Selling a Pony

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RDyche1971

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Hi. I am trying to sell my daughters pony, I have him advertised on various sites and had lots of messages but not had one viewing. I have been totally honest on the adverts as he is far from a perfect little pony. As my daughter has lost interest he hasn't been ridden since December and he hasn't had the attention he once had, which was grooming, riding, lots of hugs & kisses, she would just sit in his stable with him for hours on end. Due to this I feel he has picked up a few bad habits and I haven't the confidence or time to put them right. One problem that has been keeping me up at night which I clearly state on the advert is that he doesn't like strangers, paticulary men, we think sometimes it can be a protective thing with me and my daughter, so I worry about people coming to view him. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
If you want to send me a link to the ad by pm, click on my user name and then start a conversation, I will take a look to see if it needs tweaking, sometimes being too cautious and honest in the ad will stop people calling, getting a phone call where you can actually put the bad points in context is often easier than writing it when it just sounds negative.
Most ponies are easy enough to win round, any viewers could be given a treat for him so they start by making friends in a way most ponies understand, bribery can encourage most to change their mind.
 
be positive said:
If you want to send me a link to the ad by pm, click on my user name and then start a conversation, I will take a look to see if it needs tweaking, sometimes being too cautious and honest in the ad will stop people calling, getting a phone call where you can actually put the bad points in context is often easier than writing it when it just sounds negative.
Most ponies are easy enough to win round, any viewers could be given a treat for him so they start by making friends in a way most ponies understand, bribery can encourage most to change their mind.
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https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/...gelding.html?link=/search?memberid=2020166920

Not sure what I'm doing if I'm honest, hope this had worked. Thank you for your reply.
 
I wouldn't view a pony as you have described him. It reads as largely a list of defects.... What are his good points? You claim he has "potential" - what for? I actually do like the look of him from the pictures but the narrative is offputting. It isn't clear whether these are actually real problems for someone experienced or whether it is just that you and your daughter lack experience and he has been a bit too much for you. Honestly, I would get a professional in to assess him and to help you write an honest but positive advert, and also maybe to show him to potential purchasers for you. If your daughter is not riding, how are you expecting to show him to someone even if they do come?
 
Welsh cob? I was expecting a 12.2 first pony from your OP.

Several things jump out that are not good, the main issue is why he needs heartbar shoes, he will not pass a vetting and that is why most will look at the ad and move on as being footsore without them is not really acceptable in a young native pony and suggests there is an underlying issue that has not yet been resolved, other than by the shoeing.

The rest of the ad is not very well worded, a bit waffly and you repeat he requires a 'strong confident rider' which the photos contradict somewhat, he sounds to me like a green pony that requires an experienced home and plenty of work, if he is sound enough, to build up his confidence and education, the fact he is not keen on men or strangers really doesn't need to be there as yet another negative, nor does him being a bit funny with his back legs.

I like the photos and if I wanted a project he would be just my type, I would ignore most of what you have written and make my own judgement but as suggested above getting someone in to school him a bit and rewriting the ad would be a good idea, if you were nearer I would be more than happy to help but too far.
 
As someone that has had 2 horses on the trot that had lameness problems the things that stick out for me are heart bars on fronts and foot sore without, and not being keen to pick up back legs.

I don't think you necessarily need to put "strong confident rider", maybe just confident rider i.e. small adult or competent teen or something similar.

I would possibly also pay someone to bring him back in to work a bit, so that people can try him before buying. I understand that this might not be a want, but I think it would be good especially as you can also see if they would be competent enough to bring him on etc.
 
Its a rubbish time of year to sell a pony so do not be disheartened. I always aim for about Easter, the days are longer, the kids are off school and people start thinking about summer. This even applies to selling horses
A lot of ponies are not keen on men, whether they had a bad experince or they just to not see them very often and their body language is different. My childrens ponies had November to March off every year, once the light nights come its easier to ride after school. Forget about the hugs and cuddles, its not important. Can he come in be, tied up, stand quietly while being tacked up?
If you are quick and its worth the money you could get a small pro rider, they usually show mountain and moorland ponies, to smarten him and polish him up.
I liked your ad but you do not say really what he does well. Why did you buy him, he must have done something nice? Being honest is lovely but remember to ad the good bits. Is he a registered Section D?
I would also unless your daughter is actually frightened of the pony tell her to buck up her ideas and get on it even if its just to walk it down the road. She has been very lucky you bought her a pony and part of her responsibility is to help find it a home, it not something she can walk away from. When my children got older and we sold a pony we had broken they also got 10% of the price, for the extra work they had to do. We never made any money its just about learning that if you put in work it will be rewarded.
 
