[Preposterous Ponies!]

I had a very well behaved, easy going horse who was going wtc with flying leads and started over fences go out on trial for a week. When he came back, he was ruined. RUINED. For example, after the trial it required two people and a chain over the nose to blanket the horse - before we could do it loose in the stall. And riding him? As soon as you got on he'd bronc, rear and threaten to flip. My $2000+ dollar horse was now a giveaway, after a week. No idea how they managed to mess him up so badly in such a short time span, but apparently it is possible.

No trials. Ever. Never.

[2tempe]

If prospective buyer wants to be a PPE, one option is to schedule it in advance to take place while they are in town for their multiple day visit. If they don't like the horse on day 1, they can always cancel the PPE.

[Appsolute]

If I were looking at a horse 4 hours away and was really interested, I'd get a hotel room to stay a day or two.

The seller can recommend few hotels nearby that span a range in pricing from which the buyer may choose.

This.. my TB was 9 hours away, in another state when we went to look at him. Stayed two nights and rode 3 days. Made the deal and had him shipped home.

My filly was 4 hours away (and not yet weaned). Drove out, put a deposit down, and drove out every 2 weeks for a few months until she could be weaned and brought home.

I don't do trials either.

[Nojacketrequired]

Perhaps it's just me, but I don't consider 4 hours all that far. If they are interested, they'll come.

NJR

[lilitiger2]

I looked at horses well over 4 hours away and I stayed in a motel. Had great rides but passed on the horses. Count me as another "no trial" girl- you look, you like, you buy! Looked at one that was easily 3 hours and saw him twice,drove over and back. And eventually bought him! If they like him, they'll come!!

[red mares]

Perhaps it's just me, but I don't consider 4 hours all that far. If they are interested, they'll come.

NJR

Agreed.

Why do you need to facilitate multiple rides? Lots of other people have bought horses long distance on one ride. Worked for me. I flew in, rode the horse and left.

[ThreeFigs]

No trial. No trial. No trial.

If it's the right horse for the right buyer, it will happen., no matter how far Buyer has to travel.

The horse is the one who suffers in a trial situation. Preposterous's tale tells all. You can't know or control what the buyer will do with your horse -- jump the daylights out of it, invite everyone in the barn to take a spin on it, run it half to death...

[ako]

Red Mares, I have to disagree, as a buyer, I won't be pressured to decide on one ride. I'll spend my money elsewhere. It's too big a commitment for me. That said, I did buy my mare after one short ride because I just KNEW. And it was in another country, so I wasn't flying back. But unless it's just one of those things where you're struck by a thunderbolt, as I was, one ride is not enough.

I'm a hypocrite. As a buyer, I want a trial to know what I'm getting into. As a seller, I would not give one except to somebody I know VERY WELL.

4 hours? If they like the horse, they'll make it work without a trial.

[red mares]

I'm a buyer, not a seller.

If you want multiple rides as buyer, that's fine, but I don't see that it's the seller's responsibility. Make multiple visits and shop within a radius that allows it or start making hotel reservations.

Somewhat off topic, but I don't get it when people ask for a discount because they have to ship the new horse x hundred miles, either.

[Justa Bob]

It doesn't sound like the buyer is quite ready for the challenge of purchasing a horse if it's too risky for them to do so from 4 hours away. That is not a long distance by any means for many horse sales.

Since the buyer is not confident or is timid...they are trying to have the seller take more of the risk than is typical.

Wait for a buyer who is ready to play the complete role of responsible buyer.

It is not the seller's role to map out HOW to purchase the horse -- it should be clear the buyer if hotel stays or other means are needed for a trial.

The experienced seller can help establish what are the non-negotiables and what are the best practices in a horse sale -- but that should only go so far! You are very considerate for even thinking over a trial -- it's just so risky for you and esp. the horse!

[crosscreeksh]

I don't "DO" trials...for anyone...none...period!! Horse was 4 hours away (not unreasonable drive) when she read the ad, called, set a date to look. Let the buyer deal with it however they see fit!! NO TRIALS!! Would you give a total stranger a bag of money equivalent to the price of your horse and let them borrow it for a week??? And cash can't be broken, maimed or fried!! I don't ask for trials on horses I buy either!!! Good luck.

