Considering Loaning.

[CaitlinSian]

Hey Guys,
I'm 16 and live in North East Wales, I'm currently on Summer Holiday, but I'm gonna start college in September, so my life will be busy. I'm 5'11 and weigh 13.5st, so i will be looking for a horse like a cob or a shire.
I've been riding at a riding school for 6 years now but they just teach basic stuff and don't go high with jumps or anything, so I want to move on from the basic things and actually do things with a horse. However, i do not have enough money for my own horse so should i loan or should i wait till I'm older and earn enough money to buy my own horse. Please help, I need advice!!

 

[Theocat]

Can you afford a minimum of around £400 per month, plus unexpected costs like vet bills? Can you afford the time for two visits a day, including travel time?

In your shoes, I would find a new riding school and - as you presumably have some spare cash if you're thinking about a loan - increase your number of weekly lessons. A new school that helps you progress will also prepare you better for loaning or owning at a later date.

Perhaps also consider a share for a couple of days a week - much more doable alongside college, and much more affordable!

If you can't afford a two day share and two lessons a week, it's a good indicator that you can't afford a horse. However, a routine like that- at the right school and with the right share - should help you improve rapidly!

 

[Emily Jones]

I wouldn’t buy or full loan a horse as it’s a lot of money and a lot of commitment especially as you will be in college and you may want to go to uni! I would part loan/share as you can do your own thing with the horse for not nearly as much money or time! You would ride 1-3 times a week as well as doing yard jobs or feeding, this will give you more experience! It is usually £10-15 a ride so A LOT cheaper and carry on with your lessons or as someone else said change riding schools so the lessons are more interesting!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Your life is about to change dramatically; you're off to college, and once you there you are very unlikely indeed to be able to afford to keep a horse, whether loaned, or your own, believe me!

Also you will struggle to find the time to "do" the horse. The idea might seem appealing now in the nice weather, but just wait till the winter with mud and gunk up to your armpits (like the winter we've just had), and you've got to haul yourself out to do the Ned before college AND after, when you've got studies to catch up with, just ain't gonna be funny one bit.

I'd look around, once you get to college, and see if any local owners would like their horses exercised. There's people around, like myself, who're perhaps working and/or with family commitments, who'd be all too glad of someone to come along and "do" the Neds and ride out for them.

Keep working on your riding; and if you can and the opportunity presents itself, get your BHS Certificates as this will give any prospective owners an idea of your competency to ride and/or handle horses. Also consider getting your BHS Riding & Road Safety Certificate as most people nowadays have to ride on the roads.

Hint: if you DO intend to do this, do yourself and any prospective owners a favour by joining the BHS as a Gold Member as that will give you the necessary insurance. No-one rides my horses without this.