Selling Your Horse or Pony
How to Ensure Your Equine Companion Goes to the Best Home Possible
Mar 9, 2008
It’s All About Who You Know
Whatever your motivation for selling, you will want your friend to go to a suitable and loving home. One of the best ways of letting people know that your horse is for sale is through word of mouth. Tell your horsey friends and acquaintances that you are selling. They will pass the message on to other horse lovers in the area. It may even turn out that one of your friends or a member of their families is looking for a new horse. The benefit of selling to somebody you know is that you will be certain of where your horse will be going and can, hopefully, be confident in the knowledge that he or she will be cared for properly.
Where to Advertise
Advertising in the equestrian press is also a great way of getting the word out. Most equestrian magazines such as Horse & Hound in the UK, Horse & Rider in the USA and Horse Trader in New Zealand will have a classified section, featuring horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes. A variety of online sites have also sprung up in recent times, including HorseQuest in the UK, Equine.Com in America and Horse Deals in Australia.
Be Honest!
Make sure that you are completely honest and don’t over-estimate your animal’s capabilities or potential in the advert. As wonderful as you might think your horse, do not market him or her as the next Olympic dressage champion if he would be better suited to a life of local shows, Pony Club and hacking around! It will only make the sale process a much more drawn out and difficult time if you try to sell your horse to the wrong audience. Make sure you give all of the relevant information in the ad including the horse or pony’s height, age, its level of training and the price. If your horse is of good breeding, then it may also be worth including bloodline details. Always include a nice, clear and quality photo of your animal.
Showing Your Horse Off to Potential Buyers
When somebody comes to view your horse, make sure that you take advantage of the situation and present it to the best of your ability:
- Give your horse a good wash and groom, almost as if you were preparing for a show. You want him or her to look as good as possible.
- When the prospective buyer arrives, have your horse waiting in the stable or in the field so that the buyer can see how the horse behaves when he or she is caught and tacked up.
- Once the saddle and bridle are on, carry out a short riding demonstration. This will usually include you showing the horse at walk, trot and canter. If the horse has the appropriate level of experience, then you might also pop him or her over a couple of jumps.
- In addition to this, most buyers will want to see how the horse reacts when it is ridden outside of the arena, in the open countryside and on roads.
- After you have worked your horse, the buyer can jump on and take him or her through its paces.
Saying Goodbye:The final goodbye can be a heart-wrenching and emotional experience. Say your farewells to your horse before he or she is picked up and be happy that somebody else is getting the opportunity to experience your lovely horse. Plus, if you are moving on to another equine partner, focus on the wonderful adventures that looking for a new horse will bring.
(If you are looking for a new pony for your child then visit my article on 'Buying Your Child's First Pony' for some useful tips)
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