Selling problems

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NicolaC

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Is anyone having problems selling their horses?

I have a TB type mare for sale and just cannot get anyone to come and even look at her.
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I was just about to write a post about the same thing.
I've had a pony for sale for about 2 months and have barely had any calls let alone anyone coming to see her.
At first i thought it was the time of year but then anyone serious about buying a horse wouldn't mind what time of year it was.
I am spending so much money on advertising! she's been on horsemart twice and this weeks H & H and still nothing!
Where have you advertised?
 
We have advertised her in all the free websites and Horsemart, local ad trader and local feed store and tack shop. Next step is in H&H under £3000 section when we have a better picture.

I just don't understand it. She has qualified TB showjumping second rounds and good in every way, also not typical TB and we don't want a huge amount for her. Does no-one want a fun horse these days.
 
i know i am having it too - i am having people come twice and then say oh i dont have that sort of money then other people saying shes too cheap there must be something wrong... argh!
 
Lets face it, I think the weather doesn't help. Let the sunshine come through, and people will be itching to ride.
I don't want to depress anyone, but it took me 2 years to sell my part-bred Arab mare. She was in foal though, so that didn't help. Have recently sold her to a lovely home for the asking price though.
My foals all sold pretty quickly last year at a good price...
It is a difficult market right now I think. People either want totally bomb proof horses, or something really special. The in-betweens, of which there are many, don't seem to sell.

Having single-handedly introduced a new breed to not only the UK, but Europe, I know all about the difficulties in selling horses and further more finding the perfect owners. It really takes time! I have given up advertising in magazines or the paper. Like you, I didn't even get calls.
All my sales and inquiries come purely through the website.


I don't think there is a simple answer here. If you are selling competition horses, keep taking them to competitions and make it known they are for sale. get all your friends involved, offer them a commission if the sale is facilitated by them.
If your horse is suitable for a particular discipline, advertise it on the specific websites.

Good Luck... it is globally a bad time for horse sales IMO.
 
I do think time of year does come into it for some people. Personally, Ive always bought horses in the middle of winter as they tend to be a bit cheaper because they're harder to sell.

I have a project just now but am not rushing him because I know there's no point in trying to sell until May time when it really kicks off.
 
I don't think people want fun horses these days - a lot are looking for a world beater. They buy one, get it home, can't ride it after a few weeks and then try to sell it - hence why the market is flooded with over priced and badly schooled horses.

I have just sold mine - advertised in all the obvious places and have had about 8 phone calls in 4 weeks. I sold him to someone I know and she's delighted.
 
Two things for me:

1) Ground conditions its still very wet and a lot of people have limited turn out.

2) Price - Any horse will sell it just needs to be at the right price. Horse prices have really dropped recently as the economy is not so good especially in what I call the average horse marker £2k to £8k as money is tighter and luxuries go first.

In advertising I would knock out the word TB as a lot of people will not even go to look at them. A friend who does a lot of dealing will not touch them however good they are because the average person is not good enough to look after them or ride them.

A horse is only worth what someone will pay for it so if you want to sell drop the price.
 
I was told things are really starting to sell now? And to get mine on the market, guess I'll take more time getting good photos then and stop panicing.

Just a thought... fun horses may = teenages, students or mother daughter shares inwhich case we're up to are eyes in exams! I don't know if there are many people who like me are selling to have a break to consintrate on exams, further education etc and so theres flooded market?
 
I think people, at least the ones I know, are becoming more cautious about buying advertised horses as the prices just seem to be picked at random.

Advertise locally - if people have seen her out & about then you'll have a better chance.
 
Last week there were a huge number of posts on here made by users who had just bought a horse - myself included. I have been looking for one for a year! I guess sellers and buyers have the same problem in a way, we're all waiting for the right horse/buyer.

I think the market will soon pick up, yes OK it's still wet but we are almost in April and the better weather isn't far off.
 
Have you a link to the advert?
Maybe we can see if the wording/picture could be improved.

If you havent got a good picture, you won't sell. I had a professional photographer come and photograph mine, I plaited him up, put white bandages on, washed his tail. Had loads of calls!
 
