Why is selling horses so hard?

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piaffe

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As you may be aware I am selling my gelding, I have had him advertised on and off for a few weeks now with no success.
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I have had lots of interest but everyone seems to want a bloody rocking horse and its driving me mad. They all want saints that never put a foot wrong. One lady said she didn't want anything that might buck rear, bolt or spook (what plant is she on)

I clearly state in my advert that my horse needs an establised riderand yet Im still getting novices riders phoning for him.

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Yesterday someone said they had competed at PSG level and judged BD but there name in not on the judges list on BD and no record of them ever competing PSG- Why lie?
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I hate selling horses. The right person will come along eventually, it'll just involve a lot of wasted time money and effort!!
 
The person may have competed many years ago, or if they are a woman, competed/judged under their maiden name.

I think riding schools are to blame. They give people an exagerated idea of their abilities.

I know a riding school where the students in the advanced class jump 2'6 max... and they wouldn't know a halfpass if they saw it.

Real horses and riding school horses ain't the same creature.
 
This is the prob with selling Andys over here I feel - lots of people have the dream of owning one, but very few people realise they are hot bloods. Sure, many of them can be dopes on a rope, but they are not the straight forward, easy ride unless they have been hard schooled for years in the Spanish way (Sirena, you know what I mean, and I know you are going to say about training them the British way is just as good, and I agree, but bare with me on this one
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People also majorly over estimate their abilities, and when a nimble footed Andy tenses or steps across from under them they panic - they do not understand how vital the seat is! Then they hang on (they do not understand how sensitive the mouth is) and you have one pile of poo
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This is the reason I took a WHACKING great loss on Chico - he was very highly strung unless you were a quiet, knowledgable rider, and there was no way I could put him through lots of numpties trying him, it would have finished him off!
 
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Yesterday someone said they had competed at PSG level and judged BD but there name in not on the judges list on BD and no record of them ever competing PSG- Why lie?
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I don't get this either
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why not be honest and just say what you have been competing/level of riding at?

I wouldn't go look for a sj and say "I've ridden at foxhunter level" because it is a load of BS!
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I don't get why people have to be ashamed of what they have/haven't done
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Sorry it is taken so long Debs.....it's even sadder because V is a lovely character
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I hope you are right, Im so sad I could cry.
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He is soooooo sensitive and needs such a balanced and quiet rider and I am just worried that he is going to end up with someone who doesn't understand him and pulls him about etc.

He is just the most lovely natured horse who could be so easily messed up.
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Oh no, why are you selling V?!? It's just a waiting game, as is buying a horse..

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Im selling him as we just dont get on. Its deffo not a partnership made in heaven.
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Im a very unbalanced rider (due to pelvis problem) and this makes him tense. He just needs someone who sits still and quiet (Ima tad firery).
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Yeah, thats so true. I have stopped so many people come and try him because I just don't think they are quiet right.
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I know thats not the best way to go about it but, as you know, he's such a sensitive chap.

Also, I am wondering if I am being too honest straight away. No,I dont mean too honest, I mean, like, bombarding them with all the negatives (only really the one; tenseness) and not giving the poor little chap a chance.
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Can quite af#gree having just been through this process. Horse has now find a great home but I had some lady come with her trainer. The trainer got on, walk 3 steps forward and cracked the horse with the schooling whip for no reason, she then socked it in the teeth! When I asked the person with her why she said 'oh, she is trying to see if she can make him be naughty!' GOOD GOD!
 
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Can quite af#gree having just been through this process. Horse has now find a great home but I had some lady come with her trainer. The trainer got on, walk 3 steps forward and cracked the horse with the schooling whip for no reason, she then socked it in the teeth! When I asked the person with her why she said 'oh, she is trying to see if she can make him be naughty!' GOOD GOD!

