[Liberty's Gal]

I think most people know I am selling my Friesian cross mare Cevia.

I had a woman call me on Saturday, she was originally scheduled to see Cevia two weeks ago. She was coming with her friend who wanted to see one of my trainer's horses. My trainer cancelled on them due to a scheduling conflict with her horse not mine. I had not talked to this women during this time.

Since she couldn't come out and see Cevia 2 weeks ago she now wants to come and get her and take her on a two week trial. Unfortunately she lives about 5 hours away in Madison. I have thought about it and just don't feel comfortable with a trial that far away. If she was within an hour and I could see the facilites and go visit my horse then maybe but this just makes me too nervous.

So I was thinking instead I would offer this women a two week 'return period.' She would pay me for my horse and then have two weeks to return her to me (she would deliver her back). However Cevia must return in the same state (health, condition etc.) as when she left as determined by me. Of course if she had a vet check during that time and an issue came up then she could also be returned. If I don't hear from her or the horse is not returned by the 15th day I consider her sold. Deal done.

What do you think? Still too risky?

I don't want to seem unreasonable but there are so many risk factors with her being so far away.

I need to call the woman back today so I need imput soon.

[Rising Star]

I wouldnt want to have a horse on trial that far away either personally. I think what you said is really fair and if I was buying another horse on those terms I would be fine with it. As for the risky part, since she hasnt met you or your horse before, if she seems really strange about it when she comes out and your gut is telling you she isnt going to be the right owner then go with your gut. Find out where the horse is going to be located and also write up a really good contract.
goodluck and I hope everything goes well.

[Sandra-A1]

I guess I am just too untrusting...if I am selling, the horse does not leave my property/posession until it is paid in full.
I have heard, and read, about horses going out in trial, or the buyer is still making payments...and the buyer and horse disappears still owing the seller money.
Speaking for myself....I would not risk it.
My way of thinking is if they want the try the horse for a while they can do it at my place, or, at a trainer's that I knew well and trusted. No way would I let a horse I was selling go off with a buyer to some place where I had no control over it.

[PeggySue]

Originally Posted by Liberty's Gal

So I was thinking instead I would offer this women a two week 'return period.' She would pay me for my horse and then have two weeks to return her to me (she would deliver her back). However Cevia must return in the same state (health, condition etc.) as when she left as determined by me. Of course if she had a vet check during that time and an issue came up then she could also be returned. If I don't hear from her or the horse is not returned by the 15th day I consider her sold. Deal done.

What do you think? Still too risky?

I don't want to seem unreasonable but there are so many risk factors with her being so far away.

I need to call the woman back today so I need imput soon.

I think this is a great idea!!

[Miss Jetta]

I would have her pay for the horse in full - tell her you are putting the $$ in an account and will not touch the money until after the trial period, if after the trial period the horse doesn't work out and providing the horse returns in the same EXACT condition as it left you will refund the $$ to her. Write something up and have her sign it with everything spelled out so there is no confusion later. Good luck

[Haas Horse Farm]

Well for me it would depend if the woman could actually ride or not. I did this and had to completely retrain a mare. The horse was only 2 hours away! The mare never bucked when it went for the trial and it bucked and did all sorts of things when I got it back.

Do you know the trainer or someone who has seen her ride? To me the mare is either sold or not...

Why is she wanting the trial? What is she planning on doing with the mare during the trial?

[Liberty's Gal]

Originally Posted by Haas Horse Farm

Well for me it would depend if the woman could actually ride or not. I did this and had to completely retrain a mare. The horse was only 2 hours away! The mare never bucked when it went for the trial and it bucked and did all sorts of things when I got it back.

Do you know the trainer or someone who has seen her ride? To me the mare is either sold or not...

Why is she wanting the trial? What is she planning on doing with the mare during the trial?

This is my trainer's concern as well.

I know nothing about this women as far as riding skill etc. She wants to horse for trails and some dressage work. I don't know what she wants to do with her specifically on trial.

[Haas Horse Farm]

Sorry I really hate to be this way but the last two times I have had good horses out on trial the rider had issues. Let me put it to you this way... one rider sent a horse to my trainer after the fact... trainer put 30 days tune up on it supposedly for a woman who claims to also be a trainer but did not have the time to fix her own horse... Trainer called me when they came to pick the horse up. He said OMG I know what was wrong with the mare you tried to sell them and it did not work out.... (They claimed the mare would not walk while trail riding) the woman CANNOT ride a horse... she is like a sack of potatoes in the saddle.

So anyway long story short the last two times we have let someone have a horse on trial they have come home with issues.... I flat would tell her that if she wants the mare she can come ride her take her to another arena, take her on a trail ride, whatever but if she leaves your care then she is buying the horse.

Tell her your insurance will not allow you to sell the horse on trial.

[Liberty's Gal]

Well I called her and told her I didn't feel comfortable about a trial that far away.

She said in that case she wasn't interested.

Oh well, onwards and upwards I guess.

Thanks for all the help though guys, as always.

[Haas Horse Farm]

Honestly, my gut feeling is that you are much better off. I bet that she is not much of a rider and would have tried to jew you or found something wrong with the horse while she had it. I could be totally wrong but that is how I feel about her.

IMHO if she was a real rider and knew that your horse was quality she would not be afraid to buy it and then if it was not perfect for her she would be able to sell it herself...