Companion Horse

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HappyHorses :)

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Hi, I would like to ask for your advice on possibly loaning a companion horse. I have been riding at a wonderful riding school for around two years but recently, I have realised that I'm not actually that into riding and just prefer looking after and being around horses. I have both the time and the money but I just want to make sure I'm making the best decision for both me and the horse.

I have never owned or loaned a horse before but I have done plenty of horse care courses at the riding school. I have done everything from grooming and making feeds to mucking out and catching from fields. I would most likely be looking at loaning some sort of native pony and I would keep it at a local livery yard just down the road from me.

I would keep the pony turned out as much as possible and just have it as a friend really. I might take it for a few in hand walks around the area (depending on the horse) because we have some very nice quiet routes and the livery yard I'm looking at has lots of on site routes too.

I have made a rough plan of all the costs of loaning (I would be looking at a full loan because part loan companions are very difficult to find) and I can definitely afford it. It's really just a matter of whether it's a good idea or not.
 
If you are not bothered about riding then I don't see why not. Many people have retired horses due to age/injury, or youngsters not being ridden yet - I recently got a little colt and he's just lovely to be around. And I've know plenty of people who have 'ridden' horses, but ride only a handful of times a year if at all. I love taking mine out for in-hand walks :D

It's difficult to know how experienced you are with horses, perhaps a share (ridden or non ridden) for a little while would be a good idea to give you confidence that you know what you're doing? I shared before I bought my first horse, I learnt a lot more than I ever did at riding schools and even so when I think back to when I bought my first I still had a lot to learn! (And no doubt still do!!) You mention grooming, making feeds and catching horses, but what is your knowledge on first aid, worming, recognising illness or lameness, foot care, how to work on behaviour issues etc? Definitely not saying you need to be an expert in everything especially if you will have support from other liveries/yard staff/friends/internet/instructors etc. But it's good to consider what you don't know yet and be prepared to do your research to fill in any knowledge gaps.

You mention it being difficult to find part loan companions - where and how have you been looking? People who might consider sharing their non-riddens might not advertise as they don't think they'll get anyone interested over the ridden horses. I've sometimes seen people post on FB looking for a horse/pony to share just for looking after and not riding, and they usually get a number of responses from people who could do with a helping hand.

Finally, if you do want to get a full loan, have you looked at rescues? They will no doubt have many non-ridden horses/ponies desperate for a home! I would guess they will also be able to help assess whether you are 'ready' to full loan as well, and if they have a selection of horses which would be the most suitable match for you.
 
I think it is a good idea, as long as you get the right horse.

I would avoid anything with expensive medical issues, that is actually lame, that is bored by retirement and making up its own entertainment, etc.

Having said that, I just bought one with medical issues and am loving him, and I previously had a Shetland as a companion, which was not for the faint of heart, but again I loved him.

If money is not an issue, I would think of an older horse that can still be ridden to some degree. Once you have a relationship you may find you enjoy a sit on whilst out as opposed to always riding.

With Rigsby, sometimes I ride, sometimes I walk, depends on how the mood takes me. I still have no particular agenda, so no pressure. I don't suppose he would care if he was never ridden again. But, when the mood takes us, we enjoy a ride out too. Sometimes enjoy a schooling session too. Sometimes we get in a groove and ride every day other times life rears its head and I go back to walking him as I feel stressed.

Having one capable of some riding just adds options, and doesn't mean you have to ride.
 
Hi, thanks for the replies.
I think I'm going to put something on my local facebook page asking if anyone has a horse for part loan that they don't need me to ride.

I am probably going to part loan for a few months to make sure this is what I want and then I will look a full loaning a horse.

Thanks again!
 
In all honesty I think you don't need to spend anything to achieve what you want of looking after a horse, taking it for walks etc. None of the ones I have right now are retired, but in the past when I had retired horses I would have been absolutely delighted to have someone who wanted to make a fuss of them and take them for walks etc, and I would have happily continued paying half livery so that the person did not have to do chores but could spend the time enriching the life of the horse. Maybe you could visit a few livery yards in your area and ask if anyone with a polite retired oldie would like a 'godmother' for their horse?
 
There is also a thread in The Tack Room entitled 'Just to say' where people are offering help to those who may be needing a hand right now. Maybe you can volunteer there? But really I think that you will have no problem finding someone who would welcome someone to groom / fuss / walk with a lovely oldie. My advice would be that it will be nicest if it comes with the option of doing chores when you feel like it, rather than responsibility for these things. Of course if someone is in need that is a different issue, as helping someone in a sticky situation is also very rewarding. You sound like a lovely, genuine horse lover, good luck and I wish you many hours of fussing and walking with some lucky oldie:)
 
Even for my non-retired horse, I’d LOVE for someone to groom him and take him for walks! Because of time constraints (full time work) he’s on full livery, so he does get the grooming and care - but I can see part or DIY liveries literally jumping up to bite your hand off, just to do some of those chores a few times each week (feeding, rug changes, turnout, grooming, feet, a stroll, maybe some free schooling etc) to free up some of their time. If anything, you’d be a dream, as I reckon a lot of owners worry about prospective sharers “maxing their horses out” under the saddle (and us ending up with the vet bills!).

So don’t be shy, and absolutely ask some of the part/DIY liveries at your yard if they’d be open to that, or any friends you have who keep their horses at home near you, and could really do with a lie-in..

Good luck ☺️
 
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