Is asking for photos w/o saddle unreasonable request?

[saddleup]

I'm horse hunting, and responded to an ad on dreamhorse for a horse that's out of state. The sellers got back to me in a week, then I replied, asking if they could send me photos of the horse without the saddle from the left, right and front and back. I didn't hear anything for a few days, and I emailed them again. I got a reply that I was so demanding they didn't want to deal with me.

I just sat there, sort of shocked. I've bought two horses through the internet, both were out of state, and have never thought it unreasonable to ask for photos or a detailed video before flying out to check out the horse in person.

Oh well. Have things changed in the two years since I last bought a horse? Or are there so many "tire kickers" that sellers are getting cranky?

[citydog]

Nope. They're nuts.

[oldenmare]

Oh - I doubt they're nuts. I think that they have something to hide - otherwise, they'd be more than happy to get the pictures for a potential buyer.... that is, if they are serious about selling the horse.

A couple of emails over a period of days is not pushy/demanding - it indicates interest and persistance. Unless, of course, your tone was totally out of line - doesn't seem like it, but just a possibility.

But that's just speaking from years of experience of horse-shopping for myself and friends.

[dmalbone]

Nope, you're normal! They're the froot loops! There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for standard conformation shots without a saddle. They're hiding something. A person can't expect to sell their horse out of state if they won't even provide proper photos, nonetheless a video. I wouldn't touch that situation...

[ThatScaryChick]

Is asking for photos w/o saddle unreasonable request?

No, it isn't an unreasonable request. I agree with the posters above, I think they may be trying to hide something. Because it shouldn't be a big deal to send more photos showing the horse without tack.

[cu.at.x]

I came across the same, odd problem a couple months ago. I saw a horse online that I liked, but I wanted to see confo pictures before driving the 3-4 hours to see it. The owners' response was something to the effect of, "You'll just have to come out and see her. I'm not takin' no more pictures". :eek: Needless to say, that call ended pretty quick!

[carp]

When I had one of my horses up for sale, it never occurred to me that people wouldn't want a full set of shots. I had pictures from front, back, and both sides plus a few under saddle before the first ad ever went up.

[Bluey]

When asking for a video of a horse several hours away, I had the seller make one showing the horse being handled and saddled right in front of a laying down barrel, so you could not see the crooked pigeon toed front, then the whole riding video was from far away.:rolleyes:
When asked for a picture from the front showing his whole legs, they never answered back.:p

I don't know why people want to hide or lie about anything from a buyer that will be able to see in person what the horse is and definitively won't be happy after traveling long and far to see the horse was not described as it really is?

I say if they don't want to take pictures, maybe you don't want to buy their horse.;)

[BarbB]

Either they are trying to hide something, or they don't care if they sell the horse, or they think selling is easy...throw a picture online and people come running with money in hand. Was it a new ad?

stay away!

[Equibrit]

Think about it. They expect you to buy a horse without seeing it. Now - they ain't right !

[cutemudhorse]

That is not at all unreasonable!!! If I was looking I would want to see the beastie nekked, and from all angles. Either they think he looks better under saddle and are lazy or they know he looks better under saddle and are stupid!

I would hope buying a horse should be pleasant experience all around. Don't bother to deal with ignorant people as there are many good horses for sale from honest sellers.

[greysandbays]

Unless the saddle comes with the horse, there should be NO pictures of a saddled horse without a rider up shown to a prospective buyer!

[meupatdoes]

If you lived 45 minutes or less away and the under tack pic was decent, I would be like, "Oh, please. Just get in the eff car."

But your post says you would be FLYING IN to see these horses.

If they expect you to dedicate at least an entire day and possibly a hotel stay and an additional day without their taking three measly pictures for you that is ridiculous.

[saddleup]

I'm two states away, and it would require flying in, a rental car, and hotel stay just because I can't get there early enough in the morning to beat the heat for the trial ride. Yesterday it was 102 degrees there.

Sigh.

I think they must be trying to hide something, or else they've sold the horse and don't want to fess up. Oh well. Back to the hunt.....

[cu.at.x]

If you lived 45 minutes or less away and the under tack pic was decent, I would be like, "Oh, please. Just get in the eff car."


Even then.... If I was trying to sell a horse, I would do everything within reason to accommodate buyers. If they live 45 minutes away and want a short video clip, for crying out loud, because they're extremely busy and can't waste time looking at every horse that seems like it might work, I would have no problem taking a video clip. Business establishments go out of the way to treat customers well (well.....most of the time) so why should selling a horse be any different?

[tazz001]

Demanding to see pics of nekkid horse...I think not. it is so easy to take pics these days. Gee i would take pics of horse even if dirty (maybe not mud plastered) if someone that far away wanted them. Of course I would ask they please excuse the dirt but anyone who knows horses can see behind a poo stain if needed. It will at least better inform a prospective purchaser than no pics

When selling...pics say so much more and cost so little:yes: