So cross and upset, this is where honesty gets you!!!

[ILoveHunters]

I am posting this under a new ID as am frightened of being found out.

I have been trying to sell my horse for quite some time now but without much luck. The horse is a certain breed and fully registered with all the correct paperwork, but does have an existing problem. I have been very careful to tell all prospective buyers about this in the interests of honesty, although it has not shown up in a vetting.

Someone suggested that I approach a dealer who specialises in the breed and so I did. I was completely up front about the problem, although it doesn't affect the horse physically or mentally. The dealer declined saying that they had too many horses at the moment and couldn't take any more on.

I have now found out that the dealer has told two prospective buyers who have originally contacted me about my horse not to touch my horse with a barge pole. This has resulted in sales for the dealer of their horses. I am so cross. One person contacted me requesting a viewing and has now stopped all contact with me before I even had a chance to explain about the issue, the second told me exactly what the dealer had said to her.

Its so unfair, people are always complaining that no-one is honest in selling horses and I have tried to be as honest as possible and I get totally shafted for it! I should just lie and ignore the issue like everyone else does and pretend I didn't know about it when they get the horse home.

Is there anything I can do to stop the dealer from ruining all my sales?

 

[Equilibrium Ireland]

Nothing you can do about ruining your sales. The horse has the problem and you've been up front about it. If he were lying then maybe.

Here's the thing, honesty does suck but it let's you sleep at night. It also means when you do sell your horse he is going to the best possible person.

Best of luck,
Terri

 

[ILoveHunters]

Thanks for that. It helps knowing that I am doing the right thing.

 

[snopuma]

Is the reason you are selling the horse because of the 'problem' if so, then you will have to accept that your horse is not as viable an option to a buyer than one that will pass the vet, you can either price him/her accordingly or keep the horse or PTS, it really depends on the 'problem' many could overlook sweetitch/ sarcoids but a diagnosed DJD would be a massive problem to most even though it may never affect the horse until later life.

it sounds to me that instead of worrying what a dealer might have said, you need to focus on the problem you have and deal with it accordingly, I hope you find a nice home for your horse that would be the best outcome, but you might think about a permanent loan if you can't sell?

 

[AmyMay]

I have now found out that the dealer has told two prospective buyers who have originally contacted me about my horse not to touch my horse with a barge pole.

Depending on what the problem is - he could be right.

I have tried to be as honest as possible and I get totally shafted for it!

The fact that you haven't sold the horse (prior to speaking to the dealer) may tell you that the problem your horse has is putting people off (not just the dealer). So not really shafted......

 

[ghostie]

Czan you tell us what the problem is? That might help us come up with some constructive suggestions

 

[ILoveHunters]

He has a slightly sticky stifle when unfit and he is only for sale as I don't have time for two. The problem goes away when he is fit and vet says he is fine physically.

 

[0310Star]

A horse on my yard has sticky stifles, I really dont see the problem with it as like you say it is only when the horse is unfit...

I think honesty is the best way you can sell this horse without it being passed from pillar to post! Someone will come along and will over look the "problem", you just need to be patient. And as someone else has said, being honest means you can sleep at night! Too many people lie to sell a horse these days and it is refreshing to know that someone is being honest.

Best of luck

 

[zoon]

See, a sticky strifle wouldn't really bother me at the moment as all I'm wanting to do is hack, sponsored rides, RC type stuff so don't need a world beater. If the price was right and the horse was what I wanted other than the stifle I'd buy it. So the right buyer is out there, it's just goign to take longer. I am trying to sell a mare with a sarcoid - it'll put most people off, but there will be a buyer for her somewhere as well. You just need to be patient

 

[Equilibrium Ireland]

Oh geez, sticky stifle. Wouldn't put me off and most people that understand. I sold a jumper abroad that ended up being a pretty good jumper. As this was abroad the first thing I told prospective owner was the situation. Her words, oh that's no big deal. Did a major vetting ect. No issues. I actually bought this mare at 2 cheaply because of the problem. Vet advice was break her ASAP and keep her going. I know what people think of that here but it's what I did. I did give her off for a couple of months in the winter but she was fine. Never had issues again.

Don't listen to negativity and don't let people make you feel bad. You've done the right thing.

Terri

Terri

 

[Montyforever]

Yep a stifle issue wouldn't both me too much either I think you are doing the right thing being honest, I've got a mare with a slipping stifle and it doesnt affect her if she's in regular work it's only bad if she's been on box rest. I think it would put a few people off of her if I ever had to sell her as she's a companion horse that requires lunging regularly but I'm sure there's always someone out there!

 

[YasandCrystal]

Gosh no I wouldn't see this as a problem. My mare gets this when unfit, I believe it is quite common. Frankly if the horse is left unfit then why would a sticky stifle matter anyway? It's just good to know that the horse gets this if turned away.
As another poster said - honesty is good - you can hold your head up high. Honest horse sellers are like hens teeth. When I got my mare I was told she bucked; forewarned is forearmed and better a problem known.

