Selling horses!

[Heelsdownchinup]

I know there’s a board called the tackroom but there hasn’t been much traffic recently, I’ve seen other equestrian posts on here so just copying (hope that’s ok)

im about to sell my horse but haven’t sold recently or since the market changed with covid so looking for some advice from other horse people

I will not sell to a dealer (I know other people have had good experiences but I’d rather avoid) I was considering sales livery due to ease but have no experience in this, does anyone have any experience selling through sales livery? Good or bad? My AIBU is AIBU to consider sales livery?

or am I better just sticking with the traditional private sale? Sales livery would be easier but if private sales are better I’ll stick with that

getting a good home is of the upmost importance- obviously I’m not going to accept a silly offer but realistically I’m open to offers lower than expected if it’s the right home (obviously not too low though as we all know the dangers of selling a horse too cheaply). Basically what I’m saying is getting a good home is the priority over money. I know I have no real control once I’ve sold but I will do everything I can to ensure the home is the best

im gutted to even be selling but circumstances mean I’m not going to have time for more than one horse

many advice or experience would be really appreciated 😊

Bumping my post x

I've not sold a horse but have bought both privately & through a dealer. Both purchases went well & I can't really say which was better. If you want to sell through sales livery or a dealer then research them - there are so many bad dealers out there! Join the dodgy dealers groups on Facebook, they have so much info on the ones to avoid.

Sorry I'm not being very helpful am I, but if you're selling a ploddy cob over 15 hands, under 3 grand & within 50 miles of Cambridge then let me know 😉

What’re the dangers of selling a horse too cheaply? Just interested.

That’s actually really helpful thank you so much for commenting! I’ll take a look at the groups 😊 it’s such a minefield with dodgy dealers isn’t it!

unfortunately none of your criteria apply 😥 good luck in your search though and I hope you get something soon ! Can’t beat a good cob!

Also meant to say I really feel for you. I'm considering selling my youngster as I've not got the time to bring him on & as I'm getting on a bit, it really hurts when I come off! My DD would be heart broken if we sell ☹️

It's such a hard decision x

Hey,

It’s just that selling horses cheaply can often (not always) attract the wrong type of people. Eg, people that are looking to buy the horse and immediately sell it on for a profit which isn’t what most sellers want.

for horses which could only be sold for cheap prices- eg if they are old, or possibly poorly or with behavioural issues it’s often kinder just to PTS- selling a cheap horse can often mean they get drugged up and sold on. Anything over a certain height is drugged and becomes a showjumping or dressage prospect and has 15 years taken off its age- unfortunately this leaves the horse in agony if it’s poorly and can cause serious accidents for future riders who don’t realise the horse is actually dangerous and is not the fancy competition horse they were sold.

it’s a shame as often horses can be kept as companions even if they can’t be ridden, but you can’t guarantee future owners will respect this and so it’s not safe to sell the horse.

alternatively someone could take a companion horse which is sold cheaply and sell it straight to the meat man

it's a shame because not everyone has a big budget to spend on a horse and they might be the best, most caring and loving owners ever, but you should never sell cheaply because of the risks with what could happen. Even if you don’t want the money, sell for a decent price and give it to charity. If the horse is so damaged or unwell that it needs to be sold at a bargain price then being PTS is probably a better option

hope that makes sense x

There's loads of traffic on the tack room OP, you might get a bit lost on AIBU. I've both bought and sold from dealers over the years and one of my good horsey friends does a bit of light dealing in BSJA ponies also. I'd say both are fine so long as you choose your dealer carefully and understand their terms. Can you say a bit more about your horse, age, size, background etc? Personally I'd say if your horse is a straight-forward, marketable type and you have the facilities and time to show them yourself there's not much benefit to sales livery and with the best will in the world the dealer will never care as much as you do about finding the best possible home if that's your priority, obviously for their own reputation they won't want someone totally unsuitable that will be returning the horse 2 weeks later, but will they for e.g. truly be ruling people out if they don't have 24/7 turnout and verifying that's true, then getting everything else about the buyer, in my experience probably not.

However if your horse is more quirky, needs bringing on or you are trying to sell on the basis of more competition potential than results on the page, then you may find the sales livery more than earns their commission, e.g. ironing out small schooling faults or getting them out and about on the PC/RC scene or at competitions can add serious ££ to the value, which I know is not your top priority but also makes it easier to find a good home where they'll do a useful job...

Thank you so much for such a detailed helpful post- I think from what you’ve said that sales livery would be better overall for my horse as part of the sale is his potential rather than current results and he has a few little quirks that could do with being ironed out by someone with more experience and time than me. Thank you very much again for the help x