Trial period? Yes or no, what would you say?

If I knew them well and trusted. But in general no. They could trial at our yard and work with them, but not off site. I was offered a trial by my now OH with horse but ended up buying straight out as my friend knew him very well and he was very up front about the horse and spent a lot of time after I bought the horse helping to work with her at new yard. I wouldn't have done it with a different seller though, would have vet check and trial at current yard over a number of weeks anywhere else. I also worked with my horse for a few weeks before she was moved so knew her over a period of time.

I'd probably only take a foal or unhandled youngster without spending a long time getting to know the horse at yard first.
Pan
 
Id never allow any of mine out on trial. I allowed it once with a warmblood I had a few years back, I took him to their yard so I could see where he was (a 3.5 hour drive!). The lady called me 2 days later to say she didnt want him anymore because her horse dentist had been out for one of her other horses and said that my horses hips were out?!?! Was the most bizarre thing I'd ever heard and absolute cr*p! I said he was always open to a vetting but she said she wanted to return him which was fine by me - I was fed up at this point. I asked her when she'd return him (as was agreed) and it wasn't to be until 4 days later which was ridculous too. He left her yard at 9am, she sent him up by some old guy driving the lorry who clearly knew nothing about horses as by lunchtime they still hadnt arrived, I called him and he said he had stopped for a break and was taking a nap!! This was a HOT day and should only have taken 3.5 hours! He was on that lorry about 7 hours by the end of it and came off very thirsty, hungry (no hay!) and with no travel stuff on - all of which I'd given her and was in the front, so his tail had been rubbed. Then I found that she'd only bothered to return 1/2 his tack!!!! I was livid, the rest of it didnt arrive until a week later so I couldnt even ride him during that time. NEVER again. Its way too risky.

If people want to come try / see my horse lots of times then thats fine, but no way would I allow a trial. Horses are very easy to break / ruin.
 
see I'm the opposite, I think I would want to do a trail first as if I wasn't happy with the people buying the horse then I could go and take it back as well??

not that I have ever sold a horse though but I think that is an option I would like to have! I just don't trust anyone to tell the truth these days, be it a buyer or a seller!
 
In an ideal world yes, but after experience no!

A potential buyer can try the horse as many times as they want and in different circumstances but not off the yard.
 
Sorry your horse isn't as per the ad although If I was looking for a horse then yes a trial would be lovely. Having said that, I wouldn't let my horse go out on trial so I don't really expect it from anyone else.
 
I don't think a trial means the owner necessarily must care its the right home. Other side of the coin is that someone willing to pay is more likely to be careful than someone who doesn't own it & could treat it like a hire car.
 
I would let my horse go on trial, but the money would have to be in my bank account first. I have always done this, with a witnessed note to his/her condition/soundness etc (with photos). Not the norm it seems, but my feeling is that the horse is for sale, so it is going to leave my care at some point. If it comes back from trial in a bad way, surely its better that it comes back, than is lost for ever in a bad home. A month of suffering is an awful thing, but infinitely better than a lifetime.
 
I would never ever.

I have to have payment in full and copy of receipt signed by both parties before it takes one step off the yard.

Unfortunately after a lot of experience selling horses, I trust no one. Strangers/friends, they will all do you over where horses and money are concerned.

Happily I've rarely had problems, but once bitten, twice shy!
 
I just sold one that went on a months trial. This was only the 2nd time I'd done it. They lived 5 hours away, gave a decent deposit. Kept in contact via text and email. They were meant to have her for a month, they bought her within the week. I had a bad experience the first time and that was with a so called friend. Begged to have the horse, against by better judgement I did. She did loads with him, said she wanted to buy him, knew I was going on holiday. On the day I was at Gatwick in the boarding lounge, got a text to say she didn't want him. There was nothing I could do, I spent two weeks in the most romantic place on earth worrying about him. When I came back found out she had put it all over a forum before telling me. Then returned him on a transporter without me agreeing at a tIme I didn't agree. Only the fact that the YO was at the yard prevented him being tied to the gate!! Needless to say we aren't friends anymore!!
 
We had our mare on a month trial before we bought. We had a proper contract and the seller met our YO. The horse was on part livery on an approved riding school which probably helped. It als helped that the seller knew our instructor so it was a word of mouth sale and we kind of had a reference.

It went well and we are sooooooo pleased with our purchase! Had the seller not trusted us or the horse enough we could have missed out on her and she is honestly the best money I have ever spent! :D
 
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