When selling a horse?

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madgirl

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Ok well i'm a complet novice when it comes to selling a horse and I put my pony on horsemart last night and I have people coming thursday!!
What should I do? Should I ride him first on the flat and jump him or should they!? Should I take them on a hack etc??

Thanks!
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Yeah I would take them in to the school show him he can jump etc and if they ask to see him on hack then take them, i dont think you are going to have any problems selling major anyhow.
 
You should always ride the horse first. Always.

Generally it is better to groom him and turn him out in a field where he won't get dirty. When they turn up, go and catch him, give him a light groom and run him up and down for them to see how he goes. Give them time to look him over and feel his legs, back, look in eyes and at teeth.

Then if they are happy with all this, tack him up and ride him for them. After about 10-15 mins, ask them if they think he is suitable for them? If so, then allow them to ride him in a school. If that all goes well then they can take him for a short hack....but don't offer this unless they ask.

Limit the time you are with them, and show them everything that needs to be shown in a relatively short time. Then take him back and untack him. This will be the point where they generally ask all of their questions and you should know by this point whether they are interested or not.
 
you should first show him with no tack on - only a headcollar and let them assess his conformation etc. i'd first of take him in the school and demonstrate a good walk, trot, canter and a jump or two. Then let them get on and ride as much as they wish. most buyers will ask for what they want to try him at.
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You should always ride the horse first. Always.

Generally it is better to groom him and turn him out in a field where he won't get dirty. When they turn up, go and catch him, give him a light groom and run him up and down for them to see how he goes. Give them time to look him over and feel his legs, back, look in eyes and at teeth.

Then if they are happy with all this, tack him up and ride him for them. After about 10-15 mins, ask them if they think he is suitable for them? If so, then allow them to ride him in a school. If that all goes well then they can take him for a short hack....but don't offer this unless they ask.

Limit the time you are with them, and show them everything that needs to be shown in a relatively short time. Then take him back and untack him. This will be the point where they generally ask all of their questions and you should know by this point whether they are interested or not.

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Thanks Tia! Think they will probably want to hack him as they really want a hunting pony. Would you let them jump a xc fence?
He will definatly be untcked etc but probably wont be out for me to go and catch!

I though I better ride him first, I did last time but just wanted to make sure!
grin.gif
 
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Yeah I would take them in to the school show him he can jump etc and if they ask to see him on hack then take them, i dont think you are going to have any problems selling major anyhow.

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I hope we don't !!
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I would pop him in the school first, show him at his best with the rider he is used to. Do some basic flatwork at each pace, add some circles, pop him over a few fences, nothing too much as they still have to ride but enough that they can see what he is like.....then if they are happy swop over and let them ride.

If they are interested in him after that they may ask to take him out on the road to see him in traffic, take another horse if your able or go with them on foot.

Good Luck!! I know how hard it is!!
 
How I like to view a horse...

Arrive at yard earlier than stated (only by about 15mins)

See horse in it's normal environment (be that the stable or field)

Look horse over, see how it reacts to me

Be asked if I would like to see the horse trotted up

Watch horse trotted up, if I still like it then ask for it to be tacked up

Watch it being tacked up, noting any change of personality

See the horse ridden in W/T/C on both reins in a natural manner, not a hard schooling manner

I then like to be asked if I wish to sit on the horse before it is jumped. Some horses WILL change personality once they have started jumping, it is a fact of the world. I always take this opportunity as I figure the owner has only warmed the horse up and I can then get on and actually ride it how I ride.

If I like the horse and am happy with it I will go on to jump it over a couple of fences, nothing over 1m usually

I then ask the owner to get back on and jump the horse properly so I can watch its action

After untacking horse I like to see it trotted up again and at this point I chat to the owner regarding anything I want to know.
 
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I would pop him in the school first, show him at his best with the rider he is used to. Do some basic flatwork at each pace, add some circles, pop him over a few fences, nothing too much as they still have to ride but enough that they can see what he is like.....then if they are happy swop over and let them ride.

If they are interested in him after that they may ask to take him out on the road to see him in traffic, take another horse if your able or go with them on foot.

Good Luck!! I know how hard it is!!

