Hey OP, is this horse located in Iowa by chance? The description matches a mare for sale here that I actually really like 
[QUOTE=alterfabulous;7108948]
Under 8 y/o OTTB chestnut mare. Clean legs, sound, underwent race training, but did not actually race. W/T/C quietly, leg yields, flying lead changes. Trail rides quietly. Can handle riders of various levels (beginner - advanced). Just started jumping 2’ courses. Nice form over fences, shows scope when free jumped, nice mover. Great brain (probably the quietest horse I’ve worked with in a long time).
Horse located in midwest. Ideas on a reasonable price?[/QUOTE]
I agree with those who say you will have a lot more luck selling for a reasonable price if you get her to some shows and get her jumping a bit more. To be honest, if I read an ad like the above there is nothing in there really to distinguish her or make me think that she is better than something that I can go pick up off of the track myself for much less money.
While I agree with those who say that verbose ads with meaningless description is the most annoying thing ever…when dealing with a chestnut TB mare you really should try to find something that makes her stand out from the plethora of other TBs to be had for a pittance. IMO since she is a mare, do some research on her bloodlines. If they are good for sport there is something else you can include as a selling point (if you don’t know where to start try asking Viney in the breeding section as she knows a ton about TB bloodlines).
Also, if I am buying a horse to jump it I want to see it jump something other than a speed bump (I realize you said she was green but you could put her through a grid under saddle and make a decent sized oxer (3’ or so) at the end if she shows confidence). Perhaps she would be an easier sell in a price range you feel she should be in if you put a bit more time on her to get her jumping up to snuff? Jumping ability, form and willingness are the most important things to me when buying a jumper (or hunter)…flat work, while important, is something that can improve over time and be taught (to a certain extent) while form over fences is harder to influence and an unwilling horse is not worth trying to make an over fences horse in the first place.
Lots of good advice here.
Although you describe your mare’s great temperament, most people who need a quiet horse that jumps 2’ aren’t going to be looking at TBs. The TB factor and her young age/lack of show experience are both marks against her in the market for 2’ horses.
Although I’m sure you’ve put a lot of work into this mare, because she is only jumping 2’ courses, she is still just a “prospect” which also brings her marketability/price down. There are a million prospects out there…much fewer horses who have actually proven that they can do something.
I would be that if you could get this horse jumping 2’6" courses and get her winning some ribbons at some local shows AND get some video footage of her quietly doing that, then I think you would be in a much better place as far as selling her.
I would ballpark the value of this horse as you describe her between $1500-3500.
[QUOTE=Kyzteke;7110399]
I disagree on these points.
While I have a natural tendency toward verbosity ;), I don’t want to sell my horse to just anyone, and it’s important to me that the buyer/horse MATCH.
Not because I’m particularly high-minded person, but because when it goes South, they always blame the horse (when the human is usually the issue).
I discuss temperament, inclinations, what they know, etc.in my ads. If they are especially good in something, I mention that. I once posted a video of me wrapping a horse in a hay tarp to show how quiet she was (even though she was marketed as a dressage horse). I give my opinions on their future nature, if they are youngsters. I say what sort of buyer would fit best.
So it’s not just the first guy with a checkbook who gets the horse. But more than that, it’s saving MY time by not emailing/talking to the buyer with all these details till they have decided they want to move forward.
If they DO want to move forward, they almost always are serious, because I’ve given them so much info. So they contact me and then… I interview them :D.
That’s why I include as much info as possible in both the ad AND the video. I aim for about 5-7 mins in the video.
Because honestly? If a person can’t read what amounts to less than 1 page of copy and pay attention enough to sit through a 5 min video, I don’t really want them buying my horse either.[/QUOTE]
I discuss all of this. I however do not include it in my sales ad is simply all I’m saying. I do small sales and have had few purchase the wrong horse for them. Your initial sales ad is not where I want to know you bought fluffy because your grandma came to you in a dream and told you she’s the one, that’s all.
Honestly, and sadly, you have to remember that rarely when you sell your horse do you get back the money you’ve put in. If you need it sold, lower the price. The horse economy is ALWAYS a buyers market.
And honestly, a seller who “interviewed” me - while I am a capable horse person and understand that people misrepresent themselves and sometimes we just want to make sure our horse has a good home - would really upset me as a buyer. I would NOT buy a horse from an owner that interviewed me. I also would NOT buy a horse that was not a good fit for me.
If you don’t want “a person who can’t read what amounts to less than 1 page of copy and pay attention enough to sit through a 5 min video”, you would have lost me again as a buyer right there. Get over yourself. YOU said YOU need to sell the horse. So sell the horse.
BTW, my mare, I paid $2,500, found her from posting an ad wanting to lease, I had no idea she was listed for sale. I never read the ad, or watched a 5 minute video. I went out and rode.
