As a seller, do you want to know why the buyer chooses no?

[Penthilisea]

A friend and I went to look at a local horse for her, after a brief coherent correspondence.

There were a lot of terrific things about the horse, but one front leg was very full above the ankle (horse was sound at 6 on it) and didn't track up evenly. Was also out of shape and owner couldn't get a nice trot (as per advertising him as a dressage prospect) and could barely make him canter. My friend is a somewhat timid but TALL rider who would prefer a quiet horse that she can motivate more then one she spends the entire ride rating couldn't get a canter at all. Horse had no one iota of an idea of a cross rail- treated them like big caveletti- which I much prefer to the squirly worriers who then leap over the thing, but still. At 6, he's way behind the 8 ball in training.

Conformationally he wasn't fugly, but he had a goose rump and very upright angles.

Basically, he is out of two trotting breeds, super terrific mind and sweet to work with- I felt she would have better luck putting 30 days into training him OR market him as a husband trail horse, he definitely had the experience and credentials for it.

As a seller (who seemed honestly nice and did all the right stuff aside from mention or explain the filled front leg) would you want a politely worded message? Because I WAS impressed with the horse. I want to be able to recommend him to folks to go look at- but not counter to the owners image of him.

[Ishi]

As a seller, a quick no thanks, or if the client leaves saying they'll think on it, or whatever, just shoot a quick email or call saying thanks but no thanks. If someone wants to share more (like reasons on passing) that's great too, or if they found a more suitable horse I'm always happy for them~I LOVE when people get their dream horse! It would be oh so polite just to let the sellers know that their horse just wan't The One for them, instead of saying things like, "I'll call you either way, or I love him I'll talk to my trainer/husband/friend and let you know..." type of thing, never to her from them again.


In this case, I think it's totally up to you, but if you do want to send a quick note with reasons, I would also tell them what you wrote here, nice horse, you were impressed, just not quite what your friend was looking for. I think that would be really nice.

Good luck on your friend's horse search!

[greysandbays]

If I felt something MUST be said, other than "Thank you for showing him to us", I'd only add "I don't believe this horse will quite suit this person, but I'll sure mention him to anyone I come across who's looking for a horse like him". Educating the seller about the horse's shortcomings is overstepping and getting too big for one's breeches.

[moonriverfarm]

There is nothing worse than not being told the truth. As a seller, I appreciate a polite "thanks but he's just not what I'm looking for". Puts things to bed and nobody is offended. As we all know, what bothers one may not bother another and getting into semantics is not productive when buying/selling horses.

[Valentina_32926]

Years ago I was selling a 2 yo WB filly and sent out video showing her lunging and jumping on the lunge. In the letter & video I stated she did enither well since she was too young to school either (she was tall - 16.1 hands at 2) so I didn't want to damage her legs.

Had 1 seller told me it was because she counter cantered on the lunge. :eek: Had to laugh about that one. I figure if they want to volunteer it's OK but don't expect any good information (although details about the larger than normal leg to an ignorant owner might get the horse medical attention - or not). :D

[Cloverbarley]

As a seller, just a quick email to let me know either way is fine. If buyers wanted to tell me why they like or dislike the horse then that's fine too.

As a buyer, if I don't buy the horse then and there then it's unlikely that I will buy it at any later date. I tell the sellers on the spot that the horse isn't for me, thank them, and walk away. I know exactly what I am looking for each and every time I view horses. If the horse doesn't match that then I tell the sellers before I leave. If the horse does fit, then I drag out my wad of cash and buy it.

[Cloverbarley]

Years ago I was selling a 2 yo WB filly and sent out video showing her lunging and jumping on the lunge. In the letter & video I stated she did enither well since she was too young to school either (she was tall - 16.1 hands at 2) so I didn't want to damage her legs.

Had 1 seller told me it was because she counter cantered on the lunge. :eek: Had to laugh about that one. I figure if they want to volunteer it's OK but don't expect any good information (although details about the larger than normal leg to an ignorant owner might get the horse medical attention - or not). :D

That's why I stopped sending out videos of youngsters. I can't be bothered with nitwits saying stupid things like your prospective buyer did. You have to laugh though, shows their total lack of experience. I send photos of youngsters, if the potential buyers are still interested then I want to see them interact with my youngsters anyway before I'd consider selling to them.

[horsegeeks]

If there's a medical reason that I've overlooked, I'd want to know. I'd want to get my vet out and check the situation over.

I usually give a general reason when I turn the horse down. I've only went into details when one horse flunked its soundness exam. The owner honestly didn't realize there was a problem. I authorized my vet to communicate with him and his vet ... so it was acurate information and the x-ray that caused my decision going to the owner and his vet.

The horse was then placed in a theraputic riding program. The horse was perfect for that ... and would not be over-stressed. (He was one of the nicest horses I've ever been around ... the perfect personality!)

[RacetrackReject]

My old trainer and I went to look at a TB once. The horse seemed ok, but would only canter on one lead and seemed to have something going on with one of the hips. We told the owner that the horse would not work for what we were needing and suggested, nicely, that maybe she have a chiro check the horse over and see if that fixed the lead issue. (If the horse did pick up the lead, he bucked into it then swapped at first chance).

A month or so later I received an e-mail from the owner saying that she had been having the chiro adjust the horse who had a hip "out" and now the horse was going so nicely, she decided to keep him.

[magnolia73]

I tried a horse and when I got on her she felt off. I mentioned it to the BM. The seller was not there. I noticed her price was dropped considerably and she was advertised as a broodmare shortly after.

[katarine]

If the vibe is good between seller and trier, and it's one specific thing or two (not as solid for a beginner as I'd hoped, or his canter needs more work than I want to fool with, etc) then be polite but maybe offer that up gently.


