I Changed My Mind About Horse Sales

I used to think horse sales was totally gross.

I’m sure sometimes it still is. But over the last 14 months, as I’ve sold 23 horses and ponies (and counting!) I’ve come to learn that like all things in life, horse sales is what you make it. Fortunately, I’ve got an incredibly supportive owner who both trusts my judgment and honors my requirement of transparency. It simply would not work any other way.

I also have an outstanding team: an endlessly dedicated barn manager, a groom who finally stopped counting how many horses we get done in a day (well she at least has stopped complaining to me about it!!!), a wonderful assistant trainer who is blossoming into an all star equestrian, dedicated and caring stable staff, and a phenomenal vet and farrier (this is the short list – there are many more of you and you have my endless gratitude!!).

But perhaps the biggest turnaround is my mindset.

Rather than viewing sales as a necessary evil, I started to think of it as a unique matchmaking opportunity for horses I’ve literally been sharing a house with for years and that I genuinely stay up at night worrying about.

If you’ve bought a horse from me this year, you’ve probably heard my online dating analogy: you check out the dude or chick online. You like the photos, think their profile sounds JUST PERFECT, and you agree to go on a date.

Like online dating, this is where self-sabotage can take over when trying a horse to buy: your preconceived notions get in the way of reality; your desired outcome gets in the way of seeing if there is real chemistry; and/or your expectation of the partnership you’ll have immediately ruins any possibility of what will naturally develop over time.

If you come to try a horse or go on a first date and you’ve avoided the above hurdles, in my opinion, the best thing you can do is forget your wish list. Just be present. Feel out the chemistry. Stumble around together and see if you come out at least facing the same direction.

Not only do I no longer think horse sales are categorically gross. Instead, nothing makes my day brighter than a selfie of one of my buyers and that new pony she found online.