Allowing horses for sale to go on 'trial'?

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Tiggy101

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Just been asked if I would allow a horse to go on trial and wondered other views on this? Never been asked before always had my horses sell straight off after one or two rides. Has anyone had any problems with this and what conditions did you apply?
Many Thanks in advance
 
I had one on trial.

I paid in full and took the horse, on the receipt the seller had put ....

Only to be returned within 1 month if not compatible, the purchaser is responsible for all transport costs.

I didn't return the horse, so all was well.

If I was you, I'd certainly not let the horse go without being paid for in full.
 
Yes agree with post above. If I was buying I'd certainly want to have it on trial for a reasonable time first, BUT do appreciate the seller's concerns i.e. will they get the horse back again and if so will it have been completely spoilt by bad riding or whatever.

I had one on trial a few years ago; I paid for the transport and insured it, on the agreement that I would have it for a week and if not suitable would return it, then lo and behold the seller wanted it back after two days coz someone else (who she obviously would prefer to have it) wanted it on trial. Stupidly I agreed, as the horse wasn't really what I wanted, but then again might just have been OK had it settled a bit more.

So I think you need to approach the whole thing with the same care and caution as you would a loan; i.e. inspect thoroughly before you let the horse go, make sure they've got insurance in place; written agreement that they will pay any vets bills, agreed time span of trial/loan period, agree who pays for transport, etc etc.
 
I would never let a horse go on trial, its just too risky and potentially really complicated - the horse could get ill, go lame, be messed around with and end up with behavioural problems - and then you get it back. Not worth the risk imo.
 
We let my old pony go out on trial... but my YO knew the potential buyers and it was so important to us that C went to the right some, so we took the risk... and it is a big risk...
 
I would never expect to be allowed to take a horse on trial, if someone isn't sure about the horse being suitable you can encourage them to come out to the yard and see him/her whenever and get a feel for looking after and riding the horse. In saying that I would probably want some sort of non-refundable deposit to even agree to that as you would have to stop selling the horse and probably take time out of your normal schedule to be there when they wanted to be.

Is it just me or is buying a horse becoming a far more technical affair? I remember when it was just a case of go, look, like, buy then pick up in a few days. None of the trials, second visits etc :s maybe I just buy really cheap horses that can be sold on easy :D
 
I can see why a trial would be useful, however if you are going to do this treat it as a loan and have a full agreement in place clearly setting out the terms of the trial.
The main problem with this is time wasters, a pony I had on loan for a long while went out on a supposed trial period, and a year later having never managed to get any money from them, the pony was given back as the rider had outgrown him!
If you know the person it can be useful to test out the partnership to ensure that this is the right person for your horse though!
 
We didn't let out pony go on trial, however they did bring a trailer and take him places by themselves. Took him XC and to a show etc.

When I was looking for my first horse, none of the horses were offered on trial, but have recently been offered one "on loan with view to buy", however she has said if he went lame or anything she would have him straight back.

I wouldn't let anyone trial my 5y/o when I sell her either.

Hypocritically I understand why a buyer would want to trial a horse, and If was offered the right one on trial, I would take them up on it. If any of that made sense!
 
Yes I would because I would be really worried my horse would end up in the wrong hands but I would check on them every week etc, make sure you know were they are going.
 
Thanks for all the replies, the general concensus is not to allow horses to go on trial. I am happy for them to come up and take him to local equestrian centre etc, dressage trainer to come up. My main fear is the horse going lame etc. and despite being insured the horse will not be sellable to x months which I don't have. I know horses are not machines and can go wrong at any point but I would be gutted for him to go lame in someone elses care while I still own him?
 
Would you allow you horse to go on trial but stay were he is? state if anything was to happen the buyer would be responsible? even take a deposit.
 
RSL said:
Would you allow you horse to go on trial but stay were he is? state if anything was to happen the buyer would be responsible? even take a deposit.
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Agree with that. I understand why letting horses out on trial is so concerning, if I was selling I would be worried sick! However when buying I would always like a trial to make sure that the horse is right for me. Could you let the horse out on a short trial on your yard so you can keep watch?
 
WELL..dont get me started on this, I am selling my horse and had phone interest, no viewings.
put her on trial loan to buy ( 8 weeks ) with contract, went to stables with horse and all was well, visited 2 weeks later and she had lost some weight so said to loaner to top up feeds as grass still rubbish. 3 weeks later loaner cant buy as moving house..fair enough..had another interested party and they viewed and said would take her on they have ponies and looking for another, great. Went to pick horse up and she had lost so much more weight and looked scruffy, her feather had been clipped after I said to keep pig oil on them to help with any mud fever, rug all ripped and straps gone, so she must of got caught on something in field, she just looked bad and to boot I had to pay outstanding livery bill before I could get my horse back.
Got hold of loaner and she said she would pay..still waiting..if this loaner does not work out I will never do it again.
 