[QUOTE=whiskey;7112271]
Honestly, and sadly, you have to remember that rarely when you sell your horse do you get back the money you’ve put in. If you need it sold, lower the price. The horse economy is ALWAYS a buyers market.
And honestly, a seller who “interviewed” me - while I am a capable horse person and understand that people misrepresent themselves and sometimes we just want to make sure our horse has a good home - would really upset me as a buyer. I would NOT buy a horse from an owner that interviewed me. I also would NOT buy a horse that was not a good fit for me.
If you don’t want “a person who can’t read what amounts to less than 1 page of copy and pay attention enough to sit through a 5 min video”, you would have lost me again as a buyer right there. Get over yourself. YOU said YOU need to sell the horse. So sell the horse.
BTW, my mare, I paid $2,500, found her from posting an ad wanting to lease, I had no idea she was listed for sale. I never read the ad, or watched a 5 minute video. I went out and rode.[/QUOTE]
This ^
Also, 5-7 mins is a long video, especially for a 2’ horse. It’s one thing if a 5 min video starts with them jumping courses, and THEN shows flat work, but if I see a video over 1.5 mins that starts with walking around a ring, I move on.
[QUOTE=abrant;7111786]
Hey OP, is this horse located in Iowa by chance? The description matches a mare for sale here that I actually really like :)[/QUOTE]
Hahaha. Nope, sorry. She’s in Ohio 
Hello to Everyone,
I think I’ve received some very good information here and a lot of posts have had me thinking about some things. First, I have already lowered her price to better reflect the current market (in comparison to the market several years ago). Next, I think I may need to redo her sales video. My current sales video is approximately 2 1/2 minutes. It shows her trotting and cantering both directions and jumping several jumps. She is well-groomed and wearing well-fitted tack. However, I do not show her jumping a course, leg yielding, or completing flying changes because, at the time the video was taken, she was not yet able to do those things. Now (only a short while later) she is doing the above with ease. So, I think I need to get a new sales video in the works. And yes, as some have suggested, I am continuing to train her up.
Thanks everyone and if there are more suggestions, keep them coming.
Definitely update the training video! And good luck
Damn! That mare has incredible natural changes, she’s fun to watch That mare, fyi, is priced at $2k but she has a set bow.
Great idea, OP! Always highlight your horse’s skills and update the media if they have new skills. So smart. I’ll be honest in saying this, but I agree with those who say market her as a Thoroughbred. Don’t get me wrong, I adore TB’s and some of my best horses with the most heart have have been Thoroughbreds (even a redhead one at that). Often when I see “OTTB” on a sales ad, although this may just be my own personal bias, I think one of the following:
-The seller got the horse cheaply and intends to flip it at an inflated price. (Even if this is the case, there’s always the silver lining that you can focus on of the horse being too quiet for the track and a lovely ammy prospect with a great temperament or one who is very game and athletic)
-Damnit, the seller has a fantastic eye in prospects and found one that really is turning out to be fantastic (if the horse is of true quality)
-In a mare, I’d hope that it would be bred to the eyeballs to be a sport horse and would be looking into its pedigree.
Any buyer who is interested will obviously ask you if she has raced, so answering the question is an afterthought if they truly like the mare. Let your new video do the sales talk. I do hope lowering her price helps you to move her more quickly and to a good home. Best of luck!
[QUOTE=JustThatSimple;7112190]
I discuss all of this. I however do not include it in my sales ad is simply all I’m saying. I do small sales and have had few purchase the wrong horse for them. Your initial sales ad is not where I want to know you bought fluffy because your grandma came to you in a dream and told you she’s the one, that’s all.[/QUOTE]
Well, of course not! What would be the point of mentioning that at all?
I DO discuss all of those other details in the initial ads, and I’ve sold quite afew horses over the last 14 yrs. many off nothing but a video. The prices have ranged from $3000 to $14K.
I don’t tell “cute stories” but true INFORMATION given in a clear, concise, “non-cliche” way can only help the buyer. And, again, it helps ME, because I don’t have to go through the same litany over and over each time someone inquires…unless they are too ADD to actually read the whole ad…
[QUOTE=JustThatSimple;7112190]
I discuss all of this. I however do not include it in my sales ad is simply all I’m saying. I do small sales and have had few purchase the wrong horse for them. Your initial sales ad is not where I want to know you bought fluffy because your grandma came to you in a dream and told you she’s the one, that’s all.[/QUOTE]
Well, of course not! What would be the point of mentioning that at all?
I DO discuss all of those other details in the initial ads, and I’ve sold quite afew horses over the last 14 yrs. many off nothing but a video The prices have ranged from $3000 to $14K.
I don’t tell “cute stories” but true INFORMATION given in a clear, concise, “non-cliche” way can only help the buyer. And, again, it helps ME, because I don’t have to go through the same litany over and over each time someone inquires…unless they are too ADD to actually read the whole ad…
