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| Facing the Inevitable | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 5 2009, 05:25 AM (828 Views) | |
| Casey1 | Feb 5 2009, 05:25 AM Post #1 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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I guess I can't put it off any longer. I must sell my horse. He is my dream horse, I fell in love with him the day he walked off the trailer 10-11 years ago, for another customer in the barn, but I exclaimed on that day that he would be mine. Finances are just too darn tough. I have not been able to show in 4-5 years, I kept hoping maybe someday but alas I have to stop lying to myself. I am finding now hard to pay his shoeing and vet bills (routine). So I need to say goodbye. My question is do any of you know does the online horse sale sites work? I can not afford to send him out. I LOVE my trainer to death but selling horses is not her forte. She doesn't like to part with them any more than we do, especially the nice ones. Does it cost money on these sites? How does it work? I have very limited resources. I have only one or two pictures of him (no photographers the last year I showed at ANY of the shows) and no videos. I would like if all possible to have him sold by summer. I will talk to my trainer. I need to make sure it is ok to post her phone number as the contact. This is so hard, and I am crying as I type this. He is such an awesome horse. He was supposed to be my amateur jumper. We only showed 1 season after I bought him. We did the adults, he was champion or reserve at every horse show he entered, never placed lower than 2nd in a classic, and finished out our local associations on top. He even made the top 10 in our zone, I think he was 6th. Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. |
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| kady05 | Feb 5 2009, 05:46 AM Post #2 |
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You're BANNED!
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I'm sorry, that stinks. If it helps any (probably won't), I just had to turn down a free/inexpensive (she said she'd consider giving him away to the right home) horse that sounded perfect for me, due to finances. I still have Clyde, but haven't ridden him since Nov. '07 so, as my dad put it, he's 'holding me back' from getting a horse I can actually ride. That's my sacrafice I guess.Anyway. In answer to your question, I definitely think putting him online is a good idea. Equine.com, Dreamhorse.com & Warmbloods-for-sale.com (even if he's not a WB) are good sites. I don't think it costs anymore than $25 on all of them for a basic picture ad. Once you pay, most sites run your ad for 6 months. They tell you everything that's included with them on their sites. It's super easy. You could try text only ads (they're free), but in my experience, they don't get many views. I'm in VA, and we have a local site (VA Equestrian) that's free that gets lots of hits, maybe your state has one of them as well? Definitely put him on this site too, lots of people look here, and it's free .Do you have any way of getting some more pictures of him? I guess if the two you have are good, it should be fine, but I always put 5+ pictures on my ads and still get people asking for more. Videos are also a major plus nowadays, especially if he'll be priced over $5k. Does anyone you know have a camera you could get a short video of him on? Even 30secs. of him o/f might get someone to come try him, who would've otherwise decided not to if they hadn't seen a video. I know that I would never go see something without a video that was more than an hour away, unless it was priced super low (not sure how much you want for him). The only negative I see here is that you said your trainer isn't all that great at selling, and doesn't like to part with them. That could potentially be an issue, if she's not 'good' when potential buyers call and ask questions. Not sure what area you're in, and what consignment barns are near you, but you may want to search around.. board may be exactly the same as where you are now, and if he could go to one experienced in selling, it might be a good idea. Just throwing some ideas out, I hope it works out for you & your horse. |
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| Casey1 | Feb 5 2009, 06:10 AM Post #3 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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Oh she would never blow a sales call, she just is not good at doing the advertising, talking to trainers at shows etc. If they ask her she will be forthright. She just doesn't like to let the good ones out of her barn. Can you blame her? I also think she has hoped as I have that I would make a "come back". I did not want to make her sound bad, she is the best trainer/friend a girl could have. I would not have him if it were not for her. Nor would I have had the "horse of my dreams" that I lost a year ago. I just think I need to be more proactive. I KNOW I can't talk to prospective buyers. The only problem with pics/vids now is it is winter, he is slightly fuzzy, and they would not turn out in our indoor. Maybe in the spring. I just want to get him out and advertised before then. To be honest I would love to have him sold before the spring shows. I am not sure I can handle another year of watching everyone prepare for the first show of the season, knowing I will once again stay home. |
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| Trialbyfire | Feb 5 2009, 06:13 AM Post #4 |
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You're BANNED!
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I have no advice. Just hugs. ![]() But maybe advertising him here on TOC? Not sure where you're located but there might be people in your area who could actually come and check him out in person? Good luck.
