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 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
  
Location: Texas | Within reason, what is too far? Can you ask for references? Can you ask for pictures of their other horses to validate the care they receive? Pictures of barn/property? When some says "approved home only" how do you approve a home? What are things you look for in a buyer for your horse? What would turn you off from a seller, what's too far?
Just looking for ideas.. I understand I "can" ask any question I want to, but how do you ask questions without scaring them away? I still talk to the girl I bought my horse from atleast once a month if not more and I have for 2 years, I would love to have that same thing with both my horses, I know anything can happen and it will be their horse, i'm just looking for different opinions, thanks!
eta: scroll down for most recent question...
Edited by outrundaizy 2015-01-19 8:00 PM
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| You are right you can ask any question you want.
Personally with people stealing photos, and using them fraudulently, there is no way I would be giving pictures of my property, or my horses to anyone.
People do not need a barn to take care of a horse properly, that thinking IMO is shallow, as research states horses with 24/7 turnout are actually healthier then horses locked up.
You should be able to get all the information through references.
When I have sold horses, I tend to listen to my gut more then anything, and I have outright told people the horse wasn't for them.
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Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | cheryl makofka - 2015-01-18 2:01 PM You are right you can ask any question you want. Personally with people stealing photos, and using them fraudulently, there is no way I would be giving pictures of my property, or my horses to anyone. People do not need a barn to take care of a horse properly, that thinking IMO is shallow, as research states horses with 24/7 turnout are actually healthier then horses locked up. You should be able to get all the information through references. When I have sold horses, I tend to listen to my gut more then anything, and I have outright told people the horse wasn't for them.
I didn't mean for that to sound shallow at all... I was just meaning where the horse was gonna live, mine have always had a barn so that's just what I think of when I think of where horses live, I would much rather have horses in a pasture 24/7 than stalled 24/7. Sorry, totally didn't mean it lke that at all! | |
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Expert
Posts: 1446
Location: California | I personally skip over people who are too demanding in ads. Especially "Looking for forever home." So you are allowed to sell the horse, but I am not? I've seen WAY too many people trade/buy horses, to later sell the horse, and the previous owner does everything they can to trash their name. Ads that say, 'I will be picky, you have to do XYZ' I skip. Gives me a head ache just thinking about dealing with those people. I don't care if they ask if I have enough feed, asking what my plan is for the horse, etc. When I am buying a prospect for possible resale, I'm upfront about it. If they don't like it, they can kiss me and my money good bye.
I don't mind showing pictures that the horse is well taken care of (I like to let them know when I make it home with they and get them tucked in), but I do not like when the buyer still trys to have an opinion like it is still their horse. I've seen too many people burned. JMO.
Edited by *almost there* 2015-01-18 8:55 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1718
Location: Southeast Louisiana | From a few years of fostering and adopting out dogs, I've found that the single best indicator of a good home is a vet reference. If they have a long history with their vet of regular annual visits, those homes have turned out the best. Now, that was with dogs. I know a few people who buy their own vaccines for horses and do it themselves, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. You can ask anything you want. But, I'd say if you ask too much, people will probably just walk. It's just not the norm with horse deals. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1611
| I want to meet you and talk to you.
I want you to ride the horse whether it be a prospect or an open horse.
If you don't fit my horse I will NOT sale him to you. I've been threatened to be sued etc.... Zero cares given if you can't ride the horse I will not sale him to you. My horses are broke and most people that try them have trouble riding after us. If the person isn't willing to learn or blames the bobbles caused by them not having good hands on the horse then they don't get to buy my horse.
Also, I want to know they are competent enough to know when one is sore.
I don't ask for references or pictures or their horses but I can Facebook creep, search results, and ask leading questions that tell me all I need to know about a buyer.
