Free livery for part loan?

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Dry Rot

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It has been suggested to me that I put a very nice but green youngster with a livery yard where they charge nothing for the livery provided they can use the pony for lessons during the week. My regular girl could ride/handle her at the weekend and keep an eye on things as the yard is local to her. At least, that's how I understand it.

It sounds like a good deal as the pony needs more experience. On the other hand, she has been professionally broken on my premises and is a real sweetie. She responds to the slightest touch, is very people friendly, and has all the makings of a super child's PC pony. So far, she literally hasn't put a foot wrong. She is certainly not a slug but would be perfect for games, etc. I was warned by the girl who broke her that she could be easily spoilt at this stage (she's 4) by an inexperienced rider and her confidence could be ruined.

I'm told it is a very good yard run by nice people. The financial side does not bother me as I have my own land but it is very difficult to get good riders here because I am fairly remote. What do you think?
 
If the lady who broke her said she could be easily spoilt id be inclined to say don't do it personally. What may be a better option is to perhaps part loan from yours where you can oversee everything to a PC child who rides nicely and will have a one to one relationship but giving your pony the experience of pony club and shows and just to have a bit of fun with.
 
I would run a mile, no way would I put her on that yard unless I could be 10000% be sure I could over see everything and everyone who went near her! Youngsters, as you have been advised, are so easy to make 'wrong' and I personally wouldn't chance it for free anything. Best of luck :)
 
No way would I do that. Your lovely pony could and probably would be ruined by a variety of riders of varying (in) experience, and that is especially true of a genuine youngster.
Can you not just get a sharers, especially if you offer free riding? That way, you can oversee everything. Even though you are remote, if you are offering free riding, you ar more likely to find the right person, as they will be making the effort to travel to you, too.
 
No way would I let a riding school use a young pony. It will get thoroughly confused with lots of different novices riding it.
 
I'd be worried about an established 10 y/o pony being confused/ ruined by being used in the riding school - unless the school could guarantee the level of rider they would use, I'd not dream of sendinh a 4 y/o - especially not when I was looking to educate them.
 
I'd have an honest conversation with the yard, and then monitor closely if it looks like it might work.

Mine was on working livery when I first had him - he was only ever used for the most advanced lessons, and for the university riding club, so it was effectively free schooling by riders at least as good as me, if not better.
 
Good riders really are difficult to find around here, even when the riding is free. I think I have someone who is quite good now but she could only come once or twice a week at best. Allowing for the weather, probably a lot less than that over winter. I also have a regular girl, again a couple of times a week, who is very experienced but she does a round trip of 70 miles to come out and I have to pay her! (I've a dozen ponies in total and she helps with breaking/schooling, etc).

To be fair, the livery yard is described as a "trekking centre". But I take all your advice on board and she won't be going! I must confess I did have my doubts. I'll keep trying for another local rider. Considering the cost of keeping a pony I really don't understand why it is so difficult, but from reading other posts on here my situation is not unique.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Can RS's use them at 4 yrs now?
Click to expand...

not sure about now but they could when I worked at a RS 24/5yrs ago.

I am another one that would not do it-we used to have (working liveries) and we were a good RS but novice unbalanced riders on horses/ponies that are set to go on to do more than just hack about just does not work and many good ones are ruined by it
 
Not a chance. Unless the instructor would be riding her and not the clients. I had a RS rider of 7 years on my 13.1 for 6 months and got no where, she couldn't get her to go then couldn't stop her in other situations and let her run around on the wrong bend. For a young green horse its a recipe for disaster. My daughter is 4 and confidently riding her off the lead rein with no problems. Avoid avoid avoid.
 
its still 5 yrs old to be used in a rs the licence requires them to be 5 and the insurance will only cover when theyre 5
 
Thanks for all the replies and advice. Really useful and in complete agreement with my instincts!

The argument that's been put to me is that the pony would be seen by lots of potential buyers as a lot of pony clubbers use the yard. I've replied that what we probably need to do is get out to more shows next year and I do understand what she is saying.

But she ain't going!:D On this occasion, I'm putting my foot down! The 5 year rule (which I wasn't aware of) gets me neatly off the hook without upsetting anyone anyway so that is great to know.
 
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