3 Things You Must Know Before You Sell Your Horse

Whether we want to or not, every horse owner will one day have to sell a horse. Selling a horse is a legal transaction, which is why it’s important to be as honest and fair as possible during the process to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Before you sell your horse, read our tips on the three things you must know first.

Set a Fair Price

The price of the horse can make or break a potential sale. You don’t want to go too high and scare away potential buyers and you don’t want to go too low and lose out on the actual, fair price of your horse. When pricing the horse, evaluate its training, experience, age, conformation, breeding, weight, height, etc. Talk with a horse expert, like your horse trainer, in order to discern what is a fair price for the horse that will leave both you and the buyer happy with the sale. You should compensate your trainer for their time and evaluation of the horse.

Advertise Honestly

When advertising your horse, be honest and upfront about the horse and its shortcomings in the advertisement. Create a concise and accurate description of the horse to include in any ads and use photos and/or videos when possible. By disclosing any health or training issues before the buyer purchases the horse, you are protecting yourself from any future issues and building trust between you and the buyer. You should also encourage the potential buyer to get a veterinarian exam before purchasing the horse. If the vet says the horse is not sound but the buyer still purchases it, this protects the seller in case the buyer decides to say they are unsatisfied after the sale is final.

Get it in Writing

When buying and selling a horse, don’t forget about the equine laws and always be careful in order to protect yourself from any future legal action. It’s always important to understand your legal rights. By disclosing any issues your horse may have, you are taking steps towards protecting yourself legally. It’s also vital that you get the sales agreement in writing. In states like Florida and California, written documentation is required by law. Even if you are not selling a horse in either of those states, you should always provide written documentation. This written documentation should document all transactions and specify to whom commissions are being paid and the price of the horse.

A fair and honest horse owner not only protects themselves legally but also builds their reputation as a good horse seller. By keeping in mind these three things, you are setting yourself up as a trustworthy seller in case you need to sell another horse down the road.