Prospective buyers riding another horse

T

The wife

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Unfortunately the time has come to sell the stressage pony. He's a highly talented young man in all aspects but is an extremely tricky ride. After selling a few clients horses that were sent on sales livery I have become concerned about the apparent increase in people overestimating their abilities and time wasting so I have decided that prospective buyers will be asked to ride another horse before sitting on this fella, so we can get a general feel for how well they ride, as I really do not want anybody giving him a bad experience. It has take us a year to get him to the stage he's at now and really would not be every bodies cup of tea.

Is this being a little too overprotective of this fella and would you be put out being asked to ride another first? My thoughts are if i had nothing to hide about my abilities it wouldn't bother me personally in the slightest. I am being perfectly honest to prospective buyers of his quirks and have sent video footage of him at his worst so they get an idea of what he does but I really do not anybody getting hurt or him being worried if they have exaggerated what they have ridden before.

Just wondering what people's thoughts are.
 
Wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I think you should also feel comfortable in quizzing them on the phone re what they've done and where they are up to. I've just done that selling my lad (very green) and it saves everyone time. If your chap is very talented and sensitive it is important for all concerned that he goes to a suitable rider. I'd explain that at the start, surely anyone would understand.
 
I'd be pretty peeved at this, I'd expect to be allowed to make my own judgement abut my ability after seeing videos of the horse being ridden and informing you of my current experience/achievements. It is then down to you to decide if I'm suitable as a prospective owner and then allow me to ride the horse :)

That said, what price/level are we talking about here as that would make a difference in my mind? If this is Valegro then fair enough :)
 
Given that so many people do bump up their capabilities, I would understand if it was explained to me.
If I was genuinely interested then I'd have the pony's best interests in mind too- so , for me, it would be ok.
 
As a buyer I'd probably be offended and wonder how much time it was going to take and it might well put me off viewing. I wouldn't ride my best on a new horse and I might be even worse knowing I was 'under inspection!' BUT as a seller I totally understand.

I think you get a good feel for how someone rides from how the approach and handle horses/ what they are wearing/ how they talk about what they have done. Would this work
 
I think that's a great idea. I wouldn't object to being asked to to ride an easier horse first so you could suss me out. It protects both the prospective purchaser if they've overestimated their abilities and your horse, who you don't want to be upset.
I would actually be reassured that you were a genuine seller wanting the best home for your boy.
 
Polos Mum said:
As a buyer I'd probably be offended and wonder how much time it was going to take and it might well put me off viewing. I wouldn't ride my best on a new horse and I might be even worse knowing I was 'under inspection!' BUT as a seller I totally understand.

I think you get a good feel for how someone rides from how the approach and handle horses/ what they are wearing/ how they talk about what they have done. Would this work
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He is being sold as a potential top class competition animal, suiting an extremely competent amateur or small professional yard, with the words very brave, patient, experienced and sensitive rider needed. Unfortunately looks can be deceiving as I may turn up to look at a horse for sale and look the part, speak the part etc because I do horses well on a professional level (but hardly ever ride) but get me on board and my riding abilities are appalling due to nerves, however on the ground you'd pass me off as confident as hell ;)
 
Wouldn't bother me at all, imagine it would only bother the sort of people you don't want to buy the horse anyway if they don't understand the need for a knowing a rider is quiet before legging them onto a sensitive horse.
 
Thank you everybody for your replies, feeling much better that I won't upset anybody from the majority of the wouldn't mind comments :) I can see it from both sides mind also but the situations I've found other horses in and people trying have actually been quite scary!
 
If this is a pony, as in for a child, then it would probably be ok to ask the rider to ride another animal of similar size. If, however, it is a horse and I was looking to buy and you told me before I got to your yard, I would not be bothering to view
 
If it was a pony for a child I think no sensible parent would mind however personally I would just jog on somewhere esle if asked to ride another horse before the one I was interested in.
 
I've done this before, I run a riding school but also have produced and sold good young horses, 14-15hh types marketed at young riders, PC allrounders. Anyone coming to view them unless they are a known competitor or someone i've seen ride myself has to ride a good (stage 2/3) RS horse before I will stick them up on the horse I have carefully produced for sale, 10 minutes under a nervous heavy handed rider CAN upset and ruin a young horse and I would say 90% of viewers overestimate their ability!
 
How will you deal with the ones that don't 'pass' you riding test? I'd expect some pretty upset people if they've travelled to view and you decide they aren't good enough. I do understand the issue but I'd be trying hard to weed out idiots first and have this as a last resort.
If i really wanted the horse I'd send my instructor in to buy him for me - sadly it won't stop him ending up in the wrong hands
 
I have done this before and people are usually very understanding. Having seen the carnage with a very sharp show pony someone was selling, it has made me much more cautious.
I would also say with society as it is, and people very quick to sue, you need to safeguard yourself. There was a case not long ago of someone trying to sue for damages when they were injured after trying a horse who was being given away due to being very sharp.
 
I think it is a good idea, personally it would put me off but then I wouldn't be looking to buy this sort of pony. It may put some people off viewing and therefore take longer to sell but you sound like you want the best for this pony so finding the right buyer is obviously important. I may be naïve in saying this but I think the idea of riding the other pony first will weed out the unsuitable buyers before you have to break it to them that you wouldn't be happy putting them up on your pony, but again this is just my thought as I am nervous when trying ponies to buy so always undersell myself rather than over.
 