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I would be mortified if someone did that to my horse
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People also majorly over estimate their abilities, and when a nimble footed Andy tenses or steps across from under them they panic - they do not understand how vital the seat is! Then they hang on (they do not understand how sensitive the mouth is) and you have one pile of poo
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Which is exactly the issue I'm having with Oscar! Blimey they're fun aren't they!
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I have stopped so many people come and try him because I just don't think they are quiet right.
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I know thats not the best way to go about it but, as you know, he's such a sensitive chap.

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I think that is exactly the right way to do it - don't waste their time or yours. I weed out loads before the trying stage which is a bit nerve-wracking in some ways but I have a really good hit rate with the ones that actually come
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I put him on Horse Mart, Horse and Hound (no photo) and now he is just on the BD website which is actually where i have had most of the interest.

Someone, in the first week of advertising him emailed and asked if I would take £1500 for him unseen.
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Can quite af#gree having just been through this process. Horse has now find a great home but I had some lady come with her trainer. The trainer got on, walk 3 steps forward and cracked the horse with the schooling whip for no reason, she then socked it in the teeth! When I asked the person with her why she said 'oh, she is trying to see if she can make him be naughty!' GOOD GOD!

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Thats disgusting, I think I would have done the same to her.
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They all want saints that never put a foot wrong. One lady said she didn't want anything that might buck rear, bolt or spook (what plant is she on)

I clearly state in my advert that my horse needs an establised riderand yet Im still getting novices riders phoning for him.


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I don't think its unreasonable for a potential buyer, whether novice or established, to state they want a horse with absolutely no vices under saddle. Its their cash they are parting with, and while I think they'll end up looking for a very long time, it is their perogative to select the criteria the horse they buy should meet. Could your horse be over-priced bearing in mind he sounds, from what you say, not straightforward?
 
Having seen your add on BD I don't think he is over-priced for what he has done and comparing him to the others, but I do think it's going to be tough to find the right person. As you say he is a sensitive ride so needs a certain type of rider and he is only 15hh so a little small for a lot of people, plus thing are tough out there at the moment. This will limit your market so he will take longer to sell. You could drop the price and sell to anyone, but I think if you can afford to hang on to him and wait for the right person I'd leave him at that price.
 
Have had a look at your ad - don't actually think the pictures you've chosen really show him off to his best. A side on trot or canter one might have been better.

Can't comment on price really as I don't know much about dressage, but bearing in mind he needs a certain type of rider, and is also quite small, you might have more success dropping the price a bit?

Otherwise it is really just a waiting game, selling horses is a nightmare!
 
I think he's really cute, I do like him!
Trouble is I'm not convinced theres a really good market for him, but maybe I'm wrong?
From what you have said he is quite sensitive and sharp so you need a certain type of rider which firstly narrows the market,
Then you are advertising a 7yo that actually only appears to have won 8 BD points (with the remaining 35 being given on import), and highest scores of 62.5% would probably put him in the amateur market.

The right person will be out there but I think it will be a waiting game
 
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They all want saints that never put a foot wrong. One lady said she didn't want anything that might buck rear, bolt or spook (what plant is she on)

I clearly state in my advert that my horse needs an establised riderand yet Im still getting novices riders phoning for him.


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I don't think its unreasonable for a potential buyer, whether novice or established, to state they want a horse with absolutely no vices under saddle. Its their cash they are parting with, and while I think they'll end up looking for a very long time, it is their perogative to select the criteria the horse they buy should meet. Could your horse be over-priced bearing in mind he sounds, from what you say, not straightforward?

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I agree,with what you say but ringing/ or emailing about a horse that states that it is not for novices should give them some idea.

RE price, I was told to advertise him for much more, by my trainer and a judge friend. But, like the saying goes, a horse is only worth what someone will pay for it and, like i said, i have had lots of interest, just not the right type.
 
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Have had a look at your ad - don't actually think the pictures you've chosen really show him off to his best. A side on trot or canter one might have been better.


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Yes, agree the photos on the ad aren't the best but there is also a link to a whole webpage of photos and a few videos.

RE price, I dont really want to get into whether or nt he is the right price. I have advertised him for a lot less than was reccomended and, besides people ARE interested, they just aren't right for him
 
A genuine question - does he really have the talent to go to the top?