No never ever.

My friend had a horse on trial... She rang and said it wasn't suitable and would return it at the weekend. Next day it got kicked in the field, puncture wound ended up at hospital having operation. Owner was very good and just took the horse back, no fuss, but ended up having to keep him for months.
 
Never ever would let a horse go on trial, apart from the very good reasons mentioned by others it's just not fair on the horse. It's very stressful for horses to move homes and they could end up going to 2 or 3 different trial homes. Plus I think it takes a good month or two before a horse settles in and starts to show it's true colours, so not that useful anyway.

I would encourage potential buyers to come and try him in his own yard and other situations as many times as they would like.
 
A couple of years back we let our pony go on trial to someone we knew - on the understanding that it was to see if rider and pony were compatible. The prospective owners were told very very clearly that the pony would not pass a 5* vetting due to laminitis the year before but had fully recovered and competed since with no problems. They had known us and the pony for over two years and were fully aware of her recent successes and the laminitis. We asked that if there were any problems to let us know immediately. The horse went to their place - only a few miles down the road. I ranf them twice a week to see how things were and told that everything was fine. After two weeks the pony came back - because it was unsuitable as it failed a 5* vetting and because it had had laminitis in the past - also worn out and lame from being galloped over and over the same jumps every night and weekend continuously on a fairly hard surface. I was so furious I just couldn't say a thing. What upset me most was that I trusted these people with my pony, they had come highly recommended by the local pony club DC and I had been totally honest with them over every little thing.

To be honest I would not let any horse of mine off my yard, but as per other posters, would encourage the prospective buyers to come to me, that way you can see how they would treat the horse and the interaction for yourself.
 
when i got my horse i sort of had her on trial, i was allowed to arrange to come up and spend time with her/ride her and i used to ask them first (but it was a gated stud so i wouldn't have been able to just get in anyway!)
we bought her after only a week or so of having her on 'trial'.

i don't think it was really needed though tbh. she did it because it was my first horse and she'd been imported so it was half her settling in period too. i knew she was the one for me after just one ride! :D
 
The only horse I have allowed out on trial was when I sold a cob to a good friend, who I knew had the right horse knoweldge and knew where he was (10 mins down the road). He went to her for 2 weeks and we discussed beforehand what she was/wasn't allowed to do with and took a 10% refundable deposit if it didn't work out.
I wouldn't let a horse go out on trial on any other circumstances as there are too many horros stories out there to take the risk, although when I was a kid it was the norm to have horses on trial, but I am talking 30 yrs ago!
 
I have had horses on trial before, paid upfront in full with the understanding and written agreement that if unsuitable they were returned with a certain period of time in the same or better condition than they went.

I have also let horses I have sold go on trial as I wanted to ensure that the home they were going to was 100% suitable and that the horse suited them.
 
Never, ever! Had one bad experience, don't want another. I don't mind people coming and trying several times at my place but I think the biggest problem is accepting that horses do not settle straight away in new homes, most are upset, especially if you're like me and keep them for a good few years and they have bonded with others and are used to the routines. In the past I've tried and bought horses but I've often led a snorting, fire breathing monster off the trailer at home and gone through all the stages of - he will stop before he hits the fence, won't he, they really won't kill one another, the monsters in the hedge are far scarier than where I used to live before and I think I'll put you through your paces to see just how capable an owner you are. Some horses take longer than others to settle and a week or a month isn't long enough to see the true character (although I agree, sometimes you realise things are wrong from the start). I think I might have sent 60% of mine back if I only had a month's trial to start with.
 
Just back from visiting my horse at second loaners farm, its only been two weeks and new loaner has watching her feed and her weight is back up with little to go and she looks great. she has lots different animals around her also a donkey and pony, she is happy I can see that (is that silly or what ) so will visit again in 4 weeks and think loaner is also happy with horse as the L.O.V.E word was mentioned, I will keep fingers crossed for her but will be gutted for me.
 
A horse can be ruined in a very short period so I would never allow a horse to go on trial. I would however allow a potential buyer to try the horse out several times at our yard. That way I could keep an eye on what was happening & step in if there was anything I didn't like.
 
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