Donating a horse to an equine centre?

[Kat]

OP - If I were you I would loan your horse rather than give it away, that way you retain control should you ever have a problem and can ensure that the horse isn't sold. I would consider looking at riding schools with "where to train" status too as they are likely to have students if a higher standard than other riding schools as they are aiming for exams.

Always Blue, your view of riding schools is very narrow, inaccurate, and a bit ignorant. I'm a regular riding school client and I can honestly say that I can think of far worse homes for a horse than the riding school where I ride. It isn't the same as a private home but the horses are well looked after by knowledgeable and qualified people, they get plenty of variety in their lives and plenty of love and attention. They are well looked after into old age, and given nice retirements if appropriate. And when the worst comes to the worst they are given a humane end in a responsible manner.

The horses may have to put up with novices sometimes but we were all novices once, and the horses that do this work know their job, they are teachers through and through. Not all horses are suitable for novices though and those that aren't don't work with novices, where I ride they have clients training for their stage three exams and school horses compete in dressage, showjumping, working hunter and showing. They also take part in clinics with world class riders.

 

[feisty_filly]

OP - If I were you I would loan your horse rather than give it away, that way you retain control should you ever have a problem and can ensure that the horse isn't sold. I would consider looking at riding schools with "where to train" status too as they are likely to have students if a higher standard than other riding schools as they are aiming for exams.

Always Blue, your view of riding schools is very narrow, inaccurate, and a bit ignorant. I'm a regular riding school client and I can honestly say that I can think of far worse homes for a horse than the riding school where I ride. It isn't the same as a private home but the horses are well looked after by knowledgeable and qualified people, they get plenty of variety in their lives and plenty of love and attention. They are well looked after into old age, and given nice retirements if appropriate. And when the worst comes to the worst they are given a humane end in a responsible manner.

The horses may have to put up with novices sometimes but we were all novices once, and the horses that do this work know their job, they are teachers through and through. Not all horses are suitable for novices though and those that aren't don't work with novices, where I ride they have clients training for their stage three exams and school horses compete in dressage, showjumping, working hunter and showing. They also take part in clinics with world class riders.

well said

 

[gemin1eye]

dude what is your problem..I havet been taught in any lessons at a RS but had taught yes!!
why so petty! keep yr comments to yrself

I'm pretty sure Shils is joking. Anyway, if your experience of riding school clients is of pullers and pony club kickers, and you were the instructor, doesn't that make the poor standard of riding your fault?! Doesn't make sense that you should slag off your own teaching ability.....

charlie, the horses in your RS look terribly unhappy, you should send them to me immediately!

To the OP, as long as you check out the schools carefully (maybe even go and have a lesson there yourself before you broach the subject of your horse) and you think your horse will be happy then I'd say do what you feel is right! Personally, although I like my riding school and I have a good instructor I wouldn't necessarily give them my horse, because imo the horses aren't groomed often enough and their tack isn't cleaned very often.

 

[Twinkle Twinkle]

good to know thanks for sharing....
riding school clients are often novices pulling at the reins and kicking with all their might!
just expressing my opinions of riding schools am afraid having worked at one before teaching.

How else are people meant to learn not everyone can afford to have there own horse.

 

[Spit That Out]

There are good and bad riding schools the same as there are good and bad livery yards, good and bad owners...

OP, Just check out where ever you want to send your horse too, check out what his workload will be like, the conditions he'll be living in and make sure you get a contract.

Our local riding school does working livery. This is where they use your horse a few times a week (or how ever times are stipulated) however you still have day to day responsibility. Our school offer reduced livery charges but i know of another that they take over stable duties and day to day care.

Just because you can't afford or haven't got the time for a horse and use a riding school it doesn't make you any less of a horse rider and not all clients of riding schools are novices.
Just because you own a horse it doesn't mean you know how to look after it or ride.

 

[HashRouge]

I'm pretty sure Shils is joking. Anyway, if your experience of riding school clients is of pullers and pony club kickers, and you were the instructor, doesn't that make the poor standard of riding your fault?! Doesn't make sense that you should slag off your own teaching ability.....

I have to agree with that . Poor quality riding in riding schools reflects badly on the teachers, not the pupils, who are there to learn!

 

[TheMule]

My boy is on loan to Charlie76's riding school and he's happy as larry doing a job he loves, surrounded by people who fall over backwards to cater for his every need- clients even buy him new equipment.

He evented to a high level with me and is my absolute baby which is why he's loaned with the option for him to come back and retire when he needs to. He isnt up to eventing seriously anymore but wasn't ready to retire. He enjoys nothing more than creating freestyle dressage tests, popping round little sj tracks and giving white knuckle rides around the xc course they have at in-house competitions.

Choose the place carefully and it can work really well for some horses