Thoughts on selling a pony

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LouS

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We're selling a 14hh pony fairly cheap for what he is (2k) as we need a quick sale, had someone try him this morning, fairly novicey but assured she has very regular lessons, they want to come back again with instructor which is fine, but then said they NEED to take him to their yard for AT LEAST a day to see what he's like there. Their yard is 2 hours away.

Now I can probably sell this pony 5 times over if I just hang on a bit, and I'm really not comfortable with him going that far, what if something went wrong? Can anyone advise what to suggest to them? I can understand wanting to try off the yard but he's not being sold as an established schoolmaster, he's a green, honest little pony.

Help??
 
I sometimes allow a short trial to the "right" home but they must be committed, have the vetting done and be nearer than 2 hours away.

In this situation I would probably offer a warranty, to take the pony back within a week if it is not as described, not if they break it, that normally puts the buyers mind at rest that you are selling a genuine pony. The other thing to do is to take it somewhere else for the next viewing so they can see how it is away from home, watch it load etc.
 
I'd say no. If he's green then its not a fair way to judge him for one day anyway. If their really worried about having a horse that settles in straight away they need a school master. If you really like them could you compromise & agree to take him to a close by yard for a day with them to see how he reacts off home ground? Obviously with them paying any costs.
 
It would put me off because it's such a weird request it suggests they do not know what they are doing. You can't really tell anything about a pony the first 24 hours it has moved to a new yard, so what is the point of this trial?
 
That's what I think. I didn't think I'd have so much trouble selling him. The first that came to view loved him and wanted him on the condition they could trial him at theirs for a week and I said no. I could absolutely understand if I was selling him as a super schoolmaster but he's not. I absolutely do not mind people trialling him in all sorts of situations, but it becomes a different ball game when I am out of the picture. I've told them he is fantastic to take out etc, and he is, but I know him very well. I don't think its fair on him to expect him to perform well with novicey strangers in an odd place straight away.

There is no way they're going to get through the first few weeks without teething problems, I'm not sure if she's too novicey for him, will have to see on the second viewing as its different getting on him after I've schooled him for 20 minutes than getting straight on fresh out of the box.

I hate selling, its such a stress. I'm really hoping someone else comes a long and snaps him up so I don't have to deal with this.
 
I know you said its a quick sale you need, but if its the running costs rather than the cash, how about finding a competent teen to have a short term loan to get some miles on the clock? Local shows with a competent teen is far more impressive than with an adult, & if he gets taken to a few pony club rallies you might find a buyer comes forward. Local dc might know someone competent who doesn't have their own or likes a challenge.
 
He's been unaff SJ and dressage and hunted all winter. Its not the running costs, he needs to go asap to fund other horse's on-going veterinary treatment. I don't have the time or the means to cart him around now, I don't have transport at this yard, he's cheap for a quick sale, not because he's really inexperienced, he's just green in the sense he needs riding properly and kept on top of. If I had the time I'd get him out and about more myself and have him up at 4k.

I understand where you're coming from but its just not an option in our circumstances. Thanks for the suggestion though.
 
No probs, good luck, hopefully you can get something sorted with the ones that have already been to view him.
 
Like has already been said, could you take him to a local riding school or something? I don't have a manege here so have to ship out and people like meeting the horse here, seeing it boxed and loaded and then ridden in a different environment.
 
It would put me off because it's such a weird request it suggests they do not know what they are doing.
hjk
 
I'm going with my gut and telling them I don't think the pony is suitable, I had another e-mail tonight and they were asking things like 'how would he react at a show if the rider was nervous etc', his advert states suit a confident rider so I don't know why they're trying to make me describe him as something he's not. I'm just not feeling it.

Thanks for the advice though.
 
LouS said:
I'm going with my gut and telling them I don't think the pony is suitable, I had another e-mail tonight and they were asking things like 'how would he react at a show if the rider was nervous etc', his advert states suit a confident rider so I don't know why they're trying to make me describe him as something he's not. I'm just not feeling it.

Thanks for the advice though.
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I think that you are doing the right thing. He sounds too much for them. RE the trial, I personally wouldn't let a horse leave my yard unless it was paid for in full.
 
Faracat said:
I think that you are doing the right thing. He sounds too much for them. RE the trial, I personally wouldn't let a horse leave my yard unless it was paid for in full.
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Agree with this, and you!

For me, a sale is a sale, and a loan is a loan, and I don't mix them! I try to be honest when selling, and find the right home for the pony, and I will help as much as possible if there are any problems post sale (luckily haven't been as both our ponies went to great homes) but they don't go anywhere unless paid for.
 
IMHOyou're absolutely right to stop now. Agreed, they could do anything to him wihtout you around, & as they are novices they could cause a problem through ignorance. This one day thing is not a fair trial for any pony, let alone a green one. I can appreciate you need a quick sale, but if you sold to them it may come back to bite you in the rump if they have a problem with him (like taking him to a show before he or rider is ready), then they may try to make you take him back having developed an issue/injury.

Have you thought about advertising on the Pony Club website? Pretty cheap & should be getting to more experienced riders.
 
Ring local dc & see if anyone competent wants to borrow him for next rally, might work as a live advert & more likely to attract the type of buyer he needs, & won't cost you anything.
 
He sounds lovely but not suited to what they need so I think your right about not letting them have him. I'm sure at that price he will be snapped up, I paid nearly that for a very green out of work pony that had done nothing really. Hang on a few weeks and see as there will be a more suitable home for him.
 
I would hang on. Pony has been out and about doing stuff this winter so ready to go. Have you thought about advertising him on the pony club website? The only other thing I wonder from how you have worded your post is that you could be focusing too much on the negative? I would change " green" to ready to go with what you have been doing. Green is what I bought and that was just back in work (was backed and turned away), light hacking in company and just started in the school. Now THAT'S green!!!
 
If he needs 'to be ridden properly and kept on top of', these people were never going to be suitable for him, even with lessons. I'd have weeded them out at the phonecall stage.
 
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