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Addicted to Baseball
Location: Where the stars at night are big and bright, TX | I've learned from a few bad experiences with bad buyers, one culminating in a dear horse's painful death by starvation, that if I can't mentally turn loose of a horse and as individuals they've taken precedence in my thoughts then I don't sell it. Buyers just like sellers, can lie lie lie about how awesome they are and they can no more guarantee the horse a forever home than any of us can. There is just no guarantee when selling horses, even if your buyer is decent, they may let the horse go down the road and that next buyer might be a demon. Just my luck I had to go through that scenario too. You need to look at your goals, your financial situation, and align your mind with either keeping or selling, and hoping for the best. Maybe even consider a local lease situation to start with. Unfortunately for me, it's happened enough in my life I trust next to no one.  It was literally one horse after another, from friends to acquaintences to strangers I've had it happen. I got my last abused horse back and I'm done. Where we live I can't afford to feed a barn full of horses, so I've chosen to keep her, adjusted my riding interests to what she's suited for because she takes precedence over a "sport" and that's what I needed to do for my peace and calm.
All you can do is write your ad and hope for the best. | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I, too, had a bad experience selling a horse a couple years ago. My sister and researched the people to make sure they had a good support person to help them. We GAVE them books and tack for the mare. Told them to call us if they needed any advice or help. These were animal rights people, too! Long story short, we took the mare and gelding back because they starved almost to death. We found out where the horses were boarded, loaded them up and brought them home. I no longer consider selling a horse an option as of now. I admit I am glad there are people who are willing to sell horses or I wouldn't have my little herd. But I have also changed my goals to fit the horses I own now. | |
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  Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | You can only control so much. If you are willing to sell the horse you have to be willing to let go, you have NO control at the point that the horse leaves your hands. You might find the perfect buyer but their life may force them to sell & who knows what will happen at that point.
When I sell I talk to a good friend who works for the local horse trader. Let him know who all I'm talking to on my horse & find out if they have a habit of buying & selling a lot of horses as I will not knowingly put one of mine in the hands of a trader. | |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | *almost there* - 2015-01-18 8:49 PM I personally skip over people who are too demanding in ads. Especially "Looking for forever home." So you are allowed to sell the horse, but I am not? I've seen WAY too many people trade/buy horses, to later sell the horse, and the previous owner does everything they can to trash their name. Ads that say, 'I will be picky, you have to do XYZ' I skip. Gives me a head ache just thinking about dealing with those people. I don't care if they ask if I have enough feed, asking what my plan is for the horse, etc. When I am buying a prospect for possible resale, I'm upfront about it. If they don't like it, they can kiss me and my money good bye.
I don't mind showing pictures that the horse is well taken care of (I like to let them know when I make it home with they and get them tucked in), but I do not like when the buyer still trys to have an opinion like it is still their horse. I've seen too many people burned. JMO.
Huge DITTO to everything you said! It really bugs me when people are looking for a "forever" home for their horse or pet. If you want the animal to have a forever home, keep it yourself! If you're selling or giving away an animal, you can be picky about who it goes to, but after it's no longer in your possession, you have no say in what happens to it. You can pick out the absolute best home in the world, but that doesn't mean your horse will be there forever.
OP, I get why you'd want to thoroughly check out a potential buyer. I wouldn't want my horse to go to a home where it's crammed in a backyard with no shelter and no space to roam around. That being said, as a buyer, I avoid ads that have a long list of qualifications I have to meet. That's why I avoid dog rescues. I know I can provide a good home for an animal, but I'm not going to jump through a ton of hoops and then be subjected to surprise home visits to make sure everything is still ok. My local shelter makes adoptions easier, so I've adopted a few dogs from them.
Again, I get why you want to do it. You are 100% entitled to ask for whatever you want. If you want to see pics of everything and get lots of references, then go for it. Just realize that it will probably reduce the number of people that will actually want to come see your horse. | |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Gunner11 - 2015-01-19 10:03 AM *almost there* - 2015-01-18 8:49 PM I personally skip over people who are too demanding in ads. Especially "Looking for forever home." So you are allowed to sell the horse, but I am not? I've seen WAY too many people trade/buy horses, to later sell the horse, and the previous owner does everything they can to trash their name. Ads that say, 'I will be picky, you have to do XYZ' I skip. Gives me a head ache just thinking about dealing with those people. I don't care if they ask if I have enough feed, asking what my plan is for the horse, etc. When I am buying a prospect for possible resale, I'm upfront about it. If they don't like it, they can kiss me and my money good bye.