I agree with the above comments if he permanently needs heart bars that would be a red flag for me, he looks a very nice pony though so I would pay someone to get him riding again it will work in your favour and will attract a better buyer, and definitely 're word the confident rider bit and only mention it once in the advert.

One of my horses is wary of men it's quite common men are bigger have deeper voices, and most horses are handled by women so I wouldn't really worry about that too much.
 
honetpot said:
I would also unless your daughter is actually frightened of the pony tell her to buck up her ideas and get on it even if its just to walk it down the road. She has been very lucky you bought her a pony and part of her responsibility is to help find it a home, it not something she can walk away from. When my children got older and we sold a pony we had broken they also got 10% of the price, for the extra work they had to do. We never made any money its just about learning that if you put in work it will be rewarded.
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Some good points here.
I think that getting your daughter to help is an excellent idea!
 
I agree with the others - the ad is waffly and mainly just lists all his faults. He looks like a nice pony.

Get rid of 'needs a strong confident rider' and just put 'Suited to competent teen or small adult' - everyone knows what that means. Get rid of the bit about being a bit funny with his back legs - you don't need to list his every if and but.

Get rid of the bit about heart bar shoes. Why is he so footsore he needs them?

Get rid of the bit about men. It's highly unlikely a man is going to turn up for him.

He can occasionally be silly, nothing dangerous & has never tried to unseat his rider & will respond well - what does he do? I always find these types of phrases confusing - to me being silly means chucking a buck, spooking, spinning for home etc. What do you define as silly?
 
*registered name if he has one* - Fernando is a 7 year old 14hh Welsh Section D Chestnut gelding.
Selling due to my daughter loosing interest. He would be more suited to an adult or older teenager and will be a great all rounder once back in work. Fernando hacks out in company and on his own though he prefers having a friend to hold his hand as he is still young and green. He has been to various competitions and lessons but not for a while.
He is fabulous to catch, load, travel & shoe. He is happy living in or out.
Up to date with teeth & vaccinations.
Tack will be for sale separately as we had a saddle made for him 18 months ago.
This is a heart breaking sale for us so we are looking for a 5* home where he can realise his true potential.

There we go
 
He looks like a very nice pony.

I do have a couple of questions - you say that he doesn't like strangers - what exactly does he do? Is it a severe reaction or just not being super friendly?

Also regarding picking up the back legs to me what you describe is pretty standard horse behaviour and not worth mentioning.

How high was your daughter jumping on him? Did he enjoy jumping and want to do it - jump anything even if a fence was unusual for him? If so that is worth mentioning.

What about at home. Is he ever left alone in the paddock for a period of time, and if so how does he react?

I also have to say that on a personal level I don't really like to see the 'No time wasters' line, mainly because anyone intent on wasting your time will do so anyway. Also when it is written in capitals like this it would put me off going to have a look if I thought he was maybe not exactly what I was looking for but worth checking.

As others have said I really think you will have much more luck if you can get your daughter or someone else riding him.

Good luck!
 
Sorry, just to add, did something happen to make your daughter lose interest to the point that you want to sell? Because many people don't ride so much in winter, so I am wondering does she never want to ride him again or maybe she just isn't a winter rider?
 
I'm sorry, but this isn't going to be what you want to hear.

Heart bar shoes are generally only used for rehabbing or disguising serious foot problems.

Until those are diagnosed and sorted, I would not expect you to be able to sell him.

He has the sort of issues I've taken on several times to rehab barefoot, but I would expect to pay a token £1, not the amount you are asking. You say 'no silly offers' but I'm afraid no offer is silly for a seven year old pony which is lame unless shod in heart bars.

.
 
Elf On A Shelf said:
*registered name if he has one* - Fernando is a 7 year old 14hh Welsh Section D Chestnut gelding.
Selling due to my daughter loosing interest. He would be more suited to an adult or older teenager and will be a great all rounder once back in work. Fernando hacks out in company and on his own though he prefers having a friend to hold his hand as he is still young and green. He has been to various competitions and lessons but not for a while.
He is fabulous to catch, load, travel & shoe. He is happy living in or out.
Up to date with teeth & vaccinations.
Tack will be for sale separately as we had a saddle made for him 18 months ago.
This is a heart breaking sale for us so we are looking for a 5* home where he can realise his true potential.

There we go
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I want him now !
 
I read that he is;
Strong and silly
Suspicious of strangers
Has heart bars on for an unknown reason-I would not look at anything wearing those without a diagnosis.
Snatching hind legs away can indicate a hind limb issue.

I like the look of him in the photos but would not go to look at a potentially lame horse that is being bought from the field especially for that price.
Cross posted with ycbm
 
ycbm said:
I'm sorry, but this isn't going to be what you want to hear.

Heart bar shoes are generally only used for rehabbing or disguising serious foot problems.

Until those are diagnosed and sorted, I would not expect you to be able to sell him.

