Horse Selling Tips

Selling a horse can be a frustrating ordeal. Take some of the anxiety out of the process by remembering these guidelines:

1. GREAT pictures

Have photos ready to show prospective buyers that accurately portray your horse. Many buyers won't even look at an ad without photos.

Photos to include:

-Have shots of straight on front, straight on back, and both sides.

-Make sure the horse is square for these pictures. Otherwise your horse will look long, narrow, etc. in the pictures.

-Have some movement photos of the horse lunging, round-penning, running in the pasture, whatever is needed to show the horse's best movement.

-Have some with the horse doing whatever you are selling it as being able to do. A lesson horse should be giving a lesson, a barrel horse should be running barrels, etc.

-Take some nice standing pictures in a show halter and under saddle. These can be great photos to use on internet ads. With these, just like conformation shots, the horse should be square and on level ground. These look nice with a solid background behind them, a white wall, greenery, etc.

When taking pictures:

-Make sure your horse is clean.

-Be on level ground.

-Watch your background, pick something that contrasts with the horse's color. Try a few different backgrounds so you can pick the best.

-Groom your horse before hand as if you are going to Halter show; make them PERFECT. First impressions are important.

2. Pertinent Information

Make sure you get all the important information in your ad. Especially in a newspaper, you have only a few words to use. Choose them well. You want the following:

Whether they are registered

How broke they are/What level rider they need

What they are trained to do

Whether they are up to date (UTD) on vaccinations and vet care

Whether the price is negotiable

DO NOT SAY "to a good home" or "to a good home only". People are getting SUED over this wording. Say "to approved home only". This is what the judge said to will keep you safe from lawsuits.

3. Spread the word

-Advertise on websites, in the newspaper, in classifieds papers, everywhere you can.

-Make nice flyers that look professional. Hang them in the local feed stores and at training stables. Call trainers and let them know what you have for sale. People often go to trainers when they are looking for a new horse.

-Look for websites that allow free picture ads. Many are listed on my links page.

-Invest in listing with a picture ad on DreamHorse.com.

-If your horse is registered and you are asking more then a couple thousand for it, I strongly suggest paying to put an add in the breed's magazine. Appaloosa Journal, for example, devotes a section to horses for sale. A buyer will expect to pay top dollor for a horse in the breed magazine. They are there as examples of the breed. Take advantage of this media~

-Considering doing a video of your horse and having it available online or on CD to send to interested buyers. Some websites now offer the option in their online ads.

-If you ride at a stables or have a trainer ask them to spread the word among their clients. Sometimes the perfect match is another client of the trainer or another rider at your stables!

4. Get Your Horse OUT THERE!

Whatever your horse does, GO DO IT!!

-Do public trail-rides if you horse is a trail horse.

-Show at local shows and post a sign on your trailer that the horse is for sale. You may even be allowed to ride in the classes with a for sale sign posted on your saddle pad.

-Ride at the fairgrounds when other people are there.

Be viewable! Have fun on your horse and get it sold at the same time.


				Lewis Lane Ranch Horse Selling Tips



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		Selling a horse can be a frustrating ordeal. Take some of the anxiety out of the process by remembering these guidelines:



		1. GREAT pictures Have photos ready to show prospective buyers that accurately portray your horse. Many buyers won't even look at an ad without photos. Photos to include: -Have shots of straight on front, straight on back, and both sides. -Make sure the horse is square for these pictures. Otherwise your horse will look long, narrow, etc. in the pictures. -Have some movement photos of the horse lunging, round-penning, running in the pasture, whatever is needed to show the horse's best movement. -Have some with the horse doing whatever you are selling it as being able to do. A lesson horse should be giving a lesson, a barrel horse should be running barrels, etc. -Take some nice standing pictures in a show halter and under saddle. These can be great photos to use on internet ads. With these, just like conformation shots, the horse should be square and on level ground. These look nice with a solid background behind them, a white wall, greenery, etc. When taking pictures: -Make sure your horse is clean. -Be on level ground. -Watch your background, pick something that contrasts with the horse's color. Try a few different backgrounds so you can pick the best. -Groom your horse before hand as if you are going to Halter show; make them PERFECT. First impressions are important. 2. Pertinent Information Make sure you get all the important information in your ad. Especially in a newspaper, you have only a few words to use. Choose them well. You want the following: Breed Height Age Gender Whether they are registered How broke they are/What level rider they need What they are trained to do Whether they are up to date (UTD) on vaccinations and vet care PRICE Whether the price is negotiable DO NOT SAY "to a good home" or "to a good home only". People are getting SUED over this wording. Say "to approved home only". This is what the judge said to will keep you safe from lawsuits.



		3. Spread the word -Advertise on websites, in the newspaper, in classifieds papers, everywhere you can. -Make nice flyers that look professional. Hang them in the local feed stores and at training stables. Call trainers and let them know what you have for sale. People often go to trainers when they are looking for a new horse. -Look for websites that allow free picture ads. Many are listed on my links page. -Invest in listing with a picture ad on DreamHorse.com. -If your horse is registered and you are asking more then a couple thousand for it, I strongly suggest paying to put an add in the breed's magazine. Appaloosa Journal, for example, devotes a section to horses for sale. A buyer will expect to pay top dollor for a horse in the breed magazine. They are there as examples of the breed. Take advantage of this media~ -Considering doing a video of your horse and having it available online or on CD to send to interested buyers. Some websites now offer the option in their online ads. -If you ride at a stables or have a trainer ask them to spread the word among their clients. Sometimes the perfect match is another client of the trainer or another rider at your stables! 4. Get Your Horse OUT THERE! Whatever your horse does, GO DO IT!! -Do public trail-rides if you horse is a trail horse. -Show at local shows and post a sign on your trailer that the horse is for sale. You may even be allowed to ride in the classes with a for sale sign posted on your saddle pad. -Ride at the fairgrounds when other people are there. Be viewable! Have fun on your horse and get it sold at the same time.