Anyone sell a horse without riding it...? [Archive]

~DressageJunkie~

Jun. 10, 2009, 05:10 PM

It's come time to sell Sheza, even though I have put it off for the past um two years...I can't stand seeing her everyday just sitting when she has potential for someone.

The problem is, I don't think I can ride her to her fullest at this point. I have just got back in the saddle consistently and only cantered a few times since my accident. I might be able to get a friend to ride her a few times for me, but she is busy with her own horses getting ready for showing. I can work with her on the ground and walk, possible trot.

This is a horse who is safe to get on even though she hasn't been ridden consistently in the past 2 years, but obviously the more green she seems, the less money we can get from her. (I'm not all about money, biggest concern is a good home, but with this econonmy I would rather not loose money on her)

As a buyer could you look past being out of work?

Edited to Add:

This horse is a 7 year old saddlebred who was never finished to show. Also could walk/trot/canter but never finished enough for show.

I can't give too much information because there is no advertising allowed, but the price is WELL under $10,000, so it's not like this horse would be a huge investment.

I can possible do more then walk/trot with this horse, but her very upbeat movement might be a bit rough on my legs ha

goponies

Jun. 10, 2009, 05:17 PM

mjrtango93

Jun. 10, 2009, 05:21 PM

Well that depends on age of horse, what it does and how much. I'm not going to pay you $10,000 for a 7 year old that hasn't been sat on it 2 years thats greenbroke, but I might give you that much for a 10-12 year old that is ready to show that just needs to get back into shape with a good show record. It's all about what the horse knows, and how much you want.

We just bought an intermediate event horse for a song for this exact reason. It hadn't evented in 2 years and had barely even been sat on in over a year. We knew the horse from before and bought it off an old competition video, but paid about 1/3 what he should have been worth.

~DressageJunkie~

Jun. 10, 2009, 05:23 PM

I have put time into her but I haven't been able to ride much since I broke both my legs 4 months ago.

FlashGordon

Jun. 10, 2009, 05:26 PM

A lot of it depends on the horse, the buyer, the situation.....

Can you find someone to put some rides on her before you sell her, and make an arrangement to have that person ride her for potential buyers? Yes it will cost some $ but at the end of the day it may well be worth it.

I sold a horse, for next to nothing, to a professional. I was having serious health issues at the time. I told them before they came that I could not demo him for them. They were ok with that.

I'd had a trainer riding him occasionally and I did try to line her up to come show him for me, but she had a conflict.

Jun. 10, 2009, 05:28 PM

I could overlook you not riding her for four months if you'd explained that you'd broken both your legs... but not ridden for 2 years? I'd really have to wonder why... especially if I could purchase a horse who had been in work for those two years for the same price.

greysandbays

Jun. 10, 2009, 06:34 PM

A horse that can't do any more than that better be priced WAY under $10,000. Like "knock off a zero and divide by half" under. Even if you do have somebody that can rider her for prospective buyers.

You're not talking about a horse who was once excellent but has backslid under a novice rider. You're talking about a horse who's never really done much of anything ever, won't be top show material even on her best day, and isn't really breeding quality. There's not a whole lot that can overcome strikes like that.

If I was in a gambling mood, I'd buy a supposedly rideable horse that I liked without seeing it ridden -- but I sure wouldn't pay much. And I'd be assuming the horse had some pretty big holes in it someplace and that it might turn out to be a lost cause that has to be disposed of sooner rather than later.

Bluey

Jun. 10, 2009, 06:38 PM

Maybe you could find a trainer that would take the horse on consignment, ride it enough to get it where it can be shown at it's best and sell it for you?
It may not be a paying proposition, horses like that have very little value, but at least someone else may have a shot to enjoy owning and riding that horse.

pAin't_Misbehavin'

Jun. 10, 2009, 06:40 PM

I would think that the only people who might buy a horse without seeing it ridden would be professionals or at least the estremely seasoned and competent amateur - who may not want to pay very much.

A novice like me? Heck, no, I'd be scared off the minute the owner said she couldn't ride it!

