What would you do with this horse?

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natalia

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Bit of a dilema. Three months ago I bought a nice coloured mare on a bit of a whim unseen from Scotland, she came direct from her breeder. She arrived and I lightly backed her, then due to complete lack of space out her out n November. I have just brought her back in last week. She is lunging and long reining well and i've ridden her round the yard. She's fairly clueless though and needs a lot of work and more long reining (just stands there looking puzzled but fine with mounting block ect.) I have watched her go loose now and she's not really what I wanted, she moves well enough but lacks the pazaz for top level coloured showing and hasn't really got enough jump for me to warrant keeping her as a jumping horse. She is essentially a nice Riding club type who would do well locally. So I thought I might advertise her-
http://www.horsemart.co.uk/advert/5_yrs_15_2_hh_piebald_surrey/84913
But do you think this advert looks a bit dodgy? There is nothing wrong with her, and she has genuinely been a brood mare, she's just not quite what I was after to keep as a long term project, was worth a shot but will ultimately just frustrate me as I'm quite competitive. I have put I'm happy for her to go on loan for a month before purchase but am now having second thoughts in case some idiot ruins her and then expects me to take her back, but really am not sure what to do as I want to find her the right home. Does anyone else think loan for a bit is a good idea or not? I haven't priced her to make a profit either, thats what she's cost me and I just want to see her go to someone she would be right for as she really wasn't bought to sell. I would consider part ex on another slightly more flashy coloured so this could be an option.
 
I think it is a lovely, genuine ad and you will have no problems selling her, she seems extremely reasonably priced to me. She looks very happy and relaxed with a rider on her back, considering she has done so little.

If I were buying a horse I would be ringing you straight away. The fact you have given a loan option is fabulous, although be very careful. There are plenty of genuine people out there but lots of not so genuine.

I am in no doubt you will sell her very quickly and hope you find her a wonderful home where she will be adored, she looks so honest.

Best wishes xxx
 
I would personally avoid a loan with view to buy situation having had a bad experience in the past. She looks like a lovely sort so I'm sure you'll be able to find her a really good home.
 
A loan may be a good idea but personally I think a month is a very long time... a young horse can change a lot in that time! I'd say a fortnight would be more realistic... or why not say "trial period could be negogiated"

I wouldn't say you bought her on a whim

and

Are you a dealer? Just asking because of all of the ads.
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She's just what my mum's looking for - potential RC type - but you're far too far away!
 
Katherine says was the hose not working when you took those photos
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She thinks you should ride her for a few weeks so she's done a bit more, maybe take her on some outings.
 
Yes I am a dealer, but I did actually buy her for myself! I had a top class coloured mare last year to show and after selling her really missed it so went looking for another, but the internet, a bottle of wine and a paypal account are a very dangerous combination. I think trial could be neg. is actually better. I can't justify having her on the yard as she's taking up space and time and i have breaking liveries waiting to come in who will take her space and pay. Munchkin, your not that far! I bought her from Scotland (am in Surrey!) and paid £250 to get her brought down here.
 
She is a lovely sweet looking mare and I agree very reasonably priced. I am sure you will have trouble selling her. Yes I would say trial period negotiable personally as others have suggested.
 
Rosanna, no hose wasn't working! I just took a couple of quick ones! I don't want to take her on outings when I have Maddie who needs jumping and its far more interesting to go BSJA every week than potter round baby stuff.
 
Gosh definately don't let her go on loan; so many idiots out there, someone could really do a good job of ruining her in a month
 
TB i dont like some of the things in the advert. Mainly, shes been back in work a week and youve lunged, long reined and sat on her all in a week. Particularly as you say in the op that you bought her 3 months ago and shes been turned away for 3 months. So although you say lightly backed, she has basically done very little. Secondly, you say you can get her ridden away and cantering in a few weeks. You say shes clueless but she hasnt done anything! Of course shes clueless!

IMO this is rushing the most important education of a horses life. If someone not experienced enough to do this themselves then buys her and gets you to do this, there will be trouble once shes gone!

I most certainly wouldnt consider a loan. Again, an experienced person wouldnt need this. So much can go wrong and youd be left with a spoilt horse. Loaning is asking for trouble. A genuine, experienced buyer will come back several times if neccesary. And an inexperienced buyer shouldnt be buying a just backed youngster!

You also contradict yourself, you say you will take an offer for a quick sale then say you are not in a hurry to sell her. You say you donthave time to do her then you say if someone pays you you will do more work on her. Either you have time or you dont?

I dont mean to sound harsh, and no offence intended, its just my opinion. She looks like a straightforward, good all-rounder type, as you say. And her price isnt awful. I just dont think the advert and photos do her justice and make you sound a bit dodgy (with the contradictions and hurried education!). I feel your advert will attract the wrong kind of buyer, i.e. an inexperienced person.
 
I'd travel further if I was spending more on the horse, if that makes sense. As it is, I wouldn't buy unseen, which would mean at least one trip to Surrey (time factors as much as anything) plus we can't take another until Spring, when my baby one is out 24/7. Don't tempt me.
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Teddyt- This is what i mean! Its a bit jumbled! I am happy to do the work on her if someone pays me, I have mine ridden away in a week or two normally, but she's currently worked inconsistently as I have paying liveries who get priority work wise and too many to do/not enough hands on deck so she's not getting the work. FYI I tend to lunge, long rein and sit on all in one day, in short sessions, lunge in school then long rein out round the farm then have a quick sit on while they are on the yard, even if it's just walking round the yard, mine are then ridden away from this over the course of a week and will normally start by doing the same routes they would long rein round progressing to hacking out in company progressing to going in the school when they are balanced and ready. This however takes a good two hours of my day up which I just can't justify for something thats not exactly what I want and will never be worth top money as a seller. I am happy to be flexible to the right person / home, hence if someone wanted to take her and pay less quickly then fine, but if they want her faffed about with then it will be more. Time is sadly money and as i have 2 that i would rather keep about and jump and produce properly, she is just a luxury. I won't let her go to just anyone as she's a nice person and wasn't bought to sell, rather find a good home but i realise that some people may have the experience but lack the funds, hence will take less money for a quicker sale to a decent home, someone may want her to produce on to make a nice riding club horse then sell after she's done a bit. Maybe home more important than price would be a better way to put it? Agree photos are awful, will take some better ones tomorrow or monday, but she's not looking her best right now as has been out so isn't looking as finished as I would like.
 
Maybe simplify the advert a bit- dont say so much. Alot of what you say can be said on the phone. Try to sell her good points a bit more and some better photos.

I understand what you mean about time being money, of course you have to put the paying ones first if you want to make a living. I just dont think it comes across brilliantly in the advert and some people wont understand that.

She looks like a relatively straightforward horse that someone can get on with now at a good price- try to explain this more. The ad as it stands may put people off, as explained above (imo) but if you push her good points a bit more you shouldnt have trouble selling her as she seems very genuine.

I think in your well meaning efforts to tell the whole story you havnt written the best advert to attract the right buyer
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