Money versus Responsibility

At some point in time, every horse owner has been a buyer.  For many owners, they've also been a seller. 

Some sellers buy young horses with the intent to train and re-sell.  Some breed to sell.  Some "horse flip," going to the local sale each week, coming home with a trailer load to post on Craigslist, and whatever doesn't sell that week goes back to the sale the following week.  Some sellers have simply outgrown - physically or in terms of discipline or ability - their current animal.  Some sellers genuinely care about the horses they advertise; some don't. 

A seller holds the key to which buyer takes the horse home.  If something just doesn't feel right, if the person is obviously in over their head or not ready for the type of horse the seller is offering - the seller has the right to say so.  The seller can say, I just don't think this is a good match for you, but I'll be happy to help you find a horse that will work for you.  The seller has the right to say, how about if Horse stays here for another 30 days of training which I will discount X amount, and Buyer, you come out every Saturday for a lesson with Horse to make sure this is a good fit.  Sure, it takes a little more time.  But imagine when Buyer tells all her friends what this seller has taken the time to do.  Seller might run out of horses to sell because he took a little responsibility for the animal and the person buying it. 

Sellers, your mama and your preacher were right:  Honesty is the best policy. 

If the horse you're selling requires a joint supplement, special shoes, or 10 minutes of lunging before riding - this information is critical to ensuring the horse a long-term home, rather than bouncing place to place until ending up neglected, unsound, ruined, dumped at the sale.  The right buyer will not walk away because of an issue they are told about up front.

Seriously, if you have put any kind of time into training the horse, how does it make any sense to send your substantial investment off with someone who will undo all your hard work?  Because they've handed you a check?  Really?  How do you take any pride in your work if you're willing to send a colt with 60 days training off to a beginner owner/rider who isn't equipped to be in this situation but trusts that you know best because you're far more experienced? 
Remember that "unwanted horses" were once wanted; starving and neglected horses picked up by rescues may have once been someone else's favorite show prospect or their little girl's pet.  If the horse market is to regain some level of value; if the number of "unwanted horses" is to be reduced - each and every seller out there needs to step up and take a little bit of responsibility for the horses they are putting into the marketplace.