Selling a 'quirky' horse - advice please!

orsceno1

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Am feeling rather fed up and need some advice please!
My mare has been for sale for several weeks with no interest. She's a quirky one...I've owned her since a foal and love her to bits but I now have 2 small kids and another older horse and I can't cope with the commitment any more (mainly time but also money). She needs work to keep her on the straight and narrow and I can't always manage it. She's very well bred and I truly think will be a star in the right hands but I am not as confident as I once was and now and then we have phases where I lose my mojo completely and she totally knows and takes the mick - she's a mare therefore very smart!! I feel like we are stuck in a vicious circle - we just start to get somewhere, then something means I can't ride for a while and we go back to square one.

Anyway, this whole situation is now starting to really get me down and I don't know what to do. I just really need to get her sold one way or another, but I do care about where she ends up (although realise there's no guarantees!) I know the market is perhaps not the best right now but I'm not sure if she is priced too high, or too low to get the experienced rider who could properly bring her on to even look, or should I just massively drop her price to get her gone or send her to sales livery.....?? Anyone else sold a 'quirky' horse with some words of wisdom? Where to advertise, how to pitch ad etc etc??

Sorry for long post I needed to get that off my chest I'm really rather fed up tonight! Tia :)
 

Equi

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What is it that you think makes her quirky?

If you have quirky on her advert, take it out immediately. To me it means the horse is a total nutjob whos been let get away with murder.

I would also get a good instructor out to have a ride on her so you can take pictures and note down how they feel she went, and write that down. Good conformation shots too.
 

icestationzebra

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Can you define why you refer to her as quirky? I think it is an overused term and it puts people off - you might be doing her a disservice by using it. How old is she, what has she done and is she talented? all these things make a big difference along with how easy she is to do. Sometimes it is as simple as reviewing your advert and ensuring your wording is spot on.
 

orsceno1

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Lol no the advert doesn't say she's quirky! I think I have said she's not a novice ride as can be opinionated but is no problem for an experienced confident rider, or something along those lines. Basically she's a bit nappy when she has a difference if opinion with you as to what she wants to do, her main trick is planting herself now and then when asked to do something she doesn't agree with ( like working properly in a contact) however usually a good boot sorts her out and she doesn't do it when my trainer rides her as she's knows she won't get away with it! She really knows how to test people so anyone coming to try her unless they are competent have no chance! Today she was properly naughty as she's not been ridden for over a week and just tried to bronc me off, however this is quite extreme for her. She has her back etc checked regularly so I keep on top of that. I just don't know how to find the right owner for her!
 

orsceno1

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She's 6, with very low mileage due to me having 2 kids during that time, really only in work since last year. Lovely paces and a fab easy jump. I was worried I had made the advert make her sound better than she is to be honest but then it's always different reading it through someone else's eyes!
 

Equi

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To me i would word that more like "6yo mare. Slow broke so has had lots of time to mature. Has proven to have a good jumping technique, proving to be good on the flat. My trainer has done blabalbalbalab with her. Will make a brilliant riding horse with potential to show with the correct rider. Would not be happy in a slow paced home."
 

orsceno1

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Thanks Equi - what sort of headline do you think I should use? I think mine says Talented all rounder - bazaars chief x Mayhill (obv her breeding) - would I be better off saying something along the lines of her being a project or prospect? A couple of people have commented about serious people discounting horses advertised under a certain price - is this true?! She's currently on for £3500 which was suggested by a couple of people who I've had lessons with. Just wondered if this is the case then should I highlight the fact that price doesn't reflect potential, or am I being totally unrealistic and over priced her? (Can you tell I'm new to this selling thing?!)
 

icestationzebra

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So she is green. Moves well and has a natural easy jump. Does she enjoy her jumping and is she easy to a fence? Has she competed at all? Does she hack? Concentrate on her positives but suggest would suit quiet experienced rider. You want to encourage people to call you for a chat, you can talk through her behaviour in detail - the right person won't be fazed if she has the potential to do what they are looking for. I am an experienced rider and really like sensitive horses, but I would not reply to an ad that said 'not suitable for a novice' as I would assume (rightly or wrongly) that said horse was a lunatic!
 

Equi

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Thanks Equi - what sort of headline do you think I should use? I think mine says Talented all rounder - bazaars chief x Mayhill (obv her breeding) - would I be better off saying something along the lines of her being a project or prospect? A couple of people have commented about serious people discounting horses advertised under a certain price - is this true?! She's currently on for £3500 which was suggested by a couple of people who I've had lessons with. Just wondered if this is the case then should I highlight the fact that price doesn't reflect potential, or am I being totally unrealistic and over priced her? (Can you tell I'm new to this selling thing?!)

