Do you want to sell your horse for top dollar and make a sale to a GOOD home?
Consider this advice from the “Buyer’s Agent” perspective!
Following these tips might actually help YOU (as the seller) get the best outcome.
1) GET VIDEO of your horse!
Why? Because video provides several things to a possible (good home) buyer.
As the “Seller” you should want what is best for the horse, and if you are unwilling to send a video of your horse (when requested), then I (as Buyer’s Agent) would question your integrity.
Video confirms you are not a scammer, and you are, in fact, the legal current owner of the horse. Video should match with the picture / description of horse’s “sale ad.” (As a “Buyer’s Agent,” I will not drive to go look at a horse of which I haven’t seen video.) The point of emphasis - video(s) is a MUST!
Video doesn’t have to be elaborate! But the more time/intention you put into the video, the better chance you have of attracting the “right sort of crowd.”
Video confirms / shows if the horse is (or isn’t) sound. If horse’s skill allows, show in video the horse Walking, Trotting, and Cantering / Loping. If horse is being advertised for skills in “Gallop,” show this gait in the video, too.
Video can show the level of training the horse can (or cannot) demonstrate.
PLEASE take video of the horse going / moving both ways. If you only show the horse working in one direction, I will get suspicious.
Short videos or videos with LOTS of clips/edits lead the “viewer” to suspect the horse needed to be “schooled” between “takes."
Have videos ready to send to interested inquiries BEFORE you list your horse! I cannot tell you how many times I have asked for videos and the seller says “…I’ll get some photos next week…” Well, so you know, I will likely take my client (WITH their CHECK BOOK) elsewhere, if you keep me waiting too long. We will go to the next person who HAD videos ready.
Video gives the possible buyer insight to the care you have been providing your horse.
1) Be willing to show the horse’s “Conformation” in photos.
Why?
“Conformation” refers to the shape or structure of a horse, and it can impact a horse's athletic ability. This may (or may not) be important to the buyer, but to have them included in the “For Sale” ad shows an honest representation of what you have for sale.
If you post photos and ALWAYS have the saddle or blanket/cover on the horse, I am left to wonder what are you hiding?
Be aware of how your horse is posed / presented. Are his/her legs all sprawled out in an awkward stance? (Like the photo here). Are his/her feet in a hole? Is he/she COVERED in mud? This might not give your horse the “best look.”
Take CURRENT photos! If photos are clearly not current, I (as a “Buyer’s Agent”) will get suspicious.
3) If you are a trainer selling horse(s), have references/reviews ready to share.
Why? (Not as applicable if you are NOT a trainer who sells horses for a living.)
References/Reviews from your clients give the possible buyer peace of mind knowing the horse they are considering buying from you has had the training you claim to have invested into the horse. This actually helps you with YOUR asking price.
If (as a trainer) you refuse to give references of happy clients to possible buyers or the “agent” and cannot show any reviews (proof of happy customers) for previous “Equine Related Work/Skills Done,” that is a HUGE RED FLAG.
References / Reviews can be on your website or social media page(s). This day and age, if (as a trainer), you do not have ANY social media public platforms, it could be considered odd and of concern. (Not in all cases, but in most.)
4) When the possible buyer wants to “Evaluate” the horse:
What you should (and should not) do:
DO NOT WORK THE HORSE moments BEFORE the possible buyer arrives! This is so concerning for accurate representation of the horse’s skill / training. If, when my client and I arrive at your place, we observe the horse we have come to evaluate is sweaty and clearly has been ridden hard before we arrive, I turn right around and leave. There is a time and a place for you to work the horse (see next line).
Be willing / able to work / ride the horse AFTER possible buyer arrives and before the possible buyer “tries” the horse. If you are unable to do this task, perhaps ask another person (of greater skill) to do the task as YOUR representative. This way the horse can be first worked/rode in the presence of the possible buyer, before they (the possible buyer) have to mount up. (If riding is in the criteria.)
Being unwilling to work / touch / ride the horse in question leaves the buyer (and me) with the impression you are afraid of the horse, and if you are afraid, then perhaps my client should be afraid as well.
Be willing to give the possible buyer your Veterinarian's contact information but understand if / when the possible buyer choses to do a pre-purchase exam (PPE) that the possible buyer will likely ask you to take the horse to a different Veterinarian (for a non-biased opinion).
"Helping educate equestrians, makes happy equines."
-Marilyn Coffey