Would you....? (Hypothetical!)

[mini_b]

This came up in conversation today, interested to know what others think.

Currently it’s a very strong sellers market as we know so it seems they have their pick of who comes to view.

If you had someone come view your horse (RC all rounder type) and they seemed perfect in absolutely every way but were overweight or you considered them to be too large for your horse; would you sell/not sell and how would you approach that?

If you had a horse you were desperate to sell. (It was an extra money pit you didn’t need or a project too much for you) and the buyer had cash waiting, seemed sensible, aware and able to cope with disclosed difficulties... but again, was in your opinion too large, would you sell?

This is totally hypothetical and we all had very different answers!

 

[Casey76]

No, I wouldn’t (and I’m saying this as an overweight person myself).

And I would just say ‘sorry, but I don’t think you are a good match’.

 

[mini_b]

No, I wouldn’t (and I’m saying this as an overweight person myself).

And I would just say ‘sorry, but I don’t think you are a good match’.

Was going to ask how you’d approach it!

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Nope. I let a friend ride once whilst I've been pregnant and her horse was off work and I had to say sorry but not happening again. Whilst I think she perhaps wasn't too heavy (but only just), she didn't fit my saddle.

as above I'd say something like not being a good match.

 

[ycbm]

No, I couldn't. In your second scenario I would want to, but I just couldn't, if have to be starving and is probably rather eat the horse ?

I might say I had changed my mind about selling, if I couldn't find a reason for thinking they were a bad match other than the weight.

I'm selling at the moment and you've prompted me to think I should ask the rider's weight before allowing them to view. I wonder how people would take it? But I don't want someone turning up and me having to say "I'm sorry but you are too heavy to ride her", that really would be embarrassing for everyone. Would it be best to put it in the ad, something like "maximum weight for trial ride 12 stone"?
.

 

[mini_b]

No, I couldn't. In your second scenario I would want to, but I just couldn't, if have to be starving and is probably rather eat the horse ?

I might say I had changed my mind about selling, if I couldn't find a reason for thinking they were a bad match other than the weight.

I'm selling at the moment and you've prompted me to think I should ask the rider's weight before allowing them to view. I wonder how people would take it? But I don't want someone turning up and me having to say "I'm sorry but you are too heavy to ride her", that really would be embarrassing for everyone. Would it be best to put it in the ad, something like "maximum weight for trial ride 12 stone"?
.

I’ve seen a few for sale/loan that say a max weight on the advert so you can get that out there before you speak to them. But then how can you make sure? Have them jump on a scale? Many don’t know how much they weigh.

If mine were for sale I feel I would get a lot expecting him to be a weight carrier purely down to his size. He isn’t.

 

[Caol Ila]

I'm going to look at one today where over the course of a chilled out chat about the horse, the seller said she was looking for a fairly light rider. Luckily, that's me, so I didn't think too much about it, to be honest, but I suppose it could have been awkward if I wasn't.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Not sure what platform you are using to sell YCBM but I think a short simple sentence like “max rider weight 14 stone” would suffice.

If doing over the phone then I think slipping it in to general info about the horse would work. Ie for me I’d say she’s a 14.1 pony so her back will not take bigger than a 16.5 saddle so please bear this in mind when deciding if you think she is suitable.

 

[Upthecreek]

No, I couldn't. In your second scenario I would want to, but I just couldn't, if have to be starving and is probably rather eat the horse ?

I might say I had changed my mind about selling, if I couldn't find a reason for thinking they were a bad match other than the weight.

I'm selling at the moment and you've prompted me to think I should ask the rider's weight before allowing them to view. I wonder how people would take it? But I don't want someone turning up and me having to say "I'm sorry but you are too heavy to ride her", that really would be embarrassing for everyone. Would it be best to put it in the ad, something like "maximum weight for trial ride 12 stone"?
.

You could put a weight restriction on the ad, but they can just say they are under 12 stone even if they are heavier. I think it’s really difficult to accurately guess how heavy someone is. Unless you weigh them on arrival!

If the buyer was a little too heavy, but actively losing weight and was a perfect match for the horse in every way, would you sell to them then? It’s a tricky one.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I wouldn't and I would tell them that I thought they were too heavy for the horse/pony.
Perhaps they might think twice about the appropriate steed for them when looking at another and you might save another inadequately sized horse from having to lug them around for the next 15 years.
Harsh but I would want to know if it was me, and it's not like you ever have to speak to them again so even if they kick off.. so what really
I might just feel like this because I am grumpy and unwell right now though!

 

[Lipglosspukka]

No I wouldn't.

I would hope anyone that cared more about the horse than lining their pockets would turn away an unsuitable rider.

 

[millikins]

No I wouldn't and would say why; I would aim to be tactful but my efforts at tact are rarely successful. Making a weight limit clear on the advert or phone enquiry would hopefully filter out most unsuitable buyers.

If we ever sold our Dales mare I suspect it would be an issue, they certainly seem to attract the grossly obese because they are after all "weight carriers" Even then though it's a tough call, I'd be happy for ours to carry a normal sized man who's going to be 12-14 stone naturally but he'd be in proportion.

 

[Megan V1]

No, I couldn't. In your second scenario I would want to, but I just couldn't, if have to be starving and is probably rather eat the horse ?

I might say I had changed my mind about selling, if I couldn't find a reason for thinking they were a bad match other than the weight.

I'm selling at the moment and you've prompted me to think I should ask the rider's weight before allowing them to view. I wonder how people would take it? But I don't want someone turning up and me having to say "I'm sorry but you are too heavy to ride her", that really would be embarrassing for everyone. Would it be best to put it in the ad, something like "maximum weight for trial ride 12 stone"?
.

I have seen many adverts where they state a maximum weight so I really don't see anything wrong with putting it in the advert. To be fair I would imagine that most overweight buyers would realise for themselves that they were too heavy. A friend offered for me to ride her horse but I declined as I knew I was too heavy, I am heavier than she thought I was and when I told her my weight she was glad I refused.

 

[splashgirl45]

i recently went for a hack at a riding school and on the phone when booking they asked for weight and height... they have mainly ponies so cant cater for huge people..luckily my friend and i were ok and matched their criteria..PHEW !!!!

 

[Winters100]

No, I would not sell a horse to be ridden by someone too heavy for it.

I would either put max weight in advert, or would inform by phone before, but I would certainly not let someone try the horse if they were too heavy. In my opinion kindest is to put in the advert so as to avoid any awkwardness or embarrassment.

 

[mini_b]

No, I would not sell a horse to be ridden by someone too heavy for it.

I would either put max weight in advert, or would inform by phone before, but I would certainly not let someone try the horse if they were too heavy. In my opinion kindest is to put in the advert so as to avoid any awkwardness or embarrassment.

this was my POV also.