Not a problem. I would like to be informed before viewing though that this was planned so I could allow enough time.
If the owner doesn't feel a rider would be right for the horse, there's no point in the prospective buyer sitting on the horse anyway. I don't believe 10 minutes would ruin a young horse but wouldn't want to be upsetting human or animal needlessly.
 
Couple of years ago my husband was asked at a dealers yard to ride another horse first (one we were viewing was advertised as spooky & cheeky) didn't bother him in the slightest, and actually made him feel better as he'd been a bit nervous of riding infront of a seller. Came home with the spooky cheeky one (who turned out fab)
 
I think it's perfectly acceptable, and the people who are snotty about doing so have perhaps got something to hide?! As a viewer, I would interpret your request as your genuine respect/value for the horse's well being. As for dealing with upset people who are not up to riding your boy for sale after riding your quieter/more established one, well, far better to upset them without upsetting your boy surely?! It could potentially take you weeks to re-school what someone can ruin in minutes.
 
It wouldnt worry me. I tried a horse at a dealers once and they insisted on putting me on the lunge to begin with to make sure i was safe to be let off. Said their insurers insist on it and i didnt have a problem with it.
If its someone who says they have competed a lot you could look up their record as that might give you some idea as to their capabillities.
 
Absolutely think this is a great idea. Do make it very clear beforehand though, and say that you may ask them not to ride the for sale horse depending on how they get on with the 'trial' one. Also as a buyer I would be sticking to the rule of not riding a horse until I have seen someone else on it - so you may have to have the first horse ridden by yourself / your rider first, for many people. Actually it may be really helpful as there must be a few of us who get a bit nervous riding someone's pride and joy under their nose, and a bit of loosening up beforehand can do no end of good!
 
montysmum1 said:
I think it's perfectly acceptable, and the people who are snotty about doing so have perhaps got something to hide?! As a viewer, I would interpret your request as your genuine respect/value for the horse's well being. As for dealing with upset people who are not up to riding your boy for sale after riding your quieter/more established one, well, far better to upset them without upsetting your boy surely?! It could potentially take you weeks to re-school what someone can ruin in minutes.
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I would have nothing to hide but if a horse is not trustworthy enough to have someone who has ridden as much as me on I would not be wanting to get on it .
I can see quite enough watching a horse ridden to assess it for myself
I do however think this would be very acceptable with a child .
 
Goldenstar said:
I would have nothing to hide but if a horse is not trustworthy enough to have someone who has ridden as much as me on I would not be wanting to get on it .
I can see quite enough watching a horse ridden to assess it for myself
I do however think this would be very acceptable with a child .
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Three years ago I'd have said the same as you Goldenstar. I was riding multiple horses who worked in all sorts of disciplines (eventers, showjumpers, hunters and youngsters), as well as my own - thought I was a pretty cracking rider actually.

Got brought down to earth with quite a bump when I went horse shopping for a new one.

So I would say that whilst some people will be realistic about what they can and can't ride - most aren't - or perhaps don't realise they're not all their cracked up to be.......
 
amymay said:
Three years ago I'd have said the same as you Goldenstar. I was riding multiple horses who worked in all sorts of disciplines (eventers, showjumpers, hunters and youngsters), as well as my own - thought I was a pretty cracking rider actually.

Got brought down to earth with quite a bump when I went horse shopping for a new one.

So I would say that whilst some people will be realistic about what they can and can't ride - most aren't - or perhaps don't realise they're not all their cracked up to be.......
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I do see what your saying but I simply would not do this it would take me to much time I would have see it trotted watch some esle riding it before I got on it it would be a monumental waste of my time .
 
amymay said:
So I would say that whilst some people will be realistic about what they can and can't ride - most aren't - or perhaps don't realise they're not all their cracked up to be.......
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This ^^^

I wouldn't mind really, in fact it would be nice to have an honest opinion based from the former owner as to whether or not we'd be suited. It would be nice to be reassured that 'yes you are the right owner for this horse'. I'd just be more nervous about my riding ability, and the thought of being judged, but I wouldn't waste time by going to a horse that isn't at my level in the first place lol!
 
Billie1007 said:
I'd be pretty peeved at this, I'd expect to be allowed to make my own judgement abut my ability after seeing videos of the horse being ridden and informing you of my current experience/achievements. It is then down to you to decide if I'm suitable as a prospective owner and then allow me to ride the horse :)

That said, what price/level are we talking about here as that would make a difference in my mind? If this is Valegro then fair enough :)
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Unfortunately the majority of people coming to view horses have a very over inflated idea of their ability. If you take umbridge about being asked to first ride a nice sensible horse then you possibly don't have a horses welfare true to heart!

It is not their horse therefore the owner has the right to decide how 'Interviews' progress - because this is exactly what is happening when you either try a horse or are the owner of the horse.

We were discussing the behaviour of prospective buyers recently at a coaches meeting and the cheek of some is unbelievable.

I one try a horse for almost 2 hours - true she bought him but she could also have broken him in the process. Another lady commented that she had an elderly pony for sale, the rider (child) trying it came with her instructor proceeded to jump the life out of it and then after an hour or so declared 'It's too old' - they knew the age when the planned the visit.
 
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