Selling a horse you're scared of...

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Barbie

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I don't quite know where to start. I was pushed into buying an unbroken 4yo connie a few years ago, he's 9 now. My partner at the time was a very good rider and was going to help me bring the horse on. He lost interest after about a month and now we're divorced so for the last 5 years I've struggled along alone. I've always thought that one day it will click and he'll be the steady plod I want him to be but he just isn't. He's sensitive and anxious when I ride which makes me nervous. Professionals have schooled him and he's an absolute diamond but I just can't do it. I took the decision to give up riding and move him to a field at home with some sheep to be a pet (I adore him on the ground!) but he won't settle and so I've come to the decision to sell him which is heart breaking. But...how in earth do I sell a horse I daren't ride? I really can't bear the thought of him falling into the wrong hands but I can't show off his full talent. Struggling to find a sales livery that will take him due to his lack of mileage at the age of 9. Help!!
 
Try a M&M producer. Its the time of year that they do breaking and schooling, and in my experience they are not that expensive. Send it away and get them to give you an assessment, the last one I sent was just two weeks.
 
dixie said:
Have you tried South West Eventing on Facebook. She takes in sales livery and seems like a nice honest person.
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She's good - but I don't think that brave.

Melissa Shawcross Eventing & Sales would be the first person I'd contact (she's based near Stratford) - I've used her for schooling livery and highly recommend. There is also Emma Beresford near Winchcombe/Stanway but I'm not sure if she does sales livery. Both small riders so would fit!

I bought a 9 year old, that had only been to one small s-j show in his life a couple of years ago from sales livery at this time of year. I do know he had been there for a few weeks on schooling livery before he was advertised for sale so I guess it was quite an investment for the owner at the time. And my goodness he was tricky! Anyway, my point is that your horse will find a good home, it just may take a little longer finding it :)

Edited to say: you could also consider finding someone who would take him/her on loan with view to buy. You may find a better home, as you've had vetted it and seen what progress and how they got on before they buy.
 
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Are the sales liveries saying no because he isn't worth much so if they usually work on a % it isn't worth their time? Given that you essentially want the best suitable home for him would they take him on a different arrangement if that is the case?

I would certainly speak to Isobel at SWE, she's had a few sharp connies through her hands over the years and is an excellent size for them. She took my lad XC for me a few times (he's welsh but ;)) successfully when I had failed!

It doesn't sound like he needs someone terribly brave or gungho just capable?
 
ester said:
Are the sales liveries saying no because he isn't worth much so if they usually work on a % it isn't worth their time? Given that you essentially want the best suitable home for him would they take him on a different arrangement if that is the case?

I would certainly speak to Isobel at SWE, she's had a few sharp connies through her hands over the years and is an excellent size for them. She took my lad XC for me a few times (he's welsh but ;)) successfully when I had failed!

It doesn't sound like he needs someone terribly brave or gungho just capable?
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^^ these were the thoughts I was having. I've just bought one that the owner was scared to ride... she sent it to the sales though which you might not want to do. I won't be the only responsible person out there who is prepared to take a punt on a bit of a project though, esp if the horse is nice to handle.
 
Sell him as a project, sold as seen. You won't get much for him but someone will work on him and his prospects will be better. Otherwise send him off for schooling. Or get a pro rider. I did that for my pony when I thought I was too heavy. He is now in an excellent loan home. She rode him for the viewings
 
Getting a pro to ride him for viewings is a great idea. I had a girl school him for me in the summer and she was excellent with him.
Sorry should have said, we're in the north. I found all those recommendations on Google but it's just too far to take him. Having said that he loads and travels like a dream so maybe if I get desperate it's a good call.
The trouble is he does just need someone brave. You could be an awful rider technically but have no fear and he'd be great. As soon as anyone with a bit of nervousness gets on him he becomes nervous and tense. I've had so many schoolmaster lessons but it makes no difference, I'm still nervous when I'm on him.
Tried the loan route and advertised him honestly but the three people who came to see him who swore they were confident riders ended up being more nervous than me so I gave up on that idea, he hated it.
I'm scared of selling him as a project in the cheap horse price bracket and in winter. Finding someone who will look after a cheap horse in the same way I have seems a long shot?
 
honetpot said:
Try a M&M producer. Its the time of year that they do breaking and schooling, and in my experience they are not that expensive. Send it away and get them to give you an assessment, the last one I sent was just two weeks.
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He's over height unfortunately (15.1hh) so the ones I've contacted don't want him.
 
The reason he hasn't settled is probably not having equine company. So another option (other than selling him) is taking on a grass livery or buying a mini, or loaning a pony for company.
 
He gets lunged and does lots in hand so he isn't being left to go wild in a field. Hopping on after a period of no work isn't an issue, he's the same with me whether I ride daily or yearly so he won't take any effort to get him going by the right person.
I think I'll just keep trying to find sales livery. I can't bear the thought of him going from the field and me not knowing if it's to the right person after the drama of the loan riders who were next to useless. I've worked within the veterinary industry for a while so the horror stories of neglect the vets have told me about keep me awake at night which is causing my reluctance to sell him to a random stranger who has never ridden him.
 