Unfortunately, if you watch the news and read the papers its all doom & gloom about the country heading for a resession! this has a knock on effect with everything so it stops people buying things, fuel is expensive to travel the country looking at horses & transporting them, feed & bedding is at its highest - so costs for keeping them are at a high. Its just a really bad time for spending our hard earned cash at the moment. My friend breeds dogs and nobody has been for a puppy, she usually has waiting lists!. We have a Veterinary Practice which again is so quiet at the moment with horse visits compared with last years diaries. You will just have to wait until the government stop ripping us off for more and more taxes.
 
Thought it may be useful (as a potential purchaser) to discuss our concerns:

Exams - very fair point! as a mature uni student I have limited time until the end of the month when exams are done - so making a note of adverts to phone next month...

Fuel - again spot on. However this also applies to livery, it is no good accepting a place at a good yard that is 20+ miles away - we have calculated for our car that would be more a month than the cost of the full livery. We would not look to buy until a space becomes available locally - informed more become available in summer when horses move off the yard after winter. This limitation of yards considered would not have been the case prior to the fuel hike...

Type of Horse - Yep - do now need something EXTREMELY sane as it will be shared between myself and the OH. If there were not worries regarding recession round the corner it would be a horse each, to suit our individual needs, but we want to ensure we are offering a home for life financially secure - loosing a friend due to affordability would be heartbreaking so we are not prepared to take any risks of over-stretch later. This totally rules out a huge number of horses in the £2-£6k bracket we are looking at - I do not want the OH "overhorsed" and totally put off. It may be that other people are looking to share with other "novice" family members rather than having more than one horse in a family. Hence demand for "bomb-proof".

TB - I have to admit this puts me off, if I was looking for just myself let alone the OH. All my scary moments in the past have involved riding and handling ex-racers. Please do not take offence I know rationally there are some out there it is just a (probably unfair) "gut" reaction! HOWEVER I would at least read all those that adverts for "sane TB". There is no point in taking TB off the advert to then say over the phone - this would make me suspicious, but definitely add sane/sensible to the title if applicable - it challenges the initial perception so you read further!!

Advert Wording - whilst I am aware that everyone (understandably) wants the best for their horse, adverts often read to be interpreted "MUST have owned your own before, no FIRST TIME OWNERS need apply to buy" even on those advertised "suitable for novice". I have been back into horses for a year after previous 10yrs experience including working on a yard and sharing TBs, but would feel very uncomfortable responding to the vast majority of "suitable for novice" adverts due to wording. How do you prove to an owner you are genuine and not a total idiot?? and that YES you do have the money without advertising "please rip me off I have more cash than sense". I assist animal charities and adopting through a "homecheck" at least allows you to show what you are offering...it seems many would not want a phone call from us to enquire, despite the fact we would offer references to put their mind at rest. Dealers are therefore more approachable than private sale, which I promise you is NOT the way I want to go, I'd rather buy a horse from it's owner of "x" number of years. "Friendly" worded adverts really stand out, as you are going to potentially be making arrangements and parting with money to this person - it inspires trust.

prices - I agree with the post that comments on the wildly differing prices.

Photos/Video - photo's are good, videos are excellent. It really helps especially when you are facing a travel to the other end of the country. It also gives you a generally good impression, and attracts you to that advert - silly but true!
 
I'm having the opposite problem. Anything I think looks suitable is already sold or has a significant problem (e.g. bucks for England!). I don't want a TB (I need something with more bone) & there do seem to a lot of TBs for sale.

Advertisers don't always help themselves either. Just looked at an ad for an 8yo & the pics were dated 2004! And pics wearing a full neck rug or with the sun behind so you can just see a vague outline of a horse don't attract. Then there are telephone numbers that are wrong or people say I'm driving I'll call you back in half an hour & don't. Or you go & see a horse "Lovely paces would do well in showing/dressage" that dishes badly.
 
It took me 6 months to find my pony - I started looking last May and he finally arrived end of Sept. I was looking for a large native sensible youngster who had been hacked out in traffic and they are like gold dust and I did not want to pay more than 3K. The prices of large natives are really rocketing.

TB's are unfortunately difficult to sell as general leisure horses as they are seen as flighty, sensitive and high maintenance to look after. There are also a lot of failed racers about so if you like TB's and are experienced you can often get one for a bargain price.

Lots of people are looking for cobs or TB x with a heavier sort. I don't think it is so much about recession it just harder to sell some types of horses.
 
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