Woodland

Jun. 10, 2009, 07:04 PM

Nope sorry I wouldn't pay money for a horse that the owner would just ride at the walk. Now if it was a giveaway, maybe...
Your best bet is to put the time in her or to get her to a trainer. She'll sell faster that way too.

I will not ride a horse the owner will not ride first. That tells me there is a MAJOR hole in the horse and that I could potentially be hurt. I have taken in numerous freebees unridden - but not if I have to spend a dollar :no: My health is far too valuable!

In The Gate

Jun. 10, 2009, 07:30 PM

Agreed. I would not get on a horse without seeing someone ride it unless I personally knew the horse already. ESPECIALLY one that hasn't been ridden in two years.

Amchara

Jun. 10, 2009, 08:02 PM

Even if you could ride the horse, I think at seven, green, and out of work for two years your looking at having trouble giving it away.

That's how my friend got her horse. Nice, sound, TB gelding, with a show record. He came from states away because the owner couldn't give him away around in the area.

ddashaq

Jun. 10, 2009, 08:47 PM

I completely understand not wanting to take a loss, but I think that you are going to have to get used to the idea. If you sell her now, as is, I would imagine the best you are going to get is $1-2K and only the upper range of that if you are really lucky. If you send her to a trainer, you will be losing $$ every month that she is there and who knows how long it would take her to sell in the current economy. My trainer has sold three horses in the past 3 months for around $1500 a piece-- all three were easy to ride at w/t/c and two of them had been started over fences. In your shoes, I would be happy to get the mare sold to a good home for ANY amount of money.

ThirdCharm

Jun. 10, 2009, 08:57 PM

In the current economy, horses in that age and price range who ARE finished to show are selling for a considerable bit less than that.

Like, a third or less.

NOT finished, unridden in X amt of time, unless there is something REALLY special about the horse (national champion type potential?), free to $1500 maybe....

Jennifer

kcmel

Jun. 10, 2009, 09:35 PM

When I was helping my niece horse shop we came across a GORGEOUS 7 yr old tb mare. The owner was pregnant and the horse hadn't been ridden for over a year. I really really loved the looks of that horse. But we didn't pursue it; it just didn't make sense. The price kept dropping and dropping; last I saw it was $500. I would have loved to have had her myself, but she was in TN and I am in PA.

~DressageJunkie~

Jun. 10, 2009, 10:41 PM

I think people are missing the main point. If i could physically ride this horse right now even after two years off i would be comfortable getting on her bareback with just a halter and w/t/c and even pop over a few jumps.

Im not asking a lot for this horse. I didn't want to get accused of advertising but i was thinking of starting at $2500. It wouldn't be worth it to put her in training, she had a month with a hunter trainer last year. I would be very negotable to a good home as that is my goal.

I would not consider her worthless at all. She has great bloodlines and build to be a saddlebred broodmare. If someone wanted to work with her she could be a great eventer or jumper, she loves to jump and is 3 gaited. I would never sell her to a kid but i survived with her as my first horse, in 4 years of owning her she has never once bucked. The only reason for not riding her a lot is because i was doing hunters. People are reading that she hasn't been riden in two years when i just said she hasn't been riden consistently. My friend worked with her a month or so ago and had her going nicely.

This is why I haven't tried to sell her yet cause I know she has potential. I'm worried about throwing her out in this economy.

But once again I would ride her but my doctor advised me not to ride green mares after breaking both my legs in half only 4 months ago...

Woodland

Jun. 10, 2009, 11:02 PM

Then hire an agent or trainer to prep and sell her.

katarine

Jun. 10, 2009, 11:10 PM

she's only worth what someone's willing to pay for her. The economy sucks eggs right now, you want over 2K for a green, out of shape, 7 YO with....potential.

Do some searches on the big online horse classifieds, of her breed, and her price range, say 1k-5K. See what the market is getting for her..and see how hold those ads have been out there.

I am sorry but I don't see anyone leaping on an unproven anything for 2K+ I realize that is not your question, but would I ride a horse the owner can't/won't ride? No. It's the owner's resp. to 'show me' the horse, if it's of a rideable age and supposedly ridden. Hire a catch rider on a % basis, something..

