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Home / Community home / Equestrian Advice & Guides / How to Sell Your Saddle Online...

How to Sell Your Saddle Online: Tips for a Successful Sale

Are you looking to sell your saddle online? Whether you're downsizing your tack collection or simply want to find a new home for your saddle, selling it online is a great option! In this blog post, we'll give you tips on how to sell your saddle successfully. From taking pictures of your saddle to setting the right price, we'll cover everything you need to know!
 

 

Size of saddle

 

Saddles are a product where size is a significant element in determining how well it will sell. Consider attempting to market a pair of ladies shoes in a size 2 or 9; the potential number of buyers would be significantly lower than if you were attempting to sell a pair of shoes in a 5, 6, or 7. Of course, other shoe sizes are still necessary, but you'll find that there are fewer of them.
 
When it comes to saddles, there are many factors to consider. The most popular seat sizes are 16.5, 17, and 17.5 inches long. Saddle widths such as Medium, Medium-Wide, and Wide are the most popular.
 
Now, If you're the owner of a saddle that is 18 inches long and Narrow, and are wondering whether or not you'll be able to sell it - don't give up hope! All you need to do is apply some of our other suggestions to ensure that the appropriate buyer sees your saddle and wants to buy it from you.
 

 

Saddle Type 

The sort of saddle you're trying to sell will also influence how many people are seeking for it. For instance, General Purpose and Jumping saddles tend to be more sought after than dressage saddles. 

Why is this? Because there are far more people who partake in 'regular' everyday riding than those who practice dressage. The same is true of show saddles; they have a smaller market.
 
Dressage and show riders are also more particular about what they ride in. Dressage riders aim to get the ultimate classical seat to enable them to encourage the horse to move and work correctly, whereas show riders are being judged on their overall appearance. Therefore the colour, style, and type are very important.
 
Dressage and show riders tend to be pickier about what style of saddle they choose to ride in. For instance, dressage horses are required to traverse correctly, taking clear and concise steps and instruction from their rider, which is why riders often opt for a 'classical' style of seat to further control and encourage specific types of movement. On the other hand, a show rider is expected to encourage fluid and attractive movement and look good whilst doing it. As a result, the color, design, and overall presentation of both the saddle and clothing worn is a crucial decision. 
 

 

Branding

 
In today's society, brands are important to most individuals, both for aesthetic reasons and for reasons related to reputation. Many individuals opt for the finest brand they can afford. Fortunately, there are several brands on the market that may fit every budget. If you're unsure of the brand of your saddle, don't despair! There are many helpful individuals in equestrian Facebook groups and forums that will be keen to help you out if you provide an image of the pin badge or plate underneath the skirt of your saddle!
 
Some saddles are produced by well-known manufacturers and then given a different branding. Some independent saddle makers may make you a custom-made made-to-measure saddle, and then another manufacturer will produce it for you. They'll then sew their own maker's label onto the saddle.
 

 

Make your saddle appear more desirable than the rest

There are a few simple things you can do to make your saddle look as good as possible to potential buyers, resulting in a quicker sale and/or the ability to set a greater sale price.

The cleaner the better!

You may assume that this is an undeniably obvious point to make, but you'll find that many individuals actually do not clean their saddles before taking the pictures that they're planning on using to advertise the product. 

A clean, gleaming saddle is a hundred times nicer than a filthy one that has just been removed from the back of a sweaty horse who has flicked mud all over it. So, as simple as it is - cleaning your saddle before taking photographs will significantly raise the number of inquiries you receive.
 

 

Picture this! 

You don't have to be a master photographer for this one, but after your saddle is clean, polished, and looking stunning, the next step is to take some nice pictures. Make sure you use a good camera or a smartphone with a decent camera to capture clear images. Blurry photos may turn potential clients off right away, since they will be unsure what you're attempting to hide, even though it's merely a lack of clear camera work. The same can be said for images taken in dark places.

Take your saddle outside or indoors to a bright, light area and set it up on a saddle stand. Putting a clean saddle cloth under the saddle will make it seem more presentable and define the shape and style of the saddle clearly - but make sure to use a clean saddlecloth! Here's a checklist of key areas to snap photographs of when taking pictures of your saddle (or whatever you're selling for that matter!) 
 
  • Front view.
  • Rear view.
  • Left side view.
  • Left side underneath saddle flap.
  • Right side view. 
  • Right side underneath saddle flap. 
  • Looking down/birdseye view of the seat.
  • Underneath the saddle, showing the panels.
  • Close-up of scuffs, scratched, discoloration or damage - or any notable points that may impact the quality or look of the saddle.
  • The serial number or stamp if the saddle has one.

 

Get it checked for soundness by a qualified saddle fitter

If you're able to get a saddle fitter to view your saddle, or if there is a saddle fitter on your yard fitting for someone else, perhaps ask them to take a look at the saddle to ensure that it has no serious damage and is safe for use, so you can sell it with confidence. 

Do your research 

If you bought your saddle second-hand or can't find the original paperwork, search online for information about it and see if you can figure out what model it is. If the saddle has a serial number, you may be able to contact the manufacturer to inquire about the model, age, and any distinctive characteristics it possesses, this way you can ensure that you include all of the relevant information in your advert and that you're setting the right price for the saddle you're selling.

Write an effective advert

Some people believe that if a saddle has a scuff, scratch, or needs a replacement girth strap, it will be disregarded by potential customers. As a result, they decide not to disclose this information in the campaign. As a seller, you should treat others how you want to be treated as a customer or consumer and provide them with a complete and accurate ad. You can take a look at some existing ads here to get an idea of what you could say in your advert description.

Always put a price on it

People frequently neglect to list a price for saddles, which not only consumes the advertiser's time but can also waste the time of the individuals who respond. Inviting offers without stating a price is widely regarded as an effective sales technique.

However, all it does is generate a slew of individuals who are unable to afford the saddle who leave comments or send you messages with the express intention of requesting a quotation, so it is always best to clearly state a price that you would ideally like to receive for your saddle. You can place 'ONO' ('or near offer') or 'Offers considered' after your price in the advertisement if you're willing to take offers. 

Now you can put these suggestions to the test!

You can start advertising your pre-loved saddle right here on HorseClicks. Use all of the tips and tricks we've suggested and we're sure you'll have your saddle selling in no time! Remember to share with your friends who are looking to sell their pre-loved tack too! Best of luck and happy selling! 

Team HorseClicks
Published on 12-05-2022