For what shes done you're asking too much unfortunately. I would never say project as that is not what she is, shes backed and ridden just needs a good rider. Prospect is iffy too cause if she has not actually done anything buyers will be thinking "how do they know she is it a prospect"

If you were however to get her out and about even to a local xc/jump course or a local winter show you can say shes done this that blabla. This then adds so many more buyers to the list, as the breeding is good.
 

be positive

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For what shes done you're asking too much unfortunately. I would never say project as that is not what she is, shes backed and ridden just needs a good rider. Prospect is iffy too cause if she has not actually done anything buyers will be thinking "how do they know she is it a prospect"

If you were however to get her out and about even to a local xc/jump course or a local winter show you can say shes done this that blabla. This then adds so many more buyers to the list, as the breeding is good.

At 6 she is a prospect for the future, a better word than potential and more descriptive of where she is in her training, with her breeding she should be a decent horse for someone to produce themselves ready for next spring, the price may well be a bit high but if it drops to 2k you will attract novices who really have no idea and will waste your time, at her age her lack of record is not going to go against her too much as long as she shows some real ability at home but the ad does require excellent photos and wording well with plenty of positives.

I have sent a pm OP if you want some help tweaking it.
 

Firewell

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I don't think you should drop the price, I agree with the poster above, it will attract novices or those wanting to flip her.
She has good breeding and she sounds like she has ability so she should be worth that easily but she is green and lacking consistency?!
Can you afford to send her to a decent sales livery? Would one of your instructors help you sell her? I think you need to get her in a consistent work schedule so she has the best chance of going to the right home. It's no good people coming to see her and she's sharp because she hasn't been ridden and you're nervous.
The advert probably could do with being reworked. You want to emphasis her future performance potential and easy jump. A horse that is bold, scopey and straightforward to jump will always be in demand. Then mention 'for sale due to young children and no time to do her justice. Would suit a competitive home' or something like that. Leave out the Not novice ride, people out reguarly competing aren't generally novices but you still don't want to frighten them off!
 

sackospuds

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I agree with firewall and be positive, don't lower the price. I'm in a similar situation, lovely talented young mare, but not really the time to bring her on, I've sent her to sales livery, and she's doing great! Her ad went up last week and we have people queuing to come look, best decision I made was sending her. I'm in north Leicestershire, so pm me if you want details of a good yard that specialises in eventer/hunters.
 

Exploding Chestnuts

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I think it is very difficult to screen out novices, some people just do not understand, one way is to ask to speak to their instructor!
I would emphasise what level she can start at and her best attributes ,,,,,,,,,,, as to price, yes I think £2K is too low, £3.5 may be too high when she needs three months work to get fit and more experience, the trouble is that you could send her to someone to get her to that level, but it would cost a fair whack, and there is no guarantee she will sell at a price to cover the cost, and then there is risk of injury.
I would advertise locally at eg RC events, and sites as well as perhaps H and H. Use the breeding as the main feature, don t say potential this and that, just say she should do well in [........] in the right hands, having been allowed to mature....
If there is still no interest, definately send her to someone who is well known locally for three weeks for her education and to make some contacts he will also asssess potential and advise you. If you ring up a few of these people now, you may find one who is looking for such a horse for a client.
Ideally sales livery, but you need to be confident it will be worthwhile,
.
 
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FfionWinnie

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Had a very good mare for sale for 3800 for 8 months. Dropped the price and she sold within a few days. The market is just a disaster and your horse hasn't done enough to be worth that, at that age she should have more experience under her belt. Mine was an extremely talented jumping pony ready to go and compete a metre +. I got back what I paid for her and was glad to see the back of her despite putting in two years of work and including more in the sale than I got with her! You need her away so be realistic. The market is flooded with nice horses that have been for sale for a lot longer than a few weeks. If you want her away this side of winter that's what I would do. Either that or turn your other one away and concentrate solely on her to get her out competing and sold. Incidentally I had a good sales video showing her loading and everything!
 

SusieT

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of course a horse that is bold straightforward and scopey to jump won't be nappy in the school or prone to bronking episodes.. all of these drop the price massively and in a 6yr old homebred a quirky 6 yr old screams to me loads of bad habits that nobody will want to take on without a price incentive- sorry but that's how these adds read.
IF we all read an add that had the word straightforward in it and then turned up to try the horse and it was quirky we'd be posting on here about how dishonest sellers are so lets not tell people to be dishonest in their wording - positive yes, dishonest no!
 

