would you sell a horse to a dealer?

Have doen in the past. Didn't have the time to waste on people who never showed up, couldn't ride to the required level, etc, etc. However, the dealer in question was someone I knew well and trusted to find the right home for a difficult sell.
 
Sell no. When I was just a kid my mum sold my rather dangerous horse to a dealer - someone contacted us about the advert and we passed on her details to the dealer. He sold the horse less than a week later for a £3k profit and we did all the grunt work! Regretted that as she had our contact details from the previous add and although we had advertised him as not a novice ride and does buck a lot (honest and in add - hence not being able to sell him privatley) she was a novice and the dealer took advantage! He broke my back and nearly killed her before being diagnosed with KS and wobblers. Shame really as he was a sweet horse and is now retired in a field. Please note this was when I was a teenager 6 or 7 years ago now and I was also a novice so just thought he was "naughty" not in pain or I would never have sold him on!! Had I known then what I had known now I would have had him checked myself and PTS.

Would consider sales livery with reptuable dealer who offers no sale reduced fee or something to make sure they try to sell :)
 
I did many years ago and as above was young. I had bought a TB who when trying out was placid and very underweight, wouldnt even canter, I presume she was doped as from the day she arrived she was a looney and wrecked my confidence so much I refused to get on her. I kept her 18 mths, she was lovely to handle but just not to ride. I contacted the dealer I bought her off asking if they'd have her back, they didnt remember her but came with the horsebox, took one look at her and said no thanks and off they went. She looked fantastic so that wasnt the reason, I think the fact they wouldnt have her for free said something. Another dealer came, I was truthful, I rode her :eek: and they bought her off me. I didnt want someones parent ringing me up to say she'd injured someone so it seemed the best option Im ashamed to say.I cried out of relief and guilt when she went.
I wouldnt do the same now though, I felt awful for a long time after :(
 
Not that I sell horses very often if at all, but my last one that was not right for my discipline and definately not naughty or anything, but a saint and genuine in all ways, I decided to send to my trainer to be sold as I found it heartbreaking enough without having the emotions associated with selling and people coming to try her etc.
She took an impressive chunk out of the sale but I was grateful to her as she had to look after her and re-school her for me for 6 months. And in this climate we had to drop her original price quite a lot.
But in answer to your question, No I would never sell to a dealer as I like to know where my horse is going and how she is doing.
 
Dancing Queen said:
nope.
I would want to ensure that the horse found a good home.
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but how can you ever be sure of this when selling? the person you are selling to could be lying/ could lose their job the next day and then sell the horse to a dealer anyway? (i do understand what you are saying though!- just playing devil's advocate!)
 
diggerbez said:
but how can you ever be sure of this when selling? the person you are selling to could be lying/ could lose their job the next day and then sell the horse to a dealer anyway? (i do understand what you are saying though!- just playing devil's advocate!)
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Yeah I know but you would hope that there would be less chance of that happening with a private buyer.
But I have also asked for first refusal should they wish to sell on and I will happily take back any horse I have sold should they not get on with it/financial difficulties etc. I am very lucky to be in that position I know.
 
I have 2 too a local dealer that I've known for years. I needed them gone as soon as poss and he always has a good sort in, plus won't sell if the rider is not good enough.

1 went on to a bd home and did fairly well.

The other is still with him some 5yrs later, she turned out to be too useful to him. She nannys foals, lives out 24/7, you can pick her up after months off and take her hunting the next day. Doesn't mind being on her own, babysits other horses on the lorry, leads youngsters out on the roads, doesn't need shoeing. Perfect for them to have around, she's an old girl 24 or so now

Plus I get too see her when ever I want :D
 
At the end of the day, if you sell your horse then it’s always open to end up in the wrong hands (selling private or via a dealer). The new owner could have the best intentions but are unable to manage the horse or they may just see a good deal and think ha. I’ll make a quick buck on that one (especially in the current market).

My own horses will never leave me … so cant really comment but Ive promised the person who I bought my arab off that if I were to ever sell, he’d have first refusal and my TB, well he’s had such a tough life being passed pillar to post I’d only ever consider him going on loan to be kept on our yard so I could keep a possessive eye on him.
:rolleyes:
 
No, although I wish I could. Horse I bought off dealer (or so called private sale,:rolleyes:) turned out to be lame and with severe behavioural problems. After vet investigations, I rang the dealer and he offered to do a swop. Trouble was, I knew she'd either get doped up again or sent to market, and she didn't deserve that, so she looks pretty in my field and enjoys regular outings to the vet hospital.

Of the horses I've sold, I have chosen the most suited prospective buyer,and keep in contact and have had back those that needed to return for owners personal reasons.

However, don't have a problem with reputable dealers, just prefer to minimise the upheaval for the horse.
 
If I had to sell then there is one I'd consider, not all dealers are 'dead horse n donkey floggers' I know of a very nice yard where the horses are doated on, with great facilities and the horses are all ridden and looked after by one person who clearly enjoys and takes pride in their job, good yards bring good people and good horses land in good homes most if the time.

If there are more yards like that in the country then Is say there's a safer odds of your horse getting the right home and rider.
 
millitiger said:
Yes I would.

Not all dealers are dodgy people as some on here seem to think.
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its interesting isn't it- mention the word "dealer" and you might as well have mentioned selling your granny! :rolleyes:
i agree there are some dodgy dealers but i think a large number actually do care about their reputations- after all they rely upon good word of mouth etc for repeat business!
i actually think that a dealer might be best placed to find a good home for a horse- often the actual owners of a horse are too tied to them to act rationally/objectively about selling them....
 
I would but it would have to be the right dealer.

There is a lady I know who runs a riding school. She'll often buy horses, work them for a few months and then sell them as "school masters" but her prices are so high that the horse is pretty much guaranteed a good home. She can ask for a better price than an average private seller because she has the facilities and time to see all the buyers.

If I had to sell I would sell to her because I've had bad experiences with buyers and viewers in the past and I really can't be doing with the aggro.
 
I sold a fab horse to a private home where he was ruined and turned into a rearer, so bad homes are not only found through dealer's yards. I will never sell a horse I am fond of ever again (if I can possibly help it).
 
I freely admit that I'm a hypocrite because while I wouldn't sell to a dealer I prefer to buy from a (good) dealer...so where are their horses meant to come from?
 
If your horse is a decent horse then it wouldnt end up in the dealers yard for very long. They are not stupid.
If your horse has 'issues' then perhaps it is your own fault if it ends up going from dealer to dealer
 
Not personally, but admittedly my mum sold her horse to the wrong person who sent her to a dealer in exchange for another horse.

luckily she ended up in a lovely home with people who love her to bits think the world of her and she is worked regularly she thinks it is great and we are going to visit soon.
but it is a risk and i would never sell my horse to one.
 
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