Michen
Well-Known Member
Aren't they? There was a massive shortage of decent loan horses when I was looking. I only got mine through word of mouth.
Finding an Experienced Home ..... fesiable or not
- Thread starter Pachner82
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wingedhorse
Well-Known Member
I'd agree with this. There are loads of loan horses available. But ones that are generally uncomplicated and safe, 100% sound, with few quirks and come with fitting tack have some schooling, hack alone, and in company, are good in traffic, load, travel, could do a lowel level dressage test / jump a course, etc. are very thin on the ground!
And these good ones normally go through word of mouth.
If you dont mind a green, probably slightly got the upper hand with their owner, or not 100% competition sound loan horse, or something with siginificant quirks, then there is a much wider choice.
I've had 4 loan horses - one was 18 months out of work and a problem loader / traveller, one was nappy, and came with condition he was BD competed monthly, one was quirky - nervy, spooky, tricky to canter behind, and quirky to jump, and one was a rehab horse. I dont regret any of them (and went on to buy 3 of them). But 100% sound, paragons of virtue are rarely loaned to complete strangers from adverts.
benz
Well-Known Member
Someone I know was in similar position and I helped to rehome through horses 4 homes. Got loads of people insterested and easily found her a good home that ticked all the boxes.
For those saying vet/physio are out of order I dont agree. Horse welfare comes first and it is not easy to school a horse correctly, if it was why doesn't everyone do it?
For those saying vet/physio are out of order I dont agree. Horse welfare comes first and it is not easy to school a horse correctly, if it was why doesn't everyone do it?
FfionWinnie
Well-Known Member
For this sort of horse I would say it would be nigh on impossible to find someone with the correct experience who wanted to take him on.
If you saw him advertised would you even give it a second look?
We don't know anything about him apart from him having a potentially crocked back, maybe he is an utter saint and would be well sought after but even so there's the back issue.
wingedhorse
Well-Known Member
There are people advertising on FB for a straightness training project to rehab. If the owner covered all the costs, and it was an upfront rehab project loan, I dont think it would be impossible. Not easy no, but not impossible.
Equally if the owner covered all the costs of care / physio / shoeing / feeding etc. that might make it appealing to someone, who has the skills but not the finances.
A friend of mine took a horse on, on this basis. Owner covered all costs, but friend put all the rehab work in, as she had the time and no working horse.
Michen
Well-Known Member
Personally no, I was referring to you saying there was a shortage of decent, healthy loan horses.
ycbm
Overwhelmed
I think it is pretty easy to school a horse correctly of you have basic balance and an independent seat. Everyone doesn't do it because everyone and their trainer are too busy trying to fiddle the horse into 'an outline' working from front to back instead of the other way around.
Bernster
Well-Known Member
Hmm maybe I'm delinquent but honestly I think it is more challenging than that, to do it right. Admittedly I'm at unaff level and a fairly amateur rider, but I see more horses pulled into a false outline than working properly. There are loads of threads on here about how to get a horse working properly/in an outline etc., and lots of photos of that over on the right hand side, which suggests that it's a fairly common issue. Not saying we're all riding wrong; it's a journey and we're at different stages, but plenty of people find it tricky to school correctly.
Sukistokes2
Well-Known Member
I have a super little Gypsy cob <<<<<<<<
Sadly he has shown a weakness in his stifle and this has meant that he has failed to progress in the way he should have. It seems to have gotten worst as he has gotten older. Now we have a diagnoses, we have a treatment and I have had to face the unpleasant fact that I will be too heavy for my little horse with his current problem. Its horrid and yes I could lose weight but not in time to help him now. So OP i was in a similar situation in some ways. My lad will be going to a loan home but not until he has made significant progress. I would not be happy with him going now and some stranger letting him get weak again, So the major work will be done before I let him go. I will also carefully vet and then check on any loan people who have him. Currently he is being worked on a weekly basis by a paid professional. That way i know its being done right, the rider is in contact with me and the vet. I know its expensive but what my horse deserved ( in my mind) If you can not do your own horse for what ever reason IMO its better to seek professional help and have things done correctly. Get them stable and working well before moving them on. Just my opinion, you have to do what suits you.
Sadly he has shown a weakness in his stifle and this has meant that he has failed to progress in the way he should have. It seems to have gotten worst as he has gotten older. Now we have a diagnoses, we have a treatment and I have had to face the unpleasant fact that I will be too heavy for my little horse with his current problem. Its horrid and yes I could lose weight but not in time to help him now. So OP i was in a similar situation in some ways. My lad will be going to a loan home but not until he has made significant progress. I would not be happy with him going now and some stranger letting him get weak again, So the major work will be done before I let him go. I will also carefully vet and then check on any loan people who have him. Currently he is being worked on a weekly basis by a paid professional. That way i know its being done right, the rider is in contact with me and the vet. I know its expensive but what my horse deserved ( in my mind) If you can not do your own horse for what ever reason IMO its better to seek professional help and have things done correctly. Get them stable and working well before moving them on. Just my opinion, you have to do what suits you.
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
I totally agree here with Ffionwinnie! I'm stunned a vet and physio said this!
I'm assuming he needs to work long and low and you can do this hacking.
Your having lessons, what does your instructor think to the situation? Can she/he chat to your vet and find out exactly what's needed? I'm totally sure you can work through this if you want to?
But... I admire you for having taken on board their comments and not being totally crushed by them as I would have been 😋 Very brave and caring owner x
Bernster
Well-Known Member
I'm thinking along the same lines. But what's your view on whether you can find him a loan home, and how? That sounds very much like the dilemma the OP will have even if she's able to do the initial rehab.
FfionWinnie
Well-Known Member
I don't think I said that. If I did it's not what I meant, I meant there's a plethora of horses (decent or otherwise!) looking for loaners or sharers and not many experienced loaners, who could manage a horse such as this, or indeed would want to.
FfionWinnie
Well-Known Member
I totally agree. I'm no great experienced rider but have managed to improve both of my green horses way of going, one of which was a rehab both physically and mentally. Correct tuition should surely be enough to teach the op what to do with the horse.
Op seems to have left the building tho!
VikingSong
Well-Known Member
It would have been interesting to read more from OP, but I fear the personal remarks and assumptions regarding her weight may have scared her off?
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stormox
Well-Known Member
I dont think its any veiled comment about weight, as vet and physio are happy for OP to ride in lessons! And not everyone is able to get to a computer every day so a couple of days away doesnt mean you're scared off, VikingSong.