Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not familiar with selling horses, can you give me any advice?
Selling Recommendations
Set a Price
Be sure you are completely clear on the asking price and terms, if any. If you
are not totally confident in your ability to price a horse, ask for help. There
are enough professional horse people out there who can and will help you arrive
at a fair price; once you have arrived at it, stick to it. If you can, accept
terms, but make sure to have a contract clearly stating the terms in writing.
Contracts for the sale of horses exist in pre-printed form. If you agree to sell
on contract, be sure the buyer understands that the official registration papers
will only be handed over on fulfillment of the agreement.
Let the world know
When selling your horse(s) you must first identify your potential market in order
to make sure to spend your advertising dollars as productively as you can.
Most communities have local and state-wide horse publications, as well as weekly
and daily newspapers with "horses for sale" columns. Today there are also numerous
"web" sites who accept classified ads. Check out the
FREE Classifieds section of the
website. If you decide to include a photo, be sure you have a good
picture-nothing is worse than a poorly presented animal.
Networking is one of the seller's best forms of advertising. If you have lived
in a community for a while and know people who own horses, be sure to tell them
that you are offering one of yours for sale. You would be amazed to know how many
horses find excellent new homes by referral. This "network" should include your
veterinarian, farrier, trainer, feed store, local 4H and Pony Club groups as well
as members of the club to which you belong. If you happen to sell your horse
through a professional or other intermediary, pay the agreed commission promptly-these
can be one of your best sources of referrals.
Know Your Product
When you receive calls from people interested in your horse, screen potential
buyers there and then; ask if they have owned a horse before, if the rider is a
beginner or has had some experience, and if the horse is for a child or an adult.
Also, ask what the potential buyer plans to do with his/her purchase. Ten minutes
on the phone can save you lots of time.
Be clear in your own mind on the strengths and weaknesses of the horse you are
selling and never hesitate to say that you feel the horse may be unsuitable for
the buyer; stress good points, but be absolutely honest. Avoid discussing the horse's
height over the phone; the majority of people have no idea how tall 15 hands high is,
but all seem to think that any horse which stands less than that is too small; not
true. Somewhere along the line, you may simply have to educate people on the issue
of height in the Arabian breed.
Make the presentation
Once you have made an appointment for someone to look at your horse, do your very
best to present it well. Allow the buyers to see the horse in the stall, to watch
him being brushed and tacked up if you are selling a riding horse; if the horse is
for a child, arrange for a child you know to ride your horse; insist on helmets
and proper shoes; lend a helmet if the buyers have not brought one. If you are
selling breeding stock, arrange for a friend, neighbor or employee to show the
horse in hand while you talk to the buyers about it.
Once the horse has been presented and put back in his stall or paddock, offer
your visitors some refreshments. Have available a copy of the pedigree and some
photos (keep a Polaroid handy to take pictures of the potential buyer and horse and
give them a copy).
Think, "customer service"
If the potential buyer is truly interested in the horse, always offer them the
opportunity to come back several times to see it again. Suggest they arrange for a
vet check by a veterinarian of their choice and, if they appear likely to purchase
the horse, offer them some perk, like up to a month of free board-you'll be amazed
what can make or break a sale. If the buyer decides to buy the horse but doesn't
have his/her own means of transporting it, suggest haulers who do an excellent job,
or offer to deliver the horse within a specified distance of your farm.
When buyers are first-time horse owners, give them a complete list of
veterinarians, farriers and reputable trainers in the area, a folder with the horse's
health history, detailed instructions for the horse's care, and an invitation to call
at any time for help or advice.
A final suggestion:
Trust your intuition. You want to place your horse in a loving, appreciative home
where he will become an ambassador for the Arabian breed. Many times those who
purchase horses from you will come back to purchase again and again, and even become
part of your circle of horse enthusiast friends. Do everything you can to help your
buyers feel happy with their purchase; you will gain friends, your horse will have a
good life, and you will have made a positive contribution to the Arabian horse.
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