He has the sort of issues I've taken on several times to rehab barefoot, but I would expect to pay a token £1, not the amount you are asking. You say 'no silly offers' but I'm afraid no offer is silly for a seven year old pony which is lame unless shod in heart bars.

.
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Does he actually need heart bars? Or has the farrier decided to use heart bars? OP - do you know why the heart bars, and if there is a reason he cannot have normal shoes? You mention footy without shoes, but how is pony in normal shoes?
 
I think you need to ask why your farrier is using heartbar shoes and if they are really needed. I bought a horse with poor feet, long toes and collapsed heels and my farrier used heartbar shoes for a short period of time and with good feed, a good farrier etc he was back in normal shoes and never had a further problem. Heart bar shoes are a bit of a red flag but not always used because there is a long term underlying problem. I don't know how old or experienced your daughter is but am I correct that the pony was rising 6 when you bought him? I suspect he has lacked the education and firm handling/riding that a lot of Welsh ponies need (other breeds too) so I would probably describing him as green rather than naughty or silly but I would definitely get him back into work.
 
Thank you for all your comments & some I’ll be taking on board. Can I just say I am only being honest on the advert, even though I do waffle. I just think it saves anyone wasting their time coming or enquiring if they know all the facts!! We have owned him for 3.5 years & is a lovely lovely boy & loves to be loved but I don’t have the time & as I said my daughter has lost interest, she’s nearly 17 at college & interest gone elsewhere (I understand as I did exactly the same at 17 & sold my pony). The heart bar shoes were advised by the vet & we have all the paperwork, he’s had X-ray’s, scans & nerve blocking & no underlying issues just walks on his heels, due to the stoney ground where we keep him I decided to keep them on. Anyone who has enquired has been told. Thanks again.
 
RDyche1971 said:
Thank you for all your comments & some I’ll be taking on board. Can I just say I am only being honest on the advert, even though I do waffle. I just think it saves anyone wasting their time coming or enquiring if they know all the facts!! We have owned him for 3.5 years & is a lovely lovely boy & loves to be loved but I don’t have the time & as I said my daughter has lost interest, she’s nearly 17 at college & interest gone elsewhere (I understand as I did exactly the same at 17 & sold my pony). The heart bar shoes were advised by the vet & we have all the paperwork, he’s had X-ray’s, scans & nerve blocking & no underlying issues just walks on his heels, due to the stoney ground where we keep him I decided to keep them on. Anyone who has enquired has been told. Thanks again.
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You say in the advert he is Welsh D, is he fully registered on a green passport?

I'm another that would run from heart bars, sorry.
 
Gloi said:
heart bar shoes would stop me going to see any pony. I've never known them to improve feet just attempt to hide problems.
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Yes that is what many people think which is why if I were selling I'd get the heart bar shoes off. However, my farrier is a master farrier, used by our local equine hospital as a remedial farrier which takes referrals from all over the country and he also trains army farriers who are taking their master farrier quals so I take his advice not only because I trust him but because he knows his profession better than most. I love chatting to him as he's always very keen to improve my rather limited knowledge.
 
Honestly, if he genuinely needs the heart bars hes not going to pass a vetting and he wont sell at that price. I tend to ignore the wording of ads and buy ponies like him, but I'd expect to pay a token sum for him depending what I found when I viewed him.

Heartbars are a massive issue and will have completely wrecked his feet. How long has he had them on?
 
Elf On A Shelf said:
*registered name if he has one* - Fernando is a 7 year old 14hh Welsh Section D Chestnut gelding.
Selling due to my daughter loosing interest. He would be more suited to an adult or older teenager and will be a great all rounder once back in work. Fernando hacks out in company and on his own though he prefers having a friend to hold his hand as he is still young and green. He has been to various competitions and lessons but not for a while.
He is fabulous to catch, load, travel & shoe. He is happy living in or out.
Up to date with teeth & vaccinations.
Tack will be for sale separately as we had a saddle made for him 18 months ago.
This is a heart breaking sale for us so we are looking for a 5* home where he can realise his true potential.

There we go
Click to expand...
Thank you I may
oldie48 said:
Yes that is what many people think which is why if I were selling I'd get the heart bar shoes off. However, my farrier is a master farrier, used by our local equine hospital as a remedial farrier which takes referrals from all over the country and he also trains army farriers who are taking their master farrier quals so I take his advice not only because I trust him but because he knows his profession better than most. I love chatting to him as he's always very keen to improve my rather limited knowledge.
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Can I ask his name as my friend uses a fantastic farrier who trains army farriers, but when I tried to get him to come out he was too busy & refereed someone else who is ok but I would say doesn’t have the knowledge as he’s a lot younger, I’m going to ask him next time he comes what his thoughts are.
 
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