Being selective when selling

[vickie gee]

First of all I have never sold a horse. So, how do you weed out people you would not want your horse to be owned by. People are starting to stop here and ask about my horses. I realize that I do need to keep my numbers at a minimum and that if the right buyer came along that I do have some horses that it would make sense to sell. Another thread about flipping really scares me. I know local people that buy and sell horses cheap, don't bother to register them, don't know if their mares are in foal. You get the picture. Now with those people I would quote a price so high that it would choke them. But how do you go about getting enough information on a potential buyer without pushing them away unintentionally? Do you have them fill out a questionaire or just toss 20 questions at them? I have been ok at telling potential customers of our livestock guardian pups that this breed is not right for them. You tell them in a way that lets them know that they do not need this type of liability and even suggest a different breed of dog. But horses? I am at a crossroads here. Please, I am very open to hearing what works best.

 

[miniwhinny]

Simple..

1. If you breed a foal for sale then you care more about $ than it's life.

2. Don't worry about who you sell it to. You could find the best home in the world and unless you have a signed document saying they will never sell it and never loose their job and never get sick and never get old and never get divorced and never just get fed up of caring for a pet - then you have no control of what happens to that horse after it's left your property.

People need to face facts - very few people buy horses to have them for life and even if they do - people's situations change. I will NEVER sell my 2 mini's no matter what I'm offered - but if I drop dead tomorrow then hubby will sell them in a heartbeat (and I wouldn't blame him) because he's NOT a horse person.

 

[little lady]

Here is my 2 cents and that is about all it is worth. I have sold few horses before the internet and only one via the internet a couple of years ago. But both times I have asked numerous questions and have talked to them via the phone. You can screen people but then again there are some pretty good story tellers out there. Go with your gut feeling but you have to remember even a person with the best intentions may have to sell them. With some of horses I have sold in the contract I put a clause that I wanted first option to buy back the horse. In the end it is your choice and you have to do what you feel is right for you. Good luck!

 

[lucky seven]

If I really had to sell my gelding because of my age and, god forbid, my health was bad, I would make sure my boy went to people experienced with minis. I have had big horses for many years but the mini was something new and different. It took awhile to get used to his unique personality.

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

you have no control of what happens to that horse after it's left your property.

This is the absolute truth. No matter who you sell to (this includes family and dear friends) they might decide to sell for any reason at any time and even if you have a contract with a first right of refusal clause there is no guarantee they will honor it or that you will be in a position to buy back the horse at that time.This dilemma is one of the reasons we have bred fewer and fewer foals until we have had none in the last 2 years and are making plans to geld our stallions. I don't have the stomach for the selling.

If you have decided to sell you just do the best you can to find a good home and trust your gut. I have told people "now before I accept any money, I need to know what facilities you have for these horses?" and then if they at least have safe living quarters I can hope they will (as all of us had to at one point) how to care for a mini properly.

 

[ruffian]

I'm going to try to be diplomatic here, but saying that if I breed horses for sale that I care more for $$ than it's life? Really?

There are many many good horse people out there, just as there are many many bad horse people. Those who say they love their horses but either don't or can't take care of them properly, or don't know how. I personally know some folks who cannot see that their horses are not in the proper condition and won't take any advice but acts as though they have been attacked.

I also know someone who picked up a "Free to a good home" pony and the folks quizzed them extensively. This guy just lied pretty much about everything, including his name, address, and phone. They still gave him the pony, he took it home, and butchered it for his kennel dogs.

You cannot guarantee the care a horse will get when sold. If you can't live with that, that maybe you should not be breeding. I'm not being mean or anything, but facts are facts.

 

[Zipper]

I would just ask lots of questions and if you feel comfortable selling your horse to the person than you will sell it to them.

I havent sold a horse but my family knows that if anything happens to me and they dont want the minis they go back to the people that I

got them from doesnt matter if I bought them or they were given to me they go back no charge.

There are a lot of good people out there that will give your horse a good home it is just we hear about the terrible ones and negative stuff

the most.

 

[miniwhinny]

I'm going to try to be diplomatic here, but saying that if I breed horses for sale that I care more for $$ than it's life? Really?

