are There any genuine people who loan out their horses these day

Carrottom said:
Would you be prepared to travel to see a potential loan horse? When I advertised mine some time ago, the only enquiries I had were put off by our location. I thought that if they were the 'right' person I would want to loan my horse to then a couple of hours drive to see him shouldn't be a problem.
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I absolutely would and have travelled. I don’t drive so I rely on trains taxis etc and I’ve paid a small fortune going to view horses which haven’t been as advertised (usually much smaller and in one case downright dangerous!) I don’t mind travelling to view, as you said if it’s the right horse travelling to view shouldn’t be a problem.
 
I think people are getting the impression that I’m only looking for a horse aged under 12. That could be my fault. I have said in an ideal world I’d like a horse under 12,but I’m not ruling out any horse based on age. As long as the horse is able to work (just hacking mainly) I don’t have any issues with older horses at all. Some of my best horses have been golden oldies.
 
I have a good horse out on loan. He was just a tad too small for me. I don’t sell on my animals and it was not fair to stick him in a field, as he loves to work. He is a star child’s pony, safe as houses , will do lead rein, will do first ridden and then will step up his game for an adult. He is a super little novice horse but also a bit of a dressage diva. He will also pop a small course and loves XC .Safe, sound, sensible but in no way a kick along and he has only just turned ten this year. What I’m saying really is that they are out there. However I think they tend to go by word of mouth , rather then advertising. There are many reasons why someone may want to loan a horse, not just because something is wrong with it. Keep digging , advertise on local FB sites, be willing to look further afield or be willing to compromise a bit. Even if you buy you have to compromise:)
 
They are definitely out there. I have a 12 yo 15.1hh cob (sire section is blank on passport...). I'm 5ft9 with long legs and he fits perfectly. He isn't a kickalong, but he is also not an Olympic contender and will happily do all the things you've listed. For quirks, he has sweetitch, mallanders and a mild spook and he can be fairly strong & tank off. His owner found she couldn't ride him comfortably because he grew after she bought him, both up and out. He's my first horse and I am a novice with confidence issues - I have been totally up front with his owner about that, and so far it is going well. I make sure I have enough help to support me and push me.

I very much hope my loan will become permanent - I know she probably won't sell him, but if she ever would consider it I'd be there like a shot. I did get him through word of mouth. We didn't know each other very well before I had him, but I had people ready to give references and I do my best to keep her updated and reassured he's getting everything he needs.

A few bigger horses come up advertised on local (to me) livery FB pages every couple of months, some initially as shares to convert to loans once they know you. It might be worth seeing if there are any local group pages you could join?
 
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I dont really see why someone would loan out a horse like this? I guess if they were injured themselves and couldnt ride for some time but otherwise surely they'd either be enjoying it themselves or they'd just sell it.

I tried to "permanent" loan out a lovely big horse as a hack, it turned bad and I had to do a 6 hour round trip the next day to immediately pick the horse up (my choice due to what Id heard was going on) and immediately deal with getting rid of pinworm the poor horse had that hadn't been treated. I have my sons pony out on loan right now but only to a friend I trust 2 miles away. I would never ever loan out to someone I didnt know EVER again. Too many dishonest people these days.
 
I have loaned out both of my horses in the past. My 'main' horse has been loaned out for the 3 years I was at university. Despite vetting the homes and keeping up with regular checks, I still had to move him three times during that period due to rider loosing interest and him becoming unfit and bored and causing trouble as a result. None of the homes mistreated him but did not stimulate him enough to keep him sane so encountered problems. FYI, I stipulated this prior to loaning- that he will need riding at least 3x a week and would benefit from the occasional outing. When I got him back, he was unfit, moved horribly, leant on the bridle and was awfully spooky to hack and very rude. He was in one piece and had not been mistreated but he was not the well mannered, fit, sensible horse that I sent out on loan. It took me 5 months and several physio appointments to get 'my' horse back.
My other horse is still out on loan and happily so. But the difference is he is 25 years old (18 years old when I started loaning him). He was my first pony and I didnt feel right about selling him at 18 but he still needed (and still very much wants) a job. He has had a number of loan homes teaching children to ride and is now with a lovely family who look after him very well and ride him every so often. If he doesnt get worked, becomes rude due to too many treats or decides he is capable of completing the local hunter trial, I couldnt care less as he is 25! As long as he is happy and his belly is full, I am happy.

But to answer your question of loaning, no, I would not loan out my lovely horse in thier prime, if I could do it again I would possibly put my horse to graze for 3 years rather than have to manage other people with my horse. It requires too much heartache, communication, tact and risk if you care for the horse. I have a lovely 6 year old that I am bringing on at the moment. When she is ready, she will be for sale and not for loan.
 
I have been involved in four loans.

First I had a horse that was out of work, to bring back into work. Unfortunately she was 1/10th off behind, coming back into work, with no easy vet answers. I picked her up in April, discussed with owner as issue emerged, and we agree to give a bit longer. When clear mare better suited to hacking versus dressage future, I helped the owner try to rehome, and she did go back to the owner, and was sold with full disclosure. Was all amicable and discussion, and putting mare first. I was very open as I didn't want to take advantage and have the mare summer time and give her back to pregnant owner in winter. it was the owners choice to keep giving her longer to build up fitness and training.

Second was a horse where owner couldn't ride due back injury, and full livery too expensive, and horse not selling. I had on six month loan, with the agreement I did two BD competitions a month to build up horse's record. I had an option to buy, which I exercised after about 4 months.

Third, owner had a failed business and needed to sort finances out put 11 year old elementary horse with a few quirks on 9 month loan. Owner had a serious accident during loan period and I ended up buying horse, still friends with owner.

Forth was the above horse, which I sold on 5 years later. He was 16 and quirky and not wanting to do the level of dressage I did. I wanted to be sure he had the right home for life, and the right fit. So I loaned him with view to buy for 5 months, ending in January (worst time for horse owning). He was loved, happy and well looked after in January and they still wanted to buy him, so sold him.

Loans can work brilliantly if everyone is honest, and up front, and treats horse fairly IME.
 
I've been really lucky to have a good few loans over the years which have all worked really well, and I have one at the moment. However, I'm happy to work on issues (e.g. current ponio had barely done anything in his life so loading, being tied up, hacking alone, traffic etc were all issues), so several of them have been horses which nee some work. However, the owners have never wanted me to sort the issues for them and give them back - it's more that they love the horse but want it to be happy with someone.
I had one for a bit which was a competition pony that wanted a slightly quieter life (unaffiliated comps and fun rides rather than BE) and that worked great for all concerned as well.
I wonder if you're having problems because of wanting the horse to be too sane! Would you consider a part loan? you're more likely to find a sane part loan I think.
 
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