When it comes to SELLING, prepare at least one month out from sale. Get the horse fit, clip if the time of the year warrants it and pull the mane or trim until tidy (get help if you need it) include tail, ears, fetlocks and under the jaw line. For higher prices feature a variety of experiences i.e. beach hacking, road riding and competition experience and sort out any trucking or floating issues. Get some good photos (see photo section below) or have them professionally done if possible and if your budget allows. Produce a really good video/DVD (see video section below) - have several copies available to send out when enquiries come in. Be honest in the advert - tell people what to expect, realistically for NOW not in the past or for the future. Have a relaxed positive manner on the phone when talking to potential buyers who call and give the caller both positive and any negative stories if you can - don't blow either out of proportion. Ask about their experience but be aware, a lot of people think they ride better than they do. Anyone who has only ridden in riding lessons in riding schools and never owned a horse, class them as beginners, they still have a lot to learn. If you have any concerns about your horse's safety (vices), i.e. rearing or bolting, be brutally honest - it might blow your sale but it might save their life! Ask the person what they would like to see if they come to see your horse, i.e. being caught, galloped, jumped or schooled and try to display what the person wants the horse for, i.e. if they want a hack go hacking first and foremost!
Be punctual and have the horse ready in time and groomed to a tidy state. See if the personality of the horse and rider match - do they offer the right home for your horse?
If your riding will not show off the horse to its best potential get a more experienced friend/instructor to help show the horse at its best. Make sure you are honest with soundness issues - it's not worth the reputation damage if you are found out. If your potential buyer needs a few days to think about it don't hound them. Have in your mind how much you are prepared to negotiate on price. If you have no enquiries look at your asking price or the horse's ability and experience - if you are comfortable with those, be patient! Encourage a vet check - if you don't, you look like you are hiding something. And lastly, don't be pushy!
At the other end of the scale, when it comes to BUYING be realistic about the type of horse you want given your budget and your experience. Look objectively at your grazing facilities, i.e. is there plenty of grass year round? If you are on a tight budget get a 'good-doer' that will maintain its condition easily so you are not spending a fortune on hard feed. Be aware of the costs for good gear, particularly saddles - a sore back will turn even the quietest horse into an unpleasant one. Similarly, budget for shoeing, teeth and the inevitable vet bill - talk to others about what can be expected. If you request and receive a video of a horse to review please return it once you have finished with it - it's polite. When talking to the seller on the phone be very honest about your ability and what you want the horse for. If you see a horse which is too good to be true, often it is, so beware! Unless you are very experienced, don't touch anything with a history of bolting or rearing. If you are considering a young horse, budget on getting lessons regularly i.e. once a week for at least a year. Tell the seller what you want to see when you try out a pony or horse, i.e. hacking, jumping, flatwork, being caught in the paddock etc. If possible see the horse in a variety of settings both at the seller's place and out somewhere else. Take support with you, like an instructor who can get on and put the horse through its paces if you don't feel confident to do that. Ask to talk to others about the horse i.e. farrier, instructor, friends etc, you often find out interesting information. When you set a time to see the horse, be punctual and when you get there, don't waste time - get in, see what you want to see and then let the seller get on with their day. Look at the horse's hooves and ask if they have had any foot trouble. Ask about soundness, ie has the horse ever pulled tendons, broken any bones or had any significant injury, even check for scarring. Find out if the horse has ever 'tied up' (this is a muscular condition where all the muscles on the horse cramp up). Enquire about vices - do they kick, bite, wind-suck etc. Ask if the horse is stressy / aggressive / calm / submissive by itself or with company in the paddock? Is the horse good at having their feet trimmed and shod? Find out if the horse is good on the roads, with trucks and motorbikes etc. Get a vet check and choose a vet who is doing vet checks all the time - they understand what is required of a horse at various levels. If you find your dream horse - get moving and put a deposit on it. If it is not your dream horse let the seller know politely that you are not interested as soon as you can.
GOOD LUCK!
THE ESSENTIALS OF TAKING FANTASTIC PHOTOS OF YOUR HORSE
Taking great photos of your horse can be time consuming and frustrating. If it is a bright sunny day make sure the sun is on your back and hitting the horse. Remove the horse's rug and turn-out the horse to your best ability - remove all mud! Try using coat enhancing products and make sure all your gear is cleaned. It is helpful to have a towel, fly repellent spray and a bottle of baby oil with you (the baby oil rubbed on with a towel is a quick way to remove dust and add shine). Stand the horse side on, front legs even, back leg closest to you and slightly behind the other leg so that you can take front and back photos. When it comes to action shots, take them in bright light as the shutter on the camera will shut more quickly so there is less chance of legs blurring. Photograph your horse with both ears forward and include the neck for balance, making sure you don't cut off legs, ears etc. Position the camera between your horse's eyes and chest, focus on the eyes and fill the frame with its head and shoulders. To avoid distortion, stand at least a metre from the animal - some close-up shots of the head are also helpful. To get the horse's attention, have your assistant stand a few metres away from your horse and wave a towel or similar object, but obviously not too close, you don't want to scare the horse. Introducing another horse is highly effective and a good tip is to shake the food bucket - alternatively you could try a whistle. Have your assistant hold a carrot or pick some grass and hold it up.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR CREATING VIDEOS WHICH GET RESULTS!
A great video is a fantastic way of showing your horse's unique personality, expressions and emotions. When you are selling a horse it is one of the most effective means to get a quick, easy, and stress free sale. The best place to take a video of your horse for sale is at a show. Show the whole event; either a dressage test, SJ round or race; so the viewer can get caught up in the emotion of the competition. To show the horse's leg action, video the horse on a firm, flat surface beside a solid wall if possible. Put the horse and rider in the center of the screen at all times and avoid shooting through rails of a fence - try and find somewhere high so the rails don't obscure the view. Follow the horse with the zoom taking care not to get too close. Try and keep the horse and rider the same size in the camera lens at all times and at then end include a nice close up of the horse. Avoid talking to the rider during the video - it's off-putting to the rider and the viewer. Ensure you have a plan - don't just trot around aimlessly! For a non ridden video of young stock try getting a purposeful walk, trot and canter. It's not always easy to do and if it's not happening wait for another day - good footage at a later date is better than bad footage now that does nothing to flatter your horse. Try producing a MASTER VIDEO to send out to prospective purchasers. This gives the potential buyer a chance to see your entire stock not just one horse! It should encompass your farm, stables, and a short video of each horse. Accompany it with a short narration of each telling the name, age, breed, experience and pedigree. If you can, add nice music to your MASTER VIDEO. Adding a video to a listing site is really easy and a great way to get people to see and interact with your horse at first glance - a chance for love at first sight! Put you video in Windows Media or Apple Quick time format. READY, LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
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