Executive Decision

T

Tia

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Well not really
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I have a customer who rents one of my horses. He has been coming for quite some time, since Summer last year. He comes and rides this horse, which he has taken quite a shine to, 3 times a week, so that is 12 times a month roughly. This costs him $210 per month. There are no added costs and if his horse is lame or under the weather he is given another horse.

Now I lease a horse to someone and I charge them $150 per month and they have full use of this horse at all times. They do however pay for vet, wormer and farrier. Livery and all feed is included in this price.

Should I be a good businesswoman and leave things the way they are, or should I suggest he loans this horse? I couldn't give him a loan over the Summer months but he could have her over Winter, but if I needed to use her I would have to book in with him instead of just taking her.

Suggestions?
 
Think I agree with Nic. Ask him!

Some people like the simplicity of just paying to come and ride, without the worry of unknown extras, like farrier, vet and wormer. We had a lady at our old riding stables who had a favourite horse she would ride regularly, but when we offered her on loan, she said no, she just wanted to continue her current arrangement!
 
Since it's you I'd say offer it. I know if I did the horse would go forever lame shortly afterwards and it would be deemed my fault (eg trying to pass on a lame horse).

Godd luck either way, personally I think it's a good eal which ever way round it is.
 
I almost did this morning; but then I held back as wanted to sort out all the in's and out's before offering him her.
 
He's only a beginner rider and at the beginning I almost didn't let him rent her.....however I did but only on the basis that he has lessons on her (nothing to do with me - another trainer teaches him on her). He's been religious about having the lessons and still has one per week, however he comes up another twice in the week to try to perfect his newly-acquired skills. I have to say it is really paying off!

He took the mare up the trails today, first time, as I have previously stipulated to remain in the fields, and I watched him return and he really did look great on her. His face was beaming when he came to the house to book for Friday and I could see he was so thrilled to be allowed to do more with her.

I don't think he would abuse her, run her into the ground I mean, as he is a responsible-type person. My horses are all fairly tough little cookies and rarely fall ill or lame so not too worried about that.

So really it is all coming down to money.
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He does seem perfectly happy with the situation I have to say. Most other places in the area would not give him use of the horse to go off on his own and they charge significantly more for lessons or hacks.
 
I'd say offer the loan, if he seems keen (and from what you say it sounds as if he's really taken a shine to her so should jump at the chance) then explain that he still needs to be careful and as you're the owner then you have the final say. for example if you think he's doing too much or going about things the wrong way then you have the right to tell him.

hope this makes sense,
good luck!
 
If it was me I would probably hold off asking him. Purely because you say he is a beginner rider - although vastly improved and dedicated by the sounds of it. You say he is happy with the situation as it stands - so I wouldnt want to rock the boat!
Which would suit you better? Him loaning the horse from you? Or as it stands?
 
Oh I did shout at him once, LOL!! He put the horse, fully tacked, into the arena and left her there whilst he went back to the barn to collect his hat. She became very concerned and I grabbed her out of there and took her back up to the barn. He almost pooped himself when I shouted, LOL!! He understood why and because I didn't shout in a nasty way or a demoralising fashion, he has thought a little more about how his actions can affect her.

It's just things like this that hold me back from giving him carte blanche with her. Right now, he keeps things very structured and books days and he generally tells me what sort of time he will be here. I'm not even sure whether he might feel differently if he could come whenever he wanted - maybe he would come less.
 
Well I make more money by him renting her AND it means that she is always available for me to use if I need her, apart from on the days which he books obviously.
 
I'd stick to letting him rent her for now. He sounds very happy with the arrangement, you're happy with it. Maybe let him get more experience before offering a loan.
 
I'd leave it as is for now. Perhaps he will broach the subject sometime. When someone has a horse on loan do you have a basic, shall we say, Horsemanship level, that you like them to be at first?
Purely out of noseyness here, when this chap (or anyone else who rents a horse as he does) comes, does he catch his horse and tack her up etc, or do you do all that for him?
 
I really only rent the horses to people who are competent. I take them out for a trail ride first so that I can gauge their level of experience. If they seem competent enough then I will let them join this programme, if they aren't then I tell them that they can't as they are too inexperienced. This guy was SOOO enthusiastic and so willing to learn that I thought so long as he had lessons here then he could join the programme.

On this programme in particular, they catch the horse, groom, tack up....everything. I do nothing.
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Trail riding I have to catch all horses, groom them all and tack them all up before the riders arrive.

So for renting or loaning - they do everything - I don't even need to be here.
For trail riding - I do everything.
 
Thank you everyone for all your thoughts and suggestions. I think what I will do is leave things how they are at present however IF he asks if he can lease her then I will consider it and possibly allow it, at least over the winter, as she really likes him and he adores her, so it is good for both of them.

Sometimes I forget I am in business
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Going back to weight issues with potential riders, at the stables where Troggy competed at the weekend they have a notice displayed quite prominently in their office, stating that as tack etc. weighs in the region of 14lbs, the maximum weight permitted for riding their horses is 13.5 stone (189lb). They explain the reasons behind this, and say that people may be asked to step on the scales and please do not be offended. It also mentions this on their website. I don't know if you have had any further problems with portly clients...
 
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