Well this is unusual...

[Courbette]

Just been having a browse on pre-loved. I've found a for sale advert detailing what prospective BUYERS need to do to be able to purchase the pony. Really not sure what to make of this!

To all potential buyers Assessment:
An explanation of themselves, experience, intentions, and set up.
We expect them to catch Bess in an open field with a headcollar and lead rope only (no food).
Once join up complete to display groundwork skills with Bess.
Riding - Headcollar only with saddle or bareback.
Jumping - Work in progress ( introducing bit for more precise control and quick response)
Please do not waste our time or yours.

I'd be more than happy to discuss intentions, set up and I would want prospective sellers to be happy that their pony is going to a good home but I wouldn't want to ride a strange pony off pre-loved in anything other than it's usual tack and I hate jumping. I'm fairly brave otherwise and wouldn't rule out jumping in the future but I wouldn't feel obliged to demonstrate this to a seller. Not an issue for me as I was only browsing but it just struck me as a bit odd!

 

[Gloi]

We saw that the other day and were having a good laugh about it.

 

[ester]

I was all explained by the time you got to 'join up'

 

[Ample Prosecco]

 

[CMcC]

You missed out the bit that says you should send a video which they will upload on YouTub plus provide details of qualifications and references!

 

[ester]

Has their husband insisted they sell the horse and this is their way of 'not being able to'

 

[nikicb]

It does seem a strange advert, but if you look at their you tube channel, she does look a much loved horse. If she has been trained in a certain way, I guess they just want the best for her.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDhX4SUbU8eN9FPLrqC_vvg/videos

 

[CJoe]

nope, that would send me running....carrot stick brigade!

 

[PapaverFollis]

If you want to control how a horse is trained... keep it.

 

[nikicb]

If you want to control how a horse is trained... keep it.

I agree, which is why I have only ever sold one horse and that was to someone I knew well at the time, and she kept him for the rest of his life. I just get a little uncomfortable about people sharing adverts on here just to poke fun at them.

 

[ester]

It makes sense to me, in that you tend to get a few on the straightness training groups that advertise within group but not sure if they then advertise externally with situations.
There definitely isn't anything wrong with this is how this horse has been trained/what she understands/ and I'd be very keen for her to carry on in that way but I'd be uncomfortable with anyone else putting a youtube video up of me.

 

[Muddywellies]

Oh dear. Not only totally rediculous requirements, but it's the whole tone of it "We expect them to...." Sounds like a job advert written by Mrs Bucket, sorry, Bouquet. I'd run a mile....

 

[nikicb]

It makes sense to me, in that you tend to get a few on the straightness training groups that advertise within group but not sure if they then advertise externally with situations.
There definitely isn't anything wrong with this is how this horse has been trained/what she understands/ and I'd be very keen for her to carry on in that way but I'd be uncomfortable with anyone else putting a youtube video up of me.

Agreed - it will appeal to a certain type of home and that's fine. Maybe would have been better to have advertised within their 'circle', but perhaps they had no luck.

I think the you tube video comments in the ad have been misread.....

"Please forward any video of you working with horses with any references or qualifications.
Expect a reply within 7 Days due to the interest.
We will be uploading videos on
YouTube Channel Edward Quick or search Fell Pony Bess in Cumbria. "

I took that to mean please send us a video of you working with your horse (actually in a lockdown might be a good idea). And we will put our own videos up on our channel, which indeed they have.

I promise I don't have any connection with the seller!! Just rather envious of the beautiful countryside they have around them.

 

[DressageCob]

I'm always surprised to see well loved horses on pre-loved. I may be wrong, but it feels odd to see pets listed amongst broken washing machines and old clothes. I'll never understand preloved.

it's a very specific advert, but I suppose if you're selling a horse you have to do your best to ensure it ends up at the best home possible, and this is their way of doing that. I shan't be applying though; I didn't even understand what they were saying after the bit about catching the horse without food!

 

[Cortez]

Good grief, buying a horse in the UK is nuts. If you don't like the cut of the jib of the person looking at your horse, just tell them: no need for the dating profile, nor the passive-aggressive attitude.

 

[scats]

And I thought I had to jump through hoops to buy Millie!
I had to provide 2 references, show copies of my BHS certificates and photograph the yard she was going to. In all fairness to the previous owner, who is a lovely girl and who I’m still in touch with, she was trying her best to ensure her beloved horse went to the right person and I could see she was very genuine so was happy to oblige. I also felt that if someone was going to that effort to vet a buyer, they didn’t have anything to hide!

I didn’t have to wave any carrot sticks around though!

 

[Flicker]

This sort of thing really gets on my wick. I am very happy to have a lengthy discussion with a seller over what care and riding routine best suits the horse I am viewing, and I would never buy a horse without riding it in the company of the seller. But being auditioned for the right to part with my cash is just ridiculous. As someone else has said, if you’re that concerned about your horse’s future don’t sell it.

A lovely mare on our yard was put up for sale a few years ago and the seller stipulated that she must go to a ‘competition home’ where she would compete regularly because she was ’so talented’ (just not quite talented enough for the seller apparently). The girl who bought her competed her a couple of times then moved her home and just potters around now. I see them at clinics sometimes, the mare has never looked better.

