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Post by welshleek on Jun 8, 2011 18:47:38 GMT
We have our beloved mare for sale and I have only had a couple of non serious phone enquiries or emails. I was just wondering what was wrong with the advert I am putting in. Here is a sample. Opinions welcomed as this is a painful decision. Zilla is a 14 yr old, anglo arab x ID 16.2hh mare who we have had since she was 3 yrs old. She was bred locally by a small stud in Kidwelly where she was shown successfully as a youngster. My husband bought her as a backed 3 yr old and brought her on really well. She has shown successfully under saddle in her younger days winning at county shows in Riding Horse classes and Light Weight Hunter classes. We have had lots of fun with Zilla enjoying 2 seasons of hunting with Sennybridge and Carmarthen where she behaved impeccably. She enjoys beach rides and loves hacking around Pembry. She has a lovely jump but we havent done any serious jumping as that isnt what we enjoy. She is excellent in traffic, hacks out on her own and well behaved in company. She has never reared but can have one buck in excitment. For this reason I would say she is not for a complete novice other wise she is perfect. She travels excellently in both a trailer and lorry and will stand all day. We have bred two lovely foals from Zilla, Grace who is now 5 yrs and Barney who is 2 yrs. We have shown Zilla successfully inhand as a brood mare winning Brood mare Championships at County level. She is an excellent mum who is protective but trusts you to handle her foal from the moment its born. Zilla is registered with the SHBGB and would have no trouble grading. We have made the tough decision to sell Zilla as we have a young child, we have two other youngsters and therefore I dont feel that we do her justice. We have considered keeping her purely as a brood mare but I do not have the time as we are very 'hands-on' with our foals. We are looking for an excellent home for Zilla where she will be loved and adored. She is not currently in foal.   |
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Post by muffymoo on Jun 8, 2011 19:11:53 GMT
I think the ad is fine,she seems like a nice mare to me. How much are you asking for her? What with the way things are going at the moment everyone wants something for nothing,no matter how good the animal is,have you considered loaning her?
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kayjayem
Happy to help....a lot
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Post by kayjayem on Jun 8, 2011 19:35:36 GMT
The advert sounds fine I can only think that it is the price(whatever that is) that is putting people off as that is the only thing you haven't included above.
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Post by welshleek on Jun 8, 2011 19:49:40 GMT
I have advertised her for £1800 which I really dont feel is unreasonable as she is a quality mare. How much would you ask?
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Post by bronco on Jun 8, 2011 19:52:33 GMT
stick out for your price, it is not at all unreasonable. She seems a lovely mare, and would be a dream for the right owner.
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Post by network on Jun 8, 2011 19:55:40 GMT
A lot of people will be put off by her age at 14, as they will struggle to get insurance etc, I wouldnt be put off and think the advert is good, good luck in finding her a new home as she looks lovely  |
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Post by chalky284 on Jun 8, 2011 20:04:31 GMT
What a lovely mare! I have to say that I agree with desktop, her age may well put people off. For some reason that I struggle with to be honest, people seem to think that the way forward is to buy 3-6 yr olds, a lady at my yard has stated that her mare is getting too old (12yrs??!!) and she needs to sell her to buy something younger and less likely to get injured??!!  |
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Post by welshleek on Jun 8, 2011 20:07:43 GMT
Thanks for your opinions. I really would love to keep her as we've had her for so many years but I am keeping her son and also have a yearling connie and a young baby and busy jobs etc. I can understand people being put off by her age but she really does have minimal miles on the clock. I have brought her back to work recently as she is for sale. Even as a brood mare I think she would be an asset to any stud. her is a photo of her first foal grace who is now 5yrs and competed in her first dressage comp mlast weekend achieving a score of 70% on her first outing  This is a photo of her son Barney who is 2 yrs old and full brother to grace. If I cant sell Zilla then I will have to sadly sell him.  |
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kayjayem
Happy to help....a lot
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Post by kayjayem on Jun 8, 2011 20:10:44 GMT
Doesn't sound very expensive(not cheap either) Where have you advertised her, maybe you haven't got the best exposure for your advert? Also I'm not up on my geography, are you in a remote location as that can reduce the market a bit as transport is very expensive. She does look lovely though and I think that anything good will sell it just takes longer.
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Post by sageandonion on Jun 8, 2011 20:15:04 GMT
There is nothing wrong with your mare. She would have been perfect for a friend who has just taken delivery of her new one and she is offering a 5 star home for life. We didn't see your ad and we were looking at all the usual sites. Horsequest, Horse & Hound, Riding Club site, on here as well.
Price is fair, nice horse and nice ad. You need to give her more exposure.
Some people actually prefer an older horse.
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Post by hs on Jun 8, 2011 21:17:44 GMT
I read your advert and what stood out to me was that she bucks, not her age, if she only does it very occasionally then perhaps could you just say sometimes she is exuberant and lively and therefore a novice ride and only mention it on the phone?
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Post by junetimp on Jun 8, 2011 21:48:09 GMT
She sounds a lovely horse and I believe your advert to be very truthful, you have covered every aspect (even the bucking).
1. Where are you placing your advert? Could that be the problem? Not that I have any suggestions as to the ideal places.
2. People don't always look through adverts evey day/week - selling will take time
3. Have you thought of loan with view to buy? I know there can be huge problems with loaning but some people are nervous of buying a horse outright if they are unsure they can manage it. Be prepared to monitor it carefully.
4. Money is in short supply at the moment, unfortunately.
5. Check the wanted adds sometimes, as I did, you can find the perfect home this way.
Good Luck - I understand your predicament.
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Post by LucyHebditch on Jun 8, 2011 22:13:52 GMT
I would agree that the buck could put people off as the horse is lovely and the price is very reasonable!
