How to price and present a horse with a flaw?

Question

I am trying to help a friend sell a horse for a child to ride. I live in middle Tn. and the horse market SUCKS right now. Anyway, I have a Spotted Saddle Horse, around 14 1/2 - 15 hh. He is beautifully marked with wide patterns of dark brown on the body, and black on his head and knees. He has a finely chissled head with beautifully inward pointing ear tips. He is a classy mover with pride in his step, and is broke to death. His big flaw is he has a blind spot in his right eye which does not seem to affect his vision . I believe he uses the other eye to compensate blocked vision. Most horses would become spooky with a problem like that but he seems to have gotten calmer and more level headed instead. We had him out riding yesterday in very tall grass, and mistakenly got him into a clutter of electric fencing wire(not electrified). My daughter told him to whoa and he stopped immediately, waited for me to come untangle them and we were off again with no incident. He is calm enough for anyone to ride, does not spook, and I'd love to find him a good home. I have a fellow looking at him for $400.00, but the longer I have him here, the more this seems it is not enough. What would be a fair price, and how do I find him a good home? Any comments or thoughts would really be appreciated!!

Answer 1

I really cant give suggestions on the price, because I am so far away. However here that would be well under value of a good quiet horse ;-)



I guess the main problem you will run into is, that his sight could get worse over time? People would probably want to vet check to see if it is a degenerative condition.



We had some mares on the TB stud who started off fine and lost their sight over several years. Most retained enough to get by and two in particular completely lost their vision. Personally it is not a risk I would take for my young girls riding.



I guess unless he is checked out to try to determine the cause of the loss of sight, then his low price is the compensation offered, in case he does get worse.



Because if you could offer a vet report to say he "should" not deteriorate further, then he would certainly be worth more money.



Good luck, I hope you find him a nice home ;-)

Answer 2

yes, the horse market sucks in Wi too. We got an exellent mare for 100, though we had no proof that she rode, just word of mouth. She rides, and is nearly bombproof.

We have been selling some our stock who are pretty well broke for 500-700. Even our all blind mare went for 500..

I actually think that 400 is low for your gelding, even if the market is bad.

He is a young horse, has training, and is a good size. I honestly think that you should ask for 700 or so, and maybe accept less. Even if he does have a blind eye it doesnt seem to bother him. If you can, get a video of him riding with some obsticles, to show that he doesnt spook or startle at things, if you don't have a camera that can do video, try getting a few pictures of him in action.



EDIT:

I agree with the above poster, about how people just getting started in horses look for cheap horses. Be careful with these people, watch them as they handle him. Ask them questions like how they would get a horse from the pasture if the horse won't come. We have found this is a great question to ask to find out who knows horses and how well they are treated - No, chasing after them with a whip is not the way... goodbye sir.

Although he sounds great, I do think because of his blind eye that people that have owned a horse prior would be beter equipt to have a horse that has a little handicap.

Answer 3

I purchased my unregistered Walking horse gelding two years ago. I paid $600, with the understanding that the previous owners could buy him back if I ever sold him. He has a couple issues-- he doesn't drive up under himself as well as I'd like, and he paws when he gets nervous when tied. Everything else about him is stellar-- he's a very sweet very well behaved horse.



Frankly, I would NEVER sell a horse for $400 to someone I didn't know, if I cared about the horse. If he is child safe, then he is worth a minimum of $1500, even without papers. Don't sell yourself and your horse short. Naturally if you need to unload him, then close your eyes and let him go, but it doesn't sound like that is the deal. His eye, if only partially blind, needs to be disclosed to any potential buyer before the sale is made, along with a veterinary explanation of the condition and prognosis. You don't have to start every ad with "I have a very nice horse who has a blind spot." If you truly feel it isn't an issue for him, then disclose the problem, but don't make it the focus of the sale.



Blind in both eyes is usually a real problem. Blindness in one eye often is a total non-issue.

Answer 4

$400 is nothing. I wouldn't lower his price, that's for sure. Make sure you do thorough checks with anyone who may buy him, and have them sign a contract to include a no-sale within ____months clause. The eye thing isn't a major problem, especially as you are not marketing him as a show horse. I know a horse that's completely blind in one eye and still able to compete at Training level Eventing (Although he's not the best)

But with a price that low (Or any price under $1000, really) you have to be especially careful, as you attract the people who don't have a clue about horses (Therefore looking at the cheapest thing they can find) and the horse dealers.

Answer 5

Now I wish I lived in TN. xD I want that horse!



I had a one-eyed blind horse before once, and it was THE most bonded relationship I'd ever had with a horse. Prince totally trusted me with everything we did. He had to. We jumped, we did barrels, we did eventing... he was just the best boy anyone could ask for. Our lives were built on trust and certainty. It was a beautiful relationship.

Answer 6

The horse is a very nice one for what i can tell. i think the price is VERY VERY cheap! many horses are in the thousands. i know the market is bad, but it seems like you are just giving him away!