Trial Period....

S

stormox

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 May 2012
Messages
3,411
Location
midlands
Visit site
If people are buying or selling horses, would they expect, or allow a trial period? I personally wouldn't want one if buying because horses so often, totally due to no fault of their keeper, get injured. And I would feel so guilty if that happened.
And as a seller, I wouldn't allow one because a horse can easily get his mouth, manners etc wrecked in a week, and also it would be so unsettling for a horse if it went off on two or three 'trials' in a short space of time.
This thread is partially inspired by another thread in which it was stated that a buyer should beware of horses where trials aren't allowed, as it would mean the horse was naughty or something. I don't think that true at all - it might just mean the current owner thinks a lot of their horse!
Also, you could miss a sale if the horse was away - and the 'trialler' mightn't buy the horse. I would, however, allow a potential buyer a few days in which to do whatever they liked with my horse at its current home and under my supervision.
 
I feel the same as you stormox for the same reasons. I would be more than happy for a potential buyer to trial the horse as many times as they wish at home and I would like to be given the opportunity to trial any potential purchase at its current stables if wished.
 
No way would I expect or give a trial. I would expect to ride the horse and have my instructor with me...at least twice. Perhaps pay to see horse go XC if no record...
 
You see Loan with a View to Buy (or abbreviated to LWVB) often enough. I'm not a fan either - but with a clear contract they can work. You have to have a clear contract on insurance, eventualities in the case of injury and who has permission to PTS though.
 
I once let a pony go for a two week trial prior to purchase after the pony had been tried at our yard on a couple of occasions, this was to a PC family well known to us. The quirks of the pony were clearly notified, together with other matters prior to the trial. After the two weeks the pony came back, lame in all four feet. They said were not going to go forward with the purchase as the pony was not suitable for them. The reasons for non-suitability given were the very reasons I had notified them of prior to the trial. Needless to say I was not very happy.
 
I did once travel 150 miles to see a horse and they had not arranged the promised trial facilities so I couldn't even jump it. They said I could return as often as I wanted to ride it but this was not practical. I asked for a weeks trial and they said no so I didn't take it further. Having said that I wouldn't let a horse go out on trial but that's immaterial for me as I've never sold one yet!
 
I allowed a pony to go on trial for 2 weeks to a friend of a friend , and they stalled and ended up keeping her almost a month before I put my foot down and demanded she was brought back. She came back with cuts on her legs as she'd apparently 'gone through a fence', which seemed unlikely given what a quiet pony she is. 4 days later she looked unlevel, and was after that off for 2 months due to what our vet thought was serious bruising through her shoulders and legs. God knows what happened to her but it was the last time I will ever let a horse go on trial. She also looked dirty, dull coated and had sweat ingrained on her legs, whereas she left shining like a penny and looking fantastic, I was so angry and upset when she finally got home.
 
We have had ponies on trial periods from other pony club families, it has worked very well for us; in one case pony went back as was not suitable, in the other case we ended up buying the pony that we nearly walked away from.
 
Some horses settle quickly but most take time to settle in and develop a bond with someone so unless you have a long trial you dont really get an idea of what the horse will eventually be like. You are probably better trying the horse several times at the sellers home (assuming they have had horse a while and it is settled)
 
If it was to a yard close by, where I could drop in unannounced from time to time, or a yard / buyer that I knew and trusted, then I would be prepared to consider letting a horse go on trial for a couple of weeks. However, horses often take a while to settle in a new home, so I am not convinced that having a horse on trial on a strange yard would necessarily give a true picture of its nature or ability.
I personally would rather try the horse in its normal home. Also, our yard has a strict 2 week isolation policy for new horses - no contact with any other horses on the yard - which I am sure many horses would find unsettling.
 
The only situation where I would like to have the horse on trial is where the animal is being sold as seen from the field and a week or two in proper work would give me an indication of its character when ridden. I would be happy with trying any other horse in the seller's yard a couple of times.
 
Pennythetank said:
The only situation where I would like to have the horse on trial is where the animal is being sold as seen from the field and a week or two in proper work would give me an indication of its character when ridden. I would be happy with trying any other horse in the seller's yard a couple of times.
Click to expand...

"sold from the field" surely usually means just that- you make up your mind whether to buy or not as the horse stands. I wouldv thought it would mean the horse was cheap enough to take a chance on...
 
stormox said:
"sold from the field" surely usually means just that- you make up your mind whether to buy or not as the horse stands. I wouldv thought it would mean the horse was cheap enough to take a chance on...
Click to expand...

It does but normally around where I live, chances are the seller doesn't even have a saddle for the horse so you can hop on an have a quick walk and trot just to get a feel of the horse. Hence in a case like that I would ask the seller for 2weeks. It is a win win, I get a feel of the horse and get to try it in different situations, if I send it back the seller can advertise it as back in work- it just had two weeks schooling.
 
