Would YOU let a horse go on ''trial''???

Would you allow a horse to go on trial?

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Little_Miss_1

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Righty lovely lot, I am wondering if you were selling a horse and someone wanted the horse on a (local) trial for say 1 - 2 weeks, would you agree? When I have sold horses before, I have always allowed them to go on trail - I have had confidence that the horse is good and wanted the home was right for horse as well as the horse being right for the rider.

I only ask because we are looking for a little thing for my nieces (11.2-12.3 ish height) and must be suitable for them as they are novices (older one can walk, trot, canter and popo a cross pole but this was all taught on my mothers old boy who is 15hh and their legs dont reach past the saddle flaps - bless, he is a saint!) and the last think I want is to get the wrong pony and put them off.

I rang up a lady last night (the little chestnut on the right actually!) and pony seems everything we want, however she said she would not allow a trial... even when I said we could ensure an idiot proof contract would be signed and I could provide excelent references from well respected local people... but to be honest, we are unwilling to just buy a pony for the nieces and hope it is right. If it were for me, I wouldnt mind no trial (I can deal with ''quirks'' and any little dilemma that may arrise) but my nieces are small so cant and so we want it to be right...

So am I being unrealistic in asking for a trial? Would YOU let a horse go on trail?
 
No I wouldnt as know of too many things that have gone wrong with friends etc. I did offer though, when mine was for sale, that if who ever was seriously interested, I would allow them a weeks free rein of the horse permitting he stayed with me. They could see him as many times as they liked, do what they please with him etc to make sure he was right.
 
No, never ever

You could all top easily end up with a broken or badly behaved pony back (I've seen it happen! ended up with a pony back via horsepital that then needed 6 months box rest!).

Also 2 weeks really isn't enough for any pony to settle and for you to know it properly. Ask if you can go over there over a course of 2 weeks. You are more likely to get to know it better, although I would still expect the seller to sell to whoever offered her the money first (obv good home too!)
 
Back when I was breeding to sell, I always offered a trial. When you're paying 5 figure sums for a horse, I think it's important that you have an opportunity to see how they fir into you're life. We would talk usually daily on the phone or email, and that way I got peace of mind knowing my babies were safe, and buyers were happy to know that if something went wrong I would take them back.
 
In all honesty no I wouldn't. I think it takes a horse more than two weeks to settle in anyway. I'd be happy with having horses vetted, and having people coming to try them a few times, or watching them at shows etc, but I'd have to draw the line somewhere. You have to actually make your mind up sometime., and get used to what you've bought.. I've read too many posts on here from people who have either left the horse to settle in without riding for weeks, and then wondered why the horse went a bit fresh (think they doped it when I tried it...etc), or posts from people who dragged the new horse out to competitions straight away and wondered why it didn't win everything straight way.

I sold a pony in early June, and although we stay in touch with the new owner, and are willing to help if they have problems, we've even been over for a "quick pat", I wouldn't have let them have her on trial.. So if they say no, don't take it as a negative against the pony.. Our latest pony was given to us on a two week trial, as we knew his owner well and she was going on holiday. I spent the whole two weeks worrying that he'd get kicked or something!!
 
Nathan-And-Hayke said:
Back when I was breeding to sell, I always offered a trial. When you're paying 5 figure sums for a horse, I think it's important that you have an opportunity to see how they fir into you're life. We would talk usually daily on the phone or email, and that way I got peace of mind knowing my babies were safe, and buyers were happy to know that if something went wrong I would take them back.
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That's the attitude I have always had when selling. Why can't you be selling a small safe pony?!?!?!
 
I thought a trial was a good idea, to insure horses and person were suited but after bad experiences i no longer would allow a trial.


I was messed around and generally time wasted.

If someone wants a horses then they can try is as many times as they want do what they want with is and test it in any way.
But then they pay and take the horse.

I feel having a trial people arnt fully committed and the slightest issue people give up on as they think "oh i can send it back"
 
I would never allow a horse of mine to be taken off my yard by someone I didn't know, without them purchasing him first! Even if they could provide references - it's just the thought that they may then decide the horse isn't for them, and something could go wrong whilst it's with them, the pony gets hurt, develops issues or whatever, and then you'd be left with a horse still for sale and have problems to fix. Although I think I'd let someone have a few weeks of trial if the horse could stay with me, because I'd want to be sure it was the right home and the right match. But no I wouldn't let a horse go out to someone else's yard.
 
I probably wouldn't let one go away from my yard but would allow someone to try as many times as they liked at my place. I might consider it if it was someone I knew but it is always a risk, the horse could be injured or spoilt whilst away and you could end up with no buyer and no saleable horse.

