Seller Responsibility?

A friend recently had her horse up for sale.  She wrote a very detailed and concise ad explaining that her horse, although quiet, still needed further training and was not a beginner horse.

She explained everything about the stage of training and the type of rider that would be suitable for him.

She received a response to her ad from a person looking for a second horse.  It was apparent from the moment they showed up that they were complete beginners. 

Their other horse was unbroke and they lived on an acreage.  They were very nice people and if they were at a facility where they were working with a coach, they would have benefitted tremendously over time.  However, they were planning to go it alone and learn as they went along which is a recipe for disaster, especially with untrained or green broke horses.

My friend who is a responsible horse owner and seller, refused to sell her horse to them knowing that it was an incredibly bad fit.  Her horse was just not trained enough to be a safe choice.  

I have sold a number of horses over the years for a friend and I actually regret some of the sales as in retrospect, I know that some of the horses, although of great temperament, were not a great fit for the buyers.  

I absolutely encourage people to own horses.  We all had to learn somehow.  My biggest advice to beginners is to buy a well broke, mature horse, at least 10 years old.  One who is calm and will be a great teacher.  A good horse will make all of the difference while you are learning.  If you are working with an experienced coach or teacher and you are willing to listen and take the time to learn, yes, you might be able to take on a bit more of a project but it is certainly better if you have had riding lessons on a well trained horse first.

A young horse takes years to bring along and to train.  It takes hundreds of hours in the saddle before a horse is considered well broke.  I, for example have 5 horses, none of which I consider well broke and they range in age from 4 to 14 years old.

The other consideration is, as a seller is it your responsibility to ensure that the horse you are selling is going to an appropriate home?  

Horses are very powerful animals and they can seriously hurt a person.  Believe me, I have had my share of wrecks and injuries over the years.  I feel it is extremely important that you take on the responsibility of finding the best possible home for your equine friend, not only for their welfare but for the welfare of the purchaser.  

I have also made some great matches and there is nothing that warms my heart more than to see a horse go to the perfect person.

We have successfully placed some horses with beginners and I am pleased to say that it has worked out and worked out well, but they also had a willingness to work alongside experienced people who were able to guide them.

Knowledge is always power and when you are seeking out your equine partner, make sure that it feels right and if the seller is in a rush to unload the horse, maybe you need to think twice.  A responsible horse owner will allow you to come back and try the horse a few times to make sure that it is right for you.  If you are feeling pressured in any way, please walk away.  

Just my two cents.