If he does, he might be too cheap for a horse with that much potential and ability.
 
Thanks! I think he is cute too!
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RE the age yes he is 7 but he was only broken in at 5 and I can count the number of competitions he has been to on my fingers.
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Also, thats the reason why I am selling him, we dont get on, I make him tense and this drops his marks. Where as balanced riders like my trainer and one of my friends get on him and he is a different horse.
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Then you are advertising a 7yo that actually only appears to have won 8 BD points (with the remaining 35 being given on import), and highest scores of 62.5% would probably put him in the amateur market.


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Personally I would change the add to mention this (or don't mention points at all)otherwise IMO this is quite misleading. I know of at least one stallion owner who advertises their horse as having somethign like 234 dressage points yet it has never been to a competition, it was just awarded them because of age at import.
 
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Then you are advertising a 7yo that actually only appears to have won 8 BD points (with the remaining 35 being given on import), and highest scores of 62.5% would probably put him in the amateur market.


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Personally I would change the add to mention this (or don't mention points at all)otherwise IMO this is quite misleading. I know of at least one stallion owner who advertises their horse as having somethign like 234 dressage points yet it has never been to a competition, it was just awarded them because of age at import.

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I agree.

Could your trainer or friend take him out and get some more points on him whilst you're waitng for him to be sold?
 
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One lady said she didn't want anything that might buck rear, bolt or spook (what plant is she on)

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A vegetable?

Sorry - just my warped sense of humour! I know you meant planet!

Your horse sounds really nice - must be so frustrating not finding the right buyer. I wonder if you might perhaps be over-estimating how 'difficult' the horse is, because you don't really get on with him? He might not be tense with a different rider - not necessarily a very experienced rider, just one who 'clicked' better with him? Maybe you could give one or two of the less experienced people who ring the benefit of the doubt, and at least let them try him, to see if they maybe have a style that suits him?

Dunno - just a thought! You are probably doing everything right and have just been unlucky so far!
 
Have you not contemplated somewhere like Aspen Grove or Oldencraig (a reputable Dressage yard) to sell him for you as it takes the heartache out of lots of numpties trying him and a professional Dressage yard will assess him for his training, his value and compete him whilst for sale with them! You can tell them what you would like for him and they will add their commission to your figure if they feel there is a chance of getting that for him. 99% of top dressage horses are big flashy moving warmbloods with huge elevated trot paces that stand around 16.2hh + its the fashion and everyone wants one, a 15hh spanish bred chestnut horse doesn't fit into the fashion following at the moment until the likes of Carl H, Anky VG and Matt Frost compete one he wont be on an advanced Dressage riders shopping list unfortunately. The other thing I would say, coming also from the South West is this area is an Equestrian Grave Yard when it comes to selling a decent horse for a decent price, people wont travel this far thats another reason why I would consider placing him in a better area. I sold a 15.3hh 8yrs State Premium Chestnut Mare last year but I downgraded her first to remove her import points so that it gave the novice riders a chance to compete at a novice level, she was a typical chestnut mare but fetched £11k because of her paces and breeding, she used to get 9's for walk, trot, lateral work. I sent her to a friend in Oxfordshire whom sold her for me, I had tried to sell her here for 6 months at £7995.00!! The other thing I would say is your trainer/Judge if local may not be of the same opinion as the dressage judges in the heart of the dressage world ie The Cotswolds, Surrey, Sussex even though they are all supposed to be regimental with their judging. As I have a friend with 2 daughters that moved from Herts and competed very regularly at Patchetts etc and was getting 62% - 65% in novice with a very flashy little 15hh Mare she then moved here and is now livery on my yard, she competed at 3 different shows this season and obtained 78% Novice & 77.9% Elementary!!! she couldn't believe it as she said her pony went the worst ever and her comment was the Judges are far more generous with their Judging! So what I am trying to say is it may be worth having other dressage trainers assess him for you just in case it is his price that is holding back the sale. Good luck
 
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