Wagtail said:
The reason he hasn't settled is probably not having equine company. So another option (other than selling him) is taking on a grass livery or buying a mini, or loaning a pony for company.
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I'm then getting a pet for my pet which will not go down well. Minis and ponies are out because the grass is so good which means I'll have to get a full sized horse just to keep my pet horse happy, it's the horse equivalent of being a crazy cat lady!
 
Ah your location says Cheltenham hence recommendations near there.

If agree with you that he is more likely to end up in an appropriate home from sales livery than sold as a total project unless you can do the latter word of mouth.
 
he sounds lovely. I really hope you manage to find someone who will love him and enjoy working with him. it is really difficult when you end up with a horse you weren't looking for or indeed wanting. I am sure that you will be able to find the right person.
 
As your lunging him and doing groundwork that’s at least “half” the problem solved before sending him away on sales level livery, he’s in work of some form.

Does he load well? If not it could help his saleability if you can practise it? If your doing groundwork, if you can do the whole flapping plastic bags around him type stuff as well, I’m sure that would help.

I’d also be tempted to get back teeth and saddle done before sending away for sales, then you know shouldn’t be anything wrong with him
 
Such a difficult situation. I found myself with a lovely talented WB whom I ended up being unable to ride for nerves. He was perfect on the ground just very tense & sharp when I was on board. Ended up part exchanging him at a local dealers for my current horse and never looked back (current horse is one in a million). Unfortunately with dealers they won't tell you where the horse has gone so that is the huge drawback. Good luck!
 
Barbie said:
He gets lunged and does lots in hand so he isn't being left to go wild in a field. Hopping on after a period of no work isn't an issue, he's the same with me whether I ride daily or yearly so he won't take any effort to get him going by the right person.
I think I'll just keep trying to find sales livery. I can't bear the thought of him going from the field and me not knowing if it's to the right person after the drama of the loan riders who were next to useless. I've worked within the veterinary industry for a while so the horror stories of neglect the vets have told me about keep me awake at night which is causing my reluctance to sell him to a random stranger who has never ridden him.
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Where in the north are you? Mine is currently on selling livery with Stephen Gee, near Alton Towers, who has two capable work riders. They are giving him exposure to a busy yard and a regular routine that I can't give him, to see if he is happier in that environment, and if so they will then sell him. He's £135 a week at this time of year.
 
Cant you just pay a professional to come and get him going again at your place (or take the horse to them) then get them to ride the horse at viewings? If you're paying them every time they ride it then they wont argue as its not a sales livery or anything. Otherwise I think your only other option is to sell as seen as an honest project, you wont get much money-wise but theres no reason you couldnt find a nice home for him that way (just ensure you vet the home as Im sure you would if you were selling for more money).
 
So he's a tough Native, big enough to take a fair-sized adult, good ground manners, good to load, just needs a strong, confident rider? He sounds very desirable to plenty of the buying public if advertised clearly and honestly.
 
I've taken one on exactly like this.

Owner was scared of her, horse was anxious, made for a nervous environment for both of them. I have her on a loose loan type basis (me and the owner are old friends, I will approach her ina few months to formalise things).

Mine is rising 10, barely backed, ex broodmare who we think has been abused. You have far more to work with!

I would be tempted to pay a pro to maybe ride him out a few times a week and be there to ride him for viewings. If you can, maybe pay someone to do an Intro dressage test on him to get his mileage up and make him more appealing to buyers. It sounds like he isn't complicated, just green who needs a confident ride and pleanty of people out there look for just that.
 
Yes I know you've already looked for suitable selling livery without success, but I really think this is your only viable option.

There must be someone, somewhere, who'd willingly take this horse to sell for you?

It seems an awful shame to sell "from the field" as you'd stand to lose out financially on what is potentially a very nice little horse; he's the size (and age) that you just can't find for love or money.

Riding-to-sell is a specific skill IMO and good "ride to sell" riders are not always easy to come by and are worth their weight in gold. IF you can find someone suitable, then this may be your only way forward however; and then you'll have all the stress and hassle of having booked your rider - and the prospective buyer doesn't show up!!

Personally I wouldn't turn down a green 9yo; that may actually work in your favour as some people may prefer something unproduced which they can make what they want it to - providing the price is right.

I'd be inclined (as someone else has suggested) to get someone to ride this horse, perhaps even offer a share or loan arrangement through the winter, for you. There's bound to be a keen teen somewhere who is good and confident and would welcome such an opportunity. Use them to get it fit, hunted, out to competitions, doing every discipline and every event, local and further afield, whatever is happening in your area basically. Get the horse out and about and seen. Then, come the early Spring, say February/March time, think about selling proper with hopefully a bit more of a track record to go on.
 
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