Reason for selling?

Okay, this is really random, but I have to get it out of my system. WHY do people never say why they are selling their horse on a for sale ad? It really bothers me because there is ovbiously a reason that they don't want the horse anymore, but WHY?! What if it's a major issue the horse has that is never mentioned, which makes the horse dangerous or a waste of your money and time? Does anyone else here get annoyed by this, or is it only me?

I imagine that it would annoy me too, even though I never comb through for sale ads except for fun. I think many people just don't know that any knowledgeable horse buyer is gonna want to know first off why they are selling the horse.

Ha, i never say why i'm selling my horses! Then again, all of my horses are investments so when people ask why i'm selling them my answer is, 'um, this is what i do.' I never knew it bothered people so much... There are so so so many reasons why people sell their horses and a lot of them aren't bad. The kid lost interest, kid's ready to move up and needs a more competitive horse, can't afford it anymore, sitting in the pasture going to waste, don't want to feed it through the winter... i could go on and on!

Good post upnover! I got Piper at an auction because the person who bred her got out of halter horses and into reining horses. I paid $275 for her and as far as I can see I'm glad she sold her! Whatever the reason, lol.

I've seen a lot of horse ads that say y they are selling. But some people try to get rid of the horse because it rears or bucks, those people are never honest and would probably drug the horse. I'm sure if you asked why they're selling a horse they would tell :) it will probably just be they need to move up, and the horse just isn't capable :P

I would say the primary reasons to sell a horse are:
1.business, it's their job to train and sell horses
2.lack of money/time
3.going to college, shift of interests
4.the horse is not enough athletically for the rider, or the rider outgrew the horse's size
5.the horse has a serious medical issue that the owner can't handle or doesn't want to deal with, such as lameness or an extensive colic history
6.the owner can't handle the horse's temperament, the horse is aggressive or nervous
7.the owner doesn't know how to train a young horse and therefore has to sell them to someone who does know (sigh, BYBs)

IMO, the order of desirability for reason of sale: 2, 3, 1, 4/7 (Depending on the athleticism/size of horse 4 and how far along horse 7 is), 6, 5.

My first horse was reason 4, the owner wanted to jump higher than 4.5 feet and he could not compete at that level, it was not a problem for me because I do dressage and only jump 3 feet! My second horse was reason 1, he cost a little more than he is worth because he was at a "big deal" dressage barn, but he's a good horse with a lot of potential.

I have never put the reason for sale in my ads because when you pay to advertise a horse and your paying per word you dont really want to waste it putting in the reason for sale. I am always happy to tell anyone who asks though. -shrug-

I would say most would be due to financial troubles.

I bought my first pony from a girl who'd gotten fed up of having a horse!

Second horse I bought from the YM who sells horses that weren't making the cut as showjumpers...

A negative in an ad diminishes the value of the horse.

"Wonderful QH, first one to meet you at the gate. Every time I ride him he bucks me off but I love his color. Asking $2,500 OBO."

or

"Wonderful QH, first one to meet you at the gate. Needs an experienced rider. Love his color! Asking $2,500 OBO"

Which one would you answer?

When I sell a problem horse, I sell or trade him to a dealer or trainer. Someone who is knowledgeable and capable of handling him. I won't sell a problem horse through the papers or even at auction - the wrong person could end up with him even if I disclose his faults.