Would this be seen as cruel to perspective buyers

[bexwarren24]

I have a 2 year old colt for sale, ok he is only a dartmoor pony and I have had him advertised for what i think is cheaply (even if he is a colt) for the last two months. I've been trying to target him as a potential future childs pony as he is so quiet and brave. He has a superb jump and I was telling a friend how he keeps jumping out of his field. Anyway, to cut a long story short she thought i should take a picture of him jumping over some poles in the school. Now my question is if i put an advert on with him jumping at two years old will people look postively towards it or will they just think I'm a mean person that hammers young horses over jumps (I'm really not, i have only asked him to jump a few times). Its just that one of the photos i got in my opinion is showing what great potential he'll have as a jumping pony. Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[BBH]

Loose jumping = yes
Under saddle jumping = no.

IMO I wouldn't look favorably on buying a backed two years old. You know that you haven't done much with him but a buyer might think you're in a rush with him.

 

[Nash2]

I don't think it would look cruel to have a pic of him popping over a not too big pole loose or on the lunge tbh - he is a bit young but like you said might show nice action etc but I think you'll find your main problem is that he is a colt and being advertised as a potential childs pony - if he has nice breeding and is a potential stallion then that's different but he needs to be advertised as so - if he is to be a childs pony then I think you need to have him cut really. When I was looking for a young pony it put me off if they were a colt and I asked a few if they would be willing to have him done before I had him - I know it's not a major or mega expensive thing but there are risks so why buy one if you have to have that done straight away? Hope that helps that's just my opinion I think he needs gelding.

 

[bexwarren24]

LHS, its loose jumping, def not under saddle.

Nash - I have tried advertising him as both, his breeding is reasonable even though not sure if anyone would want to breed from him, even though i did have someone ring from Germany wanting him as a stallion for their stud out there. I understand your point about gelding him and I would be willing to do that for extra money but at the price he is at the gelding would cost as much as him!! At the moment he has shown no coltish behaviour so I just havent bothered but understand where you are coming from.

 

[Kenzo]

Personally I would not, not because I think its cruel etc, but the fact that the pony is a 2yr old NF colt, I don't think it would look very professional or give off the 'potential childs pony look' if you see what I mean.

I would just mention in the advert that pony is already showing a natural talant for jumping, should anyone enquire about this, you can forward photos on request or show them at the viewing.

Either way, hope he finds a nice home.

 

[Alexart]

I wouldn't put pics of him jumping in an add or on the lunge - he is too young. I would get a really good conformational shot on a sunny day with him looking his best.

But as others have said I'd get him gelded now before the flies come out, you are seriously narrowing your buyers by having him still a colt at 2, most people looking for a child's pony would not have the facilities to have a colt or the knowledge, he may not act like a colt now but change his circumstances and he will do, I wouldn't want a colt round children. Plus people tend to view adds with colts that are still entire but not breeding quality as people trying to cut corners.

There are so many ponies out there that they'll not even look at the add unless he is ridiculously cheap and then god knows where he'll end up, geld him and put the price up to cover it. Unless he is outstanding quality and has been to a few shows to prove to people he is breeding potential, people won't bother as they're going to think exactly as you are - it's going to cost a lot of money and hassle to have to buy a pony have to let it settle then geld it and with the summer/flies just round the corner they may have to wait till winter.
You have to look at it if you don't geld and hope someone comes along you could be waiting months or more and how much extra is that going to cost with farrier/wormer/care/possible injuries/more adverts/having him gelded anyway and having to wait a few weeks after with extra care etc then reaching winter when no-one buys and possibly having him till next year, so I know it is forking out a load of money now but it may pay off in the long run.