Things not to say in a Wanted Ad

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canteron

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For some reason I am becoming really irritated by the amount of wanted ads all looking for a unicorn but ‘not for silly money’ (why would I sell my beloved unicorn to a stranger who is openly mean with money) or needs to be ok with only being ridden once a month (I would like it kept fit enough to do its job).

Personally I would look for someone who could offer vet or farrier references and the ability to check out the accommodation.

What would you like to see and what would be your red flags!
 
Titchy Pony said:
One that I saw a while back that really put me off was one whose main criteria was colour (they wanted a black or very dark bay) with very little information about what they wanted to do with this black horse.
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That one has been going round for a while now. The horse is for a male beginner rider who has allegedly recently bought one black horse for his partner and now wants a second for himself to learn on :rolleyes:.
 
Titchy Pony said:
One that I saw a while back that really put me off was one whose main criteria was colour (they wanted a black or very dark bay) with very little information about what they wanted to do with this black horse.
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My guess on that one would be that they want to match another as a pair for driving, we're they specific on a narrow height range?

(Cross posted with nutjob)
 
nutjob said:
That one has been going round for a while now. The horse is for a male beginner rider who has allegedly recently bought one black horse for his partner and now wants a second for himself to learn on :rolleyes:.
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I think it was a different one as it was in France.
ycbm said:
My guess on that one would be that they want to match another as a pair for driving, we're they specific on a narrow height range?

(Cross posted with nutjob)
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Nope quite the opposite, the height was of no importance, they wanted the usual 5 to 8 yo, I think it specified the usual for France no PS (TBs), TF (French Trotters) or AA (Anglo Arabs) and that was about it. I got the impression it was for a ridden job, but I may have been mistaken.
 
BronsonNutter said:
Low budget (especially if it's 3 carrots) but will want for nothing...

I just always think, what if something goes wrong? Can you afford the vet/farrier/physio/livery? Why not just save up for a bit rather than getting the horse now?
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I suppose it depends what you're looking for... When I was looking for a companion horse, I had a 3 carrot budget, and I ended up getting my Old Lady (and her rugs) for no carrots at all. She's cost me a fair bit since then and the only thing she wants for is more bum scratches, but there isn't enough time in a day...
 
lizziebell said:
It’s the “rider wanted” ads I don’t understand - the ones that basically want their horses professionally schooled without having to pay. Especially the ads for young horses emphasising on the horse being talented and what a great opportunity for a rider.
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Idve killed for that kind of opportunity as a teenager
 
I put this up when I had to retire my old mare, I was inundated with offers both for sale and loan. I bought the most gorgeous 17.3 big, safe maxi cob type at a very reasonable price on the condition if I ever sold him, he was to go back to his old owner at the same price. When I had an accident (on the ground not riding) that meant I could no longer ride the old owner was true to her word and bought him back and he now keeps all her young stock company, living his best life. I didn't state all refrences available but I did when I spoke to the ones who answered my ad. I was very, very lucky he was everything she said and more, I can't think that happens very often.
Advert 2.jpg
 
blitznbobs said:
Idve killed for that kind of opportunity as a teenager
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Yeah honestly when my boy was out of work for the best part of nine months I took any opportunity I could to exercise anything going, including a couple of talented (for my level) horses and just those nine months taught me so much, I felt like a different rider coming back to my boy (to the point where people commented on it). It also broadened my horsey network considerably.

I think with this sort of thing it's important to remember that not every ad is aimed at every reader.
 
Having two elderly ponies here and facing facts, I may be in the position of putting a wanted ad out soon, so this thread is really fascinating and I'm learning a lot of useful stuff from it about what not to write - thank you :)
 
blitznbobs said:
Idve killed for that kind of opportunity as a teenager
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I'm not a teenager any more, and no adds were involved, but I basically have a horse to ride as my own with no financial contribution beyond paying for my lessons and competitions, and no care to do outside of grooming and tacking up in exchange for schooling a talented but quirky horse while mine rears her foal.
 
No silly prices is an instant 'not in a million years am I contacting you' phrase.
And it so often comes with an unrealistic wanted section too. I can't think it appeals to anyone at all sono idea why anyine thinks it's a good idea to add it in.

On the other hand I have no issue with 'trade prices' - for someone clearly saying hassle free sale, quick decision made, and a fairly clear description of what is wanted. I would not sell to a dealer anyway, but at least thse ads are transparent.
 
Mrs. Jingle said:
I put this up when I had to retire my old mare, I was inundated with offers both for sale and loan. I bought the most gorgeous 17.3 big, safe maxi cob type at a very reasonable price on the condition if I ever sold him, he was to go back to his old owner at the same price. When I had an accident (on the ground not riding) that meant I could no longer ride the old owner was true to her word and bought him back and he now keeps all her young stock company, living his best life. I didn't state all refrences available but I did when I spoke to the ones who answered my ad. I was very, very lucky he was everything she said and more, I can't think that happens very often.
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Great advert - an idea of who you are and what you want with a bit of sensible knowledge and personality thrown in.
 
This was mine -

Anybody chukking out any older lawnmowers? Looking for one to mow lanes, bridleways & fun rides with the odd small log. Peaceful small holding with one other lawnmower in North Gloucestershire. Modest budget. Cheers :)

I was offered a few to choose from. We haven't done any fun rides as it happens but we have been over a few twigs.
 
canteron said:
For some reason I am becoming really irritated by the amount of wanted ads all looking for a unicorn but ‘not for silly money’ (why would I sell my beloved unicorn to a stranger who is openly mean with money) or needs to be ok with only being ridden once a month (I would like it kept fit enough to do its job).

Personally I would look for someone who could offer vet or farrier references and the ability to check out the accommodation.

What would you like to see and what would be your red flags!
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Personally I can't stand all the annoying music they play on their adverts. I have to turn it off or move on to another horse.
 
Not wanted ads, but the sale ads where the owner is 'tentatively thinking about' selling their horse. Do you want people to respond or not?!

And I sometimes see on the endurance sites someone with an Arabic sounding name doing a 'wanted Stallions' advert and people actually respond. I'm probably being really stupid and missing something but I always wonder what they want them for.
 
Today my Fb feed opened with yet another ‘please loan me your priceless perfect pony that is in prime age range, nicely experienced and suitable to bring on a novice child with no ailments or issues at all’ with a list of wants a mile long.

There is also one near me who asked for perfect, rejected an almost perfect (one I know well who I would happily stick a beginner on), then switched to wanting to buy a perfect small horse suitable for a novice for a £5k budget, now is looking for a youngster apparently…
 
No silly prices wouldn't put me off responding to be honest. I've seen someone trying to sell feral welsh around 10 with okish breeding for just shy of 4k this weekend, to me that was a silly price for what the animals were. It was solely based on colour.

Wanted ads describing a machine annoy me. Perfect in all ways mustn't ever spook or snort or even have an off day. They're a living animal with a mind of their own, we all have off days.

Also wanted ads making out every single seller is dodgy and every horse is dodgy, add the baby talk and looking for a new fur baby for fur-ever home and I'm running faster than an escaping shetland towards a field of grass.
 
I have written some - I always put no coloured horses and then get inundated with people offering coloureds. I don't want a coloured horse essentially because the breeding isn't what I like as want a blood horse or they lack scope for the job I want.
Tbh they have never worked for me but I often did them as lacked coin at the time and was happy with a diamond in the rough to produce from scratch as could back myself and quite often breeders might have something sat in the field that would suit me but not the time/money to get produced.
 
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