Unsellable pony? What to do?

FfionWinnie said:
I love it when people buy a nice horse turn it into a moron and take the credit for putting up with it.
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That's a bit harsh.
For all negatives about the way the situation is being managed, I'm not sure it's fair to infer some angel was purchased and it's been ruined. It's perfectly feasible OP was sold the wrong horse, or was naive in purchase. There isn't enough detail to know from the outside.
 
ycbm said:
I would not view that horse, it looks as if it has a very serious sway back.
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I don't think advert is totally unfair. I think you lot are slightly jumping on the OP. Most parents would ask why not suitable novice or nervous rider and what does?

Generally if see "not suitable novice or nervous rider " written in an advert, its a neon sign that there is something underlying (unless is a competition pony with long record).

Advice my friend widely received when selling a pony that took off fully and scared her out hacking, was to advertise as cheeky pony not suitable for novice or nervous rider. And to expand on the phone before viewings.
 
ihatework said:
That's a bit harsh.
For all negatives about the way the situation is being managed, I'm not sure it's fair to infer some angel was purchased and it's been ruined. It's perfectly feasible OP was sold the wrong horse, or was naive in purchase. There isn't enough detail to know from the outside.
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It was a general observation about the horse world.
 
I have found that very few ponies are as described which is what makes pony hunting so frustrating and dispiriting, and often such a colossal waste of time. This ad falls into that 'time-wasting' camp. But i can see how the chronic mis-advertising of horses might lead to a kind of vicious cycle when everyone thinks only way to sell is to also gloss over any problems on the ad for fear of putting people off.

I tend to write lengthy ads and have been advised in the past to keep the ad much shorter and to go into more detail over the phone for anyone that inquires. I am guessing that is what the OP has done. But I honestly don't think it works for a horse with issues. It might take longer to get the inquiries but at least those who do call are likely to be genuinely interested in the kind of horse you are selling.
 
wingedhorse said:
I don't think advert is totally unfair. I think you lot are slightly jumping on the OP. Most parents would ask why not suitable novice or nervous rider and what does?

Generally if see "not suitable novice or nervous rider " written in an advert, its a neon sign that there is something underlying (unless is a competition pony with long record).

Advice my friend widely received when selling a pony that took off fully and scared her out hacking, was to advertise as cheeky pony not suitable for novice or nervous rider. And to expand on the phone before viewings.
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The advert is completely misleading. It says currently ridden by a child when the child is currently too scared to get on the pony. There is also a huge difference between a forward going buzzy pony and a unpredictable pony who won't even trot around an arena on a bad day.
 
'good to do in all ways'

does not match with

'is very strong and forward hacking. When she is having a bad day she is unrideable, gets herself into a muck sweat just doing a bit of trot work in the school. Because she is so unpredictable my daughter no longer rides her.'

or

'currently ridden by a competent 12 year old ' because the competent 12yo isn't riding her...

It isn't the 'not suitable for novice or nervous' that is the issue with the advert.
 
I would advertise her as a long term loan.
So you can find someone suitable for her but still have control over her future if something goes wrong.


Edited to add I’m surprised you won’t get a vet to check her.
Surely this would be the first thing to do.
Get everything checked,
Saddle, teeth, vet chec etc.

It could be something easily solved and you may have a totally different pony at the end.
 
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MotherOfChickens said:
its a poor photo at an angle, with the saddle possibly on too far forward and probably on a slope-honestly cant see that any form conclusions can be made from that photo.
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On the basic of the two ridden photos, blown up to maximum and looked at in detail, I would not view the horse. Other people on this thread think that the back is odd. The OP is asking why she is not getting viewings. The photos will be one reason, imo.
 
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Ambers Echo said:
I have found that very few ponies are as described which is what makes pony hunting so frustrating and dispiriting, and often such a colossal waste of time. This ad falls into that 'time-wasting' camp. But i can see how the chronic mis-advertising of horses might lead to a kind of vicious cycle when everyone thinks only way to sell is to also gloss over any problems on the ad for fear of putting people off.

I tend to write lengthy ads and have been advised in the past to keep the ad much shorter and to go into more detail over the phone for anyone that inquires. I am guessing that is what the OP has done. But I honestly don't think it works for a horse with issues. It might take longer to get the inquiries but at least those who do call are likely to be genuinely interested in the kind of horse you are selling.
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There’s careful wording and there is blatant lies.

Careful wording:

Enjoys hacking in company. (Meaning: it does not hack alone - at least with current owner!)

Blatent lies are what court cases are made of.
 