[Grataan]

As a seller, I would not give one except to somebody I know VERY WELL.

I trust my husband with my life, and I wouldn't even give him a trial.

[sketcher]

The last horse I sold went for a two week trial. He was paid in full, vetted and my trainer dropped him off herself to make sure the training barn he was going to was on the up-and-up. All worked out fine. I could understand why someone spending 25 k on a horse would want to spend a week or two of quality time (at a barn, under a trainer).

That being said, that is the only time I have sent one on a trial. I know I amay have gotten lucky....

[ptownevt]

Four hours is not that huge a hurdle. I've driven that far to pick up adopted dogs. Heck I drove almost that far twice to adopt a dog because I went on Saturday and they couldn't reach my vet to approve my application.

[Parrotnutz]

If I were looking at a horse 4 hours away and was really interested, I'd get a hotel room to stay a day or two.

The seller can recommend few hotels nearby that span a range in pricing from which the buyer may choose.

I agree! Had someone come 10 hours to try my mare. She and trainer stayed over night. She rode her twice....on way back to home I got a call and she wanted her and set up a vetting. Mare is living happily in Ohio now and I get reports.

So 4 hours does not faze me.if they are really interested they can do what my buyer did.

The amusing part of my sale: We told her this mare is super brave and stops at nothing. Buyer had not ridden in awhile so had loose leg. She buried the mare at the fence....mare did not stop, like we said., but had to really round up and buyer fell off. She still bought her! She was exactly how we represented her said buyer, LOL

[Cindyg]

I'm returning from a 4-hour-drive shopping trip right now. We drove down in the afternoon. I rode the horse that evening (to avoid the heat of the afternoon sun). Stayed overnight in a hotel. Got up early this morning for a second ride (before the day got too hot). We should be home within 24 hours.

The last time I bought a horse, (1000 miles away), I was on the phone as the horse was vetted; so I wouldn't hesitate to do a long-distance vetting under the right circumstances.

[ESG]

Four hours away is nothing. If it's too much for buyer to handle, s/he should do as others have said and make hotel reservations and stay a few days. No trial.

That said, I am the queen of no trials for sale horses. It makes for long hours in a car going hundreds of miles for the right horse, but it's all worth it. All of you know that if you don't know it's the right horse roughly 15 minutes after your butt hits the saddle, it's not the right horse.

My record for trying horses is two horses in one day, 175 miles apart, with the first horse 200 miles from the starting point. We traveled from Katy, to Boerne, to Corpus Christi to Katy to see two horses, in one day. Mileage from point of origin to point of origin? 573 miles. And the Corpus horse was lame when we got there.

And that didn't include me driving 20 miles from my house to get to Katy to start the trip, so add another 40 miles to that, for me. Eighteen hours, lots of miles, but got a stunning horse for my client for a great price.

Nope, don't feel sorry for your buyer doing four hours each way.

[Paragon]

Perhaps it's just me, but I don't consider 4 hours all that far. If they are interested, they'll come.

NJR

Likewise. The only horse I ever bought was about this far away, over hill and dale into rural Ohio. I went out twice to play with him, on weekends. The only agreement we had was that, over the course of the two or three weeks I was going out there, the seller wouldn't sneak him out from under me. I decided on my second visit to put down the money and bring him home.

I was glad for the agreement, because of the distance and my inability to stay overnight. But the drive really wasn't that bad.

[JoZ]

Update -- well, the PB (potential buyer) is still with me, even after I nixed the trial. First she was going to come up by herself today, then she and her trainer asked a local (to me) pro dressage rider/trainer to take the first ride. That should take place in the next day or so. Baby steps... the visit from PB and her buyer will be scheduled after that if dressage pro gives favorable report.

Meanwhile I am keeping someone in the lurch who has tried him and wants to lease him. I hope I don't end up with neither. I could start a whole separate thread about leasing but I won't. Lease candidate is great, willing to insure, looked great on my horse. But I sure could use MONEY!!! Can you spare a small jingle for speedy resolution?!

[Justa Bob]

Jingling for speedy resolution for the best match!