You cannot guarantee the care a horse will get when sold. If you can't live with that, that maybe you should not be breeding. I'm not being mean or anything, but facts are facts.

Yes, I stand by what I said and your post exactly highlights why. Anyone who is breeding to sell - is doing it to make money. As you said - you can't guarantee the care a horse will get when sold - If you truly cared more about that animals life you wouldn't take that risk.

 

[Taylor Richelle]

Like a few other people said, ask lots of questions. Ask for pictures of their place and where the horse would be kept. How much experience do they have with horses? How often would you have the vet/farrier out? Then if you think it's a done deal, trailer your horse to it potential new home and see if it fits your standards, that way if you don't like where he/she might be living you can turn right around and take him home! I also don't have the stomach to sell, I would always be scared they would be sold and end up in a terrible place

But there are great people out there who will give your horse a great home, it just takes time but when you find that person you will be so happy

 

[Marty]

i'm terrible about selling. It has taken me over a year to sell horses to people I feel were right for them. You can ask all the questions you want, but don't be surprised that people will tell you what you want to hear and lie to your face about it. Let them do the talking and ask you the questions. Visiting their farm in person and looking at their animals speaks volumes. A reference from their vet does also. If they are offended they probably have something to hide.

 

[disneyhorse]

I would suggest asking for pictures of them with their other horses (unless you want to sell to a first-time home, which can be risky either way) and where the horse will live. See if it is the standard of care you would want for the horse.

Even if they sell the horse, chances are they'd want the horse to go to a good home in return.

Also, this is another thing about breeding animals... the better quality animals you breed, the better chance it will end up in a better home. NOT a guarantee... but... chances are a $500 miniature horse or even a $2000 miniature horse will end up being sold down the road and devaluing a whole lot faster than a $5000 or $10,000 miniature horse. A horse being shown is possibly going to be kept in better condition and health than one just sitting in a yard. A guarantee? NO. But odds will tip in the favor.

Unlike dogs, horses generally are more like livestock than pets. They don't live in your home and take a whole lot more money and time to maintain compared to a dog or cat, and that is why they have higher odds of going from home to home, unlike a cat or dog. That's why reputable horse breeders really push for show records and registration papers. It's something that can follow the horse and hopefully keep it's value up and thus better homes.

Andrea

 

[Mominis]

When I was making inquiries back before I bought Shake, I sent an email to a farm that had a horse that I would have likely have purchased. They responded, not with a friendly email, but one that felt as though I was being cross examined. I didn't bother to respond and am really happy I didn't, or I wouldn't have Shake now. I triple dare someone to say that I don't take fantastic care of my horse. So, be careful about being too aggressive in checking out buyers or you could lose a good sale and a great home for one of your horses.

 

[miniwhinny]

Also, this is another thing about breeding animals... the better quality animals you breed, the better chance it will end up in a better home. NOT a guarantee... but... chances are a $500 miniature horse or even a $2000 miniature horse will end up being sold down the road and devaluing a whole lot faster than a $5000 or $10,000 miniature horse. A horse being shown is possibly going to be kept in better condition and health than one just sitting in a yard. A guarantee? NO. But odds will tip in the favor.

Maybe I'm too much of a realist but this still isn't any guarantee. I was just looking through the State Foreclosure Activity Report. People are walking away from, and loosing, million dollar homes in unprecedented numbers - and next year is going to blow your minds with whats going to happen when they get these MERS papers redone and those houses hit the market. People have bigger things to worry about than what they paid for a horse. Like was said...horses cost a lot to care for...they are a luxury and if people are loosing their homes the horse is going to be the first thing to go.

Previously expensive horses with papers are going through auctions for a fraction of what they originally sold for.

What Disneyhorse said about horses being livestock is so true. I have dozens of horsey friends and no matter how much they tell me they SOOOOOO love old Dobbin - it doesn't seem to stop them trading the poor thing out every year. It's a very small minority that buys a foal and keeps it for life.

Long and short is - it really matters little how careful you are when you sell - chances are quite large that somewhere down the line that home is going to sell too.

