know would even look twice but maybe better advertising would help! I know a few riding schools locally and guess maybe someone there might want to have something to hack about and have fun with...
 
Morgan123 said:
do you think? that's good news. i can't think of anyone who wants a 14 yr old that doesn't school, travel, jump or hack alone, that's all, but maybe i'm being naive??
Click to expand...

I took on my mare ticking all those boxes. Never looked back.

I would def try project horses, the lady that runs it is really nice.

Short of that, just advertise him through normal channels but be honest.

If I was in the market for another I'd be interested.
 
Morgan123 said:
thansk for all your help, it's good to hear some positive feeback on him!

she can't have him at a livery yard (she's quite elderly and has health problems herself plus looking after her ill father, and he's lives in her field at home forever i think), but i did suggest that as would be perfect!

I guess maybe she's jsut advertising him wrongly or something - also she isn't all that complimentary about him (I think just trying to be honest) so maybe i should have a chat with her about his 'target audience' and how to present him positively but truthfully... nobody i know would even look twice but maybe better advertising would help! I know a few riding schools locally and guess maybe someone there might want to have something to hack about and have fun with...
Click to expand...

Perhaps she's sabotaging the sale subconsciously? It can be hard to let go.
 
I dont think that the pony is a problem one at all!

In fact, I just think its a pony that has ruled the roost and been allowed to get away with things!

at 14 its not too old at all to school a horse - my YO got her 17 (possibly 19) year old polox pony doing dressage to quite a high level for fun!

I would not under any cirumstances give him to a riding school - an experienced horsey home for him imo would be better! He just needs to know that isnt the boss anymore, and will not be allowed to misbehave like that :)

Ok - reasons possible problem pony
1) He dosent school - actually, no one has tried so probably will!
2) He dosent travel - actually, has only been in a trailer once so dont know
3) dosent jump - as he has never been taught to jump dosent mean he cant
4) hack alone - this is not a problem for some people!

:)
 
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