Occasionally, when I’m bored and sitting at the computer, I’ll visit Dreamhorse.com or some other equine classified site and look at some of the animals for sale. More often than not, I’m appalled by the poor quality of the videos uploaded by their owners.
A horse for sale video has one purpose: To sell the horse in the video. It isn’t just to fill out your online profile or to brag about the quality of video camera you’ve purchased. If the video doesn’t help sell the horse, it’s useless.
I apologize if this bursts your bubble.
Whether you’re selling a 24-year-old lesson horse or a four-year-old performance horse with a pedigree to shame Secretariat, your goal is to get the horse out of his stall and into the trailer of a happy buyer.
Video Quality
Half of the horse for sale videos I watch make me nauseas. The filmographer’s hand shakes or the camera is jerked from left to right (or even top to bottom) and there are no clear segues from one scene to the next.
Before you post a horse for sale video, make sure the transitions are clean and that the video is steady all the way through. It doesn’t have to be a work of art, but the video shouldn’t make the viewer close his or her eyes to avoid losing breakfast.
Pay attention as well to sharpness and clarity of the video. Blurry or unfocused images do nothing to help sell the horse and will only irritate potential buyers.
Video Setting
Don’t film a horse for sale video in front of your refuse pile or with large pieces of retired farm equipment in the background. Choose a pleasing location for your horse’s 15 minutes of fame, whether it be an arena or a pasture.
Film, if possible, on an overcast day when harsh shadows and glaring sunbeams won’t get in the way of the horse for sale video. Unless you are working in an indoor area, try to choose a windless day, as well, so the sound of rushing air doesn’t block out all the viewer’s other senses.
Video Diversity
A potential buyer doesn’t want to watch a horse for sale video where the animal trots around in a circle for half an hour. It’s boring, and it doesn’t help him or her make a decision.
Show a couple minutes of trot work in both directions, a couple minutes of canter work, and a quick shot of the horse walking. If you are selling a jumper or reiner, or any other type of performance animal, add three or four minutes of the horse performing his sport.
You can also add video of the horse standing for the farrier, of the horse being groomed, of the horse loading calmly in a trailer. Think about the qualities prospective buyers are looking for, and highlight the horse’s selling points in the video.
Video Narration
The entire time the horse is performing in the video, someone should be narrating what the viewer is seeing. This is a prime opportunity to really sell the horse—an opportunity thousands of horse owners miss.
To improve the audio quality, narrate the video after it is complete rather than during filming. Use a high-quality microphone so your voice is clear and distinct.
Don’t Miss the Boat
A horse for sale video is the perfect opportunity to get the word about your horse to as many people as possible. Post in on YouTube and on your personal web site, and keep a copy on your hard drive so you can e-mail it to prospective buyers.
In short, make it accessible. And let the offers start rolling in.
You might also like:
- Selling Horses:
Get Your Sale Horse Noticed - Selling Horses:
Which Qualities to Highlight in a Sale Horse - Selling Horses:
How to Prepare a Horse for Sale - You Tell Me:
Do You Negotiate the Price of Sale Horses? - Selling Horses 101
About the Author: Laura Jane Thompson is the Chief Equestrian Officer of Riding Instructor University and the Feature writer for the horses section at Suite101. She believes that any horse business can succeed provided its owner practices smart strategy.