 

[xxMozlarxx]

Have you contacted the dealer and asked them to stop giving out information on your horse?

 

[ILoveHunters]

Thanks guys thats helpful, its just that the dealer seems to be telling people along the lines of "don't trust her as she is hiding something..." when I have been upfront about it, Zoon, a sarcoid wouldn't put me off if the horse was right!

 

[AmyMay]

However, a sticky stifle would bother me, and I wouldn't purchase a horse with this issue.

 

[Natz88]

However, a sticky stifle would bother me, and I wouldn't purchase a horse with this issue.

I agree with this, I wouldn't touch a horse with a barge pole that had this issue & thats because I have one. Least your being honest about the issue & that is all you can do, hope your horse finds a home soon.

 

[WandaMare]

I wouldn't be too upset by the what the dealer is saying, they are just using the information that you gave them to sell their horses! What sales person wouldn't use it their advantage, they would just say its business luv . You could try and speak to them about it but although it might make you feel better I don't think it will stop them using the information again.....

You are definitely doing the right thing by being honest, a lot of decent people will recognise this and appreciate it, and with any luck it will be one of them who will end up buying your horse....good luck

PS sticky stifle wouldn't worry me especially as problem goes when horses is fit.....

 

[ponypilotmum]

would you really want someone who is put off of a viewing based on what a dealer (who is trying to sell to them) says buying your horse anyway?

 

[ILoveHunters]

would you really want someone who is put off of a viewing based on what a dealer (who is trying to sell to them) says buying your horse anyway?

Good point well made! Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[Ollie's Mum]

How is the dealer warning people off? Is he going out of his way to tell them about your horse when they come to look at one of his? That could just have the effect of making himself look a bit dodgy or sound like sour grapes!

 

[MissSBird]

Without telling the full story, I was once in a position where I was going to see a young connie in ireland. He was an exception - I had not intended to buy a horse so young. Another breeder heard about me and kept offering me one of hers that was the same age, even saying she'd bring it to the place of the first connie so I could try both at the one time.

She got so desperate she even started telling me things like 'I think that other connie will go overheight'. It put me right off of her as a person. She was so desperate to sell I was convinced she'd rush me, and I didn't think I could trust her to be honest since she was so willing to put down other people's horses, rather than let her own speak for itself.

I refused to go see her horse - don't worry OP, any person who knows about horses (and the people in the horse world) will see that sort of tactic for what it is.

And for the record, I bought the first young connie and 3 years later he is still not overheight...

 

[mystiandsunny]

Is it sticky as in a locking stifle? Only when unfit? Wouldn't bother me and I DO have a horse with that already, that's worse than yours sounds. Would expect it to be priced accordingly though.

 

[ILoveHunters]

Thanks mystiandsunni. He is priced accordingly. It has never locked to the point where he can't free it off by himself, I have never needed to back him up or anything and as I say, as soon as he tones up it disappears, just am in a bit of a catch 22 as I am selling him as I don't have the time for him, so can't get him to the level of fitness where it is not seen! He has just passed a full vetting without it being picked up too, so could be ruthless and not mention it at all! But I think honesty is the best policy.........

 

[Achinghips]

I dont think you can blame anyone for passing on factual information, even if it is alongside an opinion they have been asked to provide. I feel for your frustration though - I bet your horse is lovely

 

[honetpot]

Just don't take it personally. The dealer makes his living from selling horses, its a tough market so he has used the advantage you unwittingly gave him. Yours must be a nice horse or he wouldn't have bothered.
I think most knowledgable buyers would rather buy from a private seller who has the long term best interests of the horse than a dealer who will mask problems just for a sale.

 

[Bernster]

I think most knowledgable buyers would rather buy from a private seller who has the long term best interests of the horse than a dealer who will mask problems just for a sale.

Here here !

 

[1Lucie]

How awfull!!!!! Firstly, your honesty should be something you should be proud of. I know 2 horses with a sticky stiffle and both are ridden without any problems.

At least you can hold your head high tht you've been an honest person. I personally take things as i find and would only ever take advice from someone i totally knew well and trust. If these buyers are put off but this dealer then all fool them.

 

[ILoveHunters]

Guys thank you all for your kind replies, I'm finding selling very difficult as I love him dearly and would keep him if I had the time, and its been a tough old time, so this latest episode just seems to be another hurdle.

I will stick to my guns and remain honest about him as he is a super horse and hopefully someone will see that!

 

[Kelly1982]

I had a horse with a sticky stifle and as long as the horse was priced accordingly (as yours is) then I would buy another one.

I think that being honest is definately the way to go and yes it may put some perspective buyers off but in the long run you will find him the perfect home.

Good luck :0)