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Answer Buyers’ Questions Truthfully
You must answer buyers’ questions honestly. For
example, if the buyer asks you, “Has your horse ever
been lame?” and he had a stone bruise last year, you
must tell the buyer about it, even if the horse is now
completely sound. However, to put the buyer at ease,
you can also offer other facts about the horse’s
current soundness.
 Put
Your Client’s Needs First
If you are a trainer,
riding instructor or other equine
professional, your clients are entitled to rely upon
your advice in buying a horse. Because of your client
relationship, you must tell them what you know about
the horse, and you must
consider your client’s interests before your own.
For example, if you are selling a lesson horse because
a vet has told you that a pre-navicular condition may
eventually make him lame, you must inform your client,
even if he doesn’t ask whether the horse is sound
and even if the horse is completely sound now. You may
have commission arrangements with other trainers or
breeders in your area, but your recommendations should
be based upon what is best for your client, not what
is best for you. You must advise your client frankly,
including whether you think the horse is fairly priced
and whether it is suitable for your client’s
intended use. The more information that your client
has, the less risk of liability you will have. Keep in
mind that you may have more to lose if your clients
leaves your barn than if you lose a commission.
 Be
Honest About Your Horse’s Abilities
If a buyer tells you what she’s planning to do with
your horse and you have information that your horse
wouldn’t be suitable for her plans, you must tell
her. For example, if she tells you that she wants to
use your Quarter Horse to help round up her cows and
the horse spooks at your kids’ 4-H steers, you must
tell the buyer. Similarly, if she tells you that
she’s a beginning rider and your off-the-track
Thoroughbred is a real handful, you must tell her that
the horse is not a beginners’ mount. Remember that
as the seller, you can refuse to sell your horse to a
buyer who doesn’t seem suitable to you, as long as
you don’t discriminate against the buyer on the
basic of age, race, marital status, gender, or sexual
preference.
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Correct
Any Wrong Impressions the Buyer May Have About
Your Horse |
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While a buyer is talking, you may realize that she has
some false beliefs about your horse, and you must set
her straight. For example, if she mentions that she
saw your Appy gelding win a snaffle bit futurity last
year, but your horse has never been off of your
property, you must tell her that it wasn’t your
horse she saw.
Additional
Information
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