Getting a pony to sell

[anyalterway]

Posting as alter so its not seen as advertising since there are multiple pictures of said pony posted elsewhere

First of all, I know Ill get the "the economy sucks, just wait it out" sort of thing. I just want some advice. Ive had my pony up for sale for almost a year now. Hes a large pony (almost extra-large but will always stick at 14.1 7/8), he showed a successful year in the Children's Larges. He can do the 3' and win no problem and is still eligible green. Hes a good mover and will definitely pin in the hack and has an almost 10 jump.

He is your average quirky pony to ride. Is lazy but responds to your leg. Not hot at all. He does make you ride the jump in the beginning and if you dont ride him he will stop. Nothing dirty just the fat lazy pony "oh if you dont want to do it I guess I just wont" sorta thing. He is a SUPERSTAR with little kids though and will just jump whatever they point him at and is just so careful. He does his changes too.

His only downfall is that he is sensitive to dust, but we give him soaked hay and hay-cubes, as well as SmartBreathe, and an Organic Iodide Supplement when we show.

I have had him at what me and everyone I have asked as super reasonable asking price. And I've got nothing. A few emails. Mostly very obvious tire-kickers. One person did come to see him but the kid "didn't like his color" (told to me by the child). I really need him to go ASAP, Im getting ready for college and really don't want to keep him through the summer so I dont have another thing I have to worry about.

I would drop his price more but then I would be practically giving him away, literally. I don't know if his price is TOO low, which almost automatically makes people think he will have something horribly wrong with him.

Is there anything I can do to make him more market-able? anything to get him to move a little faster? I love him to pieces but he needs to go teach some other kid how to ride now.

ETA: He's priced in the super-duper low 5 fig range.

[dorthyinoz]

Would you be able to post the price (or the price range) so people can help figure out if he is worth that...or more?

[meupatdoes]

Are you 'owned' by a particular trainer or can you put him on a truck and physically bring him to good sales trainers in your area and do a demo ride for them?

[Sugarbrook]

Do you have a video of him up on Youtube or a similiar site? That is a good marketing tool. Have any trainers seen him? Also, can you share a price range for him?

[findeight]

A Children's Pony that is still eligible Green (meaning has never showed at the 3' and may need a little work) and a bit of a quirky ride can be a little tough to sell BUT nothing a decent trainer with a good network for marketing cannot overcome.

Right now, buyers like to see more then one Pony on a shopping trip and many won't even go look at a single someplace if it's more then an hours drive.

Even if you have it priced correctly, if nobody comes to look? You will not sell it. Think that is your biggest issue-your competition for the serious buyer's dollar is presenting a nice selection to each buyer. Most haul them to the shows, even as non showing Ponies. Know two that have sold after being presented to multiple buyers at PF last August-neither showed and it took a few months but buyers who saw them there came back or trainers told other trainers and they showed up and bought it.

Call around your area and see if you cannot work a deal when the trainer has buyers coming to look, haul it over a week before, get a commission agreement signed and pay the weeks board and training. Getting it to a show with them would be even better.

I know this costs but, honestly, as a buyer wouldn't you want to see 3 or 4? And in a show setting so you can see what you are getting?

There are about a million Ponies out there, no rated miles, still eligible Green and sitting on the market forever because, unless it is dead fancy? Not too many looking for that, they want packers with proven records for their children.

[Thomas_1]

Be clear about the market.

Ensure he's priced to meet the market demand and requirement.

Do your research or elicit the services of a horse dealer if you need to. (at a 5 figure sum it would be viable to engage a pro)

If that price doesn't meet your expectation then manage your expectation

Ensure you reach the market.... whether that's by networking, advertising or whatever.

That's all there is to it.

[JinxyFish313]

Where are you located?

[2Below]

Where I'm at, the ONLY way I really can sell a horse is to bring it to people. Sometimes it's a oneday trial + vetting, sometimes it's a week or 2 trial, where they use their own vet, their own trainer sees/rides the horse, they see the horse at their barn. I rarely bring a horse back when I do this. I also have youtube videos, schooling and at shows, belong to lists/groups and periodically post my sales page with pictures and the links to videos. Then the tire kickers can kick away, check out movies/pics without wasting anyone's time and the serious people make the phone call. I've found that being overly generous with my time and willingness is worth it.