Assist me in writing a horse sale ad?
 

What information should I include in a sale ad?
I've typed up all that I could think of that was important, I would like help narrowing it down. :D
I will get NICE confo pics later this week.
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Background:
We bought Siskiyou in June of 2010 as a beginner safe trail horse for my sister. We Paid $1800 for him.

Now:
My sister no longer rides and has lost ALL interest in horses. Siskiyou was exactly as expected, calm, great on the trail, and seeking of attention. He loves to be brushed and loved on.
He is also too big for our trailer and I cannot fit both horses in there, another reason he doesn’t get used and needs a new home.

Siskiyou-
Grade Quarter Horse (not registered)
16.1 hh
Gelding
16 Years old

Riding:
Siskiyou has mastered the basics, walk, jog, working trot, and has a rocking horse like lope. He stops well, backs up, and pivots. His previous owners had just started heading with him, he is confident around cows.
He works great in a snaffle or a halter, and rides the same whether in a saddle or bareback.

Trail Riding:
Siskiyou is completely at home in the mountains and is very relaxed. He crosses rivers, bogs, bridges, high lines, and hobbles. We were told that he was used as a pack horse in his past, and is more comfortable following than leading, but will lead if you ask him to.

Groundwork:
Lounges, respects your space, backs up, and will walk away from his buddy horses. He has had desensitizing to plastic bags, dragging objects, ropes, whips, cap guns, bouncing balls, bridges, and loud noises. Some objects are still “scary”, but he is improving on spooking in place and otherwise has minimal reactions.
Clips, good for farrier, bathes, good with vaccines, spray bottles, blankets and de-wormer.
Faults:
Siskiyou hops right into the trailer, but likes to ride backwards. He doesn’t like to be “locked” in with a divider unless he has two stalls, or like stock trailers too.
Initially he was timid of ropes, his ears being handled and whips. We have since overcome these issues, but his next owners to need to be mindful of them so that the issues don’t resurface.

UTD:
He has had regular farrier care (barefoot, but for rocky trails we use easyboots. Could also go shod)
Just had his yearly vaccinations for 2012, 5-way and west nile, and was dewormed.

Lastly:
We want a GOOD home for him! We will be picky about who he goes to, he is such a sweet horse. He would be fine for a younger rider as long as they aren’t intimidated by his size and can be a confident leader for him.
I was thinking of asking 1000-1500 for him. Opinions?


Comparable horses in WA- for price references:
DreamHorse.com Horse ID: 1771091 - Saleos Ginas -$1700
http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse...se_id=1761013- $1800
http://www.dreamhorse.com/show_horse...se_id=1701545- $2000

Okay, a lot of what you have is good info a buyer would appreciate (especially what is under the "riding" header), and in some areas..you have more info than you need. It "clutters" the ad. For example,
"My sister no longer rides and has lost ALL interest in horses. Siskiyou was exactly as expected, calm, great on the trail, and seeking of attention. He loves to be brushed and loved on.
He is also too big for our trailer and I cannot fit both horses in there, another reason he doesn’t get used and needs a new home."
Try considering changing that to: Siskiyou is calm and great on trails. He also loves attention.
You might just say under, "reason for selling", my sister no longer rides.
How much you paid for him is - not "usefull" info, IMO.
Heck, if he were closer - I'd be interested!
If he is a good dependable trail horse, I think 1500 is a really good price!

Thank you! I certainly wasn't going to include the Background info part, I just thought it might be useful info for the forum. I'll make sure to de-clutter it ! :D

I also say too much info is over kill. Stick to the key points and be accurate.

Oh, haha.:oops: I thought what you had there was a "draft" of the ad. oops.

You know, I think the extra info would be appreciated. There are so many people out there that end up getting the wrong horse, I think any additional information is a bonus. Especially with the horse market lately, so many people are just trying to unload horses and I think the amount of care you put into the ad speaks volumes about the horse and the way he was treated!

Also, he does sound amazing so I am sure you will find a home for him soon!!

Thanks so much guys! I cut about 1/4 of it out. Just put his ad up last night and already had several people contact me! Cross your fingers that he finds a great forever home. :)

A lady and her husband are coming out to look at him tomorrow! Over the phone she seemed very nice, so I am pretty excited! I will definitely be picky though, he is such a nice boy and deserves a wonderful home :)

That's great news. Lets hope all goes well!

Just another update. I can't justify making another thread for this. :D

Sis is technically sold!

The first couple that came to look seemed very pleased. they just weren't sure if he would fit in their trailer.

The second person was a lady who rode when she was little and has been out of horses for a while She came with a horse friend that seemed like she was very patient and a good person to help her friend get back into horses. She called me this morning saying that she would like to buy him! What's cool is that they are both RN's on the same floor that my parents work at, so we'll be able to get updates pretty easily. :D For those that are curious, we are getting the asking price of $1400

I had several other appointments scheduled, but I canceled them and told them I would keep their numbers if for some reason this fell through. :-)