Selling help

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HarlequinSeren

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Having never bought or sold a horse through "standard means" (all got through word of mouth/friends) I have no idea what to do with regards to selling..
Can someone please give me some advice?
What do I need to take into account?
I've written my advert out, I think it's ok.
What sort of photos would be best? I'm thinking a conformation shot, and at least one ridden with at least one jumping shot.
With regards to viewings, what goes on? (Numpty question I know, but never been to/done a viewing before so not really sure what exactly to show people)
Any help would be greatly appreciated as I'm pretty nervous about the whole process!
I've looked at some selling help articles online and they have given me some ideas, but I'd like to hear from real people what they think I need to take into account.
 
Right...

a good, clear jumping shot always pulls people in - if you're adding more photos then you can think about side on standing shots.

With regard to the viewing, you'll be expected to show the horse off to it's advantage. Do some flat work on both reins, showing all three paces, and then jump the horse either over a grid, a single fence, or a course of fences.

You may then be asked to show what the horse is like in traffic, but generally this is where the prospective buyer climbs on board and does the above, before asking to leave the arena and see what the horse is like in traffic out on a short hack (I do this down our drive, and get the soldier to drive past in the tractor).

Good luck!
 
If you want to send me the ad by pm I will go through it and see how it reads. I have written a fair amount of ads and often sell to the first viewer, it helps cut out timewasters if the ad is correctly written and the photos are clear.
 
be positive said:
If you want to send me the ad by pm I will go through it and see how it reads. I have written a fair amount of ads and often sell to the first viewer, it helps cut out timewasters if the ad is correctly written and the photos are clear.
Click to expand...

Thank you, I have PM'd

Thanks Starzaan, after reading some of the stories on here about awkward viewings etc I was starting to worry a bit!! Doesn't sound like it should be too hard then. Will they want to see very basic stuff, like should I wait until they are there to bring in, groom and tack up? Or is it something that varies with the viewers?
 
It varies with viewers are some want to bring horse in to make sure he is easy to catch, but this then means horse is stuffed with grass and lazy.
In the absence of instructions I would have horse all groomed, and plaited if you like, all ready to go. Make sure you ride him the day before if he is a bit fiesty, they say they want a forward going horse, then get scared if he goes too fast!!!
Most people over exagerate what they want/abilities, most want a happy hacker, expect a schoolmaster, and also want to pay the minimum.
I have found that it pays to make sure they are clear what your horse is, a lot of RS pupils are constantly told how well they are doing, and when they are on their own they say, oh I won't canter [then you know the truth!]. My key question is "what level are you competing at?" this gets rid of most of the timewasters!
Ask them where they are going to keep the horse, as this is something they should have arranged.
I don't think a good viewing should be awkward, if they are experienced they won't ask as many questions, they will just get on and make their own judgement.
 
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Now I know what you are selling use a really good conformation photo, ideally one from a show, plus a couple of ridden ones including a jumping one.
Unless people specifically ask to see her caught, have her in, groomed and ready to show them.
I always let people go in the stable and assess the temperament then pop a headcollar on and bring out so they can see it stood up and trot up in hand before tacking up and riding. At the end I often let them help turn out, most of mine will let you recatch and make a fuss of them to show how easy they are.
 
Miss L Toe said:
It varies with viewers are some want to bring horse in to make sure he is easy to catch, but this then means horse is stuffed with grass and lazy.
In the absence of instructions I would have horse all groomed, and plaited if you like, all ready to go. Make sure you ride him the day before if he is a bit fiesty, they say they want a forward going horse, then get scared if he goes too fast!!!
Most people over exagerate what they want/abilities, most want a happy hacker, expect a schoolmaster, and also want to pay the minimum.
I have found that it pays to make sure they are clear what your horse is, a lot of RS pupils are constantly told how well they are doing, and when they are on their own they say, oh I won't canter [then you know the truth!]. My key question is "what level are you competing at?" this gets rid of most of the timewasters!
Ask them where they are going to keep the horse, as this is something they should have arranged.
I don't think a good viewing should be awkward, if they are experienced they won't ask as many questions, they will just get on and make their own judgement.
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Even when she's caught, brought in and ridden straight away she's not lazy so don't need to worry too much about that :D
I'll have her in and clean then unless told otherwise. Is it something you ask when on the phone arranging the viewing or do you leave it up to them to ask if they want it?
I think if it is awkward it will be more down to my inexperience selling than the potential buyers!! ;)
 
I would just do what you want to do, unless they ask, I found the vetting more stressful as I had no idea what to do and vet obviously thought I should know!
It is normal for you to "show" the horse to it best level. Then they ride it, probably doing the same things.
 