I don't mind showing pictures that the horse is well taken care of (I like to let them know when I make it home with they and get them tucked in), but I do not like when the buyer still trys to have an opinion like it is still their horse. I've seen too many people burned. JMO.
Huge DITTO to everything you said! It really bugs me when people are looking for a "forever" home for their horse or pet. If you want the animal to have a forever home, keep it yourself! If you're selling or giving away an animal, you can be picky about who it goes to, but after it's no longer in your possession, you have no say in what happens to it. You can pick out the absolute best home in the world, but that doesn't mean your horse will be there forever.
OP, I get why you'd want to thoroughly check out a potential buyer. I wouldn't want my horse to go to a home where it's crammed in a backyard with no shelter and no space to roam around. That being said, as a buyer, I avoid ads that have a long list of qualifications I have to meet. That's why I avoid dog rescues. I know I can provide a good home for an animal, but I'm not going to jump through a ton of hoops and then be subjected to surprise home visits to make sure everything is still ok. My local shelter makes adoptions easier, so I've adopted a few dogs from them.
Again, I get why you want to do it. You are 100% entitled to ask for whatever you want. If you want to see pics of everything and get lots of references, then go for it. Just realize that it will probably reduce the number of people that will actually want to come see your horse.
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Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | I have to add I'm not selling RIGHT NOW, so when it sounds like i'm not able to let go, that's because i'm not. I will wait until I don't feel the need to be so controlling.. Just like everyone else I want to sell my horse to the best possible home, I know the odds of that working out are slim, but if I don't try I would feel awful if they were neglected. Unfortunately it's not an option to keep them long term or I would.
Now about references, I love the idea of a vet as a reference. Is it a turn off to you, that after you try the horse and make an offer the seller ask for references? I would automatically assume if someone won't provide references they either cannot provide references or aren't interested enough in the horse, it just doesn't seem that big of a deal to me. What is everyone elses take on that? | |
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boon
Posts: 1
| As a buyer, we purchased a horse and were "checked out" by the seller. I provided pictures of my barn (we were out of state) as well as full disclosed from our vet (and an open Facebook profile). We had several conversations that gave each of us a sense of where the horse was coming from and where it was going. As a buyer, I was glad that the owner was concerned about where her horse was going and it made me feel that her prior care was exceptional.
That said, the seller was reasonable in that she didn't try to dictate training methods, etc.
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Northern Chocolate Queen
Posts: 16576
Location: ND | Honestly if I made an offer on a horse and was then asked for references I'd walk away. There is enough nice horses for sale that I wouldn't want the hassle or to bother my vet with something like that. | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| outrundaizy - 2015-01-19 7:59 PM
I have to add I'm not selling RIGHT NOW, so when it sounds like i'm not able to let go, that's because i'm not. I will wait until I don't feel the need to be so controlling.. Just like everyone else I want to sell my horse to the best possible home, I know the odds of that working out are slim, but if I don't try I would feel awful if they were neglected. Unfortunately it's not an option to keep them long term or I would.
Now about references, I love the idea of a vet as a reference. Is it a turn off to you, that after you try the horse and make an offer the seller ask for references? I would automatically assume if someone won't provide references they either cannot provide references or aren't interested enough in the horse, it just doesn't seem that big of a deal to me. What is everyone elses take on that?
A vet reference can't really help you much as confidentiality laws.
All the vet can say is yes they are a client.
I suggest asking for the references before they try the horse out, as if I am driving how ever far and I like the horse, I will be leaving with said horse or not buying said horse | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 682
Location: Northwest | When I purchased my main horse last year the seller was EXTREMELY picky about where he was being sold to (she had already turned down 3 qualified buyers before me). She asked blatant questions about care, feed, housing etc. etc. etc. and that was after a mutual mentor, who is a highly respected rider in the NW no less, had recommended me as a buyer. I took it all in stride because to me the quality of horse I was buying warranted it (this was not a high, high dollar purchase b/c he is 20 this year but he is one of those PRICELESS, can't replace type horses). However it was a very, very intimidating process. The seller was also very particular about riding style etc. which was fine because the horse fit my style perfectly.
I guess what I am trying to say is, if a seller is going to be OVERLY picky than they better have a pretty dang good horse they are selling (that a buyer will go to any length to purchase) because it can be a major turnoff.