Under no circumstances should you lie and not mention it. But be clever about it and mention it when the time is right. By putting it in the advert, almost everyone will dismiss it straight away. However, by leaving it out, having an in depth conversation on the phone about how lovely she is and then saying her one flaw, you will increase your chances of them saying they'll come and try her.
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Post by amanda on Jun 8, 2011 23:37:41 GMT
very nice mare but its unfortunate you are selling her in this poor economic climate, a lady on my yard has just bought similar very well bred mare for 1200 and it passed a 5 stage vetting,
wish you luck selling your mare x
ps the buck wouldnt put me off and you are right to mention it
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Post by honeypot on Jun 9, 2011 12:43:52 GMT
I would make the ad shorter, theres a lot of exposition, concentrate on what she is doing now, the dressage 70% is one of her good points so should be way up the list and her show results .Leave all the stuff about your husband until they ring.
A part from her age I can see nothing against her and think she is fairly priced. Show me a horse that doesn't buck at some time and it probabely doesn't have a pulse.
I would try the Pony club classified she is certainly something I would have looked at for my daughters and Horsequest in competition/dressage animals.
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Post by lollipoplove on Jun 9, 2011 21:08:30 GMT
I think your mare is lovely and i dont believe that they are written off just because they are in their teens. Is she easy to do when ridden? How is she in her stable? Any vices? How is she in traffic? I am looking for something as a quiet show horse that is good to hack and may accompany our youngsters out hacking. What is the sire and dam?
I look forward to hearing from you
Regards
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Post by lollipoplove on Jun 9, 2011 21:09:50 GMT
I think your mare is lovely and i dont believe that they are written off just because they are in their teens. Is she easy to do when ridden? How is she in her stable? Any vices? How is she in traffic? I am looking for something as a quiet show horse that is good to hack and may accompany our youngsters out hacking. What is the sire and dam?
I look forward to hearing from you
Regards
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Post by welshleek on Jun 10, 2011 15:13:47 GMT
I think your mare is lovely and i dont believe that they are written off just because they are in their teens. Is she easy to do when ridden? How is she in her stable? Any vices? How is she in traffic? I am looking for something as a quiet show horse that is good to hack and may accompany our youngsters out hacking. What is the sire and dam? I look forward to hearing from you Regards Hi Zilla is such a lovely gentle mare who is unaposing for her size. she is never bargy or rude. no stable vices. Very easy to do when ridden. never needs lunging or working-in. She will school quietly in the largest of open fields. In the 8 yrs I have known her i've only seen her buck about 3/4times when opened up for a gallop but thought i should mention it otherwise this is an extremely rare occurance. She is usually ridden in a snaffle or french link but shown in a pelham for appearances. She certainly is never sick or sour. She is excellent in traffic although we only have a quite road but we do pass tractors, milk tankers and horse boxes. I have used her as a lead horse for many years with youngsters and is an excellent source of support for them. her sire was Zayir and dam Bishops Greylags. viewing is highly reccommended as Zilla is truely a lovely mare x |
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Post by fox111 on Jun 10, 2011 15:18:40 GMT
the same stamp but 7yr old well educated and uncomplicated sold recently at sports horse sale £1100 the markets just not there  |
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Post by lollipoplove on Jun 20, 2011 20:09:17 GMT
Hi,
Do you have a contact number please?
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Post by welshleek on Jun 22, 2011 18:05:33 GMT
hi is 07854580912
thanks
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Post by welshleek on Jun 27, 2011 18:17:11 GMT
well I cant turn her into a pony no matter how young she is!! Many people are looking for bigger horses and she is a truely quality mare. We are going to show her again this summer as she is in show condition. The first person to see will definately buy her
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Post by tillergirl on Jul 7, 2011 8:54:35 GMT
Lovely mare and not expensive, 14yrs is not old my homebred mare is still trying to buck me off at 21yrs, - think that would put some people off the mention of bucking, -- But Good on You for being an honest person, - as you obviously care about this mare - its best to mention these things, otherwise someone may get hurt. - Think you should loan with an option to purchase, -- then you know she is in the right home, - I have loaned out mine and found them top class homes for life. Best of Luck
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Post by welshleek on Jul 8, 2011 18:56:51 GMT
in the 8 yrs i have know zilla i have only seen her buck about 3 times. maybe i shouldnt of mentioned it but want to be honest. can many people say hand on heart their horses have never kicked their heels up in excitement? she is a real quality mare and her age is defineately not a disadvantage. zilla is ready to compete in dressage or back in the show ring and will certainly be in the ribbons. The only reason she is for sale is that I have 2 youngsters, a young baby, am in the process of buying a house and have a demanding job. it would be an offence to sell this mare at a lower price and the price we are asking certainly reflects the market. if this was last year i would be asking over £3000 for her.
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Post by PantyGirl on Jul 10, 2011 8:03:30 GMT
hi there is nothing wrong with your ad or mare stick it out she well worth that dont be in a hurry and get the right home for her i have had same problen nothing wrong with the horse it just not so many people want horses! i have advertised and hav e the same prob it jt getting peoplen to come down the drive! good luck remember home is the most important not the price!
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Post by fliffkins on Jul 15, 2011 16:28:31 GMT
would you consider loan or loan with a view to buy??
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Post by welshleek on Jul 15, 2011 16:49:26 GMT
i'm not sure i have had bad experiences loaning from others. where do you live?
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Post by welshleek on Jul 15, 2011 16:50:30 GMT
zilla is back competing until she sells so is fit for work
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Post by fliffkins on Jul 16, 2011 8:03:47 GMT
have pm'd you
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Post by welshleek on Jul 16, 2011 8:37:35 GMT
sorry i have not received the pm
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