If it's just NOT a match and there's 4000000 reasons why not, then no, it's pointless. Thank you for your time, he's a good guy but not what I'm looking for.

I tried a $2800 TWH that I couldn't even get to walk off from the mounting block. I'm guessing the last time he didn't ride out with his gelding pal was sometime year before last. hellsbells I don't want a horse that is pack and herd broke, I want broke. I declined. no reason given, it should have been obvious way. she offered to lead him off for me. Uh, no. That's when I had to tell her look, he's not a bad guy, not being dangerous but he's NOT as broke and honest as you'd like to think he is or have me believe. She got on him with no more success than I had. Next day he was $1500. too bad I never saw him gait, he was a cutey, but not 2800 worth of cutey :)

[analise]

If I felt something MUST be said, other than "Thank you for showing him to us", I'd only add "I don't believe this horse will quite suit this person, but I'll sure mention him to anyone I come across who's looking for a horse like him". Educating the seller about the horse's shortcomings is overstepping and getting too big for one's breeches.


That.

[ThirdCharm]

Sometimes people just tick me off.

Yearling for sale for $500: "Well, his conformation isn't perfect and we're looking for a stallion prospect."

15.3h TB mare advertised as 15.3h. "I'm really looking for something bigger."

Ex-chaser clearly advertised as NOT A HUNTER PROSPECT: "Well, I really wanted something I could do jumpers AND hunters on...."

Horse advertised as super-quiet: "I want something that TAKES me to the fences!"

Horse advertised as for advanced rider only: "Well I'm really looking for something my 7 yo daughter can learn to canter on".

If it's something SENSIBLE, and not something that was clearly advertised as an attribute of the horse, then fine, let me know..... :-) I have no problem with that..... :-)

Jennifer

[Rhyadawn]

I've been shopping, and when I had looked at a horse but decided it wasn't the right one (for whatever reason), I either sent a polite email or voicemail, that "I didn't feel this was the right mare/gelding for me."

[BuddyRoo]

When we were shopping for a horse for a good friend, we ran into some real doozies where the seller didn't seem to realize that there was a major, MAJOR problem. Probably the worst one we looked at, she ended up buying....but had she not bought him, I had taken pics and vids and we actually discussed turning it over to AC.

For the most part, I think it's a bit uncouth to mention things like "with a little more work, he might actually have a trot but he sure doesn't right now!"...

But in the case of a truly clueless seller, I might be inclined to say something like, "At this price range, you might want to consider X, Y and Z to make him more marketable. Lovely horse, just needs a few things tuned up. We're looking for something a little more turnkey/finished/not emaciated/can wtc/etc. Best of luck!"

Can't imagine many scenarios where I'd really do that though.

[moonriverfarm]

ThirdCharm, in my part of the country he call those people tirekickers.

[Kareen]

Depends. I do prefer it when people leave with a clear no as opposed to saying they like it and will get in touch when in reality they have already decided against it.
I don't need to hear a reason. I am of the school of thought that it requires a reason to buy a horse, not to not buy a horse *lol*. I therefor think buyers don't need to explain why but it's certainly more polite to give a brief, factual yes, maybe or no...

[catknsn]

A clear no is definitely a good thing. You don't want the seller counting on you.

Going into why? In my experience that's kind of like providing a reason why you don't want a second date with someone. It just gives them an opening to argue the point and try to talk you into it anyway. Or they get offended even if your observation is absolutely correct, like the big ankle. Or they deny the big ankle is a problem. I think "it's just not what I'm looking for" covers most things.

[Penthilisea]

Glad I kept my mouth shut, then. It was mostly the big leg and unevenness behind that made me wonder, even when I directly asked the seller if he had any lameness issues. If the front ankle was an old injury that flexed clean, and he was just out of shape behind, my friend might have come back for another look with trainer.

[jenarby]

Yep, I agree. "Just not what I'm looking for..." would be good enough for me.
I can't stand spending time doing pics or videos, emailing and talking on the phone, setting up a time to show the horse to someone only to have them leave with a "I'll get back to you...I do like him..." and never hear anything from them again. What a waste of time!

I've had a couple of occasions when the buyer was younger with a trainer. Fine....leaves with kid completely in love with horse. Mom googly eyed cuz kid is so happy. They give every indication this is "the one" and I get a call back with a STUPID excuse for why they aren't buying. Wah?? Like..."one front foot isn't the same angle as the other...." Um...just say thanks but he's not right for me.

[2foals]

I don't mind it if someone tells me why they aren't interested. I typically do--something like, "Pony X is really cute, but the fact that she is difficult to catch is an issue for me. Thank you so much for taking the time to show her to me." If nothing else, if they give some feedback I don't feel like my time was completely wasted by a tire-kicker. Just don't be rude or insulting.

[Movin Artfully]

As a seller...I really appreciate a buyer saying why they decide no...

We try to represent our horses with 100% honesty. If a seller feels there is not a match based on information presented (or intentionally excluded), then I would want to know for my own marketing/training purposes. I take great pride in our horses being what they are advertised to be. I want my horses to go to homes that are a great fit.

That being said, when we do things right...most horses we have sold have gone to the first person who came to look at them. This is probably because we do a lot of screening over the phone from our end and are honest up front if we don't think the horse is a match.

I got a lot better about asking a lot of questions of potential buyers after a couple came to buy a "very well-broke, honest, kind gelding well-suited for a youth with adult/trainer supervision" for their son. This horse was an absolute saint. They did not mention that their son had severe autism with a lot of physical disabilities. Had I known that up front, I would have been able to direct their search to one for an experienced therapeutic riding horse. A youth horse, no matter how saintly, really did not fit their needs.