Who would you NOT sell to?

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Dry Rot

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Apart from the obvious, when selling a horse, do you just take the cheque and run or refuse to sell to certain people?

What criteria do you apply to purchasers, if any? I've read a lot of objections to various types of advertisement (POA, bad photo, horses ridden by kids, people standing on horses, etc.), so let's hear it from the seller's point of view!
 
I've never sold but I wouldn't sell to anyone that wouldn't let me come and have a look at where they intend to keep the horse (might be considered too fussy). I also wouldn't sell if I didn't get the right feeling about the person. I always trust my gut feeling and it has never failed me.

I wouldn't be interested in viewing a horse if the advert was written from the horse's view (kill me now), there were pictures of kids riding with no hats, pictures of anyone thinking that standing on it will persuade me it is bombproof, pictures that show fields full of ragwort and broken fencing, pictures that are poor and show a dirty horse.

I feel a bit snobby now, I promise you I'm not.
 
Forget the selling bit, I wouldn't even let a person get on my horse to try it unless I was pretty convinced they had good quiet hands - or at least desired to ride that way.

Why would I spend hours and hours teaching my horses to have confidence in the riders hands and the bit only for some 'bad' rider to come along and yank its mouth around.

And thats before you even get to the stage of whether their genuinely understand the pure commitment in time, money and emotion it take to look after an animal.

But then, I guess, I am lucky in that I am well financed enough not to ever have to sell a horse, so it doesn't matter if it takes a day or a year to find the right person.
 
Thankfully I've only sold one - and to someone with decades of experience who came highly recommended.

But, I'd be wary of anyone who had pony club hands/legs, anyone who carried a whip on first try, anyone who said they'd want to compete, compete, compete - novices. Or as a friend recently was asked "have you got the seat thing and that mouth thing?".

Would rather stuck him out to pasture for 15 years.
 
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no one really I am firmly of the opinion that if you sell you have to let go and forget about it as you never know who is buying. I wouldn't like someone loud and violent around my horses in the first place but there is little you can do once they have left the premises. Having done the sell back to me and never seen the horse again and the its my forever horse sold on in less than a year and the I'll pay you in installments from a friend never to see the conclusion or most of the money before it was sold I am very skeptical about anyone. Friend had an agent come and buy a pony in the pretext of it being for her daughter only to be representing someone she definitely didnt want to sell her colt too so you can never tell
 
Luckily I have never been in the position of having to sell a horse, but if I ever did I think that would make me much more fussy. I think anyone selling their own personal riding horse for any reason is likely to be much more fussy than someone who sells on horses bought to bring on and sell, or who sells horses for a business.

By the way, I know a lot of people who do sell for business do like to make sure the horse is going to the right home so please don't jump on me for the above.

When I bought my girl I think it really helped her previous owner to part with her, knowing that she was going to a home where she would be loved and well looked after. The first time I phoned to enquire we ended up gassing on the phone for nearly an hour and we both felt quite open and relaxed and 3 years later we still keep in touch and hopefully she will be over to visit us soon.

I know that I would refuse to sell if I had any doubts at all and I think I would tend to trust my instincts.

I wouldn't want to sell to someone who was clearly clueless but thought they knew it all, whereas I would happily sell to a novice who was open that they needed help and had support.
I wouldn't sell to someone who I thought would not give her a long term home either . I wouldn't sell to a riding school, but I would consider selling to a (reputable) trekking centre as she loves hacking out more than anything. I would prefer a private home where she would be someone's sole attention. I don't think I would sell to someone who had a string of horses where she would just be another one. I'm sure she would be quite happy but that's just me not liking the idea... and I definitley definitley would not sell her to someone who planned to keep her where there are no other horses.
 
When I sold my old horse, the first person that came to see him didn't actually show up - her friend did (or that was the story anyway). Felt very unsure as soon as they said that, then they didn't want to see him ridden, just took my word that he was quiet. Then she tried to give me a deposit without the actual supposed interested friend even seeing him... I politely refused and thank god the next people were lovely and suited him perfectly (and are still very happy with him).
 
I refused to sell to ALOT of people when my luso was up for sale, nobody was good enough so i decided to loan, no takers so i kept her, my conscience would absolutly not have let my beautifull girl go to anyone who could have misunderstood her, abused or passed her from pillar to post.
When my kwpn was up i refused to sell him to some people he clearly did not like and i had a strong feeling they were really dealers, the next lady to view was perfect and i desperatly wanted her to have him so much i offered to drop the asking price by 40%! If she hadnt of snapped him up i would have kept him.
I think you jst know when you find the right person for your horse.
 
I tend to sell our own that we have bred, mainly show jumpers, and a few things put me off.

Selling one boy who was a 130m horse and the girl who was interested contacted me i asked her riding experience and she sent a video of her on a donkey on the beach.. She came to see him and didn't last 5 minutes.

People that really big themselves up tend to be the numpties so that puts me off a lot!
 
I had someone refuse to sell a horse to me. I was 15 and thinking about coming off ponies (I had a bomby welsh at the time who I did Prince Philip cup with). I went with my mum to see a 4 y.o. 16 hh at a local yard. The owner watched me ride and said that I didn't have the experience to cope with a young horse, which was true - I couldn't ride one side of it. I was very embarrassed at the time. She said if I was thinking of going on to horses we should get something older and experienced. Good advice. I think I would have had a lot of problems and heartache if she had not cared, and let us buy the horse anyway.
 
JulesRules said:
Luckily I have never been in the position of having to sell a horse, but if I ever did I think that would make me much more fussy. I think anyone selling their own personal riding horse for any reason is likely to be much more fussy than someone who sells on horses bought to bring on and sell, or who sells horses for a business.

By the way, I know a lot of people who do sell for business do like to make sure the horse is going to the right home so please don't jump on me for the above.

I am not jumping on you but do sell as part of my business and to some extent I think I am even more fussy than many private sellers, in part due to not wanting to risk any comeback and in part to make every effort to place something I have spent many hours carefully educating, often from being very green or just backed, in the most suitable home possible.
I recently had to sell a long term livery horse that I was very fond of and deserved a really good long term home with a knowledgeable and fairly capable rider, I turned away numerous people, some I did not allow to come even though they were really keen, many were not up to riding him so they were told he was not right for them, in a polite way, I was under pressure from the owners but until the right person came along he was not going anywhere, luckily a lovely home was found where he will stay forever.

When selling I write a very clear, fairly concise ad, nothing important is missed out and the ad is an honest description of the horse, I include a decent photo or two and would not put in any that are irrelevant, certainly none with people stood on their backs or rugged up.
I usually sell mid range priced all round types that I have either owned, had in livery or know fairly long term, they are not short term in and out for a fast buck when I know nothing really about their backgrounds, therefore I can usually match to the correct home knowing that the horse will be as described and settle in quickly, they leave with a full and detailed history which helps the new owner deal with any minor details they may forget to ask, I also encourage them to be vetted before purchase, that way both sides are covered.

Buying I rely a lot on instinct, I will not go to see something if I do not get the right feel from the seller during a phone call, I do much the same when selling someone can give me a bad feeling and not be allowed to come, I will not look at badly written ads, unless I am looking for a project, pointless photos put me off, I frequently buy the first one tried as I am so picky before going that unless something has been missed out or I have been misled it will normally be just what we have been searching for.
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I have only sold one of my own so have only had the luxury of choosing once.

I refused to sell her to the people that made the mare very on edge, I also refused to sell her to the family wanting her for their daughter who would not lead her round to the round pen to be lunged, she would not lead her as she was too big!!! so exactly why were they looking at a big horse?

the woman the mare was calm and relaxed with that offered me below my asking price was the one that I sold her to
 
We've bred some to sell. Most went to friends who've popped over to see us, & seen the youngster in the field. Because they know us, they know how the horses have been brought up and never hot-housed or pushed. Others we found the horse chose their new owner. They were instantly relaxed in their company and seemed to click with them. We never sold for price, always for the home they were going to. We are still in regular contact with everyone we've sold to.
 
WindyStacks said:
Thankfully I've only sold one - and to someone with decades of experience who came highly recommended.

But, I'd be wary of anyone who had pony club hands/legs, anyone who carried a whip on first try, anyone who said they'd want to compete, compete, compete - novices. Or as a friend recently was asked "have you got the seat thing and that mouth thing?".

Would rather stuck him out to pasture for 15 years.
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Why would you not sell to anyone that wants to compete? That pretty much rules out a lot of prospective buyers

Are you trying to imply that in your eyes anyone that competes or has a desire to compete te new horse (even if they've competed successfully in the past) is a novice?! I recently bought myself a new horse to compete and I certainly wouldn't class myself as a novice haha
 
I've refused to sell Milo to several people - one of the first who enquired (bearing in mind this is a weanling to make 16hh) said she wanted him for her daughter to do pony club games on, everytime I said he's going to be too big/is too young she had some excuse/solution etc, in the end I just stopped responding.
There was also a fellow livery who kept going ' in a month or two when I ahve the money I'll buy him' - she can't get near her own horse and is scared of him and is a complete beginner who was asking yo for lessons on how to lead her horse. Now I know everyone has to start somewhere and I don't have a problem with that but I am not going to sell a weanling to that sort of person/level of experience
 
I don't sell to the best rider.
I don't sell to the most experienced.
I don't sell to the highest bidder.
I don't sell to the most competitive or ambitious rider.