MotherOfChickens said:
its a poor photo at an angle, with the saddle possibly on too far forward and probably on a slope-honestly cant see that any form conclusions can be made from that photo.
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agreed but it would put me off, as would the general expression on the horses face. OP I would be careful, if someone bought the pony from that ad, had problems and then came across this thread you could find yourself in trouble
 
Well I looked at the ad and thought what a nice pony, but I would have not even viewed for a 12 year old, so I am not surprised it didn't work out.
I always think selling a horse is a bit like selling a house, you are not going to tell everyone the boiler needs replacing, you get them through the door first. Then you find its faults and haggle. To me the ad is truthful, and really its up to the viewer to decide whether they are capable of riding it. To me it looks like something for a for 14-16 year old, that has outgrown their 13.2, and wants a something a bit more stretching, but low maintenance.
When I bought ponies for my children I went with an open mind, and would always asses what I saw and not was what written.
I am sure the right rider is out there, again it is the time of year, and the price. I think it would get a more knowledgeable market off the PC web site.
 
wingedhorse said:
I don't think advert is totally unfair. I think you lot are slightly jumping on the OP. Most parents would ask why not suitable novice or nervous rider and what does?

Generally if see "not suitable novice or nervous rider " written in an advert, its a neon sign that there is something underlying (unless is a competition pony with long record).

Advice my friend widely received when selling a pony that took off fully and scared her out hacking, was to advertise as cheeky pony not suitable for novice or nervous rider. And to expand on the phone before viewings.
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Yes the parent can ask, which is probably why no one has been to try her, but the ad is showing photos of a not very well balanced child of 12 jumping her and says she has done PC so implies would suit a normal child of average ability whereas on here it certainly does not seem to be the case, wording an ad correctly is a skill in itself, you have to be honest yet still be positive to encourage people to respond, this pony may be perfect in many ways and the ad needs to be better balanced to get the right person interested.

It is not really a case of the advert being unfair as the OP is obviously telling people when they phone but it is a total waste of time because it is not "selling" her good points, just saying that she may not be a novice ride leaves too much room for interpretation and it will miss the target buyer at the price.
 
With those pics and that price, you wouldn't be getting a phone call. Stand up straight, get the saddle out the way, find some flat ground and you might get a better response. Hard to tell i that's a rubbish angle or terrible shaped back.

And the ad and what you've said just don't match. As mentioned, if someon buys on the strength of that ad and then has problems and finds the thread, you could be in all sorts of legal trouble.

Poor mare.
 
FfionWinnie said:
There’s careful wording and there is blatant lies.

Careful wording:

Enjoys hacking in company. (Meaning: it does not hack alone - at least with current owner!)

Blatent lies are what court cases are made of.
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I'm not condoning misleading ads, just saying i can see how people get caught in the trap of believing it is necessary to gloss over, ignore problems. Frankly it drives me nuts! But I don't think all ads written like this are done with a clear intent to mislead. Just with the intent of getting callers who you can then explain things to better. Having said that, the bit about the pony being ridden by a competent 12 year old is very close to a blatant lie! I would not like to be trying to defend that statement in a court case if a 12 year old bought and was then injured by the pony.
 
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wingedhorse said:
I don't think advert is totally unfair. I think you lot are slightly jumping on the OP. Most parents would ask why not suitable novice or nervous rider and what does?

Generally if see "not suitable novice or nervous rider " written in an advert, its a neon sign that there is something underlying (unless is a competition pony with long record).

Advice my friend widely received when selling a pony that took off fully and scared her out hacking, was to advertise as cheeky pony not suitable for novice or nervous rider. And to expand on the phone before viewings.
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The thing with a lot of kids is that they think they're invincible until they get scared and then that's it. Non-horsey parents wouldn't have a clue whether their kid is a good, competent, confident rider.
 
Ambers Echo said:
I have found that very few ponies are as described which is what makes pony hunting so frustrating and dispiriting, and often such a colossal waste of time. This ad falls into that 'time-wasting' camp. But i can see how the chronic mis-advertising of horses might lead to a kind of vicious cycle when everyone thinks only way to sell is to also gloss over any problems on the ad for fear of putting people off.

I tend to write lengthy ads and have been advised in the past to keep the ad much shorter and to go into more detail over the phone for anyone that inquires. I am guessing that is what the OP has done. But I honestly don't think it works for a horse with issues. It might take longer to get the inquiries but at least those who do call are likely to be genuinely interested in the kind of horse you are selling.
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Agree. I've hopefully sold a quirky pony. He's 15, has many good and bad points, and is a diamond for right person. I wrote an essay on his advert, including good and bad points in full because I wanted him to find right long term home. And because I have a clear idea of the lifestyle and workload he enjoys. I had relatively few calls, but they were good calls, and I had a queue for him. He's on loan with a view to buy at end of January, because I want them to be sure are a great long term fit, and because anyone IMO who buys at end of January is seriously committed. So far he seems very happy and to have landed on his feet.
 