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| kady05 | Feb 5 2009, 06:29 AM Post #5 |
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You're BANNED!
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Oh I didn't mean that she wasn't a good trainer/person, just that it takes a certain person to really SELL a horse, and if that's not her deal, it might be better to send him elsewhere to be sold. Does that make sense? I think if you want to get him sold before the Spring shows, I'd start advertising now. Just trim him up, make him look decent, and snap some pictures. If he's not that hairy, it shouldn't look that bad. I think people looking right now would understand if he was fuzzy, as not everyone body clips. As for the video, you could hold off on that and if people ask, just say it wouldn't turn out in the indoor or something. They still might push it, and ask for one, just my experience
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| Witchy | Feb 5 2009, 07:43 AM Post #6 |
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You're BANNED!
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If you want to get him sold in this economy you need to go out there with guns blazing. You need excellent pictures. You need a great video and it needs to be on evey ad. Don't use anything that's "Good enough." It needs to be great. At this stage, many buyers don't even bother about a horse if it takes effort on their part to get more pictures and video. There are so many other horses for sale that already have great pics and show videos listed right next to yours. If you are friends with any good barns in the area that have people looking, trailer your horse over to let the trainer take a look at him. Take him to shows for schooling and talk to every trainer you see. Make up a little business card with his stats on it and hand them out at the shows. Put his video address on the cards. Make the effort yourself rather than hoping that the shoppers will make the effort. Think outside the box. |
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| Casey1 | Feb 5 2009, 07:51 AM Post #7 |
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Magical Leopluridon
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Unfortunately these ideas are not options for me. He will be priced to sell. |
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| FlashGordon | Feb 5 2009, 08:23 AM Post #8 |
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You're BANNED!
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Casey, I am so sorry you have to part with your horse. Is there anyway you could do a lease maybe? Or even pasture board him? Then you'd not have to give him up? I think advertising here is a great idea. When I look at horse ads I check mainly dreamhorse.com and equine.com. I know there are other sites out there geared towards H/J specifically but am not as familiar with those.... maybe someone on here will have some recommendations. I would also make some phone calls-- friends, farrier, vet, etc. Maybe post some posters at local barns and tack shops. Networking is the best way to get a good horse sold. Good luck, and again, so sorry.
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| Delia | Feb 5 2009, 08:55 AM Post #9 |
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You're BANNED!
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Casey -- So sorry about your decision, but I totally understand. Times are really tough. Not sure where you are, but Diane Crump is an on-line consigner in the Mid-Atlantic (mostly Virginia). For a commission, whe will come take photos and video, and post your horse on her website. I've never dealt with her personally, but I have several friends who have bought and sold horses through her, and they all have nothing but good things to say about dealing with her. I also think some fellow TOC'ers may have experience with her. Her web site is www.dianecrump.com. |
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| Smiles | Feb 5 2009, 09:01 AM Post #10 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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I would agree with flash have you tried finding a cheaper place to board/ share boarder or part lease/ pasture board??? This would free up some money so you would not feel like you are struggling to keep him.... You may find it hard to move if you have been with your trainer/barn a long time but if it means keeping your horse that you love you can make the changes work. Facebook is another source because many trainers are on their. You could net work to get him sold. I think if you brought out a digital camera and took some photos of him jumping and a shot video so people could see him go that would do. Make sure he is clean as a whistle and your tack/pads are clean/washed. Good luck |
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| jn4jenny | Feb 5 2009, 10:25 AM Post #11 |
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Is the meadow on fire?
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Casey, I'm so so sorry to hear this. If you're still in my area (I think we PM'ed last summer about Art Fair and the blue parking pass), please feel free to send me the info and I'll get it out to the eventers and Pony Clubbers. Okay, here comes the awkward part of this post where I half advise you on how best to sell him and half on how to best keep him. Selling comes first, I guess. What's wrong with this indoor that a video wouldn't "turn out"? If it's a question of needing an excellent camcorder, the University will rent one to you--or to me if you no longer work here. I also have a friend who specifically bought her camcorder because videos in the indoor arena DO turn out on her camera, so if you need me to ask for a special favor, I'd be happy to do that too. I guarantee that if you don't get pics and videos, he will not sell in this winter economy even if he's the most perfect made horse on the planet. if I were you, I'd be thinking about putting him on the market NOW. Yes he's fuzzy, but you can always re-post or update the photos in the spring. Clean him up as best as possible and take some shots in natural sunlight. Post a simple wordpress.com or blogger.com page so that you can put as many pictures as you like in one place. I find dreamhorse.com and equine.com get the most traffic by far; Dreamhorse in particular is a good investment. Don't forget to advertise on local association pages too--people around here really do read micheventing.org, for example. If you can't bear to take his ad to post at the local feed/tack stores, have someone else do it for you. Okay, now the awkward part. If you still train with the person you used to train with, you're right--she is hands down the best in her discipline for miles around in any direction, and I've heard nothing but positive things about her as a trainer. But you should think really seriously about whether finances are so bad that you need to SELL the horse, or if you're just letting fear of change to another barn or trainer govern your decision. Obviously I don't know the particulars of your finances, so maybe the situation is truly that bad. But if keeping him is worth fighting for, I'm sure that myself and other locals could dredge up some resources for you. Whatever you decide, jingles and hugs to you. |
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| vxf111 | Feb 5 2009, 10:29 AM Post #12 |
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You're BANNED!
