Do I have any chance of finding a loan...

sidesaddlegirl

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Joined
11 November 2007
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Location
Wigston, Leicestershire
www.sidesaddlegirl.co.uk
for a novice 12 year old girl?

This is the girl that rides and takes care of my 35 year old 13hh pony. Although the pony can carry J on light hacks (and the pony enjoys doing so, she loves keeping up with Hattie!), I want to cut back on her workload and J also wants to be able to do more than what the pony is capable of in her old age.

When I put my own loan wanted ad out, I was inundated with replies as I'ma 34 year old woman with her own stables, been riding 20+ years and my own income to support a horse BUT I remember seeing lots of ads from 12 years old girls wanting to loan their own 1st pony with promises of the pony of going to a good home. Somehow I dount most of those ads got answered.

If I place an ad on behalf of J, what are my chances of finding a loan pony for her?

The pony would be staying at my stables and J is always supervised by me and uses my farrier. J been riding for a few years now but is still really a novice as she's only ridden seasoned oldies but has always helped me take care of mine (including getting up at the crack of dawn in the middle of winter!). She can walk/trot/canter and has galloped and little jumped logs on occasion! J's parents are willing to help contribute towards the upkeep of a loan pony but they can't afford to buy her one outright.

I just want something safe for her to get her confidence on and that she can do local gymkhanas on.

Should I put more or less what I said in the ad? Do we have a chance in hell?
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worth a try definitely.... If I was looking to loan a pony out your situation sounds ideal but I would probably want the contract to be written in your name and not J's/J's parents and have you as the main contact etc so that I know the pony ultimately would be cared for by someone who knew what they were doing. Would you be prepared for that?
 
Yes, definitely I would sign a contract. Infact, I'd be going with J to make sure that it would be suitable for her too and to make sure she just doesn't choose the first pretty pony she sees and over-horses herself!

To be honest, it's not just a pony for J but as a long termcompanion for Hattie as well as I don't know how many more years the Old Pony has which is why I want to cut down on her workload and give her a "retirement" (which I know she will HATE!).
 
Can I just say if you do do this be very careful! When I was 15 I was looking for a loan pony to jump (mine had bone spavin) and because we mentioned 'teenage girl' in thead we got a real weirdo who kept ringing up getting rather, shall i say 'pervy' on the phone!

It was not nice as I answered the calls most of the time. Just be wary how you word the ad - maybe do not mention the age or that she is a girl. I know it sounds bizarre but, as a 15 yo girl it was not nice to get these calls!

I think you stand a good chance of getting a decent pony to be honest. Have you tried the PC websites? Shame she's not in the market for a neurotic 23yo 14.2hh though cos I have one that needs riding!!! lol

Seriously though i am sure something will come along - I think '2nd ponies' are easier to come by.
 
They're definitely about, and I'd say winter coming up will be a good time as many people who've outgrown their ponies might be thinking that as they aren't going to be riding them as much will be happy to loose the upkeep costs by putting them on loan.

I've been keeping an eye on the market for 13.2-14.2 with a view to loaning or buying something bigger for next year and there have been a few adverts in the local tack shops (all 5 I visit fairly regularly) offering loan ponies all through the summer, although most want them to stay at the same yard I'm sure given the expertise/premises you have that it will be tempting for people thinking about putting their pony on loan to respond.
 
We're in South Leicestershire
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For the ad, I would give my contact details as J's parents wouldn't know what to ask any loaner as they are not horsey so the ad wouldn't have any of J's details anyways.
You guys are right though, you do have to be so careful with not giving too much detail for fear of the pervs out there!
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Anyways, I told J's parents tonight about the pony situation and they said that they would have a chat. I'll see them tomorrow when they drop J off at my stable and see how they want to proceed.
 
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