Minimally handled youngster v. lunged and laid over - any value added?

[soloequestrian]

My friend is selling some youngstock but not getting a great deal of interest. She has a really nice filly who is just over three, is fine with people but really minimal handling - occasionally led but mainly just runs in from the field to her box. Would it add value and/or sales potential if the filly was able to lunge, had tack on, been laid over etc. (probably not fully backed)? Wondering if I should offer - my friend has been especially good to me recently and I'd like to be able to give her something back. She doesn't have facilities or really the desire to do much in the way of handling herself.

 

[ycbm]

Leaning over her without sitting on her will, for me, reduce her value. It raises huge doubts about why nobody has sat on her, because sitting on her and walking away without a fuss should add considerable value because it shows she will be easy to get ridden away. So either get her sat on, or leave her, would be my recommendation.
.

 

[TheMule]

Leaning over her without sitting on her will, for me, reduce her value. It raises huge doubts about why nobody has sat on her, because sitting on her and walking away without a fuss should add considerable value because it shows she will be easy to get ridden away. So either get her sat on, or leave her, would be my recommendation.
.

Totally agree

 

[millitiger]

Nope- nothing more suspicious than something half started!

I would assume price is wrong or she needs better advert blurb/photos/video.

 

[alibali]

Absolutely what ycbm said

 

[Abacus]

Think of it in advertising terms. There are two target markets: people who prefer something raw that hasn’t been badly started, or people who want a horse riding away albeit green. The latter would add some ££ if done well and evidenced. It needn’t take that long if she’s easy.

 

[blitznbobs]

If you are going to lay over get on and start it ridden … that to me does add value. But half a job is v worrying

 

[SpeedyPony]

As above- if you have the skillset to back a horse, you don't want someone's half-attempt, particularly as they will probably have a different style/approach, so you'll only end up going over the same ground again anyway.
If they can get her backed and hacking out quietly, that would add some value and isn't (or shouldn't be) much more trouble than getting to the leaning over point.

 

[Lois Lame]

I'd be concerned about the lunging. I would wonder what awful lunging had been done.

 

[twiggy2]

I have been looking at 2 and 3 Yr old to buy, I was so disaapointed when asking for videos of them walking and trotting up before travelling for hrs to view or to book a vetting, not one of them could produce a good video of them walking and trotting up on a good surface. Also only one was able to get me any good photos of them stood up.
I wanted unbacked non started but handled.
There were 5 that I didn't go any further with due to them being 3 plus hrs away and not being able to see a decent video and photos before proceeding.
Only one could walk and trot up at all, surface was an issue for them and they did get me a video but it took a few days.
Most of them even said 'I don't know if I can make x trot but I will try' or something along those likes.
Non were under 3k some were substantially more.

 

[GreyDot]

I have been looking at 2 and 3 Yr old to buy, I was so disaapointed when asking for videos of them walking and trotting up before travelling for hrs to view or to book a vetting, not one of them could produce a good video of them walking and trotting up on a good surface. Also only one was able to get me any good photos of them stood up.
I wanted unbacked non started but handled.
There were 5 that I didn't go any further with due to them being 3 plus hrs away and not being able to see a decent video and photos before proceeding.
Only one could walk and trot up at all, surface was an issue for them and they did get me a video but it took a few days.
Most of them even said 'I don't know if I can make x trot but I will try' or something along those likes.
Non were under 3k some were substantially more.

I'd definitely want one which had seen a farrier in its first three years and had been handled enough to check all over, been vaccinated, would load, etc.

 

[dorsetladette]

Minimal handled for me. I've had/seen too many ponies over the years that have been 'started' which turns out that actually they have massive gaps in their education or have been frightened (and then frightened the handler) and then you end up having to start the process further back than originally planned.

Obviously I expect them to be well rounded 'people' by 3 with the jabs up to date etc.

 

[honetpot]

I have been looking at 2 and 3 Yr old to buy, I was so disaapointed when asking for videos of them walking and trotting up before travelling for hrs to view or to book a vetting, not one of them could produce a good video of them walking and trotting up on a good surface. Also only one was able to get me any good photos of them stood up.
I wanted unbacked non started but handled.
There were 5 that I didn't go any further with due to them being 3 plus hrs away and not being able to see a decent video and photos before proceeding.
Only one could walk and trot up at all, surface was an issue for them and they did get me a video but it took a few days.
Most of them even said 'I don't know if I can make x trot but I will try' or something along those likes.
Non were under 3k some were substantially more.

Sounds like most of mine. They come in for the farrier, worming, perhaps if there is a need to have a field shuffle and thats about it. I no longer show inhand, so no need to get them to trot up, as long as they behave when they come in, go back and wait when asked thats it.
This will sound rude but TBH I can not be bothered with the whole video, photos etc, if someone rings me I get a feel of how capable they are, the last person traveled 300 miles with trailer to look perhaps buy, and paid cash on the day, not endless questions and photos, and I am really happy how they produced him. I am vetting who I sell to, the first ridden home is a foundation of a horses life.
I no longer back because its just too expensive to send them away and I have no longer have a nimble daughter to get on them, but I have had no trouble selling them unbacked straight from the field. They are not cheap, but they not a silly price as my outgoings are low, so I really can pick a home.

 

[Jinx94]

Admittedly I go for weanlings/yearlings, but I will only be able to afford youngsters for a very long while.

