Advice for selling horse?

Question

i am selling my 2 year old QH cross because he is beginning to be too much of a handful for me--i have five people that are interested. Except the one is 11 years old...I don't think i should sell him to her--she has a horse and her family has horses too[her sister has a TB] i'm just worried that he might take advantage of her or hurt her. I mean if I[15 years old] can't handle him..will she be able to? She's said she's ridden as long as she can remember but idk if she is experienced enough?--but her first question about him was "have you tried him over a jump yet?" and he's only two! That would totally be unsafe and would harm him. I haven't even put anyone up on him[i'm not small enough myself = / ] Do you agree that i shouldn't sell him to her?? I'm afraid for Hershey? Advice please! and if I shouldn't sell him to her--what should i say to her about it??

Answer 1

No offense to you at all, but, where is parental involvement?

I find it odd that you are selling (no mention of parent's approval or helping?)  and that an 11 year old is purchasing (no mention of parent's approval or helping?).

If my 11 year old wanted a 2 year old horse (obviously green broke), I would say heck no.  Not only for the safety of my 11 year old, but also the safety for the horse as it is too young. (Plus, if you can't handle, I don't think an 11 year old is ready to handle).

If you want to give the 11 year old a reason, be honest. Say "I am sorry but I am looking for an experienced adult who mets the standards to handle him and train him according to his age, size/structure and his behavior, but thank you though for your interest".

You need to advertise this horse as (experienced adult rider only).  You are allowed to be specific of what type of buyers you are looking for when it comes to safety and health concerns.

That brings up the contract issue:  It isn't valid per say.  Once a person buys, this horse becomes their property. It is up for agreement to hope to be withheld, but by law, it mostly doesn't.

10 years down the line, this horse can have a different owner. Something you can not control.

I think it is wonderful you have a good heart to want to make sure the best for this horse; however, once you sell him,  you can't make those choices anymore.

The only way the seller and buy back option can work is if it is noterized (spelling?) and available on bale of sale.

The issue, if the buyer moves away and doesn't stay in contact, that would be more research and time to see if this horse is still owned by that person etc.

Reason why I might be abit negative on the buy back option is sometimes it doesn't work. I known a few people who had someone break the contract by moving away or selling secretly just to avoid the contract agreement........totally is a pain and does s*ck.

RECOMMENDATION:  

Just look at it as an option, even try it to see if it works.

Find a person who will want him leased to them. (Training, eventually for shows, cutting, ranch work or even just pleasure ride/companion).

You can have a 1 month lease to start out to see if this person will match with your horse. If not a correct fit, then you can find someone else to lease out to who is able to handle him and train him in a healthy way.

At the same time, you know he is cared for, yet still in your care, ownership and you still have rights to him.

The contract lease agreement comes in variety of ways.

Split all cost according; set up an agreement of who pays what (vet? how much? minor or major injures? to feeding? shoeing/trimming? etc), riding agreements, showing agreements etc.

Answer 2

the bottom line is that a new owner can do whatever they like, so unless you want to keep the horse, you can't expect anyone to treat it like you will.  have you  thought of professional training? having someone else ride him and help you? you are not obligated to sell to anyone, you may choose whomever.  I would just say that you are looking for an adult. end of story. the kid is not buying, the parents are.

Answer 3

You are the seller, You have the right to not sell the horse to someone... whether it is for her safety or his... or even just a gut feeling... I would just tell her that you aren't sure that she is experienced enough... and if she keeps persisting say that he isn't for sale anymore and you changed your mind. They can't MAKE you sell her the horse... It is still YOUR horse. she will just have to get over it.

Answer 4

As the seller, you have the right and responsibility to find the best possible home for your horse.  So your instincts about this girl and wanting to put him over jumps are already telling you "no"....tell this girl you have other people that are coming to see your horse and you'd like time to accept all offers.  That way, you can wait until she either loses interest or you actually find a perfect buyer for him.  I definitely wouldn't sell to her.

Answer 5

I understand your concern for this particular horse.  But you stated that you have 5 people interested. Perhaps one of the other 18 horses that you have would fit the bill?  What about the others that your grandmother is interested in selling?

Have you shown Sassie to any of these people to hopefully find her a home?  Maybe this would be a good opportunity to seek a home for her too.

And you can follow the advice that was given to you in the question someone else presented about writing a contract.  Are there not any adults around to talk..like her parents and your grandmother or aunt and uncle?  You have to follow your instincts..but maybe she was just talking like a big shot..but then again..move onto the other four prospects you have...did they leave a better first impression?  I see that you must hae written a good ad to get that many people interested at once!!

Maybe you could do a package deal..buy one get one free!!

Again, good luck to you.

Answer 6

You are the seller.. you know him the best.. If she rly intrested in him then tell her you need her parents to contact you and explaine that this horse needs a trainer that knows what there doing. Make sure that everyone knows he is young and is green...If hes hard to handel .... tell them that you sudgest he goes into a training program with a trainer... its your final call.. Make sure everyone knows the truth.. Recently we had a new horse come.... he was bought as a child bomb proof show horse.. well the horse totaly fliped out... she hated the horses didnt stand.. and through riders off... i was very upset.. so make sure you tell everyone that he is a young green horse... good luck.. if you dont feel right about it.. then its probualy not.

Answer 7

If you have 5 people interested then why even consider her? You have a responsibility to your horse to give him the best home possible. As for how to tell her, she doesnt need an explination. Its your horse. Just tell her you have recieved a better offer and a contract is in the works. She doesnt need details. I would not sell him to her, no matter her experience, because she lacks the ability to leave what she wants to do out and focus on what is best for the horse. I have never met a 11 year old that had anywhere near that amount of maturity. I (also 15) have a hard time stepping back and looking at the whole picture to understand what is best for Jazz.

Also remember that there are some kids that have full reign over their non-horsy parents. If they say a horse is good for them and they can handle it then the parents write the check. My friend (12) is like that and I hand picked the horse she is planning to buy for her becuase she was looking in all the wrong places and her parents were not helping AT ALL. Some parents are morons.

Please dont sell him to her. It is a diaster waiting to happen

-Katie

EDIT: As for the contract you can put a first right to buy clause in. Just get it in writing with the bill of sale. You might want to talk to a lawyer just to see what they have to say. Most people know at least one that would talk to you over the phone for like 10 minutes for free. And as for what to say, she really doesnt NEED a reason for why she did not get the horse. She didnt and thats all that matters

Answer 8

You are a horse lover.   I can tell.

You know the right answer to the question.

It's your responsibility to do what you feel is best for the horse.

What happens after that is the responsibility of the new owner.  

If you placed her with right owner in the first place, that owner will do what is right for her in the future.  

Your horse will live a happy life.

Problems arise when owners are not responsible people.

If a person is not a responsible person they should not own an animal.

http://www.saferhorseracing.com/gpage14....

Answer 9

If in doubt don't. He is your horse and it's up to you who you sell him too. You are the one that has to live with your decision.

The best home to sell him to is the one where you don't stay up all night asking yourself if you did the right thing and wondering if he's ok.

Answer 10

only sell to whom you feel comfortable too =)

that is your job as the seller