There are many reasons why you might need to look into selling a horse. You may have to move, or perhaps you are going to go to college. Perhaps your trainer has told you are ready for a higher level of competition and need a horse that is more advanced. Or maybe you just can't afford feeding and maintaining a horse anymore. Whatever the reason, you want to find your friend the best home you can, and get a reasonable and fair price for her.
Homework
Look over classified ads and go online to review the asking prices for horses similar to yours, with the same sex and age, and with the same experience. If you compete with your horse, check against horses in similar events. If your horse has won any awards, that should also be factored in. If your horse has any special attributes (great with young children, loves to jump, etc.) make sure you include them too. Then you need to decide how much you want to spend on advertising. Are you going to concentrate your efforts and money on a local or regional area, or do you think there is a national or even an international market for your horse?
If you feel a more local market is the place to sell your horse, then you will want to place classified ads in local equine publications. It is definitely worth the extra effort and money to include a photograph in the ad. Area riding clubs and associations have publications you can utilize. Print up some flyers and put them in tack and feed stores. You may think your horse is special enough to warrant more attention. Put ads on national breeder association websites. If she is a sport horse and has competed at very high levels you can try to sell her internationally. You might consider mailing a flyer to internationally known riders. Whatever you do, make sure you tell everyone you know that you have a horse for sale.
Put It in Writing
Your ad should list the horse's age, sex, height and weight, color and breed. List what she can do, and what level of rider she is suitable for. If she is purebred you could list 2 or 3 generations of genealogy. Many experts feel that offering a trial period for a prospective buyer is a good idea. If you do offer a trial period, draw up a written contract stating the length of time (one week should be more than adequate), what can and cannot be done with the horse, and who is responsible for returning the horse should things not work out. Make sure your horse is insured, and get a large deposit.
There are alternatives to selling your horse. You could consider leasing her to a therapeutic riding program, or even donating the horse. Whichever path you take, it is a good idea to ensure the new owner stays in touch with you about how the horse is doing.
Homework
Look over classified ads and go online to review the asking prices for horses similar to yours, with the same sex and age, and with the same experience. If you compete with your horse, check against horses in similar events. If your horse has won any awards, that should also be factored in. If your horse has any special attributes (great with young children, loves to jump, etc.) make sure you include them too. Then you need to decide how much you want to spend on advertising. Are you going to concentrate your efforts and money on a local or regional area, or do you think there is a national or even an international market for your horse?
If you feel a more local market is the place to sell your horse, then you will want to place classified ads in local equine publications. It is definitely worth the extra effort and money to include a photograph in the ad. Area riding clubs and associations have publications you can utilize. Print up some flyers and put them in tack and feed stores. You may think your horse is special enough to warrant more attention. Put ads on national breeder association websites. If she is a sport horse and has competed at very high levels you can try to sell her internationally. You might consider mailing a flyer to internationally known riders. Whatever you do, make sure you tell everyone you know that you have a horse for sale.
Put It in Writing
Your ad should list the horse's age, sex, height and weight, color and breed. List what she can do, and what level of rider she is suitable for. If she is purebred you could list 2 or 3 generations of genealogy. Many experts feel that offering a trial period for a prospective buyer is a good idea. If you do offer a trial period, draw up a written contract stating the length of time (one week should be more than adequate), what can and cannot be done with the horse, and who is responsible for returning the horse should things not work out. Make sure your horse is insured, and get a large deposit.
There are alternatives to selling your horse. You could consider leasing her to a therapeutic riding program, or even donating the horse. Whichever path you take, it is a good idea to ensure the new owner stays in touch with you about how the horse is doing.