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Presenting and selling a horse!

2K views 19 replies 10 participants last post by  Skyseternalangel 
#1 ·
Well, thought I'd ask as she's my first horse that I will have sold, sold.

What sort of things should I do to present her to buyers, what sort of pictures would YOU want to see on a website, would you want videos of schooling or free movement?

Should I expect any perculiar demands from potential buyers? I know when I was looking I asked all the horses to be left in their boxes so I could groom, tack up, warm up and ride myself...

What should I put on her feet, oil, grease, natural? (They need a good scrub actually :shock:)

Any ideas welcomed!

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Hi Duffy - this may just be me, but thought I'd give my 2 cents, since I have started my horse search. When browsing ads I really pay the most attention to those with some confo pics, as well as a video of the horse schooling. For me, I really like to see the rider as well, to help me gauge what experience level the horse is used to.

Best of luck with your sale!
 
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#4 ·
When i have sold horses in the past the buyers always wanted to see me ride the horse, then ride it for themselves. You can tell alot about watching a horses movement. They also might ask either for a trial or that they have permission to come see the horse at random times without calling because so many people try to sedate horses so they can get rid of them. A person interested in buying your horse will want to see how good of ground manners it has and a demonstration of anything the horse does that you have advertised.
Another thing is be honest, i have had more luck being straight up with potential buyers then trying to sugar coat the horse. Most people can sense if you are talking the horse up too much. If it has a flaw or a fault then explain it ahead of time because if they find it while they are standing there with you then they are going to be less likely to take your word on other things about the horse that you have told them.
And about the feet i would just give them a good cleaning to make it look more natural.
Hope i helped!
 
#5 ·
If I were to be selling a horse, I make sure the horse is clean,(not to the point of going to a show) but no mud, few stains if a white/gray horse, mane/tail combed nicely. Not to overdo it to make it look like your trying to over impress everyone.

Conformation pictures, then maybe one or two of either movement or a fun pic.

For a video, nothing drawn out, short and sweet. A bit of leading the horse, then riding, 2 min at a walk both left and right, then without cliping the video get into a trot, then to lope. Show the stop and backing up of horse.

One last thing, keep the distance of the horse and camera close! It is one of my pet peeves when you can barely see the horse because it is to far from the camera.

Simple, and to the point thats my motto lol

Good luck!
 
#6 ·
Wow thanks guys for the input! Really thoughtful answers :)

A trial is a nono, but I am more than happy to let people come and try Duffy as much as possible!! No sedation either xD

I have a short vid of some trot/canter work...

Will get some more updated pictures of her confo. I have someone maybe coming to look... If not, internet in a couple of weeks!!

Her only flaw is she tests, tests and tests. If you're not strong enough as a rider, she will not do a thing, or she'll buck if you press for it, but not correctly. Something I learnt, but she's only done it 3 times.. apart from that I don't know.. but then maybe getting a view from someone outside that sees me handling her would be a good idea too!
 
#7 ·
Videos - free movement and schooling. I considered horses that looked somewhat dreadful while schooling because the free movement showed it was the rider, not the horse causing it.

Feet, natural. If I was looking at a horse with oiled/greased feet, I'd want to scrub it off to see what bruising or whatever they were hiding.

I also requested the horse to be in turnout. Real easy to catch a horse in a box, I wanted to see if they could catch it in a pasture since we have large turnouts where I board (and I have no desire to chase a horse around one for hours), passed on a horse that took copious amounts of grain and a 4wheeler to catch!!

I wouldn't get on a horse that I didn't see the owner ride first and then my trainer and of course, I wanted a PPE done.

Oh, I also had the owner tack up the horse for the 1st ride while I watched (I didn't want to get booted by a cranky horse) and then I tacked it up for the rest of the trial rides.
 
#8 ·
Hmm never thought about that.. she isn't naughty to groom or tack though at all, and runs up the ramp in to a trailer xD

PPE/AKU is no problems.. I have her one I had in Jun, and the xrays on her front legs to make sure there was nothing there which I am more than happy to give a copy of!