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jn4jenny, your advice is spot on and you're a wonderful person to offer to help the way you have. Casey1, I wish you the best of luck. I would at least TRY finding a shareboarder/reducing costs before selling. |
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| MissBri | Feb 5 2009, 10:49 AM Post #13 |
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But, I don't care - it's 5:00 somewhere
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Casey I agree with a lot of the posters that you need to network now. Right now. This is the time that people and trainers start looking so they can get a bit of training/miles in on the new horse before show season picks up. Talk to vets, farriers, other barns, feed stores, tack shops, anywhere you can think of. Many places will allow you to post an ad on a bulletin board too. So, brush him up and at least take a good conformation shot or two. You can pick up a cheapo disposable camera at Walmart, Walgreens, etc. then when you develop it place it on disk rather than print (or both) It's cheap and easy to do. No reason not to provide photos. Have you thought about a consignment barn? Seriously, if you want to sell him, in this economy that is the way to go. These barns normally have a huge network already in place and can ususally find a great fit for your horse. Many will come and pick up your horse as well. Honestly - this is the way I would proceed. ESPECIALLY since both you and your trainer are not experienced sellers and it appears that you are uncomfortable doing the leg work and prep that is neccessary to get a horse sold today. Where are you located? Contact other trainers/barns in the area - especially those within your horses 'best' discipline. Take the help offered by jn4jenny |
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| Witchy | Feb 5 2009, 07:15 PM Post #14 |
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You're BANNED!
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In this economy almost all horses are priced to sell. Some fancy horses who are really good doers aren't selling at any price. People are in the same boat you are and they just aren't buying. Those that are buying have more good horses to choose from than ever before and I'm sure you know that we humans are lazy and will take the easiest route possible. Buyers will look at the pictures, read the description and then watch the videos of all the horses who have them online. Before they ever get to the text only ads, they may have already found two or three horses to go look at. I know I personally never even look at text only ads. I check the box that says picture ads only. I hate to say this, but if he's cheap, or even sort of cheap, and you have an amazing description of a truly wonderful horse and no video, some buyers will think you couldn't possibly be telling the truth. Seeing is believing. I'm sure some of the parents at your barn have good video cameras and can help you out making a video. There always seem to be techno-savy dads who like to video and can help you post them on youtube. It's going to be much cheaper to spend some money marketing, him rather than 6 months board and expenses. If you horse is very nice and can win at the big shows, give David Hopper in NY a call. He has a wonderful consignment barn and he might take a horse on the come if he thinks he can sell him quickly. He's terrific and has many, many buyers and a very good reputation. http://davidhopperinc.com/ Edited to add. Don't be afraid to ask people for favors. People actually love helping out a friend if you are grateful and respectful about it. Don't be bashful about it. Edited by Witchy, Feb 5 2009, 07:19 PM.
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| FlashGordon | Feb 5 2009, 09:01 PM Post #15 |
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You're BANNED!
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Hey Witchy great advice. I will admit I always skip the text ads too. I've heard good things about David Hopper as well. Casey, again, good luck. I am sure this is heartbreaking... but hey don't ever discount a lease option either. Then you don't have to *completely* give him up! Good luck!! |
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I'm sorry, that stinks. If it helps any (probably won't), I just had to turn down a free/inexpensive (she said she'd consider giving him away to the right home) horse that sounded perfect for me, due to finances. I still have Clyde, but haven't ridden him since Nov. '07 so, as my dad put it, he's 'holding me back' from getting a horse I can actually ride. That's my sacrafice I guess.
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7:50 AM Jul 11