How do amateurs sell horses...Want to rip my hair out...

[jstov96327]

This question is to amateurs who have sold horses…

I have a nice, young OTTB that hasn’t worked out for me and he’s been for sale for several months. I’ve had a lot of interest in him but I am about to pull him off the market because of how many times I’ve had my time wasted. I have extensive video of him that are on his ad’s and I feel I’ve been extremely upfront about him needing an experienced rider and being forward. I’ve had 2 people who both seemed like they knew what they were talking about and claimed to lesson with reputable people come out and I actually had to ask them to get off because I was terrified they were going to fall they were so inexperienced. A few people not show up. He’s a nice prospect and priced very fair IMO. I’m considering just sending him to a pro to sell so I don’t have to deal with this nonsense anymore!

[StarstruckEventing]

I’m an ammy who has had reasonably good luck putting some training on horses and selling them down the road. I will say I think it is important to give prospective new owners a thorough chance to get to know the horse before deciding outright they aren’t a good match. Your horse is used to you riding him and they are used to other horses. It may take them a bit to get in sync. Especially on a more sensitive horse that may look scary without intervention. Don’t be afraid to “give them a lesson” on how your horse goes best (e.g. “Why don’t you walk him around in a figure eight and try to get him on the bit. No, he doesn’t respond to see sawing on the bit, try closing your fingers and pushing him forward into the contact. Ok, now trot a 20 meter circle…” etc) Once they get the feel of eachother then let them free to do as they please.

Tire kickers are always going to be a problem and it is frustrating as hell. It goes with the territory though.

[jstov96327]

Thanks! I appreciate that. I want a great match for him so i guess i’m being a bit picky and it does take a bit to get used to a new horse…I just don’t want to see him for sale again in 3 months because he was too much for the buyer

[StarstruckEventing]

No problem! That is ALWAYS my main priority as well. I have had really good luck allowing my horses to go out on 2 week trials with serious prospective buyers. I always make sure to have a signed contract, photo of their drivers license and a check covering the full asking price of the horse before letting it off of my property. I know it is only a matter of time before I get burned doing this, but it has made sure that the new buyers of the horses I’ve sold are completely happy with their purchase.

[enjoytheride]

[QUOTE=StarstruckEventing;8916339]
I’m an ammy who has had reasonably good luck putting some training on horses and selling them down the road. I will say I think it is important to give prospective new owners a thorough chance to get to know the horse before deciding outright they aren’t a good match. Your horse is used to you riding him and they are used to other horses. It may take them a bit to get in sync. Especially on a more sensitive horse that may look scary without intervention. Don’t be afraid to “give them a lesson” on how your horse goes best (e.g. “Why don’t you walk him around in a figure eight and try to get him on the bit. No, he doesn’t respond to see sawing on the bit, try closing your fingers and pushing him forward into the contact. Ok, now trot a 20 meter circle…” etc) Once they get the feel of eachother then let them free to do as they please.

Tire kickers are always going to be a problem and it is frustrating as hell. It goes with the territory though.[/QUOTE]

This makes you a pro. NOT an ammy. I hope if you are showing you are showing as a pro.

Otherwise I agree with the rest of your post.

[asterix]

I’ve only sold one, and next time, I’m totally having a pro do it. It was a horrible experience (and, yes, the horse ended up in a GREAT home and it had a happy ending, but seriously, it was an awful process).
Some of the highlights…

• “what do you mean my narrow tree saddle doesn’t fit your wide draft cross? looks ok to me.”
• “much bigger than I expected.” (she wouldn’t get within 10 feet of him, much less get on - he was, as the ad said, a “big 17 h draft cross”. Loads of pics under saddle apparently failed to convey his size.)
  *“he doesn’t fit in my trailer.” (after loading him IN the trailer to take him home. after telling me her OTHER horse doesn’t fit in the front stall of her slant load.)
• “he has navicular.” (xrays looked identical from 5 years prior, horse was in serious work, never been lame except for an abscess. Still sound years later).
• “can you give me a 30 day money-back guarantee that he won’t spook?”
• “there’s something on this xray that my vet thinks might be hock arthritis.” (10 years old, hunting first field, evented through training, 2nd level dressage. Flexed a 0 all around. Xrays identical to 5 years prior).
• “client wants something with a little more fire.” (client got on, galloped around in the field for a few minutes, and just as I was about to suggest he quietly pop a little log for a warmup, whipped horse around and jumped him over a prelim drop fence. horse was a prince, guy had no idea how to ride, I just about had a heart attack.)

We won’t even discuss the time I did leave the horse with someone and he jumped out a 4 board fence and hightailed it down a major road. Horse was a total laidback sweetiepie who got along with everyone. Apparently he was in a paddock with the barn bully. Because that’s where you should put the sale horse who doesn’t belong to you and is only on your farm for a weekend.

[yellowbritches]

Yep. Everything you are describing is why pros get business selling horses on consignment.

[Sticky_Situation]

Yes … that is why so many people send their horses to pros to be sold. Pros are more likely to be able to network and find serious, appropriate potential buyers.

If the horse is a packer or a relatively idiot-proof trail horse, it’s so bad to try to find a buyer … but the ones that need a more skilled or knowledgeable rider are tougher to sell on your own (not that it can’t be done, but it’s a PITA and even the knowledgeable bites will probably be expecting to get him for a steal if he’s not associated with a professional trainer).

