Where are all the private sellers?

[HereWeGoAHen]

I have my dream pony. But my best friend is looking for hers and I'm trying to help her. We've looked everywhere and all we can find are dealers. Back when I was looking, there were loads of private sales ads on Facebook but now that they've banned livestock sales ads, where have all the genuine private sales gone??? Neither of us compete or do pony club type stuff so networking could take forever. And I've asked my livery yard to keep ears out but again, we aren't really a competitive yard so nobody knows of anything.

There are some very good dealers out there, Christine at MFP, Juliet Clarke, Trinas cobs, Jasmine hulme at right ride...
Why does it need to be a private sale?

What's your friend looking for and where?

Horsequest? Horsemart? Those types of sites, or on a tight budget Preloved.

There are still a lot on Facebook, but people are not posting prices or as sale ads to try and get round the rules. Of course certain groups ban these posts, but other groups are set up for sales/loans etc. If you have a breed in mind, try their groups, or there is a PC group too. Or you can post your own "looking for" ad or contact the local Pony Clubs/Riding Clubs/hunts to see if they have any leads?

Horsemart is pretty good for mid range horses, and also try Preloved. I find Horsequest such a PTA to navigate, but there are always nice horses on there.

There are still horses for sale on facebook too, but most sales have gone into private groups- if you have a type in mind I may be able to suggest some groups?

Thank you, she's after a 14.3-15.2hh middleweight cob type really.

Whereabouts are you in the country?

As already mentioned, Horsemart, Preloved and Horsequest seem to have most markets covered. A lot are still advertised on Facebook but will not be advertised ‘for sale’ or with a price tag. I found out last horse by putting an ad on Fb in various horsey groups saying wanted, and then being very very specific about what I was looking for. It is against FB rules to advertise an animal for sale but not for an animal wanted.

The sort you are looking for is very popular though. Worth bearing in mind that there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there who don’t call themselves dealers but sell large numbers of rather common hairy ponies at inflated prices because people go mad for them. A good dealer should happily say they are a dealer. Always do an internet search to see if a seller seems to sell a lot and if they do but aren’t open about being a dealer ask yourself why.

And check out the dodgy dealer Facebook pages - and her views from across a few pages as some are run by dealers themselves

Horsemart, Freeads, adtrader, horsequest, horse and hound, - all have lo0ts of good horses and ponies for sale. If you are not experienced, take an instructor, or at least get them to help you to ask the right questions.
Never give a decision on site (unless absolutely amazing!) - give yourself the journey home to think it all through, but don't leave sellers hanging either - nothing more annoying than people who take up half a day of your time, and don't have the courtesy to even drop a text saying 'thank you, but not quite what I am looking for'.
Good luck xxx