Could I loan?

[IAmCrazyForHorses]

I would really love to be able to loan a horse but I have some questions (sorry a bit long).
Do I need to be able to jump? Also, what exactly do you pay for? The livery, or the feed and shoeing and those kind of things? I know that sometimes you give people a certain amount a week but are there other contributions? As well as this I go to school, (I'm in year ten) but I was thinking of loaning in the summer holidays?
Oh, and something you might want to know - I've never loaned/owned a horse before (I do know how to care for horses).

 

[littlemare_]

You don't need to be able to jump, you can just hack and school if that's what you want to do, and you could have an instructor come and give you jumping lessons I you wanted to learn.
Sounds like you'd enjoy a nice schoolmaster type, who knows what to do and will help you learn.

If you are full loaning, you need to be responsible for the horse every day and pay for all the costs and bills. Its essentially like having your own.
If you are part loaning you have set days to care for the horse (usually 2/3 a week) and pay a set amount weekly or monthly, decided by the owner. Sometimes you pay for the shoes or half the shoes too, but it will all be made clear by the owner before you start the loan.

However loaning isn't just for the summer, and owners probably won't be looking for someone just for summer, its usually a long term thing. You probably want to look for a part loan, they're a good start and will help build up your confidence. Its quite easy to balance a part loan with school, I've just left school and I part loaned throughout

 

[mandwhy]

Yes as above, sounds like a part loan would be good for you, somewhere with other experienced people around as don't underestimate how much stuff you might not know!


Lots of riding schools round here offer shares (part loans) these days, maybe you could look into that. You would normally pay per week/month all in but sometimes people divide costs - I prefer a flat fee as I don't like it when owners try to put too much responsibility on their sharers.

I also agree that a lot of people would like a horse just for the summer! The winter can be less fun but separates the truly committed! However there might be someone up for it as sometimes people go away to uni or they are happy for their horse to be turned away over winter, or equine colleges sometimes offer their horses out on loan outside of term time (sometimes the horses are on loan to them so the owners need someone to take it over outside term time).

You don't need to jump if you don't want to, but bare in mind privately owned horses can be pretty different to those you may have experience with, so just be honest about your abilities and owners will snap you right up

 

[Shay]

Speaking as someone who part loans her horses - I would also be looking for commitment from your parents. I know you are nearly 16 but you still can't drive so you'll need someone to get you to the yard. You are also about to start the second year of your GCSEs? (Assuming you are finishing year 10 rather than starting it?) That is a heck of a lot of school work coming your way. If your parents are behind you then you can do it. But if not then it will make it really hard.

Have a long and honest think - and talk to your parents. Horses will come into your life. But if it isn't this year because of exams that is fine. The fact that you are asking the questions shows that you are mature enough to make the right decicion!