I understand how you feel and it is a bit of a Catch 22 situation. I hope you find the perfect pony for your nieces.
 
That pony looks lovely and really priced to sell. I'd go and check it out if I was looking for what you want.. It looks strong enough for a teen/small adult to get on now and again if you had any problems..Don't miss out on it just for the lack of a trial...xx
 
There is no way I would let a horse/pony of mine leave my yard without being fully paid for.
As much as I understand your circumstances, I don't know you from Adam and would not risk being left with no horse and no money, or a broken horse thrown back at me.
 
Honey08 said:
That pony looks lovely and really priced to sell. I'd go and check it out if I was looking for what you want.. It looks strong enough for a teen/small adult to get on now and again if you had any problems..Don't miss out on it just for the lack of a trial...xx
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Haha! I could imagine a good bit of pony squishing!!

I just don't know... my nieces have been throught quite alot recently (parents divorce, court, having to write CAFCAS diarys because they both want full custody etc) and I think my mother just wants it to be perfect as it is something that have wanted for a long time... Also, I think that the last time my mother was buying a horse was probably the early 90's ( my eventers are mine or my aunties and her old boy is 25ish!) and she has always had a trial with any horse she has purchaced and so sees someone not willing to trial as 'dodgy'!!!
 
First answer would be no but I guess it depends on the circustances.

I'd have to vet the home with a very fine tooth comb, but if i was selling, I wouldn't sell a horse to someone I didnt think was right for the horse anyway, so to right person I'd consider it, but I'd call it a loan with view to buy rather than a 'trial' and get everything in writing inc. the insurance etc.
 
Kenzo said:
First answer would be no but I guess it depends on the circustances.

I'd have to vet the home with a very fine tooth comb, but if i was selling, I wouldn't sell a horse to someone I didnt think was right for the horse anyway, so to right person I'd consider it, but I'd call it a loan with view to buy rather than a 'trial' and get everything in writing inc. the insurance etc.
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Yep, we are willing for any home inspection / references / deposit / loan-trial agreement drawn up / welcome to visit at any time during the trial period... but still no :(
 
studentvet said:
Yep, we are willing for any home inspection / references / deposit / loan-trial agreement drawn up / welcome to visit at any time during the trial period... but still no :(
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Maybe they just a straight forward sale because they need the money, in which case I understand.

We once had someone ringing us back wanting to return a pony because it stood on their daughters toe :rolleyes: and it frightend her so she didn't want to rider her anymore, we asked if there was any other problems and they said no she's a sweet and fantastic pony and been riding her ever day with no problems etc we had to explain that horses don't purposely stand on peoples feet, at it's up to them as the parents to not leave young children unattended around their legs...specially when their shod.

:rolleyes: honestly some people, so in ways I can totally understand.
 
No! I would say something like they could have a weeks trial with the horse at my yard.
I wouldn't let her move away for so many reasons, you hear of horses being stolen/sold on etc. Mostly it isnt fair for a horse to move away for a week if it's just going to come back.
Also the person gets a better idea of the horse at the current yard as it takes longer than a week for a horse to settle somewhere.
 
I think it is a huge risk to allow a horse off your yard to a strangers unpaid for. Horses go lame all by themselves with no help from us never mind with people who don't know what they are doing. If it comes back injured or lame what comeback do you have? Also I think they can take time to settle in a new home and a trial may not be long enough. What happens if they ride/feed/use your horse in an unsuitable way? Contracts cannot be enforced when you are not around to see them being broken.
 
Ponies are slightly different and some people do let them go on trial, but for horses no never. I would let anyone come and ride as much as they like for 2-3 weeks if they are serious, take the horse to a lesson or even a cross country round, etc. but it comes back here, is fed by me! And it doesn't do anything like hunting. At least they get to see the horse when it is settled and knows what its behaviour is like normally.
 
I wouldnt let any horse or pony go on trial in a million years. Far too risky- e.g. gets kicked, laminitis, colic, ..... then the owner gets handed back a 'broken' horse, potentially unsaleable. A sudden change in grass and hay is a recipe for colic all on its own. I would happily let a purchaser come 20 times to see if my horse was ok for them but it takes time for a horse to settle in a new home so it wouldnt be a true reflection anyway. New person= new communication, environment, food, grass, maybe tack, water and loads of other things. Horses cant adapt over night and they may not behave perfectly in these new circumstances.

There is also the temptation for the new owner to do too much too soon to test the new horse/pony.
 
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