Tricky situation regarding Sales Livery, urgent advice needed

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sz90168

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I sent my talented gelding to a quite well respected show jumping yard on sales livery. After 2 weeks I chased them up and was informed he was actual on schooling on livery and they then only advertised him after having him 2.5 weeks on Facebook only with the wrong age and a week later asked me to place an advert on Horse Quest. I have only received one video and 2 pictures since he has been there which have been too poor to put on the advert. Today I find out that all the main ridders and owner have disappeared for a month to Spain without informing me and that the grooms are dealing with his sale who seem to have no phone signal! I thought I was paying for them to ride him and the owner to deal with it as they have a lot of contacts. Apparently there is a viewing on the weekend but I am tempted to take him back as I am not happy with the service I have received. What would you do in this situation? I wish I never sent him there but they came recommended from a few people.
 
It doesn’t sound like they are that interested in selling him. That could be for many reasons- it certainly sounds like he wasn’t ready to sell when he first went there.
It's frustrating to not be kept informed of the situation and I would probably want to at least go and watch him work with the person riding him now and dealing with the sale. If I wasnt happy with that vs the money being spent then I would move him elsewhere
 
I have no experience of Sales Livery but they don't seem to have done what you expected. And now to be off on holiday? Can you take him away and find another place?
 
I am paying a price per week plus 10% commission if that helps. Meant to be a professional yard who's main riders have very good results up to 1.50 but have gone competing in Spain for the month.
 
I'd be hopping in that case. I'd expect so much more, they should be cracking on with him, advertising (on the proviso that price increases with work done) and taking him out places etc etc

That said I suppose it depends on the service offered/agreed to - but honestly this is what I'd expect from a basic outfit.
 
tiahatti said:
I have no experience of Sales Livery but they don't seem to have done what you expected. And now to be off on holiday? Can you take him away and find another place?
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I doubt they're on holiday - given the time of year I'd imagine they're on the Sunshine Tour? Knowing what professional show jumpers can be like, the OP's story doesn't entirely surprise me, as things like sales liveries are usually second fiddle to competing. OP, I'd take him back and I'd also quibble the bill as you don't seem to have been given the service your were expecting at all.
 
Remove him ASAP. What area of the country are you in as I am sure there are other reputable riders who can/will do active sales livery
 
ihatework said:
If there is a viewing lined up this weekend I’d keep the viewing and make an effort to attend it and observe how well the horse is presented for sale.

Make your next move based on that.
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If the main riders are off on the Sunshine Tour who is going to show the horse properly? I would not be happy about a left behind groom to do it correctly in OP's situation. She/he was/is paying for a service that is not being provided and no-one had the courtesy of telling the OP that they were off on the Sunshine tour for a month. They are also being paid to market said horse but ask OP to put a ad on Horsequest. IMHO not a satisfactory service.
 
Velcrobum said:
If the main riders are off on the Sunshine Tour who is going to show the horse properly in that situation I would not be happy about a left behind groom to do it correctly in OP's situation. She/he was/is paying for a service that is not being provided and no-one had the courtesy of telling the OP that they were off on the Sunshine tour for a month. They are also being paid to market said horse but ask OP to put a ad on Horsequest. IMHO not a satisfactory service.
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?

There is a viewing booked for the weekend. Why would anyone cut their nose off to spite their face, the horse could potentially sell this weekend.

I don’t know where the horse is or who is managing it while the rider is away .... but everyone has jumped to the assumption (that may well be true) that nothing is being done with the horse and it’s left in the hands of some shoddy groom.

Ive know plenty of grooms who are perfectly capable of presenting a horse for sale. Indeed, if being shown for the amateur market, it may be preferable to see it with a groom rather than held together by a pro.

I am not saying that this yard has acted in the right way and that OP shouldn’t move the horse. I’m playing devils advocate and just saying let the viewing happen and see face to face who it is managing their horse.
 
Sounds dreadful to me. I sent a horse to be sold in November to a sales livery. Before he went she had all the pictures and the spec. He arrived on Tuesday and was tried Wednesday, sold and vetted Friday! picked up Saturday.
 
I nearly sent away on sales livery, until I asked to see the contract, which basically made them responsible for nothing, not even basic liability. There are some people who make their a living out of horses who have no idea of their responsibility to their customers. I would bring it home before it gets busted.
 
Go ahead with the viewing but I would definitely want to be there to see how they present him. You can then decide if you are happy with what they’re doing or not, because at the moment you don’t actually know you are just making assumptions. Happy days if all goes well and the horse sells. If not but you are satisfied with how he is presented you may decide to let it roll. If you are not satisfied and they have not done what they agreed to do take him home and find a better sales livery.
 
Do the viewing (make sure you’re there) and if he sells, all well and good. If he isn’t presented satisfactorily, take him home. Our sale livery seem to take the horse out and about to shows, put videos on their page of the horse jumping etc and do frequent updates. I’d expect nothing less.
 
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