Selling Tips!

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monica987

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Ssomeone is coming to see Sparky tomorrow - I have shown him to a couple of people, but not sure if I am doing it right
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So, be honest and when ridden, do a little show. Is there anything else which I need to tell them? or just wait till they ask?

Ellie
 
Ask them if they want to see him trotted up and I always appreciate being asked if I want to tack up as it gives me a little sense of what the horse is like to handle. Do your ridden work and ask them if there is anything else they particularly want to see (perhaps jumping? It depends on what the horse is for though). They are sure to ask you loads of questions so I am sure that will cover most things. If there is anything you think they ought to know, e.g. "Be careful this horse goes nuts when xxx" or "He wind sucks for Britain" then you do need to explicitly tell them rather than wait to be asked.

Hope it goes well!
 
Tell them about him, how long you have had him, what you have done with him and be honest about his shortcomings. I'd want to see him w,t,c on both reins, a couple of cross poles and then a course of fences including an upright to an oxer double.

A brief idea of his competition success and answer any questions they have.

It's up to you, but if someone clearly isn't suitable for him - or is making a b@lls-up of riding him, suggest he isn't the pony for them...........
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He owes you nothing, you owe him a nice new person
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See what they prefer to do. If he is a bit young he might get tired earlier and loose a bit of sparkle, if he is more established he should be able to cope. Do you think he will get a bit fresh after the jumping? If yes it might be best for them to ride him before you jump him so they get a chance to get used to him. Provided they are not timewasters they should give you an idea of what they are interested, whether he fits the bill and how worth it is doing different things with him. However, some people will watch you ride and jump, get on ride, jump, ask to go for a hack, spend hours and never call back! It's a bit of luck really getting the right person. Personally I like the owner to ride first just to make sure the horse is not insane, then I prefer to get on fairly quickly as I like having 'a feel' and I can tell within the first few minutes if I am interested or not (if not, I just say no thanks fairly quickly as I think that is fairer on the owner).
 
Welcome them, offer tea or coffee if poss. Show them the horse loose in stable, cathc it, pull it out stable and stand up to show confo and so they can have a good look. Walk and trot up.
Ask if they'd like to see it ridden.
Ask if they'd like to tack it up themselves. Tack up, get on.
W,t,c both reins, nothing fancy. Stop, ask if they'd like to see anything else on the flat. Ask if they'd like to see him jump. I dont ask if they'd like to ride before he jumps because I think that makes it sound like he'll be wound up once he has jumped.
Jump a few fences off both reins, dont go crazy then take him back and ask if they'd like to ride.

I usually help them get on and stick around for a few minutes to check they are safe then excuse myself to get passport, make tea, get drink of water, whatever because I think it puts people at ease if the seller isnt staring at them ride the whole time. Then pop back, chat to mother/partner/trainer, answer questions and adjust jumps as necessary.
Ask if they'd like to go for a short hack. Accompany them if so. Once finished, untack horse, wash/sponge off and put back in stable. If theyre still keen I show all the photos and dressage tests I have for that horse.

Breathe a huge sigh of relief once theyve gone!!
 
Think I'm going to copy and paste that for future reference when I look to buy next year Bossanova. I hope I meet sellers who are that helpful when I go to viewings
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Yes I think so, makes you seema bit desperate I think... you're going to have to memorise it! Tbh I have found that unless there is something dangerous about the horse then I don't offer info unless asked. This is only the norm for horses that are tricky to sell, however, so Im sure you won't have a problem. For instance, if I have a horse which very, very occasionally won't be caught, then I don't mention catching until i'm asked. If they do something like stopping etc then its different, but im sure you wont have that problem with sparky xD
 
I definatly second leaving them to ride alone for a short time if your comfortable doing it. When we went to see a pony for my sister there was the two owners, producer, producer's partner, myself and my mum staring at my sister who already suffers from severe shyness. It made her very tense which consquently affected the pony.
 
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