Pet peeve mini-rant: horse sales

[fivestrideline]

Maybe I’m the oddball here, but does it bother anyone else when y’all see ads with “I can’t believe is still have this horse!” or “how has no one scooped him up yet??”? Drives me nuts

To me it screams that there is something wrong with the horse or that it’s overpriced. Why would you advertise that no one has bought the animal and you “can’t understand why”? Does this work? The ads DO get some clicks from me looking to see if I can spot the issue, so maybe they’re getting views lol

This doesn’t matter really and I won’t be able to change anything about it, but it just seems weird!

[luvmyhackney]

I’m assuming it works or they wouldn’t use it.

I always assume priced to high or one one looked and something they didn’t like about horse in person especially if high volume seller.

[fivestrideline]

I guess. I do see some of the same lower end places using it ALL the time, and the horses sure aren’t moving. But that may also be the market for the $20k and under crowd right now as well!

[luvmyhackney]

I see it from TB resellers all the time.

I think the sub 10k market is slowing unless a true diamond.

[lenapesadie]

I see that too. I always assume the horse “failed” a PPE I dunno why I think that but that’s my gut reaction every time lol.

I’ve been poking around looking to see if I can find a buddy horse for my boy. So far I haven’t found anything suitable.

[exvet]

I’ve seen this a lot lately, mostly those trying to move weanlings or yearlings. Already some prices have been lowered (price only honored if purchased before the end of the month, etc) and those trying to move them living in the outer reaches are doing their best to find/arrange shipping for would be buyer because it’s as much about the price tag (overpriced) as it is about shipping costs in terms of what is contributing to slowing down the market.

[luvmyhackney]

@lenapesadie

I’ve been poking around looking to see if I can find a buddy horse for my boy. So far I haven’t found anything suitable.

I’m going to be looking for a new horse in the spring after my free lease horse goes home and so not looking forward to it. Tempted to just buy him outright cause ads are .

[Belmont]

It’s just a marketing 101 thing.
Does it work? Not all the time.
Now a days its so common that most people aren’t called in by it.

Its sort of the same as when the same some trainers post once per month that “limited spots open this month”. Make it seem like something is more in demand than it actually is and people might come or be more likely to read/reach out.

Not at all saying it’s a bad thing, it’s just an old marketing trick.

[lenapesadie]

IKR. My requirements are: gelding, horse sized, safe and easy to handle on the ground and relatively healthy. No riding requirements though it would be preferred. I haven’t leaned on my local network much yet though and likely that’s where I’ll find something.

[fivestrideline]

Like the “unicorn” thing!

Not every horse on the market can be a unicorn, y’all. I feel like it is often code for “my budget is $3000 but I want a $50k packer”. Lol me too!

Maybe I’m getting my Scrooge personality early this year

[fivestrideline]

@lenapesadie

My requirements are: gelding, horse sized, safe and easy to handle on the ground and relatively healthy.

How about easy keeper, barefoot, and lightly rideable?

I know of two actually. But their owners are terrified to sell/lease them, because we’ve all heard the horror stories. Meanwhile people are simultaneously advertising horses not suited to the discipline, or with injuries, or out of shape for 5 figures!

Scrolling ads is fun until it stresses me out. And I’m not even shopping!

[FromTheGalaxy]

@luvmyhackney

I think the sub 10k market is slowing unless a true diamond

I’m definitely feeling this as a seller. Having a hard time generating interest in both my horses for sale, one a nice colt foal and the other a super cute 4 year old OTTB mare. I get some inquiries with lots of questions but then usually get ghosted by buyers. I think the market is slowing, but I don’t think either of my horses are overpriced (of course what seller does). It just sucks because even though horse prices seem to be going down, the expenses to keep and train these horses is only going up! I’m for sure going to lose money when I sell the OTTB, and hoping I can at least break even with the weanling.

[TheJenners]

@luvmyhackney

I’m assuming it works or they wouldn’t use it.

This. There is a trainer near me who sells horses normally in the 25-40k range, and every now and then she has one that is a certain type, and she’ll refresh the ad with this type of phrase. Usually when it’s something like a Friesian sport horse or a Fjord, when she normally advertises to straight hunter/jumper folks.

[TheJenners]

@fivestrideline

I know of two actually. But their owners are terrified to sell/lease them, because we’ve all heard the horror stories. Meanwhile people are simultaneously advertising horses not suited to the discipline, or with injuries, or out of shape for 5 figures!

I have my perfect adorable pony still for that very reason. I gained weight and she’s sitting (I was borderline 30 pounds ago), but she is so placid that I can see her getting misused so easily. So here she sits.

[Cowboy_Girl]

ISO or For Sale Unicorn is my second highest pet peave, (first is in your pocket personality.)
I have had several unicorns in my life, and I made all of them for what I personally want. The best was a stallion that was my go to personal saddle horse for everything (ranch work, in the back county, fox hunting, carry a pack saddle full of fencing tools to do farm maintenance, low level dressage and eventing, babysitter for weanlings, riding an evening tour of the property bareback with an adult beverage.) Never won a point or a ribbon with him but his babies did.
Everyone’s idea of a unicorn is different. And that ideal changes with time (experience and age.) So the ideal of purchasing or selling one outright is just idiotic.
You are not a Scrooge!

[lenapesadie]

It’s super tough matching these types to the right homes. Nobody wants their Dobbin to mistreated and nobody wants to be left holding the lead rope at the final vet appointment.

I’m pretty open to any horse that meets my requirements but am mostly interested in local horses due to shipping costs.

[SusanO]

It doesn’t bother me. I just roll my eyes and assume that the horse is overpriced for what it is. Maybe a decent animal but reality doesn’t mesh with how the horse is described in the advertisement.

[fivestrideline]

@lenapesadie

It’s super tough matching these types to the right homes. Nobody wants their Dobbin to mistreated and nobody wants to be left holding the lead rope at the final vet appointment.

I’m pretty open to any horse that meets my requirements but am mostly interested in local horses due to shipping costs.

Ain’t that the truth.

I know the internet is a wild place but if you’re ever willing to look in GA or NC for a good deal, PM me! Even just a vague BB knowledge of someone is better than random FB people lol.

[lenapesadie]

Thanks! Browsing FB ads is not for the faint of heart for sure! I will keep you in mind if my more local search doesn’t come to fruition

[candyappy]

@fivestrideline

The ads DO get some clicks from me looking to see if I can spot the issue, so maybe they’re getting views lol

There you go, as it got you to look .