I sold a horse that I used for LDs and he did well, however we had a
love/ hate relationship so I sold him to a pleasure riding home. Daughter
lost interest, horse up for sale. I start trying to help locate a buyer who will
put him back into endurance. I went by, picked him up (30 minutes from my house,
one way, and not in the direction of the ride) to take him to a ride so someone
could look at him. I explained the horse, his positive and negative points,
level of conditioning, everything I could think of in great detail. If the horse
was what I said he was, the buyer wanted him as long as he passed a vet
check. Also, because of the extra weight in the trailer, my fuel mileage
dropped 3 MPG on the way to the ride, however I wanted to be sure this horse
ended up in a good home, so no problem. We get to the ride, horse behaves
perfectly, stands tied to my trailer the whole time, no fuss when his buddy
leaves, prospective buyer rides him around camp, he is flawless. Great ground
manners, very obedient under saddle. This person ended up not buying the
horse because it would take too long to bring him back into shape, and I told
them how he had been ridden, and that after 3 months of conditioning, he could
do another LD, and maybe 6 months for a 50. He was in 50 mile shape when I sold
him. After I brought it up, they did give me a little money for gas, but I
didn't even break even in the deal by the time I took him back, 30 minutes each
way to take him back home. My attitude is now " if you want the horse,
come look at him" Seems like everytime I have really bent over backwards to help
some one that is looking at something I am selling (horse, car, anything) they
are "just shopping"
