I've Got A Dollar In My Pocket, Let's Go Shopping!

Today we're going to revisit buying and selling horses, with an emphasis on accuracy in advertising. Being honest when you promote what you have to sell is essential. Here's an incredibly important point to remember: "Project" and "Prospect" are very tricky terms, and it's next to impossible to properly convey the idea of potential to most buyers.

That's not to say if someone has a knowledgeable trainer or knows what they're looking for (and looking at) they can't or won't be able to see what a horse might become with some time and money invested. But let's face facts. Many buyers today are in the market for the perfect horse, with a budget of $0. There's nothing wrong with that, everyone likes  a bargain, however, generally you do get when you pay for. In other words, expecting to find a National or World Champion for free is virtually impossible. Note, I said "virtually", because I've gotten (very) lucky a time or two.

I cannot stress enough that people who are inexperienced with horses should never go looking for a mount without having someone who knows what to look for, and what they actually need, accompanying them. That's just common sense. I have found, though, that's not such a common thing these days. I've seen this on a daily basis in the So Cal High Desert -- "Well, we bought some land so we could have a horse in our backyard!" -- then they (or even worse, their children) get hurt, which damages the horse industry further, since that animal will need a new home again, because he's been labeled dangerous. And it wasn't even his fault.

Can I have an Amen?

When you're selling a horse, it is likewise important to do your homework, be completely honest and do your best to ensure a good match with whoever purchases the animal. Chances are, if you aren't operating a high end show barn, you will attract a vast array of lookie-loos, beginner riders, or first time buyers seeking out a bargain. I have found that many buyers who haven't solicited the services of a reputable trainer are not adequately prepared to assess their needs or their compatibility with specific horses. This is where becoming a good seller (or agent) and working hard to match a buyer with an appropriate horse is vitally important.

Pricing horses is also notorious for being a touchy business. If you price too high, especially with a horse that doesn't have a competition or production record, you are likely to inadvertently be turning away a number of great buyers. If you price too low, there's always the danger of a horse ending up and one of those bad places  none of us wants to think about. There other dynamics, of course, not the least of which is the breeder factor: Breeding horses, as many know, is rarely a money making proposition. What can you do to ensure the horses you breed will find an excellent home when it's time to market them? Training, plain and simple.

Here's the bottom line for buyers: Make a checklist of your needs and your wants, define parameters and be honest about your knowledge and ability. Once you have the RIGHT horse, I can almost guarantee your horse ownership experience will be enjoyable. That's the whole point! And for sellers, what you desire most is that your horse find the perfect home, right? So follow the tips above, study what buyers are seeking and rest assured you've helped someone gain an equine partner who will make their dreams of horse ownership come true.

~SFTS