I've chosen the person who got the best response from the horse and had the best attitude. The person who has an instinct for understanding the best way to care for and train the animal. The one who is open to ideas and willing to learn new things in order to give the horse a varied but constant life.

And the person who wants to keep it on individual turnout or stabled 24/7, wouldn't get beyond the initial telephone enquiry.

The people who now own the horses I've sold have all been wonderful. They keep in touch and let me know their progress. I couldn't have wished for better homes.
 
Polos said:
Why would you not sell to anyone that wants to compete? That pretty much rules out a lot of prospective buyers

Are you trying to imply that in your eyes anyone that competes or has a desire to compete te new horse (even if they've competed successfully in the past) is a novice?! I recently bought myself a new horse to compete and I certainly wouldn't class myself as a novice haha
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No, just not interested in selling to anyone who never takes the time out for a gallop in the woods just for the sheer hell of it.
 
vickyb said:
I had someone refuse to sell a horse to me. I was 15 and thinking about coming off ponies (I had a bomby welsh at the time who I did Prince Philip cup with). I went with my mum to see a 4 y.o. 16 hh at a local yard. The owner watched me ride and said that I didn't have the experience to cope with a young horse, which was true - I couldn't ride one side of it. I was very embarrassed at the time. She said if I was thinking of going on to horses we should get something older and experienced. Good advice. I think I would have had a lot of problems and heartache if she had not cared, and let us buy the horse anyway.
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I had a similar experience, it was actually my great uncle who said that the 16.1hh ISH that was 5 (but only recently broken) was too much for me, but if I wanted he'd go over to Ireland and find me a nice Connemara! I actually ended up with a Welsh Cob in the end.

I think if I was selling I'd have to be realistic. We often feel like nobody could ever look after or know our horses as well as we do but in reality that isn't really true, there are lots of fantastic owners out there! Also need to take into account how quickly the horse needs to be sold so if it was an emergency sale then maybe there isn't time to be as choosy as you would like.

I also don't think that going to a dealer is the worst thing that can happen to a horse, provided you get a good dealer. I think it's a shame for the horse to be sold twice in short order as it's likely to unsettle the poor thing but I'm not an experienced seller and perhaps a dealer would have the knowledge to find a better home than I could!
 
WindyStacks said:
No, just not interested in selling to anyone who never takes the time out for a gallop in the woods just for the sheer hell of it.
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Plenty of people who compete also hack and gallop! I do, in fact have you seen the pictures of princess sparkle and NMT taking their dressage horses round the gallops?
 
I refused to sell before now. Most memorable was the lady who was "using" Charlie horse over and over a big jump, in deep going, not jumping well, who would not stop when requested. My husband tackled the horse and grabbed the reins and told her to get off. She later threatened to sue us for not selling us the horse!!!!

After a few bad experiences with that horse my husband bought him from me and Charlie horse taught hi to ride.

Another offered us a blank cheque for my first eventer. I would have sold to him, but his girlfriend was going to ride the horse on weekdays, and that was NOT a match.

I took about a third of the price that he went to before offering a blank cheque, but it was to the right owner, who I am still in contact with now, and who adored my horse and kept him until he sadly needed putting to sleep at a ripe old age after a long and successful eventing career and long retirement.

My last horse I sold for £1 as the home was perfect, and the horse has been adored ever since, and is introducing his new owner to BD.

I can't think I will ever sell Jay.

I am not rich by any stretch, but my boys are more like family.
 
WindyStacks said:
No, just not interested in selling to anyone who never takes the time out for a gallop in the woods just for the sheer hell of it.
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My mare hacks out and goes on the gallops, albeit to build up her fitness but it's good for her education and much more interesting than being stuck in the school. Not every rider who competes does nothing but stay in a school, so please don't tar us all with the same brush :)

Diamonds in the rough dressage (Both sisters) are a perfect example of how to reach a good balance between schooling and hacking as they have a pair of happy well-educated horses thus allowing them to be so successful with their dressage
 
I know someone who doesn't give a 2nd think to ask someone to get off her horse if they are not right. I always explain my ability over the phone to owners before even thinking of booking a viewing. :)
 
I think all you can do is use your best judgement on the suitability of anyone you are selling to but you have to accept that once you have sold there is little you can do if you are not happy.