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | cheryl makofka - 2015-01-19 8:48 PM
outrundaizy - 2015-01-19 7:59 PM
I have to add I'm not selling RIGHT NOW, so when it sounds like i'm not able to let go, that's because i'm not. I will wait until I don't feel the need to be so controlling.. Just like everyone else I want to sell my horse to the best possible home, I know the odds of that working out are slim, but if I don't try I would feel awful if they were neglected. Unfortunately it's not an option to keep them long term or I would.
Now about references, I love the idea of a vet as a reference. Is it a turn off to you, that after you try the horse and make an offer the seller ask for references? I would automatically assume if someone won't provide references they either cannot provide references or aren't interested enough in the horse, it just doesn't seem that big of a deal to me. What is everyone elses take on that?
A vet reference can't really help you much as confidentiality laws.
All the vet can say is yes they are a client.
I suggest asking for the references before they try the horse out, as if I am driving how ever far and I like the horse, I will be leaving with said horse or not buying said horse
You just have to give prior permission for your vet to be a reference. I've done it. | |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
Location: Oklahoma & Texas | It's hard letting go..i for one am a prime example...i rarely sell...the ones that don't turn out the way I want usually end up pasture ornaments or farm horses... the babies go as performance prospects and for the money paid I'm sure most take care of them but I haven't sold one to anyone I didn't know or who wasn'tword of mouth of a friend ofa friend... on that note I say anything is free for the asking whether they are comfortable giving you the info is another thing but I would ask a lot of questions if I didn't know them or about them...fb is a good way since most horse people especially us barrel racer types post tons of pics and updates etc...I've done first buyback on some before and it gives me peace of mind knowing if they do sell I'll pay more than a kill buyer even if they are crippled and I know the horse so buying back and reselling or just keeping is better than losing track of them.. | |
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 Banjo and Baby
Posts: 7259
Location: South of Canada and North of Mexico | I hate selling and thankfully have not done it but like twice? three times? Most recently I gave a girl my very loved qh, had papers, nothing sepcial, had a huge scar and was buddy sour. I listed him a few times for cheap and just didnt get a good vibe from those that were interested in him, gave him to this girl, I drove him over, she paid me $100 in gas as she was an hour one way. She told me how much she adored him and wanted to have him a long time yada yada yada, she had him one year... I knew she had him for sale at one point and I was interested in taking him back, I told her so much and she said she had to much invested in him to give him back, I would have paid a little.. but she had him listed for $1200, turns out she sold him to some girl for $300 and she only paid half of that, her boyfriend at the time paid the other half, they got in a fight and he hauled him to a sale barn where he got picked up by another sale barn. This was all in the last few months. Im pretty upset and sad over this as she never told me she dropped him down to $300. The last girl who had him wants to track him down, but hte sale barn he got picked up by is slightly known for selling to kill buyers too. He was the most loving puppy dog type of horse Ive ever owned, he'd give hugs and it breaks my heart not knowing where he is. I did not have to sell him but wanted someone to use and enjoy him more than I could. Hopefully he can be found.. :( Unless my horses try killing me they will stay.
Edited by watchpeppydoc 2015-01-20 12:04 AM
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 Shipwrecked and Flat Out Zapped
Posts: 16390
Location: DUMPING CATS AND PIGS IN TEXAS :) | I have a ten question limit. You get to ask me ten questions and I will do my best to answer them openly and honestly, after that I refer you to my secretary, Alison Tebbens and my PR Rep, Jessi Quarles.
lol, just kidding.....it's really an 11 question limit  | |
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 Can You Hear Me Now?
Location: When you hit the middle of nowhere .. Keep driving | I have honestly only had one seller ask me questions about everything... and I probably would have walked away if one of my good friend hadn't known her found me the horse, and vouched for me... plus I really liked the mare. I don't like being drilled about the care of my horses, the proof is in my horses. They are all super happy and healthy. A lot of people will vouch for me as well. As a seller if the person comes to look at the horse I can usually tell by the way they act/handle the horse but I have had great luck with it as well. I've sold several foals and older horses mostly local but also across country and knock on wood have had great luck. | |
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How picky are you allowed to be when selling a horse?