Help with Loan Horse Issues!

chickeninabun

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Location
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www.wix.com
Posted - 11 Jul 2007 : 13:33:39
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I have found someone with 2 horses and 2 ponies that they want to half loan, in my area! Yippee!
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Although I only want 1 horse!
I don't know much about it yet, but I sent her a text asking if I could ring her later tonight to discuss details, and gave a brief description of my riding abilities and horse requirements (eg 16hh+). She text back straight away to say that it was fine to ring her later.
Now I'm really nervous and can't concentrate on my work!! What do I say to her? What questions should I ask? I am so scared! Silly? I know!
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Am also v worried that the owners might not like me or might think I'm not good though at riding, etc!!
Any advice??
 
Just be honest about your abilities. Have you competed at all? If you have tell her to what level eg Novice dressage or that have done 3ft jumping (or whatever) as that will give her an idea of your experience.

Are you happy and able to hack out alone? If so tell her about that. Let her know what you have done on the ground as well ie she might want to know if you can tell when a horse isn't right or if you can muck out properly.

She may want you to have insurance as well so you could ask about that. Also ask her about what the horse has done and to what level it's schooled, if it's safe in traffic etc

I'm sure you can come up with better suggestions but that's a start. Write everything down so if you do get nervous on the phone you don't forget anything relevant.

Good luck!
 
How Exciting! Just be brave! I did the same thing last year and 7 months on I couldn't be happier! I just admitted that I had never owned a horse in my life and for the past few years had only ridden once a year and crossed my fingers!

I was really nervous too and couldn't concentrate at work and nearly wet myself when she called back! We are really good mates now and she has really helped & encouraged me.

Good luck!
 
[ QUOTE ]
How Exciting! Just be brave! I did the same thing last year and 7 months on I couldn't be happier! I just admitted that I had never owned a horse in my life and for the past few years had only ridden once a year and crossed my fingers!

I was really nervous too and couldn't concentrate at work and nearly wet myself when she called back! We are really good mates now and she has really helped & encouraged me.

Good luck!

[/ QUOTE ]

You sound just like me Minkymoo!! It gives me such hope, thank you! I hope my half loan turns out as good as yours.
 
I've shared horses on and off for years and i have never really had a bad experience. As everyone else has said, be honest, don't over estimate yourself, but similarly, don't sell yourself short. Remember that the person you are sharing with is not doing you a favour, but instead you are buying a service (that's assuming you are going to be contributing financially), so it's not all about her and her horse, but you also. Don't take on something if you think it may be too much for you or alternatively turn out to be boring - that wouldn't be fair to the owner or you.

To stop you getting really nervous, remember that she will be trying to impress you as much as the other way around.

Good luck, i bet it will turn out very well.
 
Thankyou chicken! It can by all accounts be a nightmare, but i must be honest, i have been so lucky! It was at first because i wanted to get my own but hadn't ever had a horse (though i've ridden alot) and thought it would be better than rushing in. phew! glad that i didn't! now (though i look at horsemart ALOT
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) i will probably not get one as i don't feel the need.his owner has a warmblood as well as C so I get to do loads of stuff on him incl dressage! (tho am rubbish - we're getting better!).

GOOD LUCK!! it will be great!
 
UPDATE - I rang the lady last night about the loan horse and found out it is actually a riding school!
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She does lesson 3 days a week, then you get the horse the other 3 days and it has 1 day off. You pay half the shoeing costs and then £130 a month for the livery, but they do everything for that. You just go down and ride whenever you want, with use of the school, on your alloted 3 days!
It sounds pretty good, plus a riding school horse would be good for me as I haven't ridden for ages, but I don't think I could stretch to £130/month.
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I was banking on more like £80/month and I'd do all the donkey work on my days. In fact I'd rather do the mucking out, etc, if I got a horse than just ride it. It'd be harder to bond with the horse. Although I don't know if I'd still be saying that on a cold November morning!!
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It seems a shame to pass on the idea but I don't want my family going without just so I can ride a few times a week. I might hold off for the time being because my neighbour is trying to buy some land near our house and put stables on it and rent a paddock and she says I can have a horse there and just pay half the field rent. If that all comes off then it would be better because it's sooo much closer to home.
 
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