So when is the best time to sell a horse?

flyingfeet

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 March 2006
Messages
8,073
Location
South West
Visit site
Other than about a week before pony club camp when I know there are desperate parents out there!

Just musing as I don't want to waste money advertising before Christmas as I don't think anyone is buying right now

However keeping 3 horses fit is officially killing me, so I would like to sell one!!!
 
See, I like to sell a horse before the winter, as thats when I would like to buy as well!

I like buying a horse say, sept/oct time as then have all winter to get to "know" the horse and train, ready for the comp season in spring.
However, a lot of people sell at this time of year cos of Uni...
So great time to buy, but is a buyers market imo.

Selling is the same at any time of the year, but for eventing there are less for sale during the season than there are at the start and end; so maybe selling a horse in the middle of the season is better as less choice for people to buy?
 
Last edited:
Obviously depends on the type of horse, but for your average RC/PC allrounder I would say after the clocks change again in early spring, but much depends on the weather too. A lot of people don't want to buy when the fields are wet and the evenings are dark, as it makes bonding with the new horse quite problematic if turnout is limited and riding opportunities restricted.
 
Oh dear so not a good time to sell under after March 27th then!!

Humm maybe I ought to rough one off, I am currently cowering inside as it was snowing this morning and wind chill is -7oC
 
It depends what you're selling..... we've just sold 2 hunters and have another one to sell - the hunting market is quite buoyant for made, safe and sensible horses....

I think the rest (RC/PC or competition disciplines) seem quite quiet, very particular about what they want - no compromises

If you have what someone wants, then they'll buy. I've sold a horse in the week between Christmas and New Year before now, so it is possible!
 
I've bought and sold a few "project" ponies over the years and have generally bought them early spring and sold them at the end of the summer (Aug/Sep). As long as the weather is still nice, people seem to buy. I've never managed to sell anything over the winter. I'm looking to possibly sell one of mine so will begin marketing early Spring.
 
A friend of mine has just sold hers, but it took two "time waster sales" and 6painful weeks of stupid phonecalls or no phonecalls.

We have just placed an advert for one of our eventers and 1 phone call no viewings (lovely pc/mother/daughter share?!). But do think we have missed the boat and he is with us for winter- not a problem just no jockey for him. We tend to sell most march-sept. Think it depends what people want really, very much a buyers market at the moment.

We did buy a few this time last year but we paid under asking on all and only one was over 5. I say rough them all off for a bit. The freeze is likely to be here for couple of weeks give them a break and you a break then tick them over in light work till new year. Unless there is a paticular event you want one of them to do.
 
Top