My boy is up for sale - any tips

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parkers_mom

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I've finally got round to putting my boy up for sale - I need to pay for my new photo studio to expand my business and lack of time forces me to sell him.

Any tips on how to get people to come see him?

I've got him on the horse & hound online listings, horseexchange.com, buy&sell, adclassified and loot, but I've only had scam emails so far.

I've got him fairly priced (average of other horses like him) and am open to offers, but nothing!
 
have you used photos, are they good ones?
Is there something in the wording of the advert that might be putting people off?
Sorry not much help I know.
 
He's been hobdayed that'll be what puts people off along with the fact he's a large chap so a bit less of a market for him. Are the horses you are comparing his price to a similar size and have they been hobdayed? If not you might need to rethink your price. I would also think you are perhaps going into too much detail in the advert but others may disagree.
Good luck.
 
He seems a really lovely chap, maybe some photo's of him being ridden might help. Perhaps his size might limit the number of people looking to buy out there but I'm sure you'll find the right buyer soon enough.
 
3 problems...
1) He's been hobdayed which will put some people off.
2) No pics of him under saddle. I and most people I know are put off by lack of ridden picks.
3) His size. There is a limited market for horses that big.
 
I would say that realistically being hobdayed may affect some peoples interest but i think its better to say from the start, theres no point having people contact you for you to tell them on the phone and them decide against him, which wastes their time and yours.
his size could limit his market but i'm 6ft tall and have an 18.1 ex pointer so would be most interested in a horse of his size
 
What is hobdayed?
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He looks like a lovely chap, how long has he been advertised for? I would say that within the next few months more people will be buying as come May most horses will be at grass and cheaper to keep
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It's not a problem as such but it would causesome automatic insurance exclusions and would mean some people would question how sound in wind is he. As not all hobday ops are 100% sucessful.
As with all adverts anything out of the "normal" can put people off.
Sorry was just trying to help.
 
Hobdaying is also known as a tie back operation. It is used when a horse has a condition called laryngeal paralysis in which one side of the larynx is paralysed so doesn't open and close to let air in. This means the horse will get tired a lot more quickly as they can't get as much oxygen as they need in fast work. A horse with the condition is commonly known as a roarer or whistler as they make a noise during fast work.

However, he doesn't wheeze or roar. He does sound like a smoker when he whinnies though! Very funny, and got him the nickname Smokey Joe!

He has never been affected by it though and can gallop round the field all day with no problems.
 
Sorry to soudn harsh but for that price I would pass straight over the ad with those pics. Get a decent ridden one and a confo one!
 
Hobday would'nt be a problem for me, but as Druid says the pics sell, and these pics are very much the same as any other pics. you need a really good pic that says Wow. none of these are like that. Price sounds good too,.. Does look a nice gentle sort..
 
point taken about the photos. i should know better, seeing as i'm a photographer, but weddings are very different from horses!

Will get on with them tonight hopefully as hubby has to come with me to the stables as I have no car tonight.
 
Your chap looks wonderful. Don't worry - the right person is out there - its just they haven't seen him yet. I've E mailed a couple of people I know love big horses - their husbands are over 6 foot and hate being under horsed. Hobdaying isn't a problem - well it might be for some people but hey, its better the procedure has been done and he's well. Has your chap seen/followed hounds? I only ask because as you know alot of men hunt and would be interested in a big nice kind honest horse. Wiht regards to pics - fromt he angle of your pics he looks to have quite a short neck. Why don't you plait him up and take (as suggested before) some pics of you riding him in all his glory. Presentation is the key! good luck.
 
his grandad is the highest earning horse in the point to point circuit, don't know if that matters. Its Supreme Leader.

His dad is american so I can't find much on him, and his mum has had a few others that have been good in eventing.
 
He is lovely but definately agree about the photos. I would try for one jumping and one working well in an outline, as well as one untacked but stood up properly confirmation one.
Good luck!
 
I agree you should pop a few ridden pics on there.

A lot of people buying horses look for a reason not to see that particular horse (I know I did when horse-shopping recently), particulalry if they are looking in the price range you have him on there because there's a lot around in that price bracket. People also assume that if you mention a problem on there you will have understated it because you want to sell. Bearing this in mind, I think you have a bit too much info on there...I'm not saying you need to be dishonest and not tell people everything, far from it, but you want them to actually phone up in the first place! I mean the little things, like saying he strays a bit when leading if he sees food...these things probably won't stop people buying a horse when they've spoken to the owner and met him but they may put people off from calling in the first place! Am I making sense?!

Also, have you tried Horsemart? I know lots of people (including me) who've sold quickly through them.
 
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Hobdaying is also known as a tie back operation.

[/ QUOTE ]

A hobday and a tie back are 2 different operations.
It shoudnt affect him in any kind of work, and shouldnt put people off.
TBH, I wouldnt advertise him as such but mention it straight away in communication with prospective buyers.
I sold a horse recently that passed a 5* with flying colours, who had a hobday and a tie back. The vet stated he wouldnt have known he had a problem.
 
[ QUOTE ]
3 problems...
1) He's been hobdayed which will put some people off.
2) No pics of him under saddle. I and most people I know are put off by lack of ridden picks.
3) His size. There is a limited market for horses that big.

[/ QUOTE ]

totally agree - someone will adore him though. Kind eye.
 
Personally I feel he is overpriced given his past health problems and the fact he hasn't done any competing etc.
However, that's obviously just my own opinion, if he's exactly what someone is looking for then they may pay that price.
They do say a horse is only worth what someone will pay for it. I'm sure he's lovely, but you need to get people to come and see him to realise it!
 
I agree about the photos--generally like to see 1 ridden shot where the horse looks to be working in a nice outline (if it is of the age where that is expected), a shot of it going over a jump of sensible height for its capabilities, and a side on conformation shot.

Also, I would leave out the word "rescued." It makes him sound like he was abused, which will put people off because of potential vetinary / schooling issues.

On a "not looking very hard day" I couldsee myself clicking past your ad cos of the "I am having to sell him to afford my new photography studio and lack of time." (Probably noone else in the world would not read on for that reason, but just in case...)
I would probably go for something like "He is sadly for sale because I no longer have the time to do him justice."
 
I agree that he is overpriced for what he is - or at least as far as the advert says. You are very hazy in your description of his level of schooling.

Most people aren't that interested in exactly what a horse is like in the stable etc - those things they ask on the phone or when they come to see him. However people look for a horse suitable for them to ride.

I think you need to be specific on what he has actually done. Is he well schooled on the flat - could he do a basic dressage test? He loves jumping - what size courses is he jumping at home? Is he a well behaved hunter.

Also - you said he'd be good at xc - has he ever been? And you say he doesn't like water so does that mean he wouldn't do a water jump?

Definitely need more info about what he has done/will do riding wise and I'd reconsider the price - £3500 is a lot for a happy hacker who's never competed.
 
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