I had put off advertising one of our horses as she she a slightly quirky, sensitive mare that needs time to settle with a new rider so I felt someone coming to try her wouldn't get a true picture and I was unlikely to get any response if I put "Need to come and try her a few times before buying" in the advert! Luckily a friend who has been riding her got married recently and her new husband bought her as a surprise wedding present which was great.

I have a riding school and livery yard and I know many people are loathe to sell to riding schools which makes it hard to buy sometimes. However I have had several horses over the years that owners who know us have been happy to sell, gift or long term loan to us, happy that we will look after them well. Sadly occassionally, despite your best judgement, things don't work out as you expect them to. I had one much loved RS horse and a girl that used to work for us years before reappeared and was looking for work so I tried to accomodate her - once back she begged me to sell her this horse as she had persuaded a friend to buy him for her. She always liked this horse and sorted out stabling etc so I sold him as cheaply as I could afford to feeling that it would be a nice change for him in his later years and was a forever home with someonbe who would care well for him. Sadly this was a bad decision, while I think he probably is being cared for ok, the girl I sold him to, a now banned poster on here, started a vendetta against me online. She stated she had rescued him, that he had been badly cared for etc. She claimed he was given bute daily - totally untrue, had ulcers, was malnourished etc etc. Fortunately anyone who knows me knows that this was not the case and my vet even offered to give me a letter of support if I was tempted to take things further however I decided to be the bigger person and ignore it as the people who matter to me know the truth. Fortunately I rarely sell horses but I will be very careful in the future.
 
When selling shetlands you get a lot of people asking if they would be suitable for their kids to learn to ride on, be kept in the garden, live in a dog kennel and cost no more than £50 including all tack and delivery.

Anyone who can't speak or type correctly is straight out. Kids are straight out. Chancers, idiots, joy riders, plebs, morons, inexperienced people are all out. That is why I now have 17 beasts kicking around including our last 3 foals which are now 6 & 7 years old ...
 
I had one woman who came to see my green mare.

She was rather plump for starters, potientally too big for my girl. She wanted to give me £450 cash then and there without trying her and then a further £450 when she got paid.

And I had heard the yard she would have moved to had lots of cases of grass sickness.

To make matters worse she posted pictures of my mare on her facebook saying she now owned her?

Never again
 
I told a little 14yo who wanted a horse to bring her on cause she didn't like riding school ponies to trot on. Also a nervous adult who wanted a pet. I know of a few people who collect the very cheap or free horses and sell them on in a week as the perfect pet for £50/100 so i wouldnt sell to them.
 
i think you get that gut feeling?

i honestly didnt want to sell my mare... still never would - but i was asked about a full loan and soon as i met the girl who has her now i knew she would take so much good care of her.

I think gut instinct for me is the thing i always listen too.. anyone novicey/dealer or anyone who dosent want me to view the yard isnt going to win with me...
 
About ten years ago, I did a bit of buying and selling in a very small way. One pony I bought to sell is still sitting in a field of mine as a companion pony because I'm a soft touch and fell in love with her! However.........I bought a 14hh coloured pony straight off the transporter from Ireland. He was about four, and he just looked so genuine, I bought him. What a little star! He was totally bombproof, reliable, well behaved - a saint! We left him "traditional' (despite our own horses having two inch long manes!!) and advertised him after a couple of months of putting him through his paces. A family came to see him and they were AWFUL!! They fell in love with him, wanted him, but I couldn't bear to sell this cracking little lad to them - he would have been totally wasted. The next day they rang to say they were willing to pay the full asking price.......I took a deep breath and said I didn't want to sell him to them.......I then received multiple abusive phone calls - even from their relatives! I have no regrets - I sold him to a local woman (who knew him) for a far lesser sum, but I was happy he'd stayed local and not been sold to that awful family!
 
After seeing the thread 'should I seek legal advice after horse purchase' probably no one... We live in a culture of suing for the slightest thing. If the horse passes a 5 stage vetting how can someone think it is reasonable to sue 6 months later? Crazy!

And then there's the people who vastly overestimate their own ability and over horse themselves and blame the resulting ridden issues on the previous owner withholding things.

No wonder the bottom has fallen out of the horse market
 
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