Sold horse new owner trouble

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Misha

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Hello everyone, looking for any opinion on this.... Sold 5 year old gelding 4 weeks ago. The horse was very straight forward to ride and handle, with great jump. The new owner tried the horse in school, over jump and on short hack. Horse had passed 5 stage vetting. I have received number of messages from owner saying she's having lessons jumping, took him for lesson, galloping ( which I don't like the sound of) etc and he's perfect. On Sunday I received phone call the horse has been rearing with her and she wants to bring him back and have money back. Then I have her trainer on phone for good half hour shouting and accusing me for selling to her client monster of a horse etc. The horse has been saint with me, friends rode him, we had little girl on him in school. Never raised a hair. What should I do?
 
Yes I do ... It's heart breaking the whole situation :(. I would take him back, but on the other hand I am worried what has happened and end up with broken horse
 
Poor you! I suppose you have 2 options:

- take it back, especially if you think a lot of this horse and try to re sell to a more suitable home

- ignore her as assuming it was a private sale, she has no legal comeback.

Good luck and don't envy your position.
 
I would offer to take him back but for less money.

I don't think they will have done too much damage in that time with a bit of luck, just pushed him too far til he lost it with them.
 
I bought a horse About a month ago .
First week great then it had a major bronc session and got me off damaging my back.
I rang the dealer explained what had happened they offered straight away take the horse back no quibbles I took some time to think about it and we have now aggreed that the horse will stay a couple of months then if I am not happy with him he goes back I get my money back.
Dealers often get a bad press but that's how it ought to be .
I am not a dealer but would not leave a horse that had been mine in a difficult situation .
 
I do that's the think he was good horse. But than I do feel oblige to say to any potential buyer that he has been returned and for what reason. That will put people off and other thing I worry is what have they done
 
I wouldn't worry about telling any future buyers he has come back - it is not a question you are likely to be asked, and just say you had a buyer, but things didn't work out.

Hope the horse is ok.
 
Misha said:
If I was to take him back at reduced price, what price would you guys suggest? Horse was sold for 2800
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If you buy him back you give ALL the money back!

otherwise you look like you have mis-sold a horse to buy back and make a profit

I agree with GS if you work in the industry buy him back no quibble it is the only way to keep a good reputation
 
I would knock some money off. Probably offer them 400-500 less, afterall the horse will need to settle back in, Christmas is upon us and you will hit the January lull. You will probably have him for a good 2 months now so evaluate that in terms of feed/showing/mucking out/riding.
It does depend if you are a dealer and can offer a part ex or exchange.
 
Misha said:
After 4 weeks? If it was 2 weeks no question. How can I be sure I will not get back broken horse?!
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You can't but if you work in the industry and want a good reputation it's what you must do .
It will cost you more if they take you to court with no guarantee you will win.
 
Offer £2000? Bear in mind you will need to pay for his upkeep and get him back to 'saleable' condition again, then advertising costs on top.
 
Don't think anyone would even consider to mis sale horse for profit.... I had a waiting list for this horse. The first person to see him purchased him. I still have the messages from other people wanted to view him. That's why I will need to say the reason for re selling the horse. I think is unfair people say, if one is professional we have to take the horse back. Something obviously has happened for the horse behaving like that ...so I will have to give full refund for probably broken horse?!
 
Misha said:
How can I be sure I will not get back broken horse?!
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If by 'broken' you mean injured or lame, if he was sound when he left yours, then that is a fair point. Was he vetted before he left your care?

Otherwise, if you value your reputation, you will be wise to take him back even if the buyers are clueless numpties and have razzled him up.
 
Misha said:
Don't think anyone would even consider to mis sale horse for profit.... I had a waiting list for this horse. The first person to see him purchased him. I still have the messages from other people wanted to view him. That's why I will need to say the reason for re selling the horse. I think is unfair people say, if one is professional we have to take the horse back. Something obviously has happened for the horse behaving like that ...so I will have to give full refund for probably broken horse?!
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there are at least 2 dealers near me that sell any horse to any home, will always take horse back for exchange or refund but you never get back your total costs so they make a profit wether the horse is right for the home they sell it to or not.

You will end up with a reputation like that if you don't give a full refund, you don't have to take the horse back but your reputation must be worth more than taking this horse back will cost
 
I'd offer them £2000. The horse could have gone back quite a bit in terms of schooling in 4 weeks. You'll have to keep him over Christmas and possibly January. To be fair the the current purchasers you can always say if you sell him immediately you'll give them some more money back.
 
5 years old is still young, it's possible he is being a young horse questioning his new (and perhaps less competent) owner, and owner has over reacted. /i doubt he's ruined, just may need reminding of his manners and sold on to someone more experienced with young horses
 
Misha said:
Don't think anyone would even consider to mis sale horse for profit.... I had a waiting list for this horse. The first person to see him purchased him. I still have the messages from other people wanted to view him. That's why I will need to say the reason for re selling the horse. I think is unfair people say, if one is professional we have to take the horse back. Something obviously has happened for the horse behaving like that ...so I will have to give full refund for probably broken horse?!
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You may think its not fair but one story like this will follow you for years .
Taking people to court is very easy to do now a days , you need to look at the big picture .
 
He had 5 stage vetting yes. They even accused me for doping the horse. I never knew a dope to work on horse for 4 weeks!! The thing is by broken I don't mean necessary lame. Could be back problem etc. I understand what you mean and that's probably what's going to happen, taking him back. I feel it's unfair tho, I was selling angel of the horse. Even the vet couldn't help to comment how well behaved he was.now I should e d up out of pocket with heaps of problems
 
Misha said:
He had 5 stage vetting yes. They even accused me for doping the horse. I never knew a dope to work on horse for 4 weeks!! The thing is by broken I don't mean necessary lame. Could be back problem etc. I understand what you mean and that's probably what's going to happen, taking him back. I feel it's unfair tho, I was selling angel of the horse. Even the vet couldn't help to comment how well behaved he was.now I should e d up out of pocket with heaps of problems
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That's the buisness not wishing to be nasty but if you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen
 
Thank you every body for your input. I will do the right thing by the horse, but still feel it should not be that easy for people to ruin some one reputation on base of they'r own incompetence. I still would like to hear other people's views.
 
If it's any consolation, the dealer who I bought my cob from, and who also sold the famous HH blogger Hovis, is getting out of dealing after 30+ years as she is fed up of numpties.

She would always take a horse back, but says that that things have become ridiculous now.
 
I am not saying its fair but it's the way it is .
If you need / want to work in the industry you have guard your reputation bad news travels fast and widely .
 
Misha said:
Thank you every body for your input. I will do the right thing by the horse, but still feel it should not be that easy for people to ruin some one reputation on base of they'r own incompetence. I still would like to hear other people's views.
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Sadly it happens OP - I have heard of several cases and it always makes me wonder to hear people slating dealers - sometimes it is the nasty stupid buyers and not the dealers at fault at all.
 
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