I wouldn't expect or particularly want a trial when buying and would always be ultra cautious when selling, however when my sister had to sell my niece's pony when she lost interest and he was totally wasted and bored with us, she did allow a month trial.

Our reasons for this were the pony whilst a very talented young pony club pony, was quirky on some issues and we wanted to the best of our ability to get him a long term loving home. Otherwise he was going nowhere.

The family were vetted thoroughly and a detailed contract drawn up. The pony was vetted BEFORE he left us and the contract explicitly stated he was sound and any subsequent problems would be responsibility of the loaner/buyer. We figured we would take the risk on behavioral issues being created that caused him to come back as we could deal with that.

We delivered him and home checked. Constant contact was maintained in the month. Quirky pony did what he does best and wormed his way into their effections and we were very pleased with the lovely home he had. End of month contract was completed and 5 years later said pony is still a much loved part of that family and we see updates via pony club website and fb.

At any time in the trial he could have come back to us as we wanted him to get the home he deserved and his few quirks made him a prime candidate for abuse in the wrong hands.

A risk but a calculated one for the benefit of the animal.
 
I had a one month trial with my pony. I didn't feel comfortable buying her without as she hadn't been ridden alone with them and I knew I would be doing more lone riding than group. The owners agreed and during the month she came on well on her own. Oddly I don't think I personally would be inclined to do the same if selling her (too protective of her) but glad they gave me that opportunity
 
Doublethyme said:
I wouldn't expect or particularly want a trial when buying and would always be ultra cautious when selling, however when my sister had to sell my niece's pony when she lost interest and he was totally wasted and bored with us, she did allow a month trial.

Our reasons for this were the pony whilst a very talented young pony club pony, was quirky on some issues and we wanted to the best of our ability to get him a long term loving home. Otherwise he was going nowhere.

The family were vetted thoroughly and a detailed contract drawn up. The pony was vetted BEFORE he left us and the contract explicitly stated he was sound and any subsequent problems would be responsibility of the loaner/buyer. We figured we would take the risk on behavioral issues being created that caused him to come back as we could deal with that.

We delivered him and home checked. Constant contact was maintained in the month. Quirky pony did what he does best and wormed his way into their effections and we were very pleased with the lovely home he had. End of month contract was completed and 5 years later said pony is still a much loved part of that family and we see updates via pony club website and fb.

At any time in the trial he could have come back to us as we wanted him to get the home he deserved and his few quirks made him a prime candidate for abuse in the wrong hands.

A risk but a calculated one for the benefit of the animal.
Click to expand...

Seems like you covered everything here! I have let one pony go on trial, or it was more of a loan with view to buying, which went well, and pony sold. Another horse I sold I said the potential purchaser could come and ride her, and even took her out in the trailer for a lesson, but from here. She sold.

I think it is tricky with high priced ponies, as I have heard from a couple of people who had top class, winning ponies that had been outgrown, but had a price tag to match the achievement. Potential purchasers took the pony and immediately wanted to go and give it a big try-out, since the rider and pony hadn't had time to form a partnership it often ended with rider coming off and the pony returned as no good.
 
I would only offer a trial on the horse's current yard, for the reasons mentioned above! I'd like to be on hand if there were any issues/to spot any problems developing. I would stay out of their way, but hopefully being on the horse's own yard would reduce the risk a little.

I asked for a trial with the last horse I bought and the owner refused (fair enough, and I bought her anyway). One of the owner's concerns was how far away I lived and the risk of her horse being injured on the transporter's lorry on the way over to my yard - she presumed I wouldn't, in that scenario, be willing to pay full price for the horse and she would then be left with vet's bills and potentially a horse she couldn't sell. We could possibly have negotiated a contract around these concerns but I'd already decided during the conversation that I was going to be buying this horse anyway! :)
 
With my competition mare she sold to the 2nd person who rode her. she rode her on my yard in all 3 disciplines (luckily w have great facilities) & hacked Her out alone & paid for her that day. I think a reasonably experienced person knows a good horse straight away. You also get a feel for the seller & if they are genuine in what they are telling you so a trail would not be necessary as u trust seller & can feel if a horse is talented & genuine. I have never needed a trail nor given one & have not bought or sold a dud horse!!
 
I never say never about anything!
I wouldn't expect a trial on any horse and if I got one would be grateful and take extra care.
There are some circumstances where I might consider allowing a trial but I would be extremely cautious. If I had a buyer demanding a trial they would be shown the exit quickly.

I've sold 2 horses with a trial. One was a 6 week trial, the other was just a day (I allowed them to pick horse up in morning, take it to PC and drop back in evening). I go with my gut on people, it rarely lets me down. Both those horses were bought by the trialers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top