Arcadien

Jun. 10, 2009, 11:34 PM

Okay, only posting because I think most regulars have this poster on "ignore" already (if newbies want to know why, just look up her posts so far, mostly a couple years ago).

Anyway, since I'm here, the "main point" you are missing, methinks, is that horses a lot nicer and in current training are going for peanuts or nothing right now. Your girl is a freebie to a good home, at this point. Hopefully you can keep her for awhile longer (your parents have fed her this long, try to keep them hanging in there a bit longer) for the economy to recover, so you can find a home for her. Even then, your price is excessive, unless you can find stupid. (They are out there, but it takes time to stumble on them, and even then your mare is not so safe being bought by stupid, than she would be free to a good home...)

greysandbays

Jun. 10, 2009, 11:38 PM

I think people are missing the main point. If i could physically ride this horse right now even after two years off i would be comfortable getting on her bareback with just a halter and w/t/c and even pop over a few jumps.

But if you can't prove it to a buyer's satisfaction, it doesn't exist.

I would not consider her worthless at all. She has great bloodlines and build to be a saddlebred broodmare. If someone wanted to work with her she could be a great eventer or jumper, she loves to jump and is 3 gaited. I would never sell her to a kid but i survived with her as my first horse, in 4 years of owning her she has never once bucked. The only reason for not riding her a lot is because i was doing hunters. People are reading that she hasn't been riden in two years when i just said she hasn't been riden consistently. My friend worked with her a month or so ago and had her going nicely.

She's a gamble. Anybody competent to take her on and make something of her isn't likely to be somebody who'll throw a lot of money out for her. If your friend had her "going nicely" a month or so ago, then you should have sold her a month or so ago. Then maybe you could have snagged somebody with more $$$$ than sense as a buyer (although those folks are rarer than they used to be -- not that they've got any more sense, just that they have a lot less $$$).

This is why I haven't tried to sell her yet cause I know she has potential. I'm worried about throwing her out in this economy.

Keep fooling around waiting for her to be worth something on account of the economy and you might have a green 15 year old with...potential.

But once again I would ride her but my doctor advised me not to ride green mares after breaking both my legs in half only 4 months ago...

That and a quarter will get you a whole cup of Buyer Looks Elsewhere.

nightsong

Jun. 11, 2009, 01:57 AM

But if you can't prove it to a buyer's satisfaction, it doesn't exist.

I went out with a guy a while ago who was telling me about his job search as a landscaper. He said he had done a bunch of magnificent gardens but the owners were private people who wouldn't let them be displayed for job hunting purposes. I said that he'd likely have to PROVE his worth as a landscaper instead of just telling stories. He got all puffed up: "I don't have to PROVE anything to anybody!" Well,you do if you want them to hire you. Same with horses.

kookicat

Jun. 11, 2009, 06:47 AM

Do you need to sell her at this point? Could you keep her, or do you need the money? Plus, is your other horse (Tex, right?) going to be happy on his own?

If you don't need to sell her, and just want her to be useful, have you considered a lease or part lease?

If you do need to sell her, could you have your friend put a month's tuning up on her, and ask your friend to show her to the buyers for you? You would have to figure out some compensation for your friend- which doesn't have to be money. ;) (I remember being a starving collage student who tuned up a snotty pony for his owner. She gave me a huge hamper of home made goodies, fresh veg, and a bottle of wine).

Huntertwo

Jun. 11, 2009, 06:57 AM

Someone refusing to ride their sale horse might be a red flag for me. But in your situation (Broken legs) I would hope they would understand.

I'd just honestly explain the situation to them and take it from there.

RedTahoe

Jun. 11, 2009, 08:09 AM

You could always find a friend or someone to ride her for you when the buyers come to see her.

I was injured when I sold a horse of mine, asked a friend to come ride, and I explained to the buyers (before they came) I had injured myself (and not from the horse), but that so-and-so was going to ride her for you to show off her moves.

Since I was on crutches with a cast on....it was kinda obvious I wasn't lying about being injured either.

I sold that gelding with the second person that came around on the same day as the first person.

I wouldn't have any problem going to someone's house to see a horse for sale that had someone else ride the horse for the owner especially if the owner was honest with me about their level of consistent riding.

