Walking On Volume 6, Issue 2, February 2019 | Page 8

Back to Basics
When A Potential Buyer wants to
take Your Horse on a Trial Basis
Selling a horse can be a stressful endeavor. Adding
to that stress, many potential buyers will ask to take
a horse on a trial basis to see if they are a good fit.
To anyone that’s ever bought a horse, this make total
sense. However, as the seller, it’s understandably nerve-
wracking to have a horse that they still own and are
responsible for out of site for even a short time. There-
fore it is important for the seller to cover their bases
with the following three forms of documentation.
Terms of Use:
This can be thought of much like an abbreviated
lease contract. With that in mind, some things to think
about might be:
Restrictions on use: This is where the seller can put
into writing what the seller can and can’t do with the
horse. Can someone other that the potential buyer ride
the horse? Can the seller take the horse trail riding?
Can the horse be taken to a show? Basically the seller
should think of things they may not be comfortable
and include those in the Terms of Use.
Quality of Care: This is where the seller can list any
pertinent aspects of the horse’s care. Things like feed-
ing requirements, blanketing instructions, and turnout
instructions should go in
this section of the Terms of
Use.
In Case of Injury or
Illness: Although it’s tough
to think about, the seller
should address what the
potential buyer should do
if the horse becomes ill or
injured. This section could
include information on how
to contact the horse’s veter-
inarian or farrier, if the trial
is local, as well as who will
be responsible for any bills
incurred.
8 • Walking On
Insurance:
Insuring against risk of injury is critical. In addtion
to the Terms of Use, your documentation should re-
quire that the potential buyer insure the horse during
the trial period. It is a very good idea to have the horse
insured with major medical and mortality for the sales
price prior to the horse going out on trial.
Finances:
Lastly, the seller needs to address the financial
agreement. In most instances, a non-refundable de-
posit should be paid prior to the trial period, with that
deposit then being deducted from the horse’s purchase
price if the sale goes through following the trial. At the
end of the trial period, the remaining purchasing funds
should be delivered by the buyer to the seller on the
trial end date, or the horse should be returned imme-
diately on that date at the potential buyer’s expense.
These arrangements should be in writing and acknowl-
edged by all parties.