Exploding Chestnuts

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of course a horse that is bold straightforward and scopey to jump won't be nappy in the school or prone to bronking episodes.. all of these drop the price massively and in a 6yr old homebred a quirky 6 yr old screams to me loads of bad habits that nobody will want to take on without a price incentive- sorry but that's how these adds read.
IF we all read an add that had the word straightforward in it and then turned up to try the horse and it was quirky we'd be posting on here about how dishonest sellers are so lets not tell people to be dishonest in their wording - positive yes, dishonest no!
Yes and no, the reader will ring up the advertiser and can have a discussion. It is as much about rider competancy as anything, you dont want her ridden by a novice anyway.
I mean "not novice ride" means different things to different people, I had someone ask if my boy would be suitable for a beginnner as long as they did not try to jump him!!!!! Another turned up wanted to do adventurous, extended endurance riding, but was not willing / able to canter!
She is not too bad from your description, a bit if work and she would probably forget her nonsense.
My boy was perfectly behaved when buyers came to try him, as he was getting schooled by a good rider, but the day buyer came to remove him he threw his toys out of pram, and I had to ask her if she wanted him, she was perfectly competant, but even so it can be a bit un nerving!
I could have sold him to several novices as perfectly straightforward, but he would not have been well behaved for long.
 
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orsceno1

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Thanks all for your comments - be positive has very kindly given me some very good advice on reworking my existing ad and video which I shall do.
Don't get me wrong she is actually very fit and doesn't mess around for my instructor but she's very good at sensing weakness! She has some experience so is not totally green ( BE xc schooled, some unaffiliated dressage etc) and hacks well. My problem is keeping her in consistent work - this is when the problems start - so maybe sales livery is the way forward but I think I will have to wait now until the new year as I don't really want to throw money away paying for sales livery over Xmas as I doubt people will be buying then?!
 

Penumbra

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Does she have really good pics in her advert? I've seen lots of adverts recently which may have several pictures, but they all basically show the same thing, i.e. going over different jumps or working on the the flat but only in one pace. If you don't already, I would say you need to get some good conformations pics, and some good pictures showing her working on the flat and over jumps. A video sounds like a good idea.

I think the price is really difficult. I would say you may be able to sell her for what you are asking, but she is not really priced to sell quickly, which sounds like what you want? It also sounds like the longer she is not being worked, the more difficult she will be to sell?

I agree that it's unlikely many people will be buying until the new year now, but sales livery, or finding someone to get her out and about in the new year sounds like a good idea. Could you find her a competent rider to take her out to a few show jumping shows in the new year?
 

Luci07

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I would hang on till after Christmas. Obviously I haven't seen your mare but I would expect a strop from a young well bred horse who had missed work for a week. Mine would certainly do that and I don't consider him tricky. Her breeding is good and she seems to have had good prep as well. Sales livery might well be the way to go and it sounds like consistent work is the way forward with your horse. There aren't many quality horses who can be picked up as and when.
 

IncaCola

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i offer sales livery in gloucestershire. If you want to pm me a link to advert i can give you advice on it as i have been doing it for several years. Good photos, video and presentation of the horse is key and so often easier for a 3rd impartial party to do this. It does sound like she needs the more intensive training selling livery would give. Should be prepared though for whoever takes her to have atleast 2-3 weeks work to iron out those little issues you have before advertising. However i actually would say that interest from buyers is actually really high at the moment ( i am getting several enquiries a week) and wouldnt necessarily wait until after xmas. Let me know if i could help with anything https://www.facebook.com/SWEventing
 

Goldenstar

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I would hang on till after Christmas. Obviously I haven't seen your mare but I would expect a strop from a young well bred horse who had missed work for a week. Mine would certainly do that and I don't consider him tricky. Her breeding is good and she seems to have had good prep as well. Sales livery might well be the way to go and it sounds like consistent work is the way forward with your horse. There aren't many quality horses who can be picked up as and when.

I too wait till after Christmas , I often buy in the run up to Christmas because I know you can get a keen deal on the price because the market is very quiet .
I just think you need to get her to the best place for the right sort of buyer to see her and that may well be sales livery .
 

kc100

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Thanks all for your comments - be positive has very kindly given me some very good advice on reworking my existing ad and video which I shall do.
Don't get me wrong she is actually very fit and doesn't mess around for my instructor but she's very good at sensing weakness! She has some experience so is not totally green ( BE xc schooled, some unaffiliated dressage etc) and hacks well. My problem is keeping her in consistent work - this is when the problems start - so maybe sales livery is the way forward but I think I will have to wait now until the new year as I don't really want to throw money away paying for sales livery over Xmas as I doubt people will be buying then?!

Waiting until after Xmas is a good idea - in the mean time can you get her out to any local unaff comps just to get some more recent experience under her belt? If you cant take her, can you pay your trainer to take her? Or a friend who is a good rider?

I would say in terms of her price I'd maybe come down slightly to about £3k rather than £3.5k, I agree not to go too low and £2k you will get some novices coming along. But as she is a green young horse that needs a bit of work £3.5k is a tad too much in my opinion - however if you can get her to some comps that could help justify her price.
 
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