Didn't think about that with the feet, if I'm honest! Makes sense!!
 
#12 ·
Duffy - I would really need a video to take the purchase seriously (especially if she was far away). I would want to see a walk on long rein, trot, canter, shoulder-in and changes if they have them. I would also want to see video of her out on a hack or trail. I don't have an expertly trained eye, but I know immediately when I do or do not like something, and if I like it I would take the video to my trainer for her opinion. I also recently saw a video of someone grooming their horse just to show how wonderful his manners were. I liked that too.

I would also want to know about the temperment and if it would fit my needs. Obviously be honest about everything, but if she is snuggly or prefers to be left alone, say so in your description. I like to read about who the current owner thinks should own her next.

If I came out to see her in person I would want her untacked and ungroomed, roaming free so that I can see what she is like to work with on those things. I would then want to see you ride her, my trainer ride her and then me ride her.

Hope this helps! I'm sure you will find her a great home! =)
 
#13 ·
For sport horses,
Things I like in an ad:
Breeding, if there's a place for a bloodline "tree" I want it all filled out and if there's not - I want to see one on the introduction of the video (back to GGsires)
One good conformation picture, the horse should preferably be braided and no tack or wraps except for a clean bridle.
Pictures (4 to 5 max) of the horse undersaddle with a good rider, I don't want to see a 5 year old walking on the horse, I want to see a clear picture of "the best" that the horse can be.
On the video I want a concise video under 5 minutes. I want to see in the introduction, the name, DOB and breeding of the horse. I want to see a clear video of the horse walking free, walking on a rein, trotting both directions and showing any GOOD lateral work they do (I don't want to see a horse thrown into a shoulder in for a sale video and done poorly), cantering both directions same thing if they do simple changes or flyings, show it but don't show bad ones!! If you are claiming it jumps, either jump it or show it going through the chute MAX twice, and at the highest height only. If you are claiming the horse hacks out, show a picture at the very end of the horse outside with a rider on it, otherwise a liberty or conformation photo with your contact information over top. The video should be at most 5 minutes long.
And finally a concise description of the horse including, DOB, height, breeding, training, reason for selling and any sale conditions. I don't want to read about all the things the horse would be great for - I can determine that myself.

What I don't like:
If the horse is broke, don't show me it running around in a field or arena, don't show me it lunging. 99.9% of horses can do both of those things. If it's a baby, they are acceptable but dedicate a videographer - I don't want to hear you clucking!!
"Fluff" pictures - while it's awesome the horse gives kisses, I don't want to see pictures of it on your sale ad and then none of you riding it
If it's a riding horse, there should be pics and video of it being *suprise* ridden! If there's only room for one pic, I want to see an action shot, with a rider.
Long, ridiculous videos. I know the horse trots, don't show me that for 3,4,5 minutes straight. Think about a dressage test - that's what I want to see!
Doing bad "tricks" just for the sale video - just do what you would normally school.

And I think that's about it.... I look at way too many sale ads!!
 
#14 ·
Sorry Duffy, somehow missed that thread of yours. Lol, saw the one about looking for horses though....was confused, but really didn't put 2 and 2 together...yes I stink at math :D
 
#15 ·
Saddle, possibly free jumping then (as I don't jump) and some good confirmation shots.

No flying changes as such haha, she's not a sport horse (despite somehow being listed as one?!) so it'll be everything we know. Good walk shots, long rein, trot (her best trot is shown in the video I posted) and some canter work on both reins.

I'm not wanting to fool anyone, I want them to have the best chance at getting the right horse for them!

She's a people friendly horse, curious but has no idea how long her legs are. She needs a firm, consequential hand (not sure if thats a word in english xD) that will make sure she will work, and not take the doodle outta them!

As for hacking, all our routes are under ice now :/
 
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