I do a version of the pretty standard answers here. As far as riding multiple times, I always encourage that as I am not generally going to allow a trial. I also am trying to prevent the first session being 2 hours of the horse being lunged and schooled to death by everyone.
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A lot of great advice here. I want to reiterate that it is within your rights to end a sales appointment as soon as it is obvious it isn’t a match or at any time if you feel that there is a safety issue or that it isn’t in the best interest of the horse. For example, I once had a heavy handed rider try a sensitive mouthed horse. Both horse and rider were getting rattled, but the rider for some reason seemed to feel like she needed to “school” the horse or work through things even though it was obvious the pair were not a match and that things were going downhill. In another instance, a junior rider with less skill than expected was struggling on a well trained horse, and there was a point where it was obvious it just wasn’t going to be a match. But even after the trainer admitted it wasn’t a match he continued teaching. I was okay with that for a short period (it showcased the good will of the horse), but at a certain point the horse was tired and really didn’t need yet another bad ride to another fence. So I would recommend having a few diplomatic sentences prepared just in case, something along the lines of “Well, since it looks like perhaps it isn’t a match, why don’t we end here.”
Second point is that you should have a sales contract ready to go before you show the horse. The contract should specify terms, for example, how much of a deposit? Under what circumstances is the deposit refundable? How long does the buyer have to do their vetting and complete the transaction? If the buyer is from out of town at what point would they be taking possession? Are you willing to do a trial? (I’m guessing no, but have your answer prepared.)
Agree with others to make it absolutely clear that until you have a deposit in hand you will continue showing the horse to other buyers. But, I also think that it is good practice to be very generous in allowing people to return for additional rides. That way, people don’t feel like they need to ride the horse for an excessively long period to test everything out in one ride and allows people to be more confident in their decision.
Also, it’s common for people who are interested but not quite ready to put a deposit to ask, “Well, when are you showing him to someone next?” If you don’t have anyone scheduled, don’t let them take that as a sign that you are “holding the horse” for them. For all you know, someone could call you up and come try your horse and buy him later that day.
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I always ask the buyer, I mean they’re the ones making big decisions, the least I can do is try to fulfill their expectations of the day. But I explain their choices are pretty much whatever they can think of:
Bring in and groom: You when here or me before you arrive or in stall but not yet cleaned (So they can groom themselves).
Ride first: Me, trainer, you?
Need Xc fences: Yes or No (Yes involves a 5 minute trailer ride so I ask if they want to see horse/groom at barn and go together or meet there)
Need anything beyond a ring ride and hack? (Offer to take to indoor or place horse has never been for ‘impartial’ experience of horse at a new place)
Ask if they have time constraints so I don’t affect their budgeted time. I don’t really mind if they want to ride forever. These are hard and big decisions. It’s not a ferris wheel with people standing in line. Buyers get a lot of help, liberties in my barn. Whatever they can ask for I will almost always say “Sure.” But I trust the horses I am selling.
Em
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Excellent, thanks!!
Hate to sound cynical or too pragmatic, but before prospective buyers do anything, they sign a release!
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