Ideally I would want to see it walk and trot up, tie up if it's 1 year+ and know that it has been manageable for the vet and farrier. IF the yard had a school that I could see it move around, I MIGHT take a punt on something that doesn't do the above if the price is right, I like it enough and I trust the breeder/seller. Not a fan of things that have already been introduced to the lunge as you can't guarantee whether they have been taught to lunge or just chased round.

In your position, I would handle it to the point that it is polite to handle on the ground but would not start any part of the backing process.

 

[millitiger]

I think a lot of under 3yros don't know how to trot in hand and a lot of breeders can be older and physically not able to run fast enough to trot them up!
If I'm paying £8-10k+, I would want a video before travelling to see it but otherwise expect it to be a bit rough and ready!

 

[ihatework]

I have been looking at 2 and 3 Yr old to buy, I was so disaapointed when asking for videos of them walking and trotting up before travelling for hrs to view or to book a vetting, not one of them could produce a good video of them walking and trotting up on a good surface. Also only one was able to get me any good photos of them stood up.
I wanted unbacked non started but handled.
There were 5 that I didn't go any further with due to them being 3 plus hrs away and not being able to see a decent video and photos before proceeding.
Only one could walk and trot up at all, surface was an issue for them and they did get me a video but it took a few days.
Most of them even said 'I don't know if I can make x trot but I will try' or something along those likes.
Non were under 3k some were substantially more.

Well that sounds like all mine at 2/3, although admittedly I’m not trying to sell them at that age and if I were would accept I might need to make a bit of effort.

I’m delighted to buy a young horse that hasn’t been faffed with. As long as it’s friendly enough to get near and has had the basic foot/wormer type stuff and I can see it move (even if that’s just flicking it round the paddock a bit) then I’m an easy client in that respect! Although far more discerning in other things!

 

[ihatework]

I did buy a yearling for almost 5 figures that literally been allowed to run riot, then some old bird had been drafted in ‘to handle’ making things 10x worse.

Was the only reason she was for sale.

Spent a while trying not to get my head kicked in

She is also the classiest horse I have ever owned and might ever own.

 

[twiggy2]

I'd definitely want one which had seen a farrier in its first three years and had been handled enough to check all over, been vaccinated, would load, etc.

Vaccines and loading are not a worry for me, farrier I agree though

Sounds like most of mine. They come in for the farrier, worming, perhaps if there is a need to have a field shuffle and thats about it. I no longer show inhand, so no need to get them to trot up, as long as they behave when they come in, go back and wait when asked thats it.
This will sound rude but TBH I can not be bothered with the whole video, photos etc, if someone rings me I get a feel of how capable they are, the last person traveled 300 miles with trailer to look perhaps buy, and paid cash on the day, not endless questions and photos, and I am really happy how they produced him. I am vetting who I sell to, the first ridden home is a foundation of a horses life.
I no longer back because its just too expensive to send them away and I have no longer have a nimble daughter to get on them, but I have had no trouble selling them unbacked straight from the field. They are not cheap, but they not a silly price as my outgoings are low, so I really can pick a home.

I can't leave the place at all for 2 months at lambing, certainly can't take days off here and there to look at horses that may be lame when I arrive, I get what your saying about the hassle though, I had a lot of people wanting more videos etc when I sold my last mare.
Honestly though walking, trotting and standing a three year old up is hardly difficult if it's only had the most basic of handling.

Well that sounds like all mine at 2/3, although admittedly I’m not trying to sell them at that age and if I were would accept I might need to make a bit of effort.

I’m delighted to buy a young horse that hasn’t been faffed with. As long as it’s friendly enough to get near and has had the basic foot/wormer type stuff and I can see it move (even if that’s just flicking it round the paddock a bit) then I’m an easy client in that respect! Although far more discerning in other things!

The one I have bought was the least handled of all and the only one that managed to get videos and some photos.
The ones who didn't think they could get trotting up videos were generally ones that had been in at night during the winter or kept on livery yards.

 

[vhf]

Correctly handled, able to be shown off, value added
Part backed, value detracted!
Properly backed and gently ridden away, value added but may reduce some of the market - because often people buying a 3yo want a blank canvas for less, or one that's properly up and running if they're paying more (though I wouldn't like a 3yo with a lot of mileage myself).
Flying loose over huge jumps with extravagant action - increased price, arguably reduced long-term value...

Maybe doing some work with the filly, getting her nicely presented for photos/videos/viewings would be the most helpful thing you could do??

 

[soloequestrian]

Thanks, that's helpful. I don't really know how good she is to handle but she was a bargy twit when we were trying to take the advert pictures! I don't think it would take much to get her a little more polite though, she's just not used to it at the moment.

 

[ycbm]

Thanks, that's helpful. I don't really know how good she is to handle but she was a bargy twit when we were trying to take the advert pictures! I don't think it would take much to get her a little more polite though, she's just not used to it at the moment.

Adding manners will almost always add value
.

 

[DressageCob]

I don't think leaning over will add value, however I would prefer a 3 year old to be handled, easy to lead, lifting up all four feet etc.

 

[maya2008]

Well handled would make them easier to sell. Then check price. Once you get too far into the 3yo year I always wonder if ‘not backed’ means ‘selling because I tried to back it and wasn’t successful’. So if the filly doesn’t sell by August or thereabouts, it might be better to back and show success even if the filly is then turned away by new owner to mature.