Do you think this winter and price hikes will mean an abundance of loan horses?

[Nasicus]

I have an amazing loaner, I wasn’t looking for a loaner but when a family friend said they were looking for a horse for their teenage daughter, Rocky was everything and more that they wanted. I tossed and turned over the thought of loaning him out having never done it before and owning him for 10 years. But he was the absolute perfect horse for them. I invited the girl to spend a day up there with me and have a ride before I mentioned anything and seeing them together as a partnership confirmed my thoughts. Safe to say the whole family cried and cried and bought me lovely gifts to show how appreciate they were to be able to loan him. They are ever so generous and want to pay their way and pay 50% of pretty much everything ontop of a monthly loan fee. They have him for 3 days a week and we take them to the beach, shows etc…
They have said that they would never stop loaning him because he is more than they could ever afford to buy and the partnership they have is just lovely
She has a lovely horse that is well established at medium, jumps 1.10, evented, BD, WH/Showing, bombproof … her riding has come on leaps and bounds in the past year. They’ve won dressage comps, XC schooling, SJ schooling, beach rides, summer shows, loads of first times for her on her dream horse.

The financial help is great and has enabled me to buy a second horse and fulfil my dreams. But it is also beyond heart warming to see my boy bringing such joy to her and bringing in her riding so much.
Rocky will never be sold, I’d rather live in a shed than sell my horses. But I think I have a loaner for life...
very very lucky!
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Lovely story, although I think that falls into the category of a share, rather than a loan. A share is generally a few days a week for a fixed price (plus any extra contributions agreed), a loan is under the loaners care 24/7 and all costs are paid for by the loaner (unless otherwise agreed). I have one out on loan, she is for all intents and purposes the loaners pony except in legal ownership.

 

[BenvardenRach2]

Lovely story, although I think that falls into the category of a share, rather than a loan. A share is generally a few days a week for a fixed price (plus any extra contributions agreed), a loan is under the loaners care 24/7 and all costs are paid for by the loaner (unless otherwise agreed). I have one out on loan, she is for all intents and purposes the loaners pony except in legal ownership.

you are right, I did try and edit my post but cannot ?!
A sharer she is!

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

Personally I have a suspicion that people who know they are going to struggle will try to get their horses sold while they are still worth something. Unfortunately I can see an uncertain future for alot of horses (and other animals) with this cost of living crisis.
We may have had a good year for hay but fuel, fertiliser etc have all gone up which will inevitably be passed on to the customer (rightly so in fairness). Feed and bedding have already gone up.

 

[Btomkins]

I’m considering loaning out my big boy Zach due to time constraints more than costs, but as he’s only three I really don’t want him going somewhere that would ruin him. He’s such a good egg and I’m a worrier. Plus being so young he isn’t doing a lot and I’d like him to have a significant break over the winter to allow him to mature which I don’t think a loaner would want. Maybe next year if I’m still struggling for time.

 

[maya2008]

I’m considering loaning out my big boy Zach due to time constraints more than costs, but as he’s only three I really don’t want him going somewhere that would ruin him. He’s such a good egg and I’m a worrier. Plus being so young he isn’t doing a lot and I’d like him to have a significant break over the winter to allow him to mature which I don’t think a loaner would want. Maybe next year if I’m still struggling for time.

You’ll find many people wary of taking on a young horse who needs educating, as there are unscrupulous people out there who loan out youngsters, wait until all the hard work has been done, then take them back. I am sure you wouldn’t, but enough people do that it would be harder to find a loan home.

 

[vhf]

You’ll find many people wary of taking on a young horse who needs educating, as there are unscrupulous people out there who loan out youngsters, wait until all the hard work has been done, then take them back. I am sure you wouldn’t, but enough people do that it would be harder to find a loan home.

This... I love doing youngsters, would happily BUY a 3yo and give the winter off, etc. but if I loan, it will be a situation where I don't do all the work to have it potentially whisked back. I'd have to really know and trust the owner/situation to take on a young one, even though I've not had a 'made' one since my first Shetland! That being said, maybe if I knew I was off travelling in a couple of years and didn't want the hassle of selling/loaning myself at that point... (and was 30 years or so younger).

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I have seen a hell of a lot more loan and sharer posts on my local Facebook pages, and more livery spots - both DIY and part/full. I definitely think things are changing and people are starting to feel the pinch and/or plan ahead.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I love doing youngsters too, doing a skewbald ish just now and his owners dont want to ride him, so lucky me, secretly hoping they may sell him to me ??

 

[alibali]

I am seeing a huge increase in share horses now but not in full loans being offered. Things may change as the economic reality continues to bite