That's the trouble, it really doesn't matter what the OP says on the phone to prospective buyers, it is what is written in black and white that will be the evidence against her.
 
I would say if the advert was changed to just include the jumping photo and wording along the following lines then you would probably generate far more suitable interest:

'14.1hh 9yo Welsh x Mare. We have owned her for 9 months and during this time have unfortunately come to the conclusion we have over-horsed our 12yo daughter.
This pony is fundamentally safe and easy to do (I assume no major bronking/rearing/bolting), but is forward going and inconsistent under saddle. She would be best suited to an experienced and confident teenager/lightweight adult as a project allrounder. Priced to sell as good home paramount. £800ono
 
wingedhorse said:
Agree. I've hopefully sold a quirky pony. He's 15, has many good and bad points, and is a diamond for right person. I wrote an essay on his advert, including good and bad points in full because I wanted him to find right long term home. And because I have a clear idea of the lifestyle and workload he enjoys. I had relatively few calls, but they were good calls, and I had a queue for him. He's on loan with a view to buy at end of January, because I want them to be sure are a great long term fit, and because anyone IMO who buys at end of January is seriously committed. So far he seems very happy and to have landed on his feet.
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Link to advert (he's not available any more) but think is a good example of an honest advert - https://www.horsemart.co.uk/attractive-friendly-fun-small-warmblood-gelding/Horses/517869
 
wingedhorse said:
Link to advert (he's not available any more) but think is a good example of an honest advert - https://www.horsemart.co.uk/attractive-friendly-fun-small-warmblood-gelding/Horses/517869
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The thing is that its your advert could apply to any horse. Horses are not rocking horses, all that you have described is normal horse behaviour and it you want to own/ride one that's what you should expect.
I have never bought a ridden horse/pony that we have not been able to get along with because you asses your capabilities against what you see, and unless its been doped you should be able to cope with normal horse behaviour. Geez, does anyone learn horsemanship any more.
 
Agree change the photo to the jumping one. The TREC is a massive selling point here I would put that nearer the top of her advert and really stress the good points and TREC is becoming more popular these days. If you have any pictures of her doing that? I would put: Happy for a trial to stay at yard, that way they can see what they are getting.
 
honetpot said:
The thing is that its your advert could apply to any horse. Horses are not rocking horses, all that you have described is normal horse behaviour and it you want to own/ride one that's what you should expect.
I have never bought a ridden horse/pony that we have not been able to get along with because you asses your capabilities against what you see, and unless its been doped you should be able to cope with normal horse behaviour. Geez, does anyone learn horsemanship any more.
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And he is an educated horse with a record that someone wanting to learn from as well as have fun could really enjoy, there are very few without a few quirks, it comes down to whether you can fit in with the horse and it's requirements, having them listed helps with that decision but on balance he will be fab for the right person.
 
honetpot said:
The thing is that its your advert could apply to any horse. Horses are not rocking horses, all that you have described is normal horse behaviour and it you want to own/ride one that's what you should expect.
I have never bought a ridden horse/pony that we have not been able to get along with because you asses your capabilities against what you see, and unless its been doped you should be able to cope with normal horse behaviour. Geez, does anyone learn horsemanship any more.
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How rude re horsemanship comment!

I am neither a novice rider or competitor and have more than one horse, and hack extensively in open country, compete at BD medium (and Endurance though not recently) and am very aware of the strengths and weaknesses of my riding and horse training.

It is common sense that not all horses suit all riders or all purposes. I have been very clear about this horse, to attract someone who will enjoy him. He is certainly not a difficult or dangerous horse, but he is a horse suited to a certain type of home and rider.
 
wingedhorse said:
It is common sense that not all horses suit all riders or all purposes. I have been very clear about this horse, to attract someone who will enjoy him. He is certainly not a difficult or dangerous horse, but he is a horse suited to a certain type of home and rider.
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I think you worded it really well, so potential viewers would know what they were getting. For example, a viewer who wanted to get consistent dressage scores in a league would understand it's not the horse for them. But someone who wanted fun and a challenge and working with a clever horse would see the potential there.
 
Why not advertise on some welsh D specific facebook groups? People who've already had one/know the breed will know what they're getting themselves in for ;)
 
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