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Hoping to borrow one of YO's horses just so I can go with them!
 
[ QUOTE ]
How I like to view a horse...

Arrive at yard earlier than stated (only by about 15mins)

See horse in it's normal environment (be that the stable or field)

Look horse over, see how it reacts to me

Be asked if I would like to see the horse trotted up

Watch horse trotted up, if I still like it then ask for it to be tacked up

Watch it being tacked up, noting any change of personality

See the horse ridden in W/T/C on both reins in a natural manner, not a hard schooling manner

I then like to be asked if I wish to sit on the horse before it is jumped. Some horses WILL change personality once they have started jumping, it is a fact of the world. I always take this opportunity as I figure the owner has only warmed the horse up and I can then get on and actually ride it how I ride.

If I like the horse and am happy with it I will go on to jump it over a couple of fences, nothing over 1m usually

I then ask the owner to get back on and jump the horse properly so I can watch its action

After untacking horse I like to see it trotted up again and at this point I chat to the owner regarding anything I want to know.

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Thanks weezy, that is a perfect routine for me to follow! I am so nervous although I know they want a fun hunting pony to hunt with the beufort for a boy about 12/13 maybe to do BSJA on. They are only chippingham way close compared to the people who rang from Cheshire! lol.
would you want to hack the horse out at all?
 
OK as they want it to hunt then how he goes in an open space is obv important. I would certainly make him ride in the school first. If YOU are happy he is in control, then let him take M into the field for a canter, and a pop if you want to. They are not from far away so if all that goes well they can organise to come back for a hack with you.
 
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OK as they want it to hunt then how he goes in an open space is obv important. I would certainly make him ride in the school first. If YOU are happy he is in control, then let him take M into the field for a canter, and a pop if you want to. They are not from far away so if all that goes well they can organise to come back for a hack with you.

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Yes definatly well there are a few smaller hunt jumps close by and would be a good hack for him! He is behaving so well hacking too!
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What sorts of things would put you off?
 
ok! After speaking to them this morning they sound very nice and as his strenght isn't dressage they didn't seem to mind. The little boy jumps 3"3 at home and 2"6 comp and wants somthing to go a little bigger with although he didnt go his best today!
 
Stop panicking! They will either like him or they will not. It actually matter not a jot how M goes for you, it is how the boy rides and likes him. Do NOT apologise for anything BTW, just get on, do your stuff and leave the decision up to them
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Leave him in the field or stable until they get there so they can see him in his usual environment, if he is out they can see what he is like being caught. Tie him up and let them have a good look at him. Ask if they would like to see him trotted up. Give him a quick groom, pick his feet out and him tack him up.
Take him into the school. You ride him first in walk, trot and canter on both reins and ask if they would like to see him jump. If they like him they will then get on and ride him. Ask if they want to ride him in the field to see what he is like in an open space. Then ask if they want to take him on the road, either walk with them or take another horse.
Untack him and then they will ask any further questions and tell you whether they are interested.
 
I would not touch the horse until they arrive - I am always suspicious if the horse is caught, tacked up, etc. Meet them go over the basics, what he is like, any problems you have had, etc. Groom him, tack him up, and you should ride him first. MOST IMPORTANT THING WHEN YOU RIDE HIM - keep him quiet. Let them get on him, and try him out and when you say good bye - make firm plans on how the follow up will work.
 
Just a quick addition.

When I go to see a horse, if it is clean and tidy with a neatly pulled mane and hoof oil etc wiht clean tack and a freshly mucked out stable that always makes a good impression on me especially with private buyers as I feel it says 'I like to take good care of my horse and respect the fact that you will as well'.

These little things can make a big difference I think!
 
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Would you let them jump a xc fence?


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Yes I would definitely let them jump an XC fence.....providing YOU are happy with the childs standard of riding. If you do not have trust in the childs capabilities then do not let him jump an XC jump but you could perhaps put a little jump up in the arena.

Best of luck!! Keep calm, smile lots, don't get stressed - selling is easy.
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hehe thanks! there are lots of little onesI will let them jump if Me and the boy are are ok with it!

Thanks i'll try and keep calm lol!
Must be a good time to sell we have 3 horses from the yard on horsemart atm!
 
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