Saidapal

Jun. 11, 2009, 08:19 AM

If the owner won't ride, I sure as heck wouldn't climb on. Even if you told me you couldn't ride because of an accident - not horse related - I would still be suspicious.

How about sending her to your friend who will ride her to sell? Then you can stay out of it all together.

Posting Trot

Jun. 11, 2009, 09:13 AM

I think (FWIW) that a lease or part-lease situation for the horse--and I mean free lease--might be good for a while. That way you can get some miles on the horse, someone gets to use the horse, you can recover, the economy can recover, and so on.

Try putting up some flyers in the tack store, the feed store, wherever. Maybe see if there's a pony club nearby and see if any pony clubber would be interested in a part or full lease.

One really important thing if you do go this route is to make sure you have a contract with the person leasing the horse that specifies who pays for what, what conditions the horse will be kept in (if she goes off your property), who the vet and farrier will be, and how long the lease will last. Then enforce the terms of the lease.

Good luck.

Trixie

Jun. 11, 2009, 11:29 AM

Ask someone who is capable of riding her to hop on her to show for sale. Better yet if they can tune her up a few times prior.

pAin't_Misbehavin'

Jun. 11, 2009, 12:05 PM

No, I'm not missing the point - I understand that it's your injury, not anything to do with the mare, that prevents your riding her.

But if I called up before coming out to see her, and the seller told me that, I would cancel the appointment to view. At best, the owner is telling the truth and the mare hasn't been ridden in two years. So I don't want the mare, because I know I'll have to sink $$ into training before I can enjoy her. The only people who won't have to do this are trainers themselves - and I don't think you'll get what you're asking out of a professional.

At worst? The owner (not you, OP, some hypothetical owner) is scared to ride the mare for a good reason and is making up the story about her own injury. I wouldn't risk injuring myself on faith that some stranger is telling me the truth.

Jun. 11, 2009, 12:22 PM

DJ, As a prospective buyer, I don't expect to be the crash test dummy. Even though you have a valid reason not to ride, the horse would have to be ridden by someone in order for buyers to take you seriously.

I'm in your area, and you're high on her price. For an out-of-shape pasture potato with some prof. training, you could ask $1750, but you better be ready to negotiate to ~$1200 or so.

LisaB

Jun. 11, 2009, 12:30 PM

I'm glad you've come to this decision and I hope you continue riding with a horse that suits you. It should be the highlight of your day to go ride.
Having said that, you need to get someone to ride your horse. I would try to find a local person, not necessarily a pro, to ride and market the horse. And they take a cut. It's going to be a loss situation for you so you might as well face that now rather than getting super frustrated later. She's a tough ride and was never successful. The potential may be there but you never know.
Saddlebred, right? If she isn't doing the big saddlbred circuit and is gaited and all, bloodlines are worthless unless you directly contact breeders and sell her as a broodmare which doesn't fetch you a lot of money. Also, check out the saddlebred rescue places because sometimes they will take on a viable horse like yours and ride and sell her for a cut too.

BuddyRoo

Jun. 11, 2009, 02:28 PM

I think if I were in your shoes, I'd try to have a friend ride the horse a few times before showing it. Then I would screen prospective buyers and just say: Look, I was in a pretty bad accident and I can't ride right now. It's not the horse, it's me. So. If you want to ride the horse, that's fine. If you want to bring a trainer to ride the horse, that's fine. If you want me to have a friend come out and show you the horse, THAT'S fine too. I just need to know where your comfort level is because I cannot show you the horse at this time.

RedTahoe

Jun. 11, 2009, 02:36 PM

Okay, only posting because I think most regulars have this poster on "ignore" already (if newbies want to know why, just look up her posts so far, mostly a couple years ago).

Unnecessary. ^

kcmel

Jun. 11, 2009, 04:14 PM

Unnecessary. ^

I agree. She may be naive, but she's not obnoxious or mean-spirited or anything that gets someone put on MY ignore list.

~DressageJunkie~

Jun. 11, 2009, 06:59 PM

sid

Jun. 11, 2009, 07:15 PM

There are trainers that will indeed buy home raised 7 yr. olds that only have been backed and have the walk on them....simply because they have no mileage. Not having worked a horse at that age can be seductive for some trainers. Not too old, not too young, plus no hidden problems to spend fixing for physical problems or mental problems from starting and hammering too young.

