Advice on going to see potential loan horse

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EimerR

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Im 16 and have been riding for the past 6 years and consider myself a fairly compentant rider, I have never owner my own horse before however I have plenty experience with horses as I was head girl on a equestrian centre last summer. I have been looking for a loan horse for the summer and I have heard of one that may be suitable. However I'm looking for advice as how to make sure I impress the owners when I go out to see,

Basically I'm wondering what you would be looking for if you were loaning out your horse?
 
When I went to see my loan horse I went with my 2 yard owners and my friend (fellow livery). We apologised for going mon handed but Max's owner said it was nice to see I had so much support around me. I can't really offer any advice as I was just really honest with them and told them exactly what I would be doing with him and what I wanted. I had just sold my horse after perservering for 2 years to get my confidence back after a nasty accident and I think they were impressed that I didn't just give up. His owners also knew our yard as were very local and really love it there too so it all worked out really well. Good luck x
 
Be yourself and don't pretend to be anything you not... i.e. over estimate your riding abilities. I tend to under estimate, just to make sure I'm not out of me depth. Also take someone experienced with you :)
 
I am an experienced loaner having had 4 horses on loan over the years. Your not there to impress but be yourself. Be completly and utterly honest about your abilities and what you intend to do with the horse.
 
Check out the details, what happens regarding vet bills, holidays, who makes decisions on things like feed changes and who is responsible for what. It's a lot more than wether you like how the horse rides and if you don't sort out where the owner and the loaner's boundaries lie.
 
OK so dunno if this will help but I loaned my boy out last autumn and these were some of the questions I needed to know from whoever loaned him:

What riding experience they have, i.e. difficult/challenging horses, variety of horses

What they're looking for in a loan horse, i.e. cob/TB etc etc and what they want to do with it exactly. So what sort of expectations really as to what the loaner wants of the horse.

Where the horse will be kept and who will be responsible if anything goes wrong - IMPORTANT. Basically the owner needs to know, and be reassured, that someone responsible will take care of the horse properly.

Can the owner visit to see/ride their horse? and if so at what intervals/when.

Most important of all: can (you) the loaner, afford to pay for the horse's upkeep??? The numpty girl I loaned my boy to basically hadn't sat down beforehand and done her sums and gave up the loan after only five weeks - I was then stuck with paying through the nose for livery until I could make other arrangements. So this would be an important question for me - as would the question of would he be taken care of by a 16 year old. Sorry, hate to be patronising, but 16 IS very young.
 
EimerR said:
Im 16 ...

Basically I'm wondering what you would be looking for if you were loaning out your horse?
Click to expand...

A parent/guardian who's willing to sign the loan contract and accept total responsibility for the health/welfare of the horse - unless you're in Scotland... As a minor you can't legally enter into a loan agreement or be held responsible should you mess it up - so that would be ultra important to me... So given your age, your parent(s)/guardian and their attitude would be a big concern I'd have if it was a full loan away from my place... I'd like you and them to pop up a few times and ride the horse just to get a feel for how everyone can get on and how the horse would respond to everyone involved...

Outside of that - how you were with the horse both on the ground and in the saddle... Any whiff of exaggerated abilities would put me off - I wouldn't be bothered if you were a superb rider as much as how you used your aides and whether you spoke to him/her and gave out a lot of praise... For that side of it your age wouldn't bother me at all... Just how I felt seeing you interact with the horse... When I was looking for a rider for my boy I found a lovely girl and I didn't give a monkeys how old she was or what her experience was it was all about how she lit up like a christmas tree around him (he thinks she's wonderful to) and the fact she can be firm but constantly chatters away to him and is very gentle in her aides... I wasn't looking for someone to compete him or anything 'high level' though where technique and experience might be far more important considerations to review...

I'd also want references... And an open ended invitation to visit the horse... :)

It's no more than I've been happy to do myself when we've been the loaners... :)
 
O originally had my pony on loan, before I bought him, he has been out on loan 5 times since, so I'm begining to get the hang of it.
At your age taking a parent is a must, as I wouldexpect them to be paying for the horse if you are still at school, or otherwise helping you, and being a back up, plus lifts to yard etc.
I would be less worried about how you rode, and more about what help you had with learning and the basic groundwork.
I feel 16 is very young to have been a head girl anywhere if I'm honest.
Be yourself, have where you are potentially going to keep horse locked down, and if they are local ask advice on vets and farriers.
I was not impressed when my last loaner changed back to their old farrier, who I have used in the past, and wouldn't let near my horses again, so these sorts of questions are a must.
Find out when teeth and jabs are due, and if they want the horse insured. I would expect a loaner to pay for all of this, but usually tell them what I am feeding, and let them change it with work/time of year/condition.
I tend not to interfere, but its a given that I can pop in if I'm passing.
I'm currently abroad, and get regular email updates from ponios current child, she's 10, has had him a year and thinks he's brill, what a relief!
Good luck
 
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