[Blugal]

I had forgotten how much I hate it until this summer when I took on a resale project. Once she was sold (and I just saw a great video of her with her new owner on FB) I decided that I am totally done with that! Now I have the luxury of my own horses for keeps, and a job that is supposed to pay for them…

[Manni01]

[QUOTE=Blugal;8916568]
I had forgotten how much I hate it until this summer when I took on a resale project. Once she was sold (and I just saw a great video of her with her new owner on FB) I decided that I am totally done with that! Now I have the luxury of my own horses for keeps, and a job that is supposed to pay for them…[/QUOTE]

This ^^^^^^^

And I second the pro… It is heartbreaking that it is necessary but obviously its the only way…

[StarstruckEventing]

I wish it didn’t affect Amatuer status (although I completely understand why it does) to sell horses for other people. I genuinely like it, although it can certainly be frustrating and stressful at times.

[FatCatFarm]

I LOATHE selling horses. It’s an exasperating process to say the least. I swear, people DO NOT READ the ads! I briefly listed a big flashy gelding I have who is forward and sensitive and who’s least favorite discipline is dressage. I even put that in the ad and guess what? Yup. The two most serious people inquiring about him both wanted him as a dressage horse. And yes tire kickers and endless requests for more photos and videos can drive you nuts.

However, when the right person comes along it is wonderful to have the horse going to someone you feel good about. Forward and sensitive are the hardest to place. Hang in there.

[SnicklefritzG]

Pros usually have a fantastic network as others have said, especially those with a well established consignment business.

I found my horse through one such person. My horse had been on the market for maybe 2 weeks and then I bought him. He is a fantastic match. Even Marilyn Payne told me so herself.
So I think working with a pro can really help.

My impression is that the consignment barns tend to have higher priced horses and so the type of potential buyers they get are more serious. I think they also tend to have a good sense of what type of horse to match to different riders. That can help make matches more quickly.

OP, are you boarding at home? Or at a farm? If the former, maybe keep him for the winter, continue training, and then try selling in the early spring when people start looking again seriously. At that point maybe he will have more training, could sell for a higher price, etc.

If you want to sell before the winter or during winter, maybe send him to Aiken for a month or two?

[TheHotSensitiveType]

I have sold a horse exactly once and have absolutely no desire to do it again!

One problem you seem to be running into is that many people are not able to accurately assess their own abilities… The less you know the better you think you are…

I hope the right person comes along soon! Horse selling is not something I would wish on anyone.

[Chouteau]

Following, as I will be listing mine in the next few weeks, a first time experience for me. Bad timing, as the season is over in the Midwest, not expecting much of a response actually. Going to hit the local h/j shows over the winter - he would be a great Ch/A jumper too.
Any input on the best places to list would be appreciated.
If I still have him in Feb, I am thinking the Aiken route would be best - suggestions there - to sell and then buy?
& when it comes time to look, I like forward & sensitive;)

[FLeventer]

I have a horse for sale and I have just decided to keep him as it is such a darn hassle. I dont need five horses but I have them because the amount of people that waste time and kick tires makes me want to scream.

Ive had great luck at horses under 5k but over that it seems like its a heck of a lot harder.

[FatCatFarm]

[QUOTE=FLeventer;8917252]

Ive had great luck at horses under 5k but over that it seems like its a heck of a lot harder.[/QUOTE]

Definitely

[Jleegriffith]

All I do is sales and mostly of young green Tb’s right off the track and I work full-time. I guess I am probably a crazy person but for the most part I really love it. I don’t take in horses for other people to sell because it is too much stress and pressure. I think sales allow me to work at my own pace with horses and figure out what makes them tick. I can work it around my work schedule for the most part. Sometimes they sell right away and sometimes they stay a few months.

Marketing is absolutely the key to being successful. Many years in the business guarantees wide network allowing me to reach riders of differing experience and also across disciplines. I meet some really amazing people along the way and I love networking.

There will always be horses that are tougher to sell and that leads to frustration at time. I try to vet potential buyers so we don’t waste each other’s time but sometimes you simply don’t know until you sit on the horse. I think over time I have developed a very good system of reading between the lines of knowing what someone wants and needs even if they aren’t so sure of it.

Some of the most difficult horses for me to sell are hotter types that aren’t fancy enough for a pro. Finding the right rider for them can be super tough!

[jstov96327]

[QUOTE=SnicklefritzG;8917217]
Pros usually have a fantastic network as others have said, especially those with a well established consignment business.

I found my horse through one such person. My horse had been on the market for maybe 2 weeks and then I bought him. He is a fantastic match. Even Marilyn Payne told me so herself.
So I think working with a pro can really help.

My impression is that the consignment barns tend to have higher priced horses and so the type of potential buyers they get are more serious. I think they also tend to have a good sense of what type of horse to match to different riders. That can help make matches more quickly.

OP, are you boarding at home? Or at a farm? If the former, maybe keep him for the winter, continue training, and then try selling in the early spring when people start looking again seriously. At that point maybe he will have more training, could sell for a higher price, etc.

If you want to sell before the winter or during winter, maybe send him to Aiken for a month or two?[/QUOTE]

I’m boarding at home. I’ve considered keeping him until Spring many times but 1. I don’t have an indoor, 2. He’s not a cost efficient keeper, and 3. It would be kind of nice if it was done by the Spring so I can just enjoy my season and not worry about continuing to deal with selling.

[jstov96327]

[QUOTE=FLeventer;8917252]
I have a horse for sale and I have just decided to keep him as it is such a darn hassle. I dont need five horses but I have them because the amount of people that waste time and kick tires makes me want to scream.

Ive had great luck at horses under 5k but over that it seems like its a heck of a lot harder.[/QUOTE]

I decided to keep him for about a week for the same reasons and then decided that was silly. He’s not a great match for me, I have another horse I enjoy, and he’s too young and cute to be a field ornament. But i get it, trust me!!