If you can do a little YouTube video that's agreat idea. Things like grooming, bathing, loading, farrier, in traffic, coming when you call as well as the traditional walk, trot, canter, jump. I got sick of all the photos/videos of horse scaling enormous jumps - that's fine but will it walk past a tractor without a fuss?

Paula
 
Miss L Toe said:
I would just do what you want to do, unless they ask, I found the vetting more stressful as I had no idea what to do and vet obviously thought I should know!
It is normal for you to "show" the horse to it best level. Then they ride it, probably doing the same things.
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Hadn't even thought about the vetting.. Do you have to do much for that?
 
Paulag said:
If you can do a little YouTube video that's agreat idea. Things like grooming, bathing, loading, farrier, in traffic, coming when you call as well as the traditional walk, trot, canter, jump. I got sick of all the photos/videos of horse scaling enormous jumps - that's fine but will it walk past a tractor without a fuss?

Paula
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That's a good idea, I'm going to get my OH to take some photos of me jumping her this afternoon so might ask him to take some video footage as well, and get video of her on the roads, with traffic etc too.
Tractors are small fry, we take on the combine harvesters on our roads ;)
 
For a five stage there will be a full examination so horse should be happy to be felt all over, lights shined in the eyes in dark area, gag put in mouth to check teeth, need to be willing to put up with a leg being held up and then chased straight into trot for the flex test and somewhere to canter round or be lunged for exercise tolerance. Oh and a blood test. I found it a really good test of mt horses temprament as she put up with it really well.

Paula
 
HarlequinSeren said:
That's a good idea, I'm going to get my OH to take some photos of me jumping her this afternoon so might ask him to take some video footage as well, and get video of her on the roads, with traffic etc too.
Tractors are small fry, we take on the combine harvesters on our roads ;)
Click to expand...

If you can get a video of her calmly walking past a combine on her own that would be a real selling point :D
 
Paulag said:
If you can get a video of her calmly walking past a combine on her own that would be a real selling point :D
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Easy peasy :D now to deposit OH in a suitable filming position and to arrange a combine to come sneaking up on us..... :D

Actually, this could happen, we know one of the boys who does the combining around us....
 
Really depends on what she is being sold as - jumping horses need a jumping pic and details of what they've done on their records. A show horse would need good confo pics. A general allrounder needs pics of it working on the flat and over a fence. Make the photos good and clear - you get so many with watermarks over them or that are taken so far away that when they are reduced down for a magazine you can't see!

For our ponies that we have sold recently, we have had pics of them at shows competing, going through rivers, dressed up in fancy dress, whatever! When people come for the trial we have a field of SJ and Xc jumps and usually leave some gymkhana/handy pony stuff around too. With the diddy pony I videoed my friend leading her with her little girl on from my horse on a main road - to show she was good at ride and lead and in traffic..

Most potential buyers set the way as to what they would like to see. I usually have them in the stable and well groomed. They generally go in and have a look at them/feel legs, then ask you to trot them up somewhere for them. Then you/your child for a pony usually rides them - walk trot and canter on each rein, then pop a few fences. Ask the viewer if they have seen ebouogh/want to try them...

Don't worry - most of us are nervous. I hate it. I'm usually gutted that they're going anyway!

As for a vetting, you need somewhere flat to trot them up, somewhere that you can make fairly dark (stable with top door shut) to check eyes, and somewhere they can canter to check their wind..

Good luck.x
 
Got some good photos today, so hopefully I'll be able to put the advert together now.. That's the first step almost done, just hope I get some interest in her now.

Sounds like I have suitable facilities for a vetting, so that should be straightforward enough too.
 
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