It's something you should think about BEFORE you breed. In fact it's something you should put as much effort into thinking about BEFORE you produce a foal as you do in placing it after. Can you guarantee the life you are intentionally making will have a decent life?

 

[shelia]

i think you can find out a lot about a person by just talking to them and getting to know them a little bit. Find out why they want this horse. What are there goals. That will also give you a way to tell them whether this would be the right horse for them or even if they should be buying a horse. What type of home do you want your horse to go to? Would you like it to be shown? Do you want it to be a breeding mare or stallion? Do you want it to be a pet? Do the people understand that it cannot be ridden? Do they have other horses. Do they understand the expense of owning a horse? If they are new to horses will you have some printouts of worming schedueles, farrier visits and shot schedueles for them to go by. Will you be on call for them for any questions?

In the end it is just a leap of faith. It is hard, but remember someone trusted you at one point and you didn't let them down.

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

Well I do breed with the intent to sell and to make money. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. People that don't want to, don't! But hate to say it, if there weren't "breeders" out there willing to sell there wouldn't be horses for you to own!

As for vetting a buyer. You can ask a bazillion questions, have an iron-clad contract and still have them end up in a bad position. I had that happen to someone with 30+ years horse experience, animals lover (found our = horder), etc., seemed ideal until I had to take back seven of them last Fall that were in starvation, untrimmed, thrush mode. Fooled me good.

When people inquire about a horse or owning one, I do ask what they're wanting to do with it? Family pet, show, breed, etc. The ones that want to breed are the ones I quiz the most. So many have been lied to about how easy it is, and all the money they'll make, etc. Plus if they don't believe in registering or maintaining a herd, I'm not going to contribute to another "let's try it and we can experience birth" opportunity.

The red flags for me.

1. I can't really afford to buy one (or wanting to make payments on a horse $500, etc.). Well you won't be able to afford to keep it, as the purchase is much less than keeping a mini long term.

2. It's going to be a pet, but I want a mare in case I want to breed. Quality counts and a bad quality horse costs just the same to keep as a high quality one.

3. They complain about past purchases and have never had one Mini work out. Who'd they buy from, what are their expectation and why aren't the being met?

4. I want a mare and stallion so we can try breeding. Eek! Do some research, educate yourself on stallion management, foaling issues, etc.

Other considerations:

Do they have a farrier/vet?

Do they plan to follow through with registration?

Do they have time to spend with a Mini or is it going to be dumped in a stall/field by itself? If they don't have time, get two at least they have company.

I had a woman show up here one time with her trailer, then every time the Minis got near her she'd swat at them. I was thinking you do NOT need to own one of my horses. She finally left, not happy but she was not a good home. Another person I refuse to sell to is on MTV with his Mini, I didn't like what he wanted to do at the time (not good promotion of the breed IMHO), so refused to sell to him. Someone did, more power to them, not my cup of tea.

Overall, I've had fairly good luck with sales over the years. Most of the people do stay in contact and I tell ALL of them there are no stupid questions, please call/email I'd rather see if I can help than find out you spent $$$ on something that could have been dealt with easily or the horse died. I also encourage people that buy, if the cannot keep the horse for whatever reason to please contact me, I may be able to take it back/buy it back or at least help rehome it.

End of the day communication is the key.

 

[Molly's Run Minis]

visit the place the horse will be at, ask for vet and farrier references, ask if they have mini experiance and if not ask if they are willing to learn, and ask anything else you can think of! if the people get offended or avoid the questions then they obviously have something to hide.

also, be SURE to actually take time and CHECK the references! my cousin was selling a really sweet kid broke bay mare to a guy and she asked for reference numbers but didnt actually check them. she figured that since the guy actually gave her numbers that he was legit. well, after i got after her she FINALLY called the numbers and neither the farrier nor the vet had ever heard of him. luckily for the horse she called the numbers before he picked her up! my cousin cancelled the sale and ended up selling the mare to a girl for local gymkana events, the girl and mare are still together 4yrs later. if she hadnt of figured it out who knows what that guy would've done to the mare....