Need to sell your horse fast? We’ve compiled a list of the best practices for you to land a quick deal.

1) Locate the best websites for equine classifieds

Some of the most popular classified websites to sell your horse include EquineNow, Dream Horse, and Equine.com. Don’t be afraid to use more than one website; in fact, more listings will likely generate more buyer leads. Some websites may charge a small fee based on how detailed you want your ad to be, but these fees are typically inexpensive and could easily be worth the investment.

3) Include bright, clear photos with all listings

Whether you’re posting online ads or going with the old-fashioned method of print flyers in tack stores, quality photos are imperative! Most people are very visual, and if your horse is attractive, then don’t be afraid to show him off. Avoid using photos that are dark, distant or blurry. Photos should be bright, colorful, and appealing to look at. You want people to see your posting and think, “Wow, now that is a great looking horse!”

If you’re struggling to get a good shot of your horse by yourself, grab a friend or family member to help position him, then work with your angles to keep the person out of the main shot.

4) Create a highlight reel to share online

Take the visual aspect of your ad to another level! Want to give prospective buyers yet another reason to come see your horse? Make a video highlighting the horse on the ground and under the saddle.

Your video should be done in good lighting (much like a photo) with little to no background noise. Avoid excessive talking in the video background and make the horse your main focus when filming. If you need to, edit it the video down to between 2-3 minutes when you get done; lengthy videos will lose a potential buyer with a short attention span.

5) Talk up the horse’s accomplishments and skillsets

Has your horse been shown for Western Pleasure? Did he spend 2-3 months with a dressage trainer? Is he an amazing trail horse? Share in your ad description what your horse has been used for and who has ridden him, going beyond the generic ad that typically lists only the horse’s age, height, and health information. Use a little personality and be unique! Taking that extra time to summarize your horse’s qualities will catch the attention of a potential buyer.

6) Make sure your horse is sale-ready

If your horse is in need of vaccinations, deworming, or dental/hoof work, get these items taken care of as soon as possible. This will make your horse more appealing and decrease the odds of a buyer using these items as an excuse to talk you down on price.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to get a coggins test for Equine Infectious Anemia, as most states require a negative coggins certificate before a horse can be transported. It can take around 2 weeks to get the results back, so you can avoid any unnecessary delays by ensuring this is done ahead of time.

We hope these tips help you find a buyer quickly! As a reminder, not all buyers have the best of intentions, so don’t forget to ask detailed questions when you get ready to sell your horse.

Originally published March 1, 2012. Updated August 8, 2020.