Putting a horse out on trial??

S

steph21

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 September 2006
Messages
971
Location
Pasty Landy ;)
Visit site
I have had a few people who are interested in buying abbey, one in particular seems perfect for her but she wants to have a week or two trial, has anyone ever done this when selling there horse and how does it work? Do you ask for a deposit or do a loan type of agreement?? Also you opinion on if you would allow a trial?

Thanks Steph
 
i took Benson on trial i paid half asking up front signed a agreement and owner kept passport and most of stuff (winter rugs etc) deposit was refundable if i returned him
 
Personally I wouldn't do a trial as alot of damage can be done in a week or so. I would allow the person to visit & ride a number of times but wouldn't let the horse out of my control until it's all paid for.
wink.gif
 
Not so sure - if i knew them or they were in the pony club or a local riding club I would agree to a 2 week trial - however i would stress what the horse was fit enough for. eg if she wasnt fit for a 3 hour hack or doing a one day event or cross country training i would tell them. If they really wanted to try her over this i would go and supervise.

If i did not know them at all i would agree to a trial - but for horse to remain at current yard - unless totally impracticable - and then i dont know what i would do ?

Bit of a tough one - also if horse was injured on trial what would you expect them to do?
 
I had my mare on 2 week trial - slightly different circumstances though as the seller was known to a friend of mine - I only had her 5 days before going and paying for her in full - I didn't give anything to take her but didn't get her passport until she was paid for.
 
I *think* usually what happens is that the prospective buyer pays in full. If they decide the horse isn't for them, so long as the horse is returned in the same state it left it (hasn't injured itself etc), the seller refunds all money bar the deposit.
And yes, I would do it if I ever had to sell a horse (never plan to!) as it gives the buyer time to check it is a good match, rather than them buying the horse, decide it isnt for them, and then sell the horse on to someone else.
 
i let a pony go on a weeks trial but only to a friend's yard where i knew someone would keep an eye on him. however got to the end of the week (half term week) & they phoned us to come & get him as they had never intended on buying him, just wanted a pony for the kids to ride in the half term holiday. was a few years ago now but what cheek!
 
I wouldn't put anything on trial, someone can try the horse every day for a week at my place or i will meet them at a xc course but the horse is in my control until it has been sold.
 
yes, i am happy to do it, BUT i ask for full payment before the horse leaves my yard, i usually take the horse to new yard myself so i can see where s/he has gone, and i keep the money in my account in case i need to refund (never have.) i also ask new owner to insure the horse, just in case. probably a good idea to get in writing that they will pay for vet's bills incurred if horse is injured while on trial, etc.
tbh it's as much for my peace of mind as the buyer's, if they're not totally happy with the horse i'd rather keep it myself than worry about what might be happening to it. happiness = secure future for horse assured.
 
Im really not sure what to do they seem really perfect for her they are coming on friday to see her so will see what they are like and if I like them then think about it, it wouldnt be possible for them to try her where she is as they live in devon. I think if they are serious then they would pay for her and then if she wasnt suitable in a week then I wouldhave her back. I no she will be perfect for what they want its just wether they like her or not.
 
I had my boy on trial and it was brill, but i wouldnt put a horse of mine out on trial, a girl i know (unfortunatley) had a mare on trial a couple of months back, she took her xc, hunter trials, sj, beach, everywhere, and they worked her soooo hard in the school everyday, (even though the owner requested she shouldnt do xc, but what she dont no wont hurt her
frown.gif
)didnt treat her well at all, she was such a sweet girl, then because she refused a jump one night she was shuved in the field, no rug, no hay, no feed, and took her back in the morning.

She was jumped and jumped until she had had enough, id hate to think what some people get up to behind closed doors! Especially if it was with one of mine! No matter how nice they seem, some people are good at putting on a front.

Id let them visit your yard as many times as they wanted, maybe have the trial there with you? Sorry this was so long x
 
Just wouldn't do it. I might allow a return though if it didn;t work out, for the sake of the horse. But some people are just unrealistic and expect horses to be machines and are just bloody timewasters - if you give that sort of person a trial period you are just asking for trouble. Too many things can go wrong with a horse when you put it out on a trial, its not like a car.
 

If they were local, or I knew them, then I would maybe consider it. However in this case I would say no. Can't see what can be gained by a weeks trial anyway tbh, many horses take at least that long to settle into a new home.

If they want her enough they will buy her
smile.gif
.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top