Surely, you will not get $10K or anything close to it. But IME she is not a "giveaway".

Talk to a good trainer or horseman you trust, in the venue in which you believe she will excel about her "slow start" due to unforseen circumstances. In addition, simply state in a sales ad what she has learned to do re: handling and u/s. Be honest about your situation that has prevented you from doing more with her. Doesn't mean she's worthless, but you also will not get top $$ for her. Settle on something in between...but you'll feel best if you get her to a good home, if you can't keep her.

Last, if you are not physically able to take a buck or two when she learns the trot or canters, you should not get on her. All greenies may do that and it's not worth your desire to get her sold to do that.

Hope this helps.

2ndyrgal

Jun. 11, 2009, 09:19 PM

You are probably better off to cut your losses at this point truly and there are a ton of cheap horses for sale that are easy rides and done more than Sheza. That said, I've thrown my leg over hundreds of horses that I never saw the owner or trainer ride first. I've never lunged a horse prior to a ride and while I've had a few hairy rides, I don't want to watch you or your trainer ride, I want to ride the horse myself, from the beginning, so I can see what I'm getting. Hell, I don't even want him tacked up first, bring him in from the field and knock the dirt off, I'm not riding the show prep, I'm riding the horse.
I remember when I was 14 going to look at a very nice show horse with my father, she was a dream. Inside the indoor. When I went out the arena door to the field next door, I thought the trainer's mother, the barn owner and the horse's owner was going to have a stroke, she started screaming "I told you not to let anyone ride the horse OUTSIDE!!" The mare was fine, but Dad and I exchanged a knowing glance and took a pass on that particular horse.
Add up what you're going to spend in the next year on Sheza, and if it's about what you would take for her anyway, just find her a good home.
Good luck, and sorry to hear about your accident, be patient with the rehab, I wasn't and at 48, I'm really starting to feel the results of not healing as slowly as the doctors said I should.

enjoytheride

Jun. 11, 2009, 09:36 PM

I think many people on this BB are used to higher end horses. With her talents and price range you will be dealing with some random people who may or may not have riding skills of any sort!

I think if you sent pictures in an email showing her being ridden as well as some videos of you riding her that would be good. you will not have a huge problem selling her without being able to ride her.

Your best bet to attract the least yahoos would be to have a friend of yours ride her a couple times before you put her up for sale then have that friend come out and show her for the people looking.

I think if you ask $1,000 that might be a little high for her right now and I would expect to get $800 if she goes well under saddle.

nightsong

Jun. 12, 2009, 02:10 AM

What did you learn when you were trying to sell her before? I remember a LOT of good, SPECIFIC advice from people who had some knowledge of you, including on her value AND saleability as a saddlebred. Not good, either of them.

RedTahoe

Jun. 12, 2009, 09:48 AM

Thanks RedTahoe and Kcmel, I'm not trying to be difficult or naive.

I just think a preface to a post that is borderling drama-causing is unnecessary.

kookicat

Jun. 12, 2009, 02:14 PM

Thanks RedTahoe and Kcmel, I'm not trying to be difficult or naive.

I simply stated that some people were not getting the point that this horse is not dangerous, I am just unable to ride much.

Others, got the point and gave great advice which I am considering.

Hopefully if it quits raining I can ride Sheza and see how much I can do with her. I totally forgot that my western saddle fits her so I can give that a shot. Right now an english saddle hurts my hips and knees.

We don't "have" to sell Sheza at this point but we are putting money into her when I am getting nothing from her. I am willing to take a loss on her (We were stupid when we bought her and paid too much). My biggest concern is a good home, because she is my first horse and needs someone who understands her.

I wasn't trying to offend you with my post, just trying to understand where you were coming from. :)

Would a lease with an option to buy work for you? If you can find a good rider who is horseless (for whatever reason), it's a win for all of you. The rider is getting a horse to ride, Sheza is getting some miles and you feel like you're getting something back.

You could even keep the cost very low in the lease, which would attract people who want to ride but maybe don't have the money in this economy.