Pricing the hard to sell horse

[alterbroken]

Can someone explain the theory behind pricing too cheap attracts the wrong people? I have a horse that is not right me me at all, needs a more confident and experienced capable rider. In an ideal world this would be a low 5 figure horse (15-20K which is the low side) based on age, bloodlines, desired breed. Due to history, horse is behind in training, will be unsuitable for most people due to being hot, sensitive, requiring a correct rider. Other negatives: location, lack of access to continued training program, no show record.
Tried to sell as a project, only got tire kickers and el-cheapos. Was priced very cheap (comparable to a TB off the track). Put horse in work and now will be re-advertised as under saddle knowing the issues above. Not naughty, just needs correct training. No hand riding or uneducated people. After half a dozen rides makes progress all the time. Will have a sales video and u/s saddle photos.
So ready to re-advertise at a slightly higher price than the Cheap one but keep being told to advertise at about double that or will attract the wrong people. In a month or so I will have very limited access to training, there is no one to show this horse. So why would the right person respond to an ad at X price but not Y price which would be half that?

I am trying to be in the guidelines so keeping details out about specific horse. Just in general asking about the psychology of pricing? Horse is SOUND, no physical issues, etc. A good age. So other than being only suited for an educated rider, no deal breaker issues.

[ladyj79]

I owned two of these…

one was an imported m level dressage horse. I literally traded her for a 500 ottb. I feel I got the better part of that bargain.

The other, after extensive and expensive training with a highly regarded event trainer, gave away to a bullrider who ultimately at least made her a suitable trail horse. He offered me something in trade, I declined.

I am not a dealer or a trader. These were my personal horses.

I find that getting these hard to sell horses off the books is priceless. Really, seriously, if a competent trainer wants the horse, give it to them for nothing.

I don’t regret at all giving these two away, I regret how much time and money I wasted getting to that point.

[luvmyhackney]

I would contact all the trainers in your area that might be interested and let your horse connections know and just get the horse off the books. Your still paying board, farrier, and vet on a horse. Adds up.

Honestly though a hot, sensitive horse that’s not super ammy friendly, and not loads of talent I can pick up fairly cheap, if you know where to look and don’t mind putting in the time. They are my favorite to buy.

[Couture_TB]

If I have something super quirky or a really hard sell if I can find a person that they are suited for I just give them away to get them off the books.

[RedHorses]

Because most serious buyers will look at the horse’s ad and assume it is that cheap because there is something wrong with it.

[Tanny98]

Maybe stress in the ad that a proper good home is a must and don’t advertise price, just put inquire for price.

[Angelray]

“Inquire for price” is a big turn off for many buyers. Maybe try an honest ad emphasizing the horse’s strengths, but stating what sort of rider is required. Price at the amount you think you can reasonably get all things considered, and add that price is negotiable to a suitable home.

[exploding_pony]

This type of horse is best sold via word of mouth to an assistant or up and coming trainer. Work your network instead of advertising.

[Charanga2011]

I myself won’t inquire on an ad that says “inquire for price”. I figure if it isn’t mentioned, and 9/10, it is overpriced, so I don’t even bother. List the horse reasonably and be 110% honest in the ad

[Tanny98]

@Charanga2011

I myself won’t inquire on an ad that says “inquire for price”. I figure if it isn’t mentioned, and 9/10, it is overpriced, so I don’t even bother. List the horse reasonably and be 110% honest in the ad

Yea that is true, would probably turn too many away. Good point.

[MysticOakRanch]

I would advertise at a price that reflects the horse’s talent - but put something like “price VERY flexible to the right rider”. And emphasize in the ad that you are looking for someone who is confident and experienced. And as noted - let all the area riders you know that might meet that definition.

Yes, you will have to drop the price a lot - but I agree, ads for under $5k seem to attract the wrong crowd.

[fordtraktor]

I too have had this horse and finally gave it away. Should have done it years earlier! It was so nice. Now I have a horse I actually enjoy riding in his place…priceless.

[GraceLikeRain]

If I were in this situation I would identify a few trainers I genuinely trusted. I would privately contact them, explain the situation, and say that I am willing to place the horse for free (or free with a 6 month free lease before signing the horse over) to ensure the horse ends up in a good place. Chances are that the majority of people who would contact you about a sensitive quirky horse are on no level qualified to handle your horse. A trusted trainer should know what students are capable and may be interested in a free project.

[McGurk]

Two options for a sale - find a trainer willing to take the horse on consignment for a finite amount of time - 3 - 6 months. Have a serious conversation about what said trainer can put into the horse and what you can get out. Send the horse away for training with the understanding that the trainer will take her costs out of the eventual sale price, and that may mean you end up with ~$500 or less. If the horse is going so well at the end of 3 months that the price can be increased, have that factored into the deal, because the trainer should get a bigger percentage of the value increase. Someone may be willing to do this deal only if they have their fixed costs covered - basic board, shoes and entry fees - and that’s reasonable (being willing to risk your time is one thing, risking dollars that could go elsewhere, another.)

Two - find a talented horseless kid or amateur, offer the horse to them as a free lease to train and show, with the understanding that the horse will be sold at the end of the time period. Offer them a generous commission (20 - 25%) on the eventual sale of the horse. There are talented horseless kids that can afford board and entry fees, but not a horse of their own and not the lease of a made show horse.

If your horse mostly needs miles and wet saddle pads combined with some tactful, but not necessarily pro level riding, this may be the way to go.

Last time I had a horse like this, I had recently stopped riding full time, and I came to the unhappy conclusion that the horse did not want to be my part time trail buddy, as he needed to be in a regular program and I wasn’t able to provide that. I did a combination of these two things and got the horse off of my hay bill and a little money out at the end; horse was leased then sold to a very grateful kid.

[outerbanks77]

Do you keep an eye on Facebook Dressage Horses for Sale pages? Sometimes trainers post ISO for project horses - I was in touch with a couple trainers this way when I was considering selling my somewhat difficult mare last spring. They seemed really serious, and I could check their credentials a bit via their FB profiles. The price I’d told them was $10K firm, for a horse that would be probably $20K+ if she was on the expected training schedule.