 

[meleeka]

Presumably they also want ££££ for the privilege?

 

[Cloball]

I understand some people do not have the choice to keep a beloved horse especially in uncertain times. Uploading videos of someone trying your horse to YouTube though it just looking for content. Does one have to join up to catch the horse? That might be time-consuming in a daily basis. I'm not sure everyone attempting to join up with the poor horse can be very good for it, but then I'm not keen on learned helplessness.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

I am fine with catching horses and I do a lot of groundwork. But I would never subject myself to an 'assessment' for the privilege of viewing a horse. The tone of the ad sets my teeth on edge. When I have sold on ponies, I vetted buyers and have turned buyers down. I ask what their plans are for the pony and how he/she will be kept. I ask for videos of the child riding - I say it's to see if I think the pony would suit but that goes 2 ways: I am just as interested in whether I think the child suits the pony! I watch how they lead, groom, catch, mount etc as well as ride when they view. But I don't make a song and dance about it! And a competent home is a competent home whether it's how I do things or not.

As someone upthread said - if you want to congtrol how the horse is trained, keep it!

 

[cauda equina]

Potential buyers must provide 'an explanation of themselves' - well, where to begin?
Does he mean in an existential way, or just are you keener on hacking than dressage or prefer brown tack to black?

 

[milliepops]

Potential buyers must provide 'an explanation of themselves' - well, where to begin?
Does he mean in an existential way

hahahahahahahaha

not that I'd condone such a thing, but it's almost worth composing something to send

 

[paddy555]

taken on it's own the advert comes across as arrogant. I looked on nikicb's link and there are lots of videos of Bess and also of fell pony Josh. Same owner, there is link there to his FB page "fells and faces"

Bess is Drybarrows Arabesque. No idea if that is good or bad, I know little about Fell breeding.
There is however footage of Bess through her life, I think she is 5 and they had her as a foal. So you know exactly what you are buying, what she has done and how she reacted.

I don't think it unreasonable to be able to go up to a potential purchase in the field, catch it and ride in a headcollar as from the videos she is trained to that and they have demonstrated from their videos she is rideable. They have also demonstrated their loose schooling/groundwork. I suppose that saves you time when considering her.

This comes across as an arrogant, pedantic yet most likely genuine sale/advert. In comparison with some bought on here, especially from Ireland who by the time the bute wears off are lame, standing on their back legs, front legs or any other variation she seems a very safe purchase. I guess if you are sure there is a good market for a very rideable/easy fell then you can set any conditions re it's sale that you like.

Perhaps the advert also puts off people who see a pic of a black fluffy pony and immediately want it. If they read they need to do things like catch it, provide info about themselves and references they may have second thoughts.

I think, on second thoughts, I quite like it. They have provided a lot of info upfront about Bess (and their methods from the FB page) so I don't think it is unreasonable for a purchaser to provide equal info. to get the pony into a good home

Compared to going to be interviewed to buy a German Shepherd puppy this advert seems pretty easy.

 

[Annagain]

At least it's specific. I liked this one I saw on Facebook a while back so much I kept it!

"This prob isn't the time for me to do this because I can't get my head around the fact my daughter wants to sell this one in a million. Bombproof doesn't come close. She is a jumping machine. You're gonna have to try very hard before I even consider you as a forever home."

What the hell would a purchaser have to do to be considered a forever home?
Also, any chance of knowing a bit about the horse please?

 

[Callieann]

Have just looked at the advert and the video. If I was looking for a horse at the moment I would definitely want to view this one. I think they sound like genuine sellers. I would personally want to do everything that they are asking with any horse that I buy.

 

[Ample Prosecco]

At least it's specific. I liked this one I saw on Facebook a while back so much I kept it!

"This prob isn't the time for me to do this because I can't get my head around the fact my daughter wants to sell this one in a million. Bombproof doesn't come close. She is a jumping machine. You're gonna have to try very hard before I even consider you as a forever home."

What the hell would a purchaser have to do to be considered a forever home?
Also, any chance of knowing a bit about the horse please?

I saw one very similar Basically said: I'm mad to sell this amazing horse so you are going to have to impress me a lot to even view. And then no info about the horse at all.
People are very odd.

 

[paddy555]

Have just looked at the advert and the video. If I was looking for a horse at the moment I would definitely want to view this one. I think they sound like genuine sellers. I would personally want to do everything that they are asking with any horse that I buy.

from re reading the FB page it is the kids who have been working and training this pony. She was advertised at 2k so not as it they are asking the earth for her. A nice pony for an older person to poggle around on.

 

[canteron]

Having read the replies I think I am impressed - an effective way to weeding out ‘carrot stick haters’. Clever ?

 

[MuddyMonster]

I wouldn't word the advert in quite the same way, but I don't think they are being unreasonable in their requests and would want to do similiar, if I was ever in a position to need to sell.

Yes, once the pony is sold there is never any guarantees but it sounds like the pony is a much loved pony and owner's are doing their level best to find someone suitably matched for the pony to give everyone the best chance of success together.

I'd rather this than a dishonest sale (on either side).