Horse Classifieds
A Helpful Guide to the Horse Market
Are you in the horse market? What do horse classifieds have to do with the horse market? If you have a horse or are thinking about getting one, you are definitely in the horse market. Horse advertising or classifieds are the means in which to buy and sell in the horse market.
Odds are you have heard of some of the top web sources for horse sales. Besides looking at the all the pretty pictures next to those ads, have you ever wondered what you should be looking for? Or if you are putting together one of those ads, have you ever wondered what you should be including or not including?
Below you will find some helpful information all related to horse classifieds. What to look for in an ad and how best to write one, great sources for horse ads, and what else you can find for sale.
Where Are The Best Places To Look?
The horse market has many options available to buyers and sellers. No matter which side of the deal you are on, you will likely be searching out the best places to find or place a horse classified.
The recent growth of the internet has made horse marketing more widely available across the country and even the world. It is one of the top sources that buyers and sellers turn to for horse classifieds.
There are many websites out there offering horse sale information and listings. Some websites are free while others charge a fee based on what you want to include in your advertisement.
Other places you can consider searching for a horse or a place to put an ad are in your local newspaper. This method of marketing is quickly becoming a less popular form of advertising. Less and less people look to their newspaper for a horse. If you are thinking about placing an ad in the paper keep in mind you are limiting yourself to the local paper route. If you are looking for a horse, the paper may offer you limited options.
Horse classifieds can also be found in the many varieties of horse magazines. If you own a horse you have the opportunity to subscribe to many different publications. For example, the Appaloosa Journal has a classified ad section near the back of each issue. This expands the traffic to a horse ad, but still has some limitations.
It can be a little more expensive to place a classified in a magazine and only those that subscribe to that particular magazine will see the ad.
A final thought that may be a little less obvious but a good source for buying and selling is word of mouth. When we refer to word of mouth we are talking about professionals in the horse industry.
Horse trainers and breeders tend to have a lot of contacts in the horse industry. If you work with a trainer or are willing to work with one you may be able to find a horse that is not otherwise advertised.
We have had the experience of being able to purchase a nice show horse that was not publicly for sale. You may also be able to get some help when it comes to selling your horse.
If you decide to enlist the help of a professional in the buying or selling process, be prepared to pay at least a ten percent commission. You have to make the decision if this is the right avenue for you. We would recommend if you are looking to buy or sell a nicer show horse, using someone with more contacts in the horse industry may be beneficial.
If you are looking to buy a horse, working with a professional can also save you from making a mistake in the purchase process. A professional will be able use years of experience to tell you if the price is right for a certain horse. They can also help you spot potential problems with each prospect based on your goals for your new horse.
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Breaking Down the Ad
There are several top traffic websites that place horse classifieds in front of millions. Many of these ads are presented with a standard form of information about the horse for sale.
A typical horse classified should include at the very least some key information about the horse. Important information that should be in all horse ads include the horse name, age, gender, breed, height, temperament, and training level. Price may or may not be included in the listing as well as a completed horse pedigree.
This basic information will help potential buyers determine if this horse meets their needs and wants in a future horse. If you are writing an ad, it will annoy many potential buyers if you don't offer this basic information.
Many searchers will simply pass over the ad and move on to the next. A great and complete advertisement is most important when you post online. You are compete ting with many more sellers and need to get noticed by buyers.
If you are searching through a list of horse classifieds you should expect to find the above information in an ad to determine if it is the right horse for you. If you have any questions from a listing, contacting the seller should also be quick and simple. Whether you call or email them, the response should be timely and quick.
Other supplemental information included in many horse classifieds may include the horse's skills and achievements, riding disciplines, any health or soundness problems, and reason for sale. Health or soundness problems should always be disclosed to the buyer. Buyers should also always protect themselves with a purchase agreement and vet check before handing over any money.
There are some dishonest sellers out there and buyers need to stay informed.
Photos are optional in a horse listing, but are highly recommended to get the attention of a buyer. The photo that you include in the ad can be a huge deciding factor in determining whether the buyer will contact you or keep on looking. Make sure the photo you include flatters your horse. Nothing makes a buyer say "pass" more than a shot of a horse that just got up from rolling in the mud.
If you are searching through the listing, keep in mind to check the ads with no photos. We have found some great horses listed in just text. Many searchers stick to the photo ads, see if you can find something in the text ads, and request a photo or video from the seller.
As we stated above, a price may or may not be included in the horse classified. Many sellers want to encourage a potential buyer to contact them for more information on the horse. They want to get you as the buyer more involved and interested in the horse. If price plays a huge role you can be up front and ask the price on the horse before considering looking further at the horse.
Most buyers have a set budget or price range and if the horse is priced way out of the ball park, no selling point can change the outcome. Keep in mind that the horse market is always changing and a sellers situation may change. You can be forward with the seller on the price range you are looking for and decide whether it is worth it to you to pursue.
Sometimes a seller's personal situation may change and they may decide to drastically reduce the price. If a seller needs to make a faster sale due to a personal situation and you discussed the maximum amount you are willing to pay, they may contact you if the price is worth saving them the cost of continuing to keep the horse to get a higher price.
What Else Can You Find
Horse classifieds are not just for buying and selling horses anymore. There are many other horse-related items you can find for sale. Again one of the best places to look is online.
Other items include horse tack, properties, trailers, show clothes, and horse related services. The internet allows buyers and sellers to places these goods and services in front of many people.
If you are searching for a new piece of horse tack or even used horse tack, you can better find what you are looking for by searching a few top websites. If you show your horse you are more likely to find show clothing or show supplies by searching classified listings.
Who knows, your perfect showmanship outfit could be across the country and can make its way to your doorstep just by picking up the phone or sending an email. With the many options available to you for sale you should be able to find almost anything you are searching for. It also allows you more opportunities to sell your horse items or services.
