The horse is young, but very easy, has lovely gaits, and is extremely brave. We could make her up into a Hunter, but I’ve had several people mention she has all the ingredients to make a stellar Event Horse. She is an unraced TB, which turns a lot of people off when trying to market her as a Hunter prospect even though she is one of the quietest horses in the barn. What websites to Event Riders visit when looking for prospects? The horse is broke and started over fences and is priced way below market value because her owner is more concerned with finding the perfect home verses making money (she bred the horse, so truly wants the best for her girl).
Depends. You’ll get much more money if you make the horse into a hunter. My sister successfully showed TBs on the A circuit for eons. Why don’t you consult Judybigredpony as she sell quite few TBs every year?
I will say it has changed drastically in the past year. Whereas a year ago every horse I posted on equine.com or similar pages received several inquiries within the first week; my recent ads have received hardly any. (This goes from young horses to made types)
Now that Facebook pages have appeared, it seems like a lot of riders choose this route. There’s positive and negatives. Of course this route is free and you’re ad is seen by everyone who has liked the page, but I have received so many scams or very junior riders inquiring and leading on a sale.
It’s still tempting though, although every friend of yours will see if you post about the same horse multiple times.
How many have seen results from Eventing Nation? I’m also curious about warmblood-sales. com, but the cost to place an ad is a bit higher.
The owner would like to sell her ASAP, and is not able to put her into training. She’s also not huge - 15.3H - great size for a kid, but not many people are looking for a young TB to stick a kid on (although she certainly has the brain for it and could easily be brought along by a teen or Ammy). She’s not asking much for the horse (think mid three figures) and unfortunately isn’t in a position to put her into training. Basically wants her off her feed bill, but also wants to find a suitable home. Don’t worry, this horse is in no danger of going to an auction or anything of that nature. I posted some Facebook ads with videos and figured she would sell immediately. It is hard to find a sane, sound, talented young horse for what she’s asking. I was discussing the situation with a boarder who has been riding the mare and she was also perplexed why she hadn’t sold and mentioned I should post some ads for her an a potential Event horse. I did a web search, but didn’t find any big sites like we have for Hunters.
I actually don’t mind answering the teens on FB because I think this horse would love to have a girl (or boy) of her own. The problem is when I ask to speak with the parents before they come out to ride the horse, the kid falls off the face of the earth (which I’m assuming because the parents had no idea the kid was looking to buy a horse).
try SportHorseNation I definitely checked that regularly when I was shopping. Also it looks like you are in VA- have you tried VirginiaEquestrian?
I start with my area website classifieds (after calling/trolling the websites of the area trainers I know). Sporthorsenation is another good one (it is run by eventing nation)
Just a cautionary note- An eventing “prospect” being offered by a non-eventer and having no eventing experience likely will be looked on with suspicion because misconceptions about what makes a good eventer abound (not saying you do not know- just because so many people don’t, eventers can be leery of the claim). If no xc schooling experience, then it will be even more difficult
good luck
Area II web site
Sharon White’s web site
Sporthorse Nation
Virginia Equestrian, but, if you don’t mind, pm me your Facebook page and I can send it out to a friend of mine in Luray who has students and contacts looking for a horse like this. By the way, I took a peak at Shaun’s dental page and it reminded me of Ghost, how is he doing now?
Here are a few Selling Tips
Really really quality photos…take the time to get horse clean , tack clean and a level uncluttered surface…Not a cell phone photo look at the angel , crop, make sure horse is standing correctly, look at professional poses…
Video No music No background chatter plain simple under a minute…do a few rather than long ones…Not a Cellphone…
Write a clear text cover it all and look for the “Hook” why she is Special.
No shorts, helmet less bare back stand on the horse naked baby jumping trash cans
Select your target market…Do use social media search for ads in your region, reach out to Polo,Pony Club,Hunt Clubs and school teams and Polo Cross ask the Vets and Farriers as well as feed store employees and tack shop.
If you ask to Little $$$ you will attract the Bat Sh!t FruitLoop Fringe who should have a horse cause most likely the cost of keeping it exceeds their wallet. Good intentions or not horses eat n live to burn your cash!!
Smallish mare/fillies are singularly regardless of color the hardest to sell.
Use he most redeeming qualities to attract a buyer.
Petite woman, small Jrs
Small Jr Hunters is a very niche division but the good ones with the step and jump can be worth a lot of $$$$$.
Right now with the Major Holidays , buying a horse is Not where the $$$ are going plus with cold crap weather a lot are pulling shoes and not riding unless professionals , those with an indoor or South migraters…After tax returns come in or Xmas Bonuses received buying interests pick up…otherwise not until the spring thaw.
Good luck
Event Horses for sale on Facebook is a pretty active page and seems to have lots of buyers and sellers, so you may try there.
Thanks for the tips JBRP. They apply very broadly to many sale horses.
I just has a boarder give away a 13 year old TB gelding with a USEA lifetime number. Sound and should have more useful years left.
I agree with JBRP that horse sales are slow right now. I am getting inquiries but nothing that I would consider likely. However, I do sell a number of horses in January and February. It really is about Christmas money and tax refunds.
It is going to be hard to sell green even for $$$ if no training is provided. Perhaps the owner should cut her losses and give the mare away. My boarder found a very suitable home through VA Equestrian in fairly short order.
Just went through a search (successful!). I looked at the usual suspects - Dreamhorse, Sporthorse Nation - but looked primarily on FB. Horses looking for homes was one, as well as event horses for sale and the area-type sites like (for me) horses and tack for sale in New England. Event Horses For Sale wasn’t all that useful, as a lot turned out to be in NZ and the UK. Good luck!
There is also …Eventing Horses for sale… on FB…
I have sold a couple quickly on sporthorsenation. I have also sold saddles there quickly too.
But, a sound, talented, unraced TB with a great mind in the mid THREE figures? I think thats your problem. Bump the price up to low-mid 4 figures ($2-4k). I think you’ll find a buyer if the horse is priced appropriately to what she is.
In the mid-three figures range you are projecting that there is something “wrong” with the horse.
I will also add that a couple years ago I sold a mare - priced her very low because I needed to sell her ASAP. Nothing. I tripled her price ($15k) and sold within 2 months.
JBRP has good tips. If I could also add, as a buyer, it is frustrating to see a video that is 10 seconds or shorter. I realize no one probably wants to see 5 minutes of video, but I can’t stand videos that show so little so quickly that I have to replay it a hundred times.
If at all possible, take her somewhere (Wingreen if you are in VA?) where you can video her trotting through water, hopping some logs, etc. It doesn’t have to be anything grandiose but knowing that she can go out and about and not lose her marbles will help her have appeal for eventers.
Take a look at sporthorse nation and event horses for sale on fb to get an idea of pricing.
Just reread your post. I would agree, if she is cute and quiet and w-t-c and started over fences, then mid 3 figures is probably too cheap. If she’s never been to any kind of show you are somewhat limited there, but I would expect a horse as described to be more in the mid 4 figures.
I posted an ad on Event Nation and had a lot of tire kickers but only one person came to test ride. He